For our following breed portrait we will take you to the USA. There he has English Shepherd its origin.
In this country he is a rather unknown breed of dog, in the United States he is considered a popular family and companion dog.
The following lines now explain to you what you should keep an eye on in terms of upbringing, keeping and health.
English Shepherd: Wanted Poster
Size Male & Female: 46 to 58 cmWeightMale & Female: 20 to 30 kgColorsBlack/tan, black/white, sand/white, tricolorLife expectancy10 to 15 yearsOriginUSAcharacter/temperamentintelligent, independent, active, family-friendly, adaptable, assertive, authoritarian, territorialFCI groupnot acknowledged
Look
The English Shepherd (or English Shepherd Dog) has one muscular and agile bodywhich is also considered to be very robust.
The well-proportioned body is supported by medium-length, slender legs. The tail is also medium long and bushy.
The English Shepherd’s head is triangular in shape. It is framed by small ears that are folded forward.
The eye-catcher of the head are the slightly slanted, almond-shaped eyes. They are alert to their surroundings and are usually dark brown.
Height Weight
English Shepherds should reach a maximum shoulder height of 46 to 58 centimeters and weigh between 20 and 30 kilograms.
Males are naturally heavier and larger than females.
Coat, coat texture & coat colors
An English Shepherd may be bred in the following colors and combinations:
- Black-and-white
- Black/Tan
- Sand/White
- tricolor
You’ll find these colors on a medium-length, soft coat. It can be slightly undulating, i.e. wavy. It is accompanied by a soft undercoat.
History & Origin of the English Shepherd
Contrary to its name, the English Shepherd comes from not from Great Britain, but from the USA.
His ancestors came to America with British and Irish settlers. To this day, the English Shepherd is bred primarily as a working dog.
The breed is also very popular as a guard, family and companion dog.
The breed has not yet been officially recognized by the FCI, although it is a very old breed of dog whose roots lie in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Nature & Character of the English Shepherd
That the English Shepherd is a bright dog with a will of its own acts, reveals a look into the eyes of the dog.
The breed is considered very independent and independent. That doesn’t mean that an English Shepherd appreciates being left alone for long periods of time.
English Shepherds are also very adaptable dogs, which, with the right training, also belong to the group of cooperative fur noses.
Properly socialized, the English Shepherd is very family friendly. When it comes to protecting its two-legged herd, the dog can also appear territorial.
And that happens in a very decisive and authoritarian way – especially towards strangers, whom he usually does not trust.
If the English Shepherd lives with an active and sporty person (couch potatoes are not the ideal owner), he is a loyal and adventurous companion.
attitude & upbringing
What role does the character and temperament of the English Shepherd play in his attitude and upbringing play, the following lines will tell you.
Upbringing
Consistency is of course the magic word in the education of an English Shepherd.
You must not forget with the breed that the upbringing is loving and yet clear.
Due to their high level of intelligence, an English Shepherd will notice relatively quickly if you are unsure.
Also make sure that the intelligent four-legged friend is not only challenged physically, but also mentally.
If so, then you have a loyal companion at your side who is more than happy to work with you.
attitude
Because of his high activity level, we recommend that you only live with an English Shepherd if you have a home with a yard.
While apartment keeping may be possible, in most cases it is not an ideal home for the American Shepherd Dog.
The English Shepherd is one of those dog breeds that get along with (small) children and other pets.
However, the prerequisite is that the puppy has been appropriately socialized. Note that the herding dog can tend to herd children and pets together.
One final posture tip for you: train yourself to leave your puppy alone. This way you can avoid problems later if you have to leave him alone.
Health & Care
Now let’s take a closer look at how it works with Health and care in the English Shepherd looks.
Life expectancy
The life expectancy of an English Shepherd is between 10 and 15 years.
Health
The English Shepherd has almost no health problems or illnesses.
The breed is very rare, which is why there has not been any overbreeding that could negatively affect the life expectancy of the English Shepherd.
However, an English Shepherd can suffer from the following diseases that can cause problems:
General Grooming & Grooming
Regular checking of eyes, ears, mouth, paws and bottom of the dog can have a positive effect on dog health.
In this way, possible inflammation can be recognized in good time and health problems can be reduced or prevented.
The English Shepherd’s coat has two characteristics that make it very easy to care for: it is weatherproof and dirt-repellent.
So brushing it once a week is enough to remove small twigs and loose hair.
After walks (especially in summer) you should also check the coat for fleas, ticks and other animals.
Is the English Shepherd right for me?
Before looking for an English Shepherd breeder, first make it clear that the English Shepherd also suits you.
So that it doesn’t take you long to find the right answer, we have put together some helpful statements for you:
- You are looking for an active and bright dog for shared adventures.
- You have enough space to offer the English Shepherd a species-appropriate life.
- You have enough time to deal with the English Shepherd sufficiently.
- You are looking for a family dog with a protective instinct who will take care of you and your loved ones.
As a beginner’s dog, the English Shepherd can be suitable to a limited extent. However, newcomers should seek advice from experienced dogs.
Fun facts about the English Shepherd
And finally a few exciting and interesting fun facts to the English Shepherd:
English Shepherd puppies from a reputable breeder start at €1,000.
The English Shepherd is also known in the US by the names Old Style Collie and American Farm Dog.
The ancestors of the English Shepherd are Scotch Collies, Border Collies, Australian Shepherds and Rough Collies.
English Shepherds are dogs of habit. They love their daily routines and are less than enthusiastic when they are not followed by their humans.
The English Shepherd is a loose-eyed herding dog. This means nothing other than that he does not show close eye contact with his herd.
Do you have any other fascinating facts about the breed to share with us? Then we would be happy if you do so in our comments.