Overview
The English Shepherd is a medium-sized herding dog from the United States, built as an all-round working companion for farms. It herds sheep and cattle, guards the property, controls vermin and joins in family life.
It is intelligent, adaptable and devoted, and suits active owners who want a partner for work or outdoor activities.
History
Its forebears were collie-type dogs brought to North America by settlers from Britain and Ireland. They spread across farms of the eastern states and worked stock, guarded the homestead, caught rats and kept people company. The breed shares ancestry with the Border Collie, Rough Collie and Australian Shepherd.
The United Kennel Club has registered the breed since 1927, first as the American Farm Shepherd and, since 2003, as the English Shepherd. The American Kennel Club does not recognise it.
Appearance
A medium-sized, athletic dog with a long, straight or wavy double coat and feathering on the legs and tail. The face, skull and front of the legs carry shorter, smooth hair.
Traditional colours are black and white, black and tan, sable and white, and tricolour, with fawn and red-tan shades also seen.
Temperament
English Shepherds are smart, eager and strongly bonded to their family. They tend to be watchful with strangers and protective of home and livestock, and they like to have a task to do.
With good socialisation they are affectionate and gentle with children, and they learn quickly with positive training.
Care and exercise
They need daily vigorous exercise and mental work such as herding, agility, obedience or long outdoor outings. A bored English Shepherd may invent its own jobs.
Brush the coat once or twice a week, more often during seasonal shedding, and check the feathering for tangles.
Health
Generally a hardy, healthy working breed. Hip dysplasia, eye conditions and sensitivity to some medications, as seen in many herding breeds, are worth discussing with a breeder and vet.
