Meet the Rare Dog Breed Only True Californians Know About – McNab Shepherds
Working dogs and family dogs have some major differences. A family dog might be in danger if allowed off-leash near livestock—they could be kicked, head-butted, or trampled, and might hurt the livestock intentionally or by accident. Working herding breeds have strong instincts not to injure livestock and can intuitively avoid getting stepped on or kicked while they work.
The gorgeous McNab Shepherds—also called McNab Collies or McNab Dogs—in the TikTok above demonstrate how they safely drive horses forward and into a pasture unaided by a human. Unique even among herding breeds, the McNab Shepherd is “loose-eyed” meaning they don’t make intense eye contact with livestock nor use the typical crouched herding stance typical of other herding dogs like the Border Collie.
Loose-eyed herding dog breeds work far more independently, and McNab Shepherds are “particularly adept at both heading and heeling stock, meaning they can turn stock from the front or get behind stock and drive them from the back,” according to the McNab Shepherd Registry. But it’s not just their incredible natural instincts that make McNab Shepherds Unique. McNab Shepherds are one of only around five or six herding dog breeds that originate in the United States.
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Meet 5 McNabs from Instagram
McNab Shepherd colors and markings are diverse, and breed standards allow for solid color, bi-color, and tri-color McNabs. Within the breed standard for the McNab Shepherd, blond, red, and black are all equally acceptable coat colors. Most McNabs have white markings which can vary between dogs. Black and white McNab Shepherds might be easily confused for Border Collies, but once you’ve studied a few McNab Shepherd images you’ll learn how to spot the difference.
1. Angus
Source: @Angus_The_McNab_Dog
Angus is a gorgeous brown and white McNab Shepherd who loves everyone on his family’s ranch—yes even the cat! Angus herds livestock for his humans, but will happily accept snuggles at the end of a long work day.
2. Rhys
Source: @RhysTheMcNab
This adorable blonde and white McNab puppy is Rhys, a service dog in training destined to do guide work for visual impairment. Still just a pup, Rhys has plenty to learn in the next few years while he grows big and strong.
3. Mickey
Source: @MickeyTheMcNab
Mickey is a black and white McNab from Chico, California who keeps himself busy by herding his two Corgi siblings and keeping an eye on the countertops for treats.
4. Kathmandu
Source: @Sara.Brueske
Kathmandu is a chocolate brown and white McNab dog showing off this breed’s incredible athleticism in a photo captured by dog photographer Sara Brueske.
5. Tulsi
Source: @Jessica.Gigot
Tulsi is a working McNab with a herd of sheep to care for, but when she’s not working, her humans say she is a patient, quiet family member who just likes to take in the vibes.
McNab Shepherd Basic Info
Alexander McNab was a Scottish homesteader who immigrated to California—to an area now called Hopland in Mendocino County—in the late 1800s. McNab found the terrain and weather conditions of northern California rough, and quickly noted a need for a herding dog that could handle the heat, prickly native plants, and rocky land while being efficient for herding cattle, sheep, and other livestock.
The first McNab Shepherd breeding program was started by Alexander McNab using Scottish Collies and local herding dogs as his foundation stock. Eventually, Alexander’s son, John McNab took over and finalized the standardization of the McNab Shepherd. The McNab was the herding breed of choice in northern California by the 1940s but has remained fairly isolated to the region. Today the breed has slowly made its way outside of California but is relatively unknown to non-ranchers and everyday pet owners.
McNab Shepherd Temperament
McNab Shepherds are highly intelligent dogs that need a lot of mental stimulation and exercise. McNab dogs are high-energy and hard workers that thrive when they have a job. McNabs are natural and versatile herding dogs but also excel at nose work and canine sports. Fast runners and powerful jumpers, McNab Shepherds make great disc dogs, flyball athletes, and agility champions.
Alert and independent, McNab Shepherds like to be busy and are not the right breed for families that work full-time or need to leave their dogs alone for long stretches. Easy to train and exceptionally loyal, McNabs make wonderful companions for dog owners who want a shadow to follow them everywhere.
Because McNab Shepherds were intentionally bred to be working dogs this is not a good breed for a first-time dog owner or someone seeking a couch-potato-type pup. McNab dogs can work tirelessly for hours on end and many happily stay outdoors nearly 24/7.
McNab Shepherd Size
McNab Shepherds are large to medium-sized dogs that stand 14–26 inches at the shoulder and weigh 30–70 pounds.
McNab Shepherd Health
McNab Shepherds have relatively few genetic health risks, but owners of this breed should be aware of some of the health issues commonly found in herding dogs.
- Eye and vision problems (e.g. cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy)
- Joint issues (e.g. hip dysplasia, luxating patella)
- Skin issues (e.g. allergies)
- Cardiovascular disease
- Epilepsy
Where To Find A McNab Shepherd For Sale
If you own a ranch or are an experienced working dog owner looking for a McNab puppy, you can find McMab Shepherd breeders through resources like the McNab Stockdog Foundation or the McNab Shepherd Registry. Joining online groups like the Facebook forum McNab Shepherds and Friends can help connect you with someone who breeds McNabs.
In California and nearby states, you may also be able to find McNabs and McNab mixes at your local shelters. Common mixes include Australian Shepherd McNab mixes, Border Collie McNab mixes, German Shepherd McNab mixes, and Pit Bull McNab mixes. Rescue groups like the McNab Stock Dog Rescue can also help connect you with adoptable McNabs around the country.
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