Dogs within the Herding Group were bred to protect and move livestock, such as sheep, cattle, horses, and even reindeer. Intelligence, energy, courage, and responsiveness are their dominant traits, making them highly trainable. They can be stubborn, but are also very loyal and make excellent companion dogs. Of this group, Shepherds and Collies seem to be the most popular with the early aviators.

Brig. Gen. Erik H. Nelson in car with shepherd type dog. In 1924, General Nelson piloted the “New Orleans,” a single-engined, open-cockpit Douglas World Cruiser, which was one of two Army aircraft that circumnavigated the globe for the very first time – and only took five months and 22 days!

Unidentified man and Kathryn Fritz, an aviation enthusiast and acquaintance of Charles Lindbergh, is holding onto the leash of a German Shepherd puppy next to an original WWI Fokker D.VII during the filming of Wings in 1927. Kathryn Fritz Photo Collection.

A beautiful Collie. Luke Luqueer Album. Frank S. “Luke” Luqueer was a notable aviation photographer. He bought his first camera in 1903 and devoted much of his life to taking photos of historic personalities and events in aviation history.

Wealthy sportsman, M.D. King III of the King Ranch in Texas with his Collie. King owned a Stinson Monoplane and was married to daredevil aviatrix, Bernice Lewis King. Luke Luqueer Collection.

Alaskan Survey pilots, Navy crew and local official with Loening OL-8A and shepherd dog on August 10, 1929. A.G. Smith, Alaskan Aerial Survey Album.

A group of aviators with a Collie puppy. Carl Gwartney Special Collection. Carl Gwartney flew CG-4A gliders during WWII. He was also an amateur photographer and fashioned his own dark room out of heavy Army blankets and three combat helmets.

Laddie the Collie, 1918. James Hester Special Collection. Based in Venice, California, Jim Hester was a test and stunt pilot in southern California between 1919 and 1925.

Collie underneath a heavily modified Standard J-1 of the "Venice Aero Police." James Hester Special Collection.

Woman and shepherd type dog wearing sombrero. Douglas Kelley Album. Doug Kelley was a test pilot at Ryan Aeronautical and helped build the Spirit of St. Louis.

Sailor dog "Chico of the USS Makin Island.” This freckle-faced cutie even sports a personalized collar. USS Saratoga/USS Makin Island Album.

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