Dogs come in all shapes and sizes - the Royal Kennel Club (formerly the UK Kennel Club) recognises 221 different pedigree dogs, from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier (there are sadly no dog breeds starting with the letter ‘z’!).
Then there are all manner of crossbreeds, from so-called ‘designer dogs’ to lovable mongrels.
Each has its own list of positive and negative attributes, and it’s important to take plenty of time to think about what breed will fit into your lifestyle the best - for instance a smaller dog if you live in a flat, or a hypoallergenic dog if the mere mention of dog hair makes you think about sneezing.
There is even scientific research to guide you, in particular psychologist Stanley Coren’s groundbreaking book The Intelligence of Dogs.
The Kennel Club separates breeds into seven different groups, each of which have a particular set of attributes.
If you are looking for an intelligent and courageous dog that will naturally form a close bond with you, then it’s worth considering a breed from the Pastoral Group.
They are dogs that have been bred to herd or guard livestock so they also respond very well to training and are eager to please.
The Kennel Club recently released their breed registration statistics for 2025, revealing how many of each breed of dog were registered with them over the year.
According to those figures, here are the 12 most popular pastoral dog breeds in the UK.
Make sure you don't miss a moment of breaking news from across Scotland by signing up to our free newsletter here.
9. Old English Sheepdog
The instantly-recognisable shaggy Old English Sheepdog has actually gone by a few other names during its history - including the Shepherd's Dog and the Bob-Tailed Sheep-Dog. There were 218 new registrations in 2025. | Getty Images for Westminster Ken
10. Bearded Collie
A speedy breed that is always full of energy, the Bearded Collie is one of the most fearsome competitors when it comes to dog sports, including agility tests and obstacle courses at dog shows. There were 158 UK registrations last year. | AFP via Getty Images
11. White Swiss Shepherd Dog
Also known as the Berger Blanc Suisse, the White Swiss Shepherd Dog is descended from whate-coloured purebred German Shepherds. The have always been very popular in the USA and are on the up in the UK - with 119 Royal Kennel Club registrations last year. | AFP via Getty Images
12. Welsh Cardigan Corgi
Completing our list of the UK's most popular pastoral dogs is the 'other' breed of corgi - the Welsh Cardigan Corgi - with 80 new 2025 registrations. They are known for their loyalty and the ease with which they can be trained. | Canva/Getty Images