English Shepherd
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| English Shepherd | ||
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| Alternative names | ||
| Farm Collie (This name is also used for the Scotch Collie) | ||
| Country of origin | ||
| United States | ||
| Classification and breed standards | ||
| UKC: | Herding Dog Breeds | Stds |
The English Shepherd is an American breed of working dog. The English Shepherd is an all-around farm dog, being used as a herding dog, watch dog, hunting dog, and child's companion.
Unlike some other herding dogs, as a breed English Shepherds have not been specialized to work one species of livestock. English Shepherds have primarily been used on small diversified farms that have a number of different livestock species, including cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, and poultry. English shepherds both herd and protect livestock.
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[edit] Appearance
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 and 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 English Shepherd is a medium sized dog, usually somewhat longer than it is tall. It generally weighs between 40 and 70 pounds (20 to 30 kg) and is balanced in proportions. As a working dog on small farms, English Shepherds have evolved to fulfill a variety of needs. This has resulted in a wide range of regional variations.
The coat is medium length and can be straight, wavy, or curly. There is frequently feathering on the legs and tail. As a working dog, the coat should be easy to keep, requiring very little grooming. Dirt tends to just fall away. The primary coat colors are: sable and white (clear and shaded), tricolor, black and white, and black and tan. Other variations such as solids dogs of any color, brindles, and red nosed tricolors and sables also exist but are not common.
There are no merle English Shepherds.
[edit] Temperament
The English Shepherd temperament is the defining characteristic of the breed, with great 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 but learn routines quickly. Some can be standoffish with 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 a bossy or "enforcer" streak in his temperament. If the dog's desire to enforce order is not channeled and directed to a suitable end by an owner who is a strong, confident leader, he may exhibit many undesirable behaviors. English shepherds can thrive as companion dogs in many environments, but most do not make "good pets" for the average person.
This breed was selected on diverse small family farms in the past and has been selected to work in a partnership arrangement with his master.
[edit] Health
English Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, however hip dysplasia is not uncommon. Anyone contemplating getting an English Shepherd would be well advised to research the hip ratings (OFA or PennHIP) of the breeder's stock.
[edit] History
Quoting from Leon F. Whitney early in the 20th century ("How to Breed Dogs", 1937, no ISBN) "It is known variously as the farm shepherd, the barnyard collie, the old fashioned shepherd, the cow dog, the English Shepherd, and other colloquial names. And while I doubt there is a more alert, trustworthy, or American dog, still no breed specialty clubs have organized to push it. It is probably the most numerous dog in America. It is the ordinary shepherd that one sees on farm after farm throughout the country." ( Despite the publication date of 1937 given here English Shepherds were registered as a breed before that time through UKC (1934 ([1])) and probably the defunct Southeastern Kennel Club before then. UKC also apparently had another registration going on for a type of "farm shepherd" that was separate from the English Shepherd. Many times the names were confused but at other times they were distinguished as different breeds.) All of these names as well as Farm Collie were applied to the farm shepherds of the era. As there was no breed club or registry until later, there is some dispute over exactly which name applies to which dogs. The Australian Shepherd is likely a derivative of these farm dogs and appeared primarily in the Western United States. The English Shepherd was more common in the Midwest and East. ([2]) These dogs are primarily descendants of the working farm dogs of the British Isles.
As the small diversified farms in the mid-western and eastern United States dwindled in numbers, many of them replaced by larger and less diversified operations, the English Shepherd became a rare breed.
[edit] Working Life
They are very quick to learn the farm routine and will work independently with little training, but will benefit from some training and guidance. More than just a specialty herding breed, the English Shepherd is also a guardian of property and livestock, and a hunter of game and vermin on their territory.
The modern English Shepherd is still best suited for farm work, but they are also used as search and rescue dogs, as therapy dogs, and as competitors in dog agility, obedience, tracking, and flyball.
English Shepherds are frequently larger than Border Collies, but the quickest way to tell the two apart is to put them on stock. Border Collies tend to herd with distinctive strong eye and a crouching stance, while English Shepherds have an upright, loose-eyed herding style. English Shepherds can work all types of stock, from the meanest bull to the baby chickens. They are prized above herding specialty breeds for being as gentle as possible or as tough as necessary with the stock.
This ability to rate their stock stems from the great empathy they have for their family and livestock. With the right upbringing, this empathy makes the English Shepherd a wonderful family dog. However the same bossy nature that is the reason this breed excels at keeping order on the farm can cause havoc in the local dog park where the English Shepherd often appoints himself to be the referee.
