English Shepherd

English Shepherds descended from shepherds’ dogs from southern Scotland and England. They are also related to Border Collies, Scotch Collies, and Australian Shepherds, though English Shepherds were more of a working dog than a show dog, like many of their cousins.

While the English Shepherd is not currently recognized by the American Kennel Club, it has been recognized by the United Kennel Club since 1927. English Shepherds are very eager to please. They can make an excellent family dog and can excel in agility and obedience training events.

Owning an English Shepherd: 3 Pros and Cons

Evolution and Origins

In spite of their name, English shepherds are actually quite American. However, they owe their name to the fact that English settlers in America brought their beloved herding dogs with them, which were named Scotch collies. Due to their history as farm dogs, they are also known as farm collies or farm shepherds.

A peek into their distant past reveals that they are a variety of collie, a breed which is believed to be one of the oldest on the British Isles and to have also been employed as a canine shepherd for centuries.

Size and Weight

English Shepherds are a medium-sized breed. Male dogs are slightly larger than female dogs. A male weighs between 45 and 60 pounds and stands between 19 and 23 inches tall. Females weigh between 40 and 50 pounds and are between 18 and 22 inches tall.

Common Health Issues

These dogs are a healthy breed. Still, there are a few health issues you should be aware of that could develop.

As an active breed, they may have bone and joint issues. One condition they may develop is hip dysplasia. This is a condition in which the thighbone doesn’t connect smoothly with the hip bone. The two bones rub against each other, which can be painful or cause the dog to limp.

Similarly, English shepherds may also develop elbow dysplasia. Like hip dysplasia, this condition is a result of the bones at the elbow not connecting properly and rubbing against one another. This can cause the dog to limp and will also be painful.

Another possible concern for this breed is a luxating patella. Dogs with this condition have a kneecap that slips in and out of place. You may notice that your English Shepherd slips as he walks, but then appears to be back to normal for the next step.

Temperament and Behavior

These dogs have a very loyal personality. They were used as herding dogs, so they can make excellent working dogs. However, this breed also exhibits traits and behaviors that make it an ideal family pet. They are protective and eager to please. Additionally, they are very intelligent dogs, which makes it easier to train this breed.

How To Take Care of an English Shepherd

You will need to take your English shepherd’s health concerns, temperament, nutritional needs, and other unique characteristics into account when you create a care plan for your pup.

Because an English shepherd is a working dog breed, it requires a lot of exercise. English shepherd dogs aren’t suitable for apartment living and do much better in homes with a large, fenced backyard with plenty of room to run and play, as they require a lot of mental stimulation.

Without the right type of training and socializing, this dog breed can become stubborn and bossy. They have thick, soft fur that requires regular brushing and grooming with an occasional bath.

The Best Dog Food for English Shepherds

Look for high-quality and nutritious food for your dog. Many English Shepherd owners recommend feeding this breed a mix of dry and wet foods. The amount of shedding that comes with English Shepherds can be hard to keep up with. While this probably won’t dramatically reduce shedding, you can read up on the best dog foods for shedding and which nutrients can nourish the skin and fur for some degree of shedding control.

Most dogs of this breed will need about three cups of food each day, split into two or three smaller meals. The exact amount of food your dog will need may vary based on its weight, age, health concerns, and activity level. Consult their veterinarian if you are unsure how much food you should feed them.

Puppies have a smaller stomach than adults and can’t handle as much food at a time. For this reason, they should be fed smaller meals more frequently throughout the day.

Maintenance and Grooming

These are heavy-shedding dogs. You will need to brush their coat between two and three times each week to reduce the amount of shedding around your house. While you will need to brush them pretty frequently, the dog won’t need to be bathed very often. They have a waterproof and dirt-proof coat that keeps itself looking pretty good.

Their nails should be trimmed to keep them short and prevent them from causing the dog discomfort when he walks. Their teeth should be brushed a few times each week, and their ears should be cleaned out regularly to keep them from getting clogged with dirt.

Training

These dogs are easier to train than many other breeds. They are very eager to please and intelligent, so they’ll pick up on commands and expectations rather quickly. Using positive reinforcement training techniques is the best way to help this breed learn expectations, so be sure to follow up with lots of praise or treats when they do what you want them to.

If you have young children or other pets in the home, you may need to train your English Shepherd not to herd them. Since they were bred to be herding dogs, their instincts may kick in, and they could attempt to corral children or other pets in the home.

Exercise

These are highly active dogs that require a lot of exercise. They should get between one and two hours of activity each day, so they are best suited for very active owners. Some ways you can help your dog get the exercise he needs include taking him for long walks, going hiking, visiting the dog park, letting him swim, or playing in a large fenced-in backyard together.

In addition to physical exercise, these dogs also require plenty of mental stimulation. Without it, they can easily become bored and may be destructive. Agility and obedience training are great ways to provide mental stimulation to these dogs. Food toys can also offer some mental stimulation for this breed.

Puppies

Bringing home an English Shepherd puppy is a big commitment. This breed lives an average of 12 to 14 years, so you shouldn’t bring one home unless you’re ready to provide them the care they need for their entire life.

There is more variability in this breed than with some others. Before selecting a puppy to bring home, talk to the breeder to learn about the puppies in their litter. Try to find a few different breeders with puppies available and schedule visits to get to know each dog. This can help you find the right fit for you and your family. You should also request information about the parents’ history to confirm that they didn’t have any genetic conditions that could be passed on to a puppy.

Before you bring home your new puppy, you should make sure that your home is ready. Puppy-proof all the rooms the dog will have access to and purchase food, toys, and all the supplies they’ll need.

Children

English shepherds are ideal for families with children. They are eager to please and easy to train, so it will be easy to teach your dog how to interact with a child. They are also very protective and will look out for a child.

Similar Breeds

Border Collies, German Shepherds, and Miniature Australian Shepherds are three breeds that are similar to these dogs.

• Border Collie: Border Collies and English Shepherds share common ancestors. They are both excellent herding dogs and are highly intelligent. English Shepherds are larger in size than Border Collies, though. Male English Shepherds typically weigh between 45 and 60 pounds, while male Border Collies usually weigh between 30 and 55 pounds.
• German Shepherd: German Shepherds and English Shepherds are both affectionate and playful. Both breeds are also easy to train and can be territorial. German Shepherds are a larger breed. Male German Shepherds typically weigh between 66 and 88 pounds, while male English Shepherds usually weigh between 45 and 60 pounds.
• Miniature Australian Shepherd: Miniature Australian Shepherds and English Shepherds can both be used for herding livestock. Both breeds are easy to train and are very territorial. Miniature Australian Shepherds are smaller than English Shepherds, though. Miniature Australian Shepherds typically weigh between 20 and 40 pounds, while male English Shepherds usually weigh between 45 and 60 pounds.