Mcnab Care

The McNab, as an intelligent, energetic herding dog, is great as either a working farm animal or as a pet for active families. These dogs can vary a lot in size--from 35 to 75 pounds--and their strong herding instincts mean they'll naturally chase moving objects, so they'll need training to help minimize that tendency. Overall McNab care and maintenance won't take too much work, but will need to include a good bit of daily exercise.

Below you'll find details on caring for a McNab, including info about puppy care and development, exercise needs, and shedding and drooling tendencies. Get answers to your questions about raising a McNab in the following sections!

As a highly energetic herding breed, McNab exercise requirements are pretty extensive. These dogs are also intelligent and task-oriented, so they'll need activities that both condition them physically (walking, fetch) and stimulate them mentally (games, canine sports). They make good jogging and bicycling companions as well.

Adult McNabs, depending on their size, age, and overall activity levels, will need an hour or more of dedicated exercise each day. You can start exercising your McNab puppy when it's three months old by taking it on short walks, then you can increase the walks' length as the pup grows.

Precautions with McNab exercise:

• Don't exercise puppies too hard before they're nine months old
• Strong herding instincts mean a leash is required when exercising in public
• Yards must be securely fenced to keep the dog from running off

Exercising your McNab every day is a must. Without consistent activity, these active herding dogs will become anxious, disobedient, and destructive--so regular exercise will be great for both the dog's and your own peace of mind! Here are a few McNab exercise ideas:

• Walking/Jogging/Bicycling: Two 20-minute walks (or 15-minute jogs or bike rides) per day is a good target
• Fetch/Frisbee: These dogs will love chasing a ball, stick, or Frisbee
• Hide-and-Seek: Great indoor activity; give the dog a treat when it finds you
• Canine Sports: McNabs can excel at agility or herding trials and other events
• Dog Park: If properly socialized, McNabs will enjoy the company of other dogs
• Hiking: Excellent bonding activity

When indoors, it's a good idea to give your McNab access to balls or toys, as these allow the dog to burn excess energy. It's also recommended that you have a regular exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks, jogs, or bike rides after breakfast and dinner and playtime in the afternoon.

In terms of overall maintenance, these dogs need moderate care. McNab dog shedding is seasonal: fair for most of the year, but heavier during the twice-yearly shedding seasons. Drooling isn't an issue.

McNabs have short, dense, double-layered coats that shed moderately most of the time--but when they blow their undercoats in the spring and fall, the shedding is profuse. Owners can brush their McNabs once or twice a week with a bristle brush or grooming glove to keep the shedding to a minimum, and hair cleanup--vacuuming the floors, and lint rollers on clothes and furniture--will be necessary from time to time. (Brushing and cleanup will obviously be required more often during shedding season.)

And a McNab rarely drools at all. If your McNab is drooling excessively, it might be a sign of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care is needed.

No climate issues exist for this breed; McNabs will tolerate any type of climate.