Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly
Temperament
Calm, Independent, Patient, Watchful.
Health problems to know about
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Degenerative myelopathy (DNA test)
Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.
Daily care
Moderate daily exercise. Mats are split into flocks by hand in the first years; after that, grooming is mostly occasional baths and drying time. Keep shaded in heat.
A good fit for
Calm families, rural homes, and owners who want a steady, low-shedding companion.
Probably not ideal for
Hot climates, small flats, and people wanting a dog that does as it's told without thinking first.
Sources
Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.
