Temperament
Lively, Intelligent, Headstrong, Watchful.
Health problems to know about
- Hip dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy (rcd4)
- Hypothyroidism
- Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis
Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.
Daily care
Daily brushing of the long double coat to stop mats. Plenty of exercise and jobs to do, plus consistent, patient training. Ask breeders for hip, eye and PRA (rcd4) results.
A good fit for
Active families who enjoy training and grooming and want an alert, sociable dog of a manageable size.
Probably not ideal for
Owners short on grooming time, people who want a quiet dog, or homes where it would be bored and alone all day.
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.
