English Shepherd: photo and description of the breed

The English Shepherd is an obedient and friendly dog. The genetically inherent instinct of a guard is surprisingly combined with a sociable character. Distinguished by its friendliness and complaisance, the pet is ready to defend its beloved owner in case of danger.

Breed standard

It's a shame that the English Shepherd is not recognized by any canine federation in the world. The only club that has registered this breed as working group is the British Kennel Club. The Englishman has no official standards. There is only a general characteristic that corresponds to varying degrees to the appearance of the shepherd dog.

a brief description of

• Other names: English Shepherd, Bossy, Englishman.
• Height: females from 46.0 cm, males from 58 to 61 cm.
• Weight: from 18.0 to 32.0 kg, respectively.
• Color: four types of color - red, white and black, tricolor - black or chocolate with a white chest and red tan on the limbs and tail, as well as various combinations with acceptable white spots on the limbs.
• Coat: medium length, two-layered with dense dense undercoat, soft on the back and hard on the abdominal part of the body.
• Life expectancy: up to 15 years.
• Advantages of the breed: Elegant, proportionally built dog. She is very obedient and has no difficulties in training. The sensitive and friendly disposition of the perfect herd driver allows the breed to be used as a nanny even for small children.
• Difficulty of the breed: Practically none.
• Price: symbolic.

Socialization

The best time to socialize a puppy is between 4 and 8 weeks of age. It is at this age that babies are taken away from their mother. The puppy is already quite brave and shows curiosity about everything new. During the period of socialization, English Shepherd puppies have a high ability to learn. They enjoy learning new commands, memorizing them instantly. If some commands make it difficult for your baby to follow, do not insist. It is better to postpone fixing them until the next day.

Patience, affection and demandingness of the owner are the basis for raising and getting used to a puppy’s new home. Walking on the puppy playground in the company of the same tomboys will allow the baby to learn an equal attitude towards them. Without such communication, the dog will grow up to be cowardly and aggressive.

Training and education

Incredibly flexible and attentive, Dutch Shepherds are very easy to train. Dogs learn quickly, grasping everything on the fly and instantly remembering commands.

The puppy needs to be introduced to the rules of behavior and socialized from a very early age, otherwise he may grow up to be fearful and unsociable.

When training, it is extremely important to act confidently, consistently and patiently, as independent Shepherds tend to be stubborn. The owner must be a leader and authority for the dog

Dutch Shepherds are highly trainable and participate in various dog competitions.

How to choose a puppy

When choosing a puppy, you should not rely on the pedigree and titles of the parents, because they cannot exist. If a seller offers an English Shepherd puppy, showing the documents of titled parents, then you should know that this is a scammer. The main requirement is that the puppy must be healthy. The eyes, ears and nose should be clean and free of any discharge.

The baby's activity manifests itself in the desire to run up and sniff the stranger, to get to know him better. Cowardly puppies will huddle close to their mother. It is undesirable to adopt such a pet: cowardice can lead to uncontrollable aggression. At the time of moving to a new home, the puppy must have age-appropriate vaccinations, as evidenced by a standard document.

Video “How to teach a dog to herd”

From this video you will learn how to train a dog and teach herding.

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Features of maintenance and care

English Shepherds are attractive to novice breeders, those people who have no experience in communicating with dogs. This is facilitated by ease of care and maintenance. The dog will be able to live in the yard - in a kennel or in an enclosure; its thick coat and dense undercoat will protect it from severe cold. Shedding occurs twice a year - in spring and autumn. Standard combing procedures will help quickly renew the coat. If the pet is intended for apartment keeping, then the owner must provide physical activity: long walks, ball games, practicing fetch commands.

Grooming

The long, thick coat adorns the shepherd and protects against cold and skin damage. Needs simple care. During shedding, frequent brushing is recommended using a special medium-hard brush. Ear care is important in the spring and summer, especially if the dog is outdoors most of the time. It is necessary to inspect the inner and outer surfaces of the ears for the presence of mites. If parasites are found, they are removed immediately. Shepherd's teeth do not require special care and cleaning. By nature they are endowed with natural whiteness. To prevent plaque, from time to time the dog is offered to chew on bones and cartilage.

Bathing

The English Shepherd, like many dogs, loves to swim in open water. In the warm season, this is enough for the pet to maintain a neat appearance. In winter, the dog is bathed as it gets dirty. It is enough to wash your four-legged friend with animal shampoo once a month. If the weather is slushy outside, then upon arriving home, the paws and belly are washed, dried, and the dog is left indoors without drafts.

Walk

These animals are herding dogs by nature and historical purpose. Natural instincts are inherent in this breed. It is advisable to walk your dog at least twice a day. To give an outlet for energy, the owner must provide the pet with feasible physical activity. The Englishman is happy to take long walks and long hikes. With pleasure accompanies the owner on outings into nature. For a passive or lazy person, it is better to get a pet of a different breed.

Caring for an English Shepherd

Any animal, regardless of size, requires care. The height at the withers of the English Shepherd is 50 – 59 cm. The lush coat requires special care, the pet should look neat and well-groomed. It is more common to see an English Shepherd with black fur on its back and a red chest. The tail is long, not curled. A single brush for cleaning wool is not enough for proper care. Let's outline the main points:

• It is recommended to buy two brushes with hard and softer bristles. A hard comb is used no more than once a week, a soft comb – every other day. Brushing gives the breed incredible pleasure; the dog does not resist.
• Proper care of your English Shepherd will ensure that there are no shedding problems. Frequently bathing your pet using shampoo is not recommended. Regular water treatments, especially in summer, will appeal to your pet.
• In a private house or apartment, the dog must have a place to rest and sleep.
• Food bowls are removed from the floor after each meal. This will allow the dog to develop discipline.
• There is no need to trim the fur too much; regular brushing is enough. Trimming nails makes your dog nervous, but he won't allow himself to bite the hands that feed him.

It is recommended to find out how to care for an English Shepherd at the kennel when purchasing a puppy. Consultants will answer any questions you may have and warn you against controversial issues. The English Shepherd breed is a kind and pliable animal that does not tolerate aggression. He is highly intelligent and parenting will be easy and even fun.

The English Shepherd gets along well with children and plays with them with great pleasure. Often, owners notice that the dog sleeps next to or on the child’s bed. This is a sign of devotion and an endless desire to protect the youngest member of the family.

Feeding

The food plan is selected by the owner based on his employment. The shepherd dog does not have any special health problems that depend on nutrition. But this does not mean that English Shepherds should eat leftovers from the master's table. When feeding dry food, strictly follow the instructions on the packaging and observe the recommended feeding dose. Dry food is convenient because you don’t have to waste time preparing soups and cereals for your pet. The granules contain all the necessary nutrients, microelements and vitamins that satisfy the animal’s needs. If the dog is on dry food, there should be no restriction in liquid! Fresh, clean water should be available at all times. When choosing a natural diet, an English shepherd dog should receive the necessary daily intake of fats, proteins, carbohydrates and microelements that allow it to lead normal life activities. It is necessary to undergo a course of vitamin therapy once every three months.

List of permitted products:

• Cereals.
• Lean meats.
• White fish.
• Offal.
• Fresh vegetables and fruits.
• Large bones.

List of prohibited products:

• Smoked meats.
• Pickles.
• Bakery.
• Confectionery.
• Tubular bird bones.

Education and training

With a combination of intelligence, athleticism, and high trainability, English Shepherds can excel in a variety of dog sports. They show good results in agility and can also be outstanding partners in the rescue and search service. In America, many shepherd dogs are certified therapists and are used to visit patients in nursing homes and hospitals. This is truly a very versatile talented dog that shows a desire to work in various conditions.

English Shepherds are always ready to cooperate and are easy to train. They learn commands quickly and remember them for a long time. Their intelligence can only be dangerous when combined with boredom.

Even a beginner can raise and train an English Shepherd. It is worth considering that a shepherd dog listens better to the one it considers a leader. If she considers that a person or child is below her in the social hierarchy, she will not follow the command, except for simple ones for a treat.

Advantages and disadvantages

Possessing a fearless character , dogs are considered the best watchdogs. They tirelessly perform security duties, being affectionate and faithful dogs. Their excellent attitude even towards small children makes them unsurpassed nannies.

An English Shepherd, with equal tenderness and tenacity, can raise both its own puppies and kittens, hamsters or other animals living with it under the same roof.

If the owners are interested in sports, the dog can act as their partner, taking part in flyball, agility or frisbee competitions. In addition, it was noted that the breed tends to climb trees, like large cats. This is a tenacious dog that quickly responds to commands and has a kind and easy-going disposition.

As for the shortcomings, there are no mentions. Dogs even react to sweets or special treats with the permission of the owner.

Reviews

Veronica:

People often ask me why I started a yard. It's even insulting. I'm tired of explaining that this is a thoroughbred Englishman. We don’t know this magnificent, intelligent and loyal breed.

Maria:

Having at one time confused the Old English breed with the English Shepherd, she came to the show. The first is disappointment. After all, I was looking for something completely different. A long conversation with the breeder aroused my interest in unusual dogs.

Then I left, and only two weeks later I returned and took the fastest puppy. Since then I haven’t regretted it for a second. This has been my most devoted friend for six and a half years now. We are inseparable. It is a pity that there is little information about the breed.

What can you tell us about English Shepherds? Maybe you or your friends have four-legged friends of this breed. We welcome information left at the bottom of the article. We are waiting for stories about this little-known, but very interesting and unusual breed.

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1. Elena
   Good day! Our girl came to us by accident, they found her alive, crippled with her dead brothers and sisters in the bushes, in the mountains, the breed was assessed as “a crawling out of a bush,” but when she grew up, she turned out to be such a beauty!!! And, yes, as described above, he climbs trees with great pleasure, of course not like a cat, but he takes 3-4 meters, loves water and dives headlong with great pleasure (I have never seen such behavior in dogs before). We used to think that this was a yard, but judging by all the characteristics and exterior, we understand that the English Shepherd is the best!!!!

Character

Unusual and rarely seen dogs of the English Shepherd breed have a calm, balanced character. They are very mobile and agile. In addition, having a brave heart, dogs are always ready to protect their owner. Their intelligence and mental acuity can be the envy of any other breed.

Representatives of this breed are not at all aggressive. They only respond to the danger threatening from the enemy. They love people very much. They treat children with a great sense of tenderness, not even allowing themselves to growl at the child.

Dogs get along well with all the inhabitants of the house, even with cats and rodents under the care of the owner. Dogs have their own ideas about barn mice. They do not touch voles if they do not annoy the owner, but at the slightest opportunity they begin to frantically exterminate them.

The dog behaves tensely with strangers, not letting the new person out of sight, constantly monitoring him. In case of danger, it simply neutralizes, and if the offender resists aggressively, he can use his teeth. Treats the owner with an expression of endless devotion and readiness to accompany him in any direction.

Story

It is known that even before our era these dogs were brought to the British Isles by Roman legionnaires. In those days, dogs of this breed were used primarily for protection and as a shepherd's assistant. Cattle were widely used to provide food for large troops of soldiers.

Over time, the number of livestock decreased, and the help of dogs was no longer needed. Often they were simply abandoned on the roads. Then this breed of dog ended up with settlers in America.

Farmers in the United States intensively used the valuable qualities of these dogs for their own purposes - herding livestock and protecting farm premises. The Americans sought to further improve their performance properties. For this purpose, they were “infused with blood” from collies, shelties and other breeds of dogs used for herding livestock. Over time, crossbreeding led to the United Kennel Club adopting the breed in 1934. A breed of active, hard-working and gifted herding dogs.

Nicknames and names

If the dog was purchased from a kennel, it is accompanied by a package of documents, including the puppy - a birth certificate. The registration document must include the puppy's name, information about the parents and their pedigree numbers. The veterinary passport contains information about the puppy's vaccination.

But in addition to the official nickname, you can give the dog a pet name. It will not appear either at the exhibition or in other documentation in the name of the dog, but no one disputes the right to assign a pet name.

You can use the Internet, or the history of Britain with many sonorous names known throughout the world. This could be the name of a fantasy or historical hero, a television idol. The main thing is that it is consonant, easy to pronounce and the dog likes it.