English Shepherd Breed description: Character & Co

About

The "English Shepherd Dog" comes from the USA and is rather rare in our country.

The origin of the English Shepard

The roots of this excellent herding dog lie with the Collies. Settlers brought the forerunner of this dog from Europe. Later the Border Collie was crossed with it. Most likely, more types of herding and guard dogs played a role in the development of this type of dog.

The breed characteristics of the English Shepard

The English Shepard is a medium-sized and very agile herding dog. He was traditionally used for ranch work. Its specialty is driving cattle. For this he pinches the animals, like many other herding dogs, sometimes strongly in the hind legs.

Until today this dog is a very persevering working animal and only conditionally suitable as a family dog. The FCI has not recognized him yet. Only the United Kennel Club lists the English Shepard as an independent breed.

Mixture of Collie, Border Collie and other herding dogs
not recognized by the FCI
Working dog

Banner: shutterstock.com / Robert F Apple

English Shepherd puppy, brown and white dog in a field, dog in the forest, puppy in the forest, English Shepherd puppy, tricolor dog, puppy with floppy ears

English Shepherd dog with black and white fur and a standing ear and a tilting ear, English Shepherd dog on a meadow

Alternate Name	English Shepherd Dog, Farm Collie, Old English Sheepdog
Origin	UK
Life expectancy	12 - 13 years
Care requirements	high-maintenance

Activity level	high
FCI group	not recognised
AKC group	not recognised
KC group	not recognised

Characteristics

The typical character traits of the English Shepard

It is a friendly, alert and very active dog. He is happy when he can pursue herding and driving. If you are athletic, ride horses, jog for hours, or like to go to agility, this dog might be for you.

Like all Collie types, it is friendly and strongly related to its human. A secondary function of English Shepards has always been to guard farmhouses. It can have a strong protective instinct that can turn into a vice if he doesn't do enough "work".

If you train it well and spend a lot of time with him, this dog will be a loyal and lively companion.

active and needs "work
only for very athletic people
can have protective instinct
otherwise sociable and well trainable

Character

Usage

English Shepherd tricolor, dog similar to Border Collie, English Collie, Collie from England, Great Britain dog breed, British dogs, three colors in dog coat

English Shepherd tricolor standing on a snow field and at sunset, tricolor dog with long coat, dog similar to Australian Shepherd, Collie, sheepdog from England, English dog breed, British dog breed

Breeding

Breed-typical diseases of the Shepherd from England

The hereditary disease "MDR1-defect", which is typical for Collies, also occurs occasionally in the English Shepard. This is a disorder in the glycoprotein metabolism. This is only dangerous if certain drugs are administered. In the worst case these can cause a life-threatening shock. There is a genetic test for the disease, which can be carried out before medication.

Breeding, acquisition and keeping of the English Shepard

Before you get a herding dog, you should think carefully whether you can cope with the working zeal of such an animal. For the city apartment and twice daily walk this dog is absolutely not suitable.

If it has nevertheless aroused your interest, you will have to look for something. The English Shepard is very rare in the German speaking countries.

The prices can be very different. As it is not an official breed in Germany, breeders are free to set their own prices.

English Shepherd breed description, black and white dog for sheep, sheepdog from England, Great Britain dog breed

Appearance and coat of the English Shepard

It looks like a typical mixture of Collie and Border Collie. In some breeding lines, one or the other heritage comes through more.

The coat is medium long to long, very soft and with a silky sheen in well groomed animals. Colors noted in the breed standard are black and white, black, tan mixes, tricolor, sable, or red and white.

Overall, this dog is an athletic appearance with a very straight topline. The legs are high, slender and muscular at the upper base. The long tail is well furnished with hair and hangs loosely down the body with a slight curve.

resembles either the Collie or the Border Collie
in many bright colours
sporty appearance
medium to long coat

Size, weight and life expectancy of the English Shepard

shoulder height males 48 to 58 cm
shoulder height bitches 45,7 to 56 cm
Weight males 20 to 27 kg
Weight bitches 18 to 22 kg
Life expectancy 12 years and more

Fur length	long
Fur	flat coated
Ear shape	Tilt-ear
Tail	fanned out
Anatomy	slim

Size	44 - 55 cm
Weight	18 - 23 kg
Size	46 - 58 cm
Weight	21 - 28 kg
Suitable For	-

Colors

Known Diseases

MDR1 defect

The MDR1 defect is a defect in the MDR1 gene that can occur in some breeds of dogs and in humans. This results in the deficient or absent synthesis of a certain protein which is an important component of the blood-brain barrier, leading to hypersensitivity to some drugs.
Metabolic diseases (cystinuria)

Cystinuria is a hereditary metabolic disease. Affected dogs lack a transport protein for certain amino acids (protein building blocks). In the kidney, the task of this transport protein is a return transport of amino acids from the urine into the bloodstream.