Welsh Sheepdog Dog Breed: Info, Pictures, Care & Traits

If you don’t know much about the Welsh Sheepdog, you’re not alone. As the name implies, the Welsh Sheepdog is from Wales and is a rare landrace breed, meaning that it has adapted to its environment over time rather than being formally bred by humans for certain traits. This breed is estimated to have been around for at least 800 years. The Welsh Sheepdog looks most similar to a Border Collie but has taken on many different appearances over time since there is no official breed standard.

Breed Overview

If you’re looking for a herding dog, the Welsh Sheepdog may be an ideal choice. These dogs love to work on the farm, and their herding ability has been more important to the Welsh people than their appearance and temperament. This is why there have been no attempts to breed this dog for certain traits and characteristics. If you think a Welsh Sheepdog would be a good fit for your home, continue reading to learn more.

Welsh Sheepdog Characteristics

Welsh Sheepdog Puppies

As a herding breed, the Welsh Sheepdog will likely be very active and energetic even as a puppy. This will be a breed that you will need to have lots of entertainment and stimulation for, or they will likely resort to chewing and destructive behaviors out of boredom. As a highly intelligent but somewhat stubborn breed, they will benefit from training at a young age so that they will grow to be well-trained adults. They will also benefit from socialization early, as they don’t tend to get along well with other people and pets without proper socialization.

If you’re interested in bringing one of these puppies into your home, they may be hard to find. As a landrace breed with no formal breed standard and no recognition from any major kennel club, you will likely have to travel to Wales to acquire one of these dogs, but understand that they are rare even in Wales. You may be able to find a breeder, but since they’ve never really been bred by humans you’ll have to be really careful to make sure you’re truly getting a Welsh Sheepdog. You may be able to stumble across a Welsh Sheepdog in a shelter or rescue, however, just be aware that you’ll likely have a difficult time finding one.

Welsh Sheepdog Origin & History

The exact origins of the Welsh Sheepdog aren’t clear. It has been estimated to have been around for at least 800 years and has likely changed in appearance numerous times since then, as being a landrace breed means evolving and adapting to environmental changes over time.

Although no one really knows how the breed came about, there is speculation that an ancient breed known as the Welsh Staghound, a hunting dog kept by Welsh noblemen, was part of the foundation stock for the Welsh Sheepdog.

The Welsh Sheepdog has always been used as a herding and livestock droving dog, used for helping to move livestock across long distances, usually to markets in Great Britain. However, the introduction of the Border Collie, which excelled in sheepherding, combined with the decrease of livestock droving, led to the Welsh Sheepdog declining in popularity.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Welsh Sheepdog

The Welsh Sheepdog is considered to be a very intelligent breed, and this leads to them being very curious and inquisitive. They need to be kept busy and they need a job to do, otherwise they could get themselves into trouble due to boredom. It is essential that you keep this dog for herding or farm work, otherwise you will have to make sure to keep them entertained in other ways to prevent destructive behavior.

Welsh Sheepdogs are also known to be protectors, and this can lead to some aggressive tendencies toward people they aren’t familiar with. The breed is also very independent and can be assertive, so it is important that you let them know from the get-go that you are the dominant one in the household. Otherwise, your Welsh Sheepdog may try to assert dominance over you which can lead to obedience problems.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🧑‍🧑‍🧒

The Welsh Sheepdog makes a great dog for families, as long as you have a big enough space for them to receive adequate exercise and stimulation. However, they are best for experienced dog owners, and may not be suitable for homes with small children due to their energy levels and their herding tendencies, which can cause them to nip at the heels of young children in an attempt to “herd” them. If you have older children that can help entertain and train your Welsh Sheepdog, it can be beneficial to the dog. But you shouldn’t own one of these dogs if you have mobility issues or are elderly and can’t meet their exercise needs.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

The Welsh Sheepdog has the potential to get along well with other dogs, but it is essential to socialize them early so that they can get used to the presence of other dogs. Since they can be protectors of their family and spaces, it is important that you introduce any other dogs carefully and slowly in order to let the Welsh Sheepdog and any other dogs get to know each other in a safe and controlled environment.

As far as cats and other small pets are concerned, the Welsh Sheepdog might not be the best fit considering their energy levels. This could lead to rough play that could injure cats and other small pets, even if your Welsh Sheepdog doesn’t mean any harm. It’s possible for them to get along with cats with careful introduction and proper socialization, but supervision is always recommended, and you shouldn’t have smaller pets out of their cage around a Welsh Sheepdog.

Things to Know When Owning a Welsh Sheepdog:

Food & Diet Requirements🦴

A healthy Welsh Sheepdog doesn’t necessarily need a special diet, just high-quality food that is appropriate for their lifestage. Puppies benefit from puppy food, adults should be fed adult food, and senior dogs should be given senior food. It’s best to avoid food designed for all life stages as foods for different life stages contain different nutrients that can benefit your dog as they grow or age.

You could also feed them food designed for active dogs, which is generally higher in protein and calories. If they suffer from any allergies or health conditions, it is best to consult a veterinarian for food recommendations for your dog. As far as how much to feed, it’s best to follow the recommendations on the food packaging based on your dog’s weight if they’re at a healthy weight, or your vet’s recommendations if your dog is over or underweight.

Exercise🐕

One of the hallmarks of the Welsh Sheepdog is their energy levels. The right amount of exercise is not only important for their health and wellbeing, but also to prevent destructiveness and boredom. They require around 1–2 hours of high-intensity exercise every day. It is best if you only keep this dog if you live in a rural area and have plenty of space for them to run around and play. They can also benefit from trips to the dog park for exercise and socialization. Due to their intelligence, they also make good candidates for agility training and competitions.

Welsh Sheepdogs are not suitable for apartments and other small living spaces. If you are away from home a lot and can’t provide them the exercise they need, it is best that you choose another breed.

Training 🎾

As we mentioned, Welsh Sheepdogs are highly intelligent, but due to their independent nature and their want to always have the upper hand, they can be difficult to train. If you have this dog from puppyhood, it is best to start training them for obedience early on. Otherwise, they can be difficult to train as they get older. If you find yourself having a hard time getting the dog to listen to you, it can be beneficial to reach out to a professional dog trainer or animal behaviorist for help.

Welsh Sheepdogs can also be trained to perform tricks, catch Frisbees, etc. However, obedience training is necessary first to ensure a well-rounded dog that listens to you, not a dog that expects you to listen to them instead.

Grooming✂️

Welsh Sheepdogs tend to have shorter hair, and so they don’t need regular grooming as a result. You can get by with bathing your Welsh Sheepdog every 4–6 weeks, or as needed if they get dirty from playing outside all the time. However, it is important that you don’t overbathe your Welsh Sheepdog, as this can dry out their skin and coat and make them itchy.

In addition to bathing, you will also need to clean your dog’s teeth and ears regularly. If they spend a lot of time outside, they may not need their nails clipped as often because they will naturally wear down. But you may still have to do this occasionally.

Health and Conditions 🏥

As a landrace breed with a mixed genetic ancestry, the Welsh Sheepdog tends to be healthier than many purebred dog breeds. However, Welsh Sheepdogs are generally susceptible to similar health conditions as many other herding dogs.

It is important to see your veterinarian annually to get your dog checked out and keep them updated on their vaccines. Regular vet care can help you prevent or get on top of any health conditions that your dog may experience before they become worse.

Male vs Female

Because there is not a breed standard for the Welsh Sheepdog, it is hard to determine whether there are any major personality and temperament differences between males and females of this breed. The biggest difference is in size, as females are usually a couple of inches shorter than males and weigh about 5–10 pounds less.

Regardless of sex, it is important to get your dog spayed or neutered when they reach sexual maturity. Not only will this prevent puppies, but it can also reduce undesirable behaviors related to mating. Spaying or neutering your Welsh Sheepdog can also reduce or eliminate the risk of certain types of cancers. It’s recommended to speak to your vet about the best time to spay or neuter and the benefits and risks of doing so.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Welsh Sheepdog

1. They Look Similar to Border Collies

The Welsh Sheepdog is probably the dog breed that looks most similar to the Border Collie. They are a little taller than Border Collies and have shorter hair, but the coloring is similar as is the general head and body shape. Since Welsh Sheepdogs and Border Collies both originated in Wales, it is thought that the two probably interbred at some point in their history.

2. They Aren’t Recognized By Any Major Kennel Club

Due to being a landrace breed with mixed and unknown heritage, the Welsh Sheepdog is not recognized by any major kennel club, including the United Kennel Club. Welsh Sheepdogs evolved over time, likely as a result of several different native Welsh breeds interbreeding. Farmers valued their herding abilities over creating a more uniform appearance and temperament, so there haven’t been many attempts to create a purebred dog with a breed standard.

3. They Can Be Found in Many Different Colors

Because there is no breed standard and they aren’t purebred, the Welsh Sheepdog can come in many different colors. The most common colors are similar to the Border Collie, including black and white, red and white, and merle. There can be other combinations as well, although the red and white coloring is considered to be the closest to the original Welsh Sheepdogs.

Final Thoughts

If you didn’t know a lot about the Welsh Sheepdog before, now you do. If you’re looking for an intelligent, energetic herding dog, the Welsh Sheepdog can be a great choice. Due to their rarity, they can be difficult to come across. If you do manage to find one though, they can make excellent pets provided that you train and socialize them properly and can provide them with the exercise they need. What do you think? Could you own a Welsh Sheepdog?

Featured Image Credit: ubaru, Shutterstock