English Shepherd
A pure farm dog, English Shepherd, also known as the Farm Collie or the American Farm Shepherd, is a working dog from the UK. The breeding purpose here was to herd cattle and sheep on the farms which has now extended to the roles of watchdog, ratter and companion.
Breed Profile
Height
18 - 23
Inches
Weight
45 - 60 lbs
Pounds
Life Span
12 – 15
Years
Health
health
Luxating Patella
What is it?
Patellar Luxation or Luxating Patella is a condition where the Patella or the kneecap slips out of the groove in which it normally rides up and down. The movement of the slipped kneecap can be towards the other leg or even away from it. One major cause is a traumatic injury but more commonly is associated with joint or limb structure abnormalities.
Clinical signs
Limping while walking
Walking abnormally
Reluctance to bend the knee
Avoiding running or jumping
Lethargy
Swelling
Treatment
Rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and similar supportive therapies may be used.
Grade III and IV luxation’s should receive surgical correction. Joint arthritis can be prevented by surgery sooner rather than later.
Joint supplements to help strengthen the bones.
Pain Medication may be suggested for the discomfort.
Physical therapy could be given to dogs, to help strengthen their muscles
A realignment surgery can be performed on the dog in severe cases where there is a lot of pain and movement of the dog is difficult.
Eligible vet bill
$5,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://spotpet.com/spot-sample-policy.pdf for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
health
Hip or Elbow Dysplasia
What is it?
This condition is similar to Luxating Patella, but the nature of it is genetic. This condition is where the hip or elbow joint loosens up which can cause dysfunction and pain. Over time, this can lead to arthritis, muscle atrophy and limitations in mobility.
Clinical signs
Staying in bed instead of going outside
Decreased range of motion
Difficulty or reluctance in climbing stairs, rising up, jumping or running
Loss of muscle mass in the thighs
Noticeable enlargement of the shoulder muscles as they compensate for the hind end
Flinches when the lower back muscles are touched
Treatment
Since the nature of this condition is genetic, it is often difficult to prevent it. Proper care and detection can help reduce the impact, and can also help manage your dog’s discomfort and pain. Some measures include
Chiropractic therapy
Supplements for joints (prescribed by the vet)
Anti-inflammatory medications (prescribed by the vet)
Surgery
Eligible vet bill
$2,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://spotpet.com/spot-sample-policy.pdf for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Confident
They know what they are doing and are masters of it as they’ve been around for thousands of years.
Athletic
Experts in working in the field, English Shepherds are fast, agile and athletic.
Independent
These Shepherds won’t need confirmation from the human companion all the time as they usually know what they want and have a habit of working and being on their own.
Lifetime Care
Coat
With a straight, wavy, or even curly mane, their coat is of medium-long length that is water and dirt repellent and comes with a soft undercoat that sheds seasonally.
Colors
The American Farm dog usually comes in a combination of colors like Sable & White, Black & Tan, Tri-color, Brindle, Black & White.
Hypoallergenic
No
Grooming
The double coat of theirs needs to be brushed regularly to help avoid matting. A gentle and slicker brush is recommended. Their coat should be trimmed as and when needed as it can grow longer to the point of discomfort to the dog. Their nails should be trimmed regularly and their ears are to be cleaned the same way. You could opt to visit a professional groomer once a month for overall grooming, sometimes including dental hygiene.
Training
English Shepherds are intelligent and confident, which makes it easier to train them. But with that also comes the stubbornness at times which needs to be taken care of at an early age. They are all-purpose farm dogs that are eager to please but can be easily bored by reputation. Avoid negative reinforcements and over-treating for training.
English Shepherd: Introduction to the Breed
The English Shepherd has many names including the Farm Collie, Farm Shepherd, Old Farm Collie, and American Farm Shepherd. This is not a new breed but actually one of the oldest ones out there. It is a combination of breeds and is believed to have originated as early as 55 BC. It was brought to the US by the first settlers there, and at one time was even among the most popular dog breeds in the US. What’s surprising is the American Kennel Club doesn’t recognize the breed yet while the United Kennel Club has recognized them since 1927. This farm dog holds properties of Border Collie, Rough Collie and Australian Shepherd as it shares common ancestry with all of them.
Temperament wise, these dogs are courageous, energetic, and gritty. They are always ready to perform the tasks given by their owner. Being alert and agile are an addition to their qualities. Just because these dogs specialize in working at the farm, doesn’t meant that they are not meant for homes and families. They can make excellent family companions as well.
They may be independent in nature but they also love to be around their human companions. This has got them a nick name – Shadow Shepherds. These Shepherds also have a very strong scenting ability.
English Shepherd Physical Characteristics:
Dogs are usually larger than their female counterparts
Long, straight or wavy double coat
Feathering on legs and tail
Short and smooth fur on the face, skull and front of legs
Dark or medium brown eyes
Folded ears
Slightly rounded head between the ears
Long tails but occasionally bobtails
English Shepherd is best suited for pet owners:
Who like a controlling and strong dog
Who like spending time with the dog, especially with training and exercise
Who want an active and athletic dog
Who are not looking to spend too much on grooming
Who have children in the family
Who do not have other small pets in the house like a mouse or a cat
Who have access to a lawn or a big space for the dog to move around
Things to know before deciding to own an English Shepherd
They may now be used as family companions, but training and exercise are very necessary for these pets. A lack of physical stimulation can get them very bored and may lead to weird or destructive behaviors.
They are not meant for apartment-type living as they need sufficient place to move around.
The farm dog in them is in their blood which could lead to controlling behavior, especially around smaller animals like cats or mice.
They are very alert dogs and will alert you of abnormal activity happening around them. For e.g., Dogs behaving rough in the park, a man carrying some big bag on the road which looks suspicious.
They will bark at unfamiliar visitors until told by their owners that everything is okay.
They like to work in a controlled environment which has rules and boundaries.
They can be bossy around you, especially if your dominance in the relationship with him/her is not established.
What is the price of an English Shepherd?
The average price of an English Shepherd from a breeder is around $800-$1000. Some factors affecting the price could include age, health, breeder’s reputation, bloodline, and coat color. Clear Sable and White is a rare coat color combination found in these dogs as it is caused by a recessive gene, which means both parents must have the color for the puppy to have it. There are other options to get one of these dogs, like from a rescue shelter or a puppy farm. The price could be less at a rescue shelter at around $100-$300 and there are plenty of rescue shelters available in the US which can help provide you with a dog to adopt.
Conclusion
The very hard-working, intelligent, eager-to-please, athletic, bossy, independent and alert dog breed, English Shepherd, is a very old one. They are experts on the farms with the sheep and also in the house with families, children and other pets as well. If you are looking for an athletic, alert and confident dog then the English Shepherd is the one for you.
Happy Health and Mood to your Doggo and Lots of Love and Licks to you!