Boarding herding breeds

The American Kennel Club says the Herding Group comprises breeds developed for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. That job made them watchful, quick to learn and short on patience for a bored afternoon.

Two sizes, one working mind

Weights below come from each breed's AKC page. Whether a herding dog is 25 pounds or 85, it was bred to think all day, so the walks, the large fenced play areas and the grass field are as relevant as the kennel size.

Two herding dogs from one home share a run, and two Business Class dogs are better off in First Class, 6x8 feet inside: $72 for the first and $61 for the second on the 2026 rates.

Double coats and the bath chart

Most herding breeds have a double coat. The chart effective January 1, 2024 gives the Extra Long or Double Coated column as $45 at 16 to 25 pounds, $55 at 26 to 50, $65 at 51 to 75 and $75 at 76 to 100. A medium-length coat like a German Shepherd's, which the chart names as its Medium example, is $50 at 51 to 75 pounds and $55 at 76 to 100. A smooth Collie or a short-coated Malinois uses the Short column: $45 at 51 to 75 pounds.

Double coats shed heavily when the seasons turn, and a bath near pick-up is a good way to take loose undercoat home in the drain. Please ask to confirm today's price.

Watchful dogs and a busy kennel

Dogs see their neighbors through the fence but have their own space, which suits a herding dog that likes to keep an eye on things. Some herding breeds nip at moving heels or bark at movement; a dog that gets worked up should come with a note to the front desk at booking.

If your dog has seen a lot of exercise at home, mention it. A Border Collie or Cattle Dog on a daily run will want the same, and the high-energy dog page covers what a day looks like.

More herding-group breeds

The AKC Herding Group also includes these breeds, each with its own page:

• Bearded Collie
• Beauceron
• Belgian Sheepdog
• Belgian Tervuren
• Bergamasco Sheepdog
• Berger Picard
• Bouvier des Flandres
• Briard
• Entlebucher Mountain Dog
• Finnish Lapphund
• Icelandic Sheepdog
• Mudi
• Norwegian Buhund
• Puli
• Pumi
• Spanish Water Dog
• Swedish Vallhund

Heat and double coats

See the double-coated dog guide for the coat side. For the weather side: Vacaville, the nearest weather station, records about 100 days a year at 90 degrees or more. The runs are air-conditioned in summer, and your dog chooses inside or out through the doggie door.