The Dutch Shepherd was used on farms to herd and guard sheep. Towards the end of the 1800s, the Dutch Shepherd breed was almost extinct. The Dutch formed the first Dutch Shepherd club in 1898 to increase the breed's population. At this point, the Dutch Shepherd became a family pet and continued to do some work activities. The Dutch Shepherd today is used for police work, guarding, rescues, herding, and as a family pet.