What’s the Best Barn Dog Breed?

By: Brittany Bevis

Aside from our beloved equines, the dog is the equestrian’s most constant companion. Providing unconditional love, protection, and emotional support, no barn is complete without a barn dog.

Interestingly enough, certain disciplines seem to have their own favorite breeds. Western barns with Reining, Ranch Riding, or Working Cowhorse clientele seem to prefer working breeds like the Australian Shepherd, Heeler, or Border Collie. If you’re a Dressage enthusiast, it’s likely you’re a fan of the Corgi or Jack Russell. Hunter/Jumper barns seem to enjoy the companionship of sporting breeds like the Labrador Retriever or Golden Retriever.

There are, of course, a few popular breeds that can be seen around the rings at any given horse show. We reached out to our The Equine Chronicle fans to find out what breed makes the best barn dog and why.

The Australian Shepherd-

Highly intelligent and very energetic, the Aussie is a herding dog prized for its trainability, willingness to please, and obedience.

Lacey Meester Reed– “As a trainer, my favorite type of barn dog is the Australian Shepherd. They are incredibly smart and kind. Due to their high level of intelligence, Australian Shepherds are fairly easy to train, respond well to positive reinforcement, and love to be helpful at the barn. They can be very friendly, and we’ve always had great luck with them spending a lot of time around our clients, other equine personnel, and the general public that come through the barn.”

“Australian Shepherds are good at noticing changes in the horses, whether they are sick or injured and will let you know if there is a problem. They are very kind to the horses and will comfort them when they’re upset. My dog, Yogi, loves children and is very patient as they climb all over him and will catch the ball as long as they want to throw it. He also loves his kittens and horses and will often be found licking or cuddling with them. Our clients love his outgoing personality. Yogi is often found laying in the arena where he will supervise the training process of each horse and rider. He’s the barn monitor and let’s us know if there are any issues we are unaware of.”

Nancy Smith– “Australian Shepherds are very trainable. Mine is very protective, but listens so well. I only have to teach her something one time and then she knows it. Bella is amazing! She’s probably the best dog I’ve ever had. She loves to play ball and swim in the pool. When she was a puppy, she got run over by a horse one time and decided a certain distance was good for her. She loves to be brushed and will sometimes bring it to you to use.”

The Jack Russell Terrier

With origins in Fox Hunting, the Jack Russell is a sturdy, tenacious little guy that’s very athletic and often vocal. 

Missy Neill- “Well, a Jack Russell Terrier of course! Mine is so smart, and I love the fact that he’s compact. When you’re traveling to horse shows or just around the ranch, it’s nice to have a small dog that fits easily in the wheelbarrow, gator, or truck and trailer. Plus, he likes to run around the barn and get dirty. Also, a small dog is so much easier to clean up than a large dog. Plus, they’re very good for rodent control.”

The Australian Cattle Dog, aka “Heeler”

Energetic and intelligent, the Cattle Dog is a herder at heart, protective, and independent.

Scott Trahan– “This breed has excellent instincts around the barn. They really are another set of eyes on your stock, and they never seem to want to spook the horses. They always stay a safe distance away at all times but still watch the flock in the barn.”

Tara Lombardo Landon– “We like Heelers the best, because they’re comfortable around the horses, loyal, and they socialize well with other dogs at the shows. They can be territorial of their own stalls yet respectful to other dogs in their territory. Our Heelers are always loose, always loyal, and very attentive to the horses. Our Heelers are always by our sides. They listen well, they’re protective and kind, and they are each others’ best friends!”

The Border Collie

Watchful, intelligent, and highly energetic, Border Collies are a favorite choice around the barn.

Shannon Wacker– “My favorite working dog is a Border Collie as their work ethic and loyalty is second to none, but my Border Collie doesn’t come to the barn as he’s showing in obedience and it would be too hard to have him herding everyone around. I think that the Jack Russell is a close second as they’re spicy and always up for a challenge!”

“The JRTs are agile, aware of their surroundings, and loyal to their people. They have tons of spark and spunk to stand up to a full day’s work at the barn! They’re small enough to travel well too!”

“Harmon is the picture of a perfect barn dog. He’s owned by my friend and trainer at the barn, Jessie Lueth, but Harmon and I have grown to love each other dearly. He always waits for me to finish in the arena so we can walk back to the stalls together and, of course, to stop at the treat jar. He likes to ‘get the rats’ at a thousand mph when you’re cleaning stalls and you see a mouse hole, and he’s the best little guard dog ever. He lets anyone who comes to the barn know that this is his place, and he’s going to protect his animals. At the end of the day, he’s the perfect size to take a trip to the wash stall and get a quick bath, the perfect hair coat to shake off and go, plus the perfect size to pick up and plop in the vehicle. I love this little guy! He even has a heart on his side to let us know how much he loves us!”

The German Shepherd

Prized for their trainability, extreme intelligence, and obedience, the GSD is a popular working dog. 

Delores Kuhlwein- “German Shepherds are my pick because of their intelligence. They’re not the normal breed people think of when buying or rescuing a dog to live around horses, but I love them for their trainability and capacity to obey commands. I prefer a dog who listens to me around the horses, so no injuries occur to either horse or dog. They’re are watchful and protective, but also very loyal and more likely to stay around the owner than exploring around the show grounds, which is important to me.”

“My male German Shepherd is relaxed when the horses are good, but he sits up to pay attention when one starts to misbehave. I didn’t have to teach him that – it’s part of what the German Shepherds are bred to do. When he sees everything is going well, he’s content to sit or lay in the aisle of the barn and watch everything without moving. He’ll wait for me as long he must, even for hours. In fact, he will position himself where aisles intersect to be able to see in more than one direction. He innately understands it’s his job to watch over us, and he doesn’t get underfoot or chase the horses. However, when I do need help, as I did one day when I couldn’t get a new yearling in his stall, he stepped right up to assist in herding him. That guarding/watchful trait alone is worth its weight in gold to me.”

“The best thing about Bruno, as a horse show dog, is that as soon as he figures out we’re traveling, he curls up and goes to sleep on the back seat (all 118 lbs of him) until the truck stops, and he goes potty on command in the field or grassy areas. We started traveling with him to shows when he was six weeks of age, and he learned well on that first trip. Once we’re at the show, he plays when we take him out, but willfully curls up in his kennel, chews his bone, and waits patiently while we’re busy. It doesn’t hurt that he’s 118 lbs and protection trained, so I feel safe with him when I’m alone. What could be better than that entire package? He’s the perfect dog for us.”

The Pembroke Welsh Corgi 

Low-set and compact, the Corgi is fun-loving and friendly.  

Blake Carney– “I’m partial to Corgis! I have two and they’re so fun loving and happy! I think a good barn dog needs to know how to stay out of the way. At the same time, it’s really nice when I know where they are. I hate when one is missing, and I have to find them. They also have to be really nice with strangers and not too bad about barking at new people. One thing I always smile about is when one of my dogs stays with me until the very last of the work is done.”

“Although I have four dogs, I have to say the best barn dog is Sparkle. I don’t know where she got that name (she came with it) or what in the world mix of breeds she is, but she’s incredibly loyal, always in sight, and happy from the minute she wakes up until the very end of the day! I should also add she’s an amazing meteorologist… She hates the cold and rain, and she lets you know when weather she doesn’t like is coming.”

Chelsea Reynolds- “As a herding breed with a elevated sense of awareness and surprising speed for their adorably miniature legs, Corgis fit right in around the barn. Through domesticated breeding, their personality blends companionship, loyalty, and supporting our emotional needs, just like our equine partners.”

“My dog, Sir Winston Everett Warren Pemberton III, has a face that melts your heart and the personality of a best friend. Having just started to breed him last year, I love to see how great he is with his puppies. He’s a loving companion and father. He really is the best!”

Julian Harris– “Corgi, all the way! They’re very loyal, always happy, and irresistibly fluffy! I have a Corgi named Christopher. He picked me out when he was a puppy. He waddled into my lap and growled at the other puppies who came close. He greats me every time like it’s the best day ever. He’s the best!”

Karly Matusik– “I think a Corgi makes the best barn dog! My dog, Armani, loves to help me longe my horse. Even though he gets distracted by the whip, he thinks he does a good job helping me. He helps teach our horses at the barn not to paw when they’re on cross ties. He will also run next to my horse, Megatron, when I ride, until he gets tired. He doesn’t like it when Megatron backs up when I ride or when I’m doing Showmanship patterns, but he’s usually too tired to walk at that point.”

“When it comes time to groom, Armani will be exhausted and just sit next to Megatron’s front feet while I groom him. Armani lives in the city. Anytime I ask him, ‘Do you want to go to the barn?’ he will get to the door before me. He also gets a bath after every time he goes to the barn with me, and I’m not sure he likes that part too much. I wish I could bring Armani into all my Showmanship classes to keep Megatron’s set up super fast like at home.”

The Catahoula Cur

Assertive and protective, but typically even-tempered, the Catahoula is known as a natural alarm dog. 

Hollie Byers– “I think the best breed is a Catahoula. They’re amazingly smart and protective dogs. I think it takes an intelligent, well behaved, and loyal dog to be a barn dog. They need to know when to be aggressive or protective of the farm and when to stay out of the way. Surprisingly, I won’t say my dog is the best barn dog. She’s a small Sheltie. While I love her, she’s very horse dumb. She always wants to be near me, which sometimes puts her too close to the horses.”

“I think Blake Weis has the best barn dog in the world. He got her at the All American Quarter Horse Congress one year. She’s a Catahoula named Bella. Everyone that shows horses knows Bella. Most days, you can find her in a chair at the front of the stalls keeping guard. We joke that we put things we don’t want people touching next to her food, because absolutely no one touches her food. She’s super smart. If you’re a client, she knows you and you’re allowed in the tack stall. If she doesn’t know you, she’s not letting you in. At the farm, she keeps watch on everything from a distance, but she stays out of everyone’s way. She’s honestly the best barn dog I’ve ever met.”

The Yorkshire Terrier

Curious and fond of attention the Yorkie is also an alarm dog and often vocal. 

Brian Henry– “We have a Yorkie that we purchased at the World Show in 2012. He’s the best barn dog ever! He’s very loyal and hangs out with us all day. He doesn’t shed, so that’s a huge thing for us. He’s small, so bathing him is very easy. His size also makes him quick to get out of the way of the horses and really easy to travel with. In the summers, he gets fun haircuts to keep his hair shorter, and he stays clean easier that way!”

The Mutt

Cat Guenther– “I personally don’t think there is one specific breed of dog that makes the best barn dog. I’ve met wonderful Corgis, Chihuahuas, Pit Bulls, and even some German Shepherds! I think the most important trait of a barn dog, no matter the breed, is a friendly and loyal personality. Most of the dogs I’ve met at shows are super friendly and listen to their owners very well. This is one of my dogs; his name is Denali. He doesn’t usually go to the horse shows with me, but in the summer he is my barn buddy!”

What’s your favorite breed of barn dog?