English Shepherd Overview
A new breed of dog has emerged in the past decade. It’s called an English Shepherd, and it is a mix between two other breeds: the Border Collie and the German Shepherd. They are also related to Scottish collie and Australian shepherd.
These medium size dogs are highly intelligent and have been used for herding sheep, as well as working alongside law enforcement agencies to detect drugs or find missing people who may need assistance.
The average lifespan of an English Shepherd is 12-15 years which means you can enjoy many years of quality time with your pup before having to say goodbye. This breed thrives on physical activity so if you're looking for a laid-back dog then this might not be the best fit for you.
The English Shepherd is a very athletic breed with many traits that make them stand out from other dogs. They are strong-willed but still gentle enough to work around children or smaller animals without causing any harm. These dogs love getting outside and playing. They also enjoy being petted by humans but can be wary if someone approaches them too quickly or tries to approach their food bowl.
If you're looking for a good family pet or an addition to your farm, this might be the right choice for you.
English Shepherd History
Throughout history, English Shepherds have been celebrated and adored for their loyalty. These working dogs were bred in North America by settlers from Scotland using the reliable Scottish collie as inspiration. The breed was used to both herd cattle on farms and eradicate vermin such as moles and hares who pose serious threats to crops if left unchecked.
In fact, this fearless breed is believed to be one of the most prominent breeds during the 19th century United States where they contributed greatly to agricultural work alongside other farmers or shepherd's livestock animals that needed protection with their loud bark tones.
These farm dogs were an integral part of the early settlers in America. They were primarily found across the East and Midwest, but you would find one on every piece of farmland back then too. Dogs have always been popular companions for working families. There is no denying that they provide utility and loyalty to their owners, two qualities any hardworking family needs nowadays as well.
The English Shepherd is a breed of dog that has been bred for generations to herd sheep in the field. In 1927, they became officially recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC). But over time their numbers have dwindled.
Because as America's farms shifted from small and diversified operations towards larger specialized ones, these dogs were no longer needed as much on American soil. These days there are less than 1/100th of English Shepherds left across this country.
These scrappy herding dogs are quick to learn new routines and can work independently with little oversight. They also respond well to training, which has led them into various service industries like hunting or therapy animals. In more recent years English Shepherds have been used for search-and-rescue missions as they're able to track down the vermin that visit your yard - from raccoons and squirrels all the way up through wild boars.
How to Train an English Shepherd?
Training these dogs is not daunting. These intelligent and eager-to-please canines will quickly pick up on whatever it is you are teaching them, so long as you use positive reinforcement to teach them what they did right. As with any dog breed, this method of training works wonders because these furry friends love nothing more than making their owners happy.
As a result of being highly intelligent and wanting to please those around her, your new canine companion should be easily trainable for basic tasks. These include pottying outside or coming when called if she knows that the rewards outweigh the punishments.
English Shepherds are one of the smartest breeds around, so it's important to keep their minds active. Food toys and agility courses will give them a chance to stretch out. For mental stimulation, obedience training is also available for these intelligent dogs.
English Shepherds are a lot of fun. They love to herd anything, and if you don't give them the opportunity to do it outside they will try their luck in your home. If this is happening with your pup just remember that training needs to happen quickly before bad habits take hold.
English Shepherd Grooming
English Shepherds are a very natural-looking breed of dog that was bred for practicality. They don't require any form of professional grooming and their coats usually stay quite healthy with regular brushing (about once every other week should do the trick). However, they have full fur which can shed a lot so make sure you brush them regularly in order to help reduce the amount of hair flying around your house.
The English Shepherd is a loyal, energetic breed that requires regular care and attention to maintain its health. Like all dogs, they should have their ears checked for infection or buildup every so often with q-tips. In addition, the teeth of an English Shepherd need extra cleaning because drool can cause excessive build-up over time which could lead to dental disease in some cases.
Fortunately there are snacks designed specifically for oral hygiene on sale at many pet stores these days. It is recommended to give them one daily as it will help keep your pup’s mouth healthy too.
English Shepherd Personality & Temperament
English Shepherd is a serious dog breed. They were born to work, but in an extremely gentle way, unlike Border Collies who intimidate the flocks they oversee. English Shepherds care for their animals and treat them with discipline that is still kind-hearted on some levels (except when it comes to scaring off coyotes). These pups have many uses including search and rescue, therapy purposes, training trials of obedience or agility...the list goes on.
These intelligent, independent dogs are happiest when they're working. They don't need to be the center of attention all of the time and would rather spend their days outside in a field than on your couch with you watching TV. Independent by nature these pups will follow you around for company after work is done but enjoy playing alone too as that's what makes them so special - never needing anyone else because they can do anything themselves.
One of the most prominent features of the English Shepherd as compared to other herding breeds is its nature. The friendly and docile nature of these dogs makes them perfect for families with children.
They can be trusted to watch over your kids while you're away at work or help out around the house when it's time to tidy up. Best of all they don't mind sharing their living space with other animals.
If one is not socialized from a young age there will still be hope as long as proper training has been completed beforehand.
These well-mannered pups are great family companions for those who have little ones running about on any given day. But what really sets them apart from others is their ability to adapt seamlessly.
The English Shepherd is a pup that prefers to save its barking for when it's necessary, alerting its owner of danger or herding livestock.
English Shepherd Feeding & Diet
A healthy, well-fed dog is a happy and loyal companion. English Shepherd owners recommend feeding this breed dry and wet food to ensure they get the right balance of protein, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins A & C as well as essential minerals like calcium for strong bones.
Most dogs will need about three cups per day split into two or three smaller meals depending on their weight (a heavier dog may require more). The exact amount your pup needs can vary based on age/activity level. So, consult with your veterinarian if you're unsure how much to feed them, also the best dog food that you can give your pup.
As puppies are very small and have much smaller stomachs, they cannot handle as many meals in one day. For this reason, it is important that the pup gets fed more often throughout each day to keep them healthy.
English Shepherd Health Problems
English Shepherd is generally a healthy breed. These hard-working pups have an incredibly high resiliency to illness. They tend to remain healthy throughout their lives since English Shepherds only fall ill very infrequently.
It is important to take your dog for a walk every day but when they are too active, some other problems may arise. Hip and elbow dysplasia can be developed from their high activity levels as well as luxating patellas (slipped kneecaps) that will need surgery if not corrected quickly enough.
They may also develop cataracts, but this condition is more common in older dogs and can be treated with surgery.
Overall, these puppies are inherently healthy and typically don’t need to go to the vet. However, you should consider getting pet insurance if your dog is part of a pedigree that has common health problems such as cataracts or heart disease.
How Much Does an English Shepherd Cost?
When you purchase an English Shepherd, the breeder will usually cover all of their dog’s medical expenses up to a certain point. The more expensive breeds such as this one can cost between $800 and $4,000. If your budget is limited but you still want to adopt a pup with potential for greatness in its bloodline then ask around for adoption costs which are typically about half the price at only roughly $300 per year covered by local shelters.
You will also want to consider the other costs associated with taking care of an English Shepherd. Your new pet needs food, a collar and leash, toys (especially for chewers), and other supplies because they may cost over $1,000 just in their first year. You can expect to spend as much again each subsequent year on items like beds or crates. Do not forget your annual vet bills too that could come close to another thousand dollars.
Pros and Cons of Owning an English Shepherd
Here are the pros and cons of owning an English Shepherd dog.
| Pros | Cons |
| They are very loyal and easy to train. | They are very active and might need regular physical exercise. |
| It is generally a healthy dog breed. | They shed a lot. |
| They are highly intelligent and love to please everyone. | They are known for their territorial nature, which may mean they bark at strangers passing by your home. |
If you like English Shepherd, you might also like the following dog breeds.
There are a lot of dog breeds out there that you can check to see which one best suits your lifestyle.
English Shepherd for Emotional Support
If you are struggling with any mental health condition and your doctor has prescribed an ESA for therapy sessions, the English Shepherd dog can be the best choice for you.
You can also contact us at RealESALetter.com to find out if we can help! We're experts in these types of situations and would be happy to speak with you about the process. Reach out to us if you are confused about owning an English Shepherd as an emotional support animal. If you don’t know the procedure for getting a valid ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional, you can get in touch with us.
Fill out the questionnaire to see if you qualify for an ESA.
