Rules for Herding-Dogs

1. We only accept photos and artwork of dogs that are in the herding breed category. Our formal folders are for breeds recognized by AKC but we do allow exceptions for non-AKC breeds under our *Herding Breed Specialized* folder.

2. Other breeds are not allowed unless photographed with a welcomed breed.
I.e. you can't submit photos of a Golden Retriever or Husky unless they're in the same photo as let's say a Border Collie. If you're not sure please ask feel free to ask any of the admins/mods.

3. Photos must be clearly in focus, well lit (the exception is silhouettes because then you are exposed for your background), and decluttered. We very heavily prefer you only submit your very best photos. While we all love and appreciate the more canid shots of our canine friends, please keep your fuzzier photos for your Instagram or Facebook. Please also refrain from using the dA watermark. There are plenty of programs out there available to use for free or extremely low cost that will allow you to add a watermark (such as your name, logo, and or signature) in a less all consuming and blatantly distracting way.

4. To follow through a bit more on the above information, we try not to accept very many super close up photos of just eyes, noses, other body parts, etc. as they have been overdone fairly well by now. It also makes it more difficult to distinguish if it’s a dog that qualifies to be submitted here on a quick look over. Please make sure the whole subject is properly in focus. For portraits, the face, so on and so forth.

5. If your photo is declined you are welcome to ask for a reason but it's 99.9% because of error on your end. Please double check to make sure you have submitted to the right folders, etc before contacting us. Also, please do not argue with us. If we decline due to mislabeled, categorized or wrong breed it is because without a doubt we believe to be correct. Just so you understand, we are not obstinate as we have been gladly proven wrong with polite corrections.

6. If you submit a mixed breed and we can not without a doubt find any visible herding breed in your dog it will NOT be submitted to this group. This check is done by looking through your gallery to see other photos to double check and make sure it wasn't a fluke.

7. As of 2011 “Miniature” Aussies are by AKC, USASA, and ASCA standards, are no longer considered Australian Shepherds.  They are now clearly brought into their own breed under the new name Miniature American Shepherds. These dogs are to be submitted to the Herding Breed Specialized folder as they are still long pending AKC recognition. Until they receive AKC recognition, they will not get their own folder. Any of these dogs found to be submitted to the Australian Shepherd folder, will be declined. Toys were never allowed by any of the groups and never will be either, so thusly, they are not allowed here either.

8. All works including photos, drawings (digital and traditional), sculptures, toys, etc., all works must feature dogs of natural realistic colorations. Meaning, we do not accept unnaturally bright or impossibly colored dogs such as pink, green, or rainbow. The exception is if the dog was humanely dyed with harmless dye for fun (such as halloween, etc.) This means we do not accept roleplay/fantasy or sim type characters.

9. Herding Breed Specialized - This folder is for dogs that are not in the recognized AKC herding group, however they are dogs known to work with stock in their livelihood. Therefore this folder is for them.(Examples: Anatolian Shepherd Dogs, Great Pyrenees, Rottweilers, Kelpies, Dutch Shepherds etc.)

10. Multiple Dog Breeds -This folder is for photos of herding breeds either photographed with breeds in this group and/or other group breeds. For example a photo of a German Shepherd with a Labrador Retriever would fall into this category. Singular dog works of mixed breeds do NOT fall into this folder (i.e. a photo of just a single Old English Sheepdog dog x Bouvier des Flandres cross by itself). They have their own folder for that.

11.  Mixed Breeds - This the place to put your dogs that aren't purebred but show dominate appearance, behavior and other traits belonging to dogs of the herding group or other groups known to work with stock.
Please do not submit purebred photos to this gallery. Find the correct gallery for purebreds. Works featuring of two or more dogs, even if mixed breed must be submitted to the Multiple Breeds gallery.