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English Shepherd

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English Shepherd (Tricolor, Side View)
Tricolor, Side View

Breed Information

Popularity

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Name English Shepherd
Other names Farm Collie (This name is also used for the Scotch Collie)
Origin United States
Breed Group

Working

Herding Dog (UKC)

Size Medium
Type Purebred
Life span 12-15 years
Temperament

Adaptable

Alert

Courageous

Energetic

Friendly

Independent

Intelligent

Playful

Responsive

Height 18-23 inches (46-58 cm)
Weight

Male: 45-60 pounds (21-28 kg)

Female: 40-50 pounds (18-23 kg)

Colors

Black

Black & White

Black & Tan

Brindle

Brown

Sable

Tricolor

Yellow

Litter Size 5-8 puppies, average 6
Puppy Prices

Average $400 - $800 USD

You should budget anywhere from $400 upwards to $800 or even more for an English Shepherd with top breed lines and a superior pedigree. The average cost for all English Shepherds sold is $600.

Breed Characteristics

Adaptability

4 stars

Apartment Friendly

2 stars

This breed is not recommended for apartment life. They are moderately active indoors and will do best with at least a large yard.

Barking Tendencies

2 stars

Occassional

Cat Friendly

4 stars

Child Friendly

4 stars

Good with Kids: This is a suitable breed for kids and is known to be playful, energetic, and affectionate around them.

Dog Friendly

4 stars

Exercise Needs

5 stars

English Shepherds require a lot of exercise (at least 40 minutes of walking per day) and may become destructive if not provided enough. They have a natural instinct to chase and enjoy playing a game of fetch. They tend to become calm and relaxed at the end of the day, likely to curl up at their owner's feet.

Grooming

2 stars

The English Shepherd requires very little grooming attention. The coat of the English Shepherd is quite smooth and dirt will typically slide right off. The occasional brushing and bath when necessary is all this breed requires.

Health Issues

2 stars

Hypoallergenic: No

Intelligence

3 stars

Ranking: (N/A) Full Ranking List

Playfulness

3 stars

Shedding Level

3 stars

Constant Shedding: Routine brushing will help. Be prepared to vacuum often!

Stranger Friendly

2 stars

Trainability

4 stars

Easy Training: The English Shepherd is an extremely intelligent breed that will be quite easy to train. This breed is known to respond instantly to commands as well as the sound of his master's voice. The English Shepherd does still require a firm and consistent, but not harsh, pack leader.

Watchdog Ability

4 stars

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English Shepherd Puppy (Black & Tan, Standing)
Black & Tan, Standing

English Shepherd Names

Rank Boy Names Girl Names
01 Buddy Molly
02 Max Bella
03 Cooper Sadie
04 Jack Roxy
05 Rocky Abbie
06 Riley Ellie
07 Oliver Ginger
08 Duke Stella
09 Dexter Nala
10 Cody Penny
100 Cute Puppy Names ›

Overview

English Shepherds are similar in appearance to Border Collies and Australian Shepherds. English Shepherds usually have tails and a less rounded head than many Aussies. English Shepherds are never merle as Aussies frequently are. They are generally not square in body like an Aussie. English Shepherds tend to be larger than Border Collies but are most readily distinguished from Border Collies by their very different upright, loose-eyed herding style. The coat is medium length and can be straight, wavy, or curly. There is frequently feathering on the legs and tail, as well as on the ear. As a working dog, the coat should be easy to keep, requiring very little grooming. Dirt tends to just fall away. English shepherds tend to shed quite a lot and fur may be found on and under furniture, clothes, and carpeting. The primary coat colors are: sable and white (clear and shaded), tricolor, black and white, and black and tan. Other variations such as solid dogs of any color, piebalds, and red nosed tricolors and sables also exist but are not common.

The English Shepherd temperament is the defining characteristic of the breed, with high intelligence and often a unique type of kindness for those in his home, both animals and people. The English Shepherd is often an independent worker. English Shepherds are adaptable and learn routines quickly. Some can be watchful of strangers and are more one-person dogs. However, once he accepts people or children or stock as his own, there are few better caretakers than an English Shepherd. The English Shepherd frequently exhibits an independent, bossy or "enforcer of the rules" streak in his temperament. If the dog's desire to enforce order is not channeled and directed to a suitable end by a strong, confident leader, he may exhibit many undesirable behaviors. Nevertheless, English shepherds can thrive as companion dogs in environments that provide sufficient mental and physical stimulation.

History

According to legend, the English Shepherd is a combination of native dogs of the British Isles and the Roman sheep and cattle dog brought to the British Isles by Caesar when he invaded in 55 B.C. Romans used these dogs to herd the livestock brought along to feed the troops. As the livestock was depleted, surplus dogs were left along the way, and were used by local natives and interbred with existing types of dogs with similar herding talents to intensify those instincts. The English Shepherd was brought to the American colonies by some of the first settlers and followed the development of the United States from east to west. This multi-purpose breed was highly prized as it was used to herd valuable livestock and to protect the isolated homesteads. The United Kennel Club is the original registrar of the English Shepherd and has recognized them since 1927.

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