A small, short-legged drover's dog from north-west England used to herd cattle and control vermin. Alert, affectionate and energetic, it is a rare breed recently gaining AKC recognition.
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From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
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Minimum
Apartment or small home with daily walks
Apartment + 2× daily 30-min walks
A small dog adapts well to apartment living with two structured walks a day plus indoor enrichment. Crate-train for alone-time and give supervised free-roam of the household when settled.
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Recommended
Home with secure yard + daily routine
House + fenced yard + 45 min daily exercise
A house with a securely fenced yard, two structured walks per day, and indoor enrichment (chews, training, puzzle feeders). Most small breeds settle well as household pets when this baseline is met. High-drive working breed — the recommended tier still demands daily structured mental work (training, scent games, herding ball, fetch with rules), not just walks.
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Ideal
Household companion with varied enrichment
House + fenced yard + sport or hobby
Tiny cattle drover — herding ball, scent work, or barn hunt suits the heritage. — ideal is acreage or rural property paired with a daily job or canine sport: herding stock, scent detection, agility, protection sport, sledding, gundog field work, or a structured working role. Without that outlet, expect destructive behaviour, reactivity, and welfare-relevant frustration.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
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Newborn
Newborn mammals are nursed on their mother's milk. Many are born helpless — blind, deaf, and sparsely furred (altricial, as in dogs, cats, and rodents) — while others stand and follow within hours (precocial, as in hoofed livestock).
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Juvenile
After weaning, juveniles grow quickly and become increasingly active, playful, and independent. Adult coat, proportions, and (in many species) the permanent teeth come in as they approach full size.
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Adult
Adults reach full body size and sexual maturity, with the species' mature coat and build. Sexual dimorphism — differences in size, mane, horns, or markings — is pronounced in some mammals and subtle in others.
Senior
Senior animals show aging signs such as graying fur, reduced activity, and a greater need for veterinary monitoring of joints, teeth, and organ function. Lifespan and the onset of old age vary widely by species and size.
Color & pattern variants
Natural variants occur in the wild; selectively bred (man-made) variants were developed in captivity.
Adaptable to apartments or houses provided it gets daily exercise and mental work. Needs 30-60 minutes of activity plus play and training. Loves having a job; enjoys herding, agility and trick training. A secure yard is appreciated, and fencing should account for its agility despite short legs.
Diet
Feed a quality diet portioned for a small, active dog and monitor weight, as the breed can gain weight if underexercised. No breed-specific dietary disease; keep treats modest given the small frame.
Behavior & temperament
Friendly, alert, intelligent and affectionate with a cheeky, terrier-like personality and a tendency to nip at heels (herding instinct) that should be redirected. Highly trainable and eager but can be vocal. Moderate-to-high energy. Good with children and other dogs when socialised; herding drive can prompt chasing of small pets.
Health
Predisposed to several inherited eye disorders — primary lens luxation (PLL), Collie eye anomaly (CEA) and primary glaucoma; DNA tests exist for PLL and CEA and should be used in breeding. Patellar luxation also occurs. Recommended screening: ophthalmologist exams plus PLL/CEA DNA testing and patella checks.
Tips, DIY & hacks
Short, weather-resistant double coat is low-maintenance; weekly brushing and a heavier 'blowout' during seasonal shedding. Provide mental stimulation and a job to prevent boredom barking and nipping. Reward-based training channels the herding instinct positively.
