English Shepherds descended from Shepherds’ dogs from southern Scotland and England. They are also related to Border Collies, Scotch Collies, and Australian Shepherds, though English Shepherds were more of a working dog than a show dog, like many of their cousins.

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While the English Shepherd is not currently recognized by the American Kennel Club, they have been recognized by the United Kennel Club since 1927. English Shepherds are very eager to please. They can make an excellent family dog and can excel in agility and obedience training events.

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Owning an English Shepherd: 3 Pros and Cons

English Shepherd Size and Weight

English Shepherds are a medium-sized breed. Male dogs are slightly larger than female dogs. A male weighs between 45 and 60 pounds and stands between 19 and 23 inches tall. Females weight between 40 and 50 pounds and are between 18 and 22 inches tall.

English Shepherd Common Health Issues

These dogs are a healthy breed. Still, there are a few health issues you should be aware of that they could develop.

As an active breed, they may have bone and joint issues. One condition they may develop is hip dysplasia. This is a condition in which the thighbone doesn’t connect smoothly with the hip bone. The two bones rub against each other which can be painful or cause the dog to limp.

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Similarly, English shepherds may also develop elbow dysplasia. Like hip dysplasia, this condition is a result of the bones at the elbow not connecting properly and rubbing against one another. This can cause the dog to limp and will also be painful.

Another possible concern for this breed is a luxating patella. Dogs with this condition have a kneecap that slips in and out of place. You may notice that your English Shepherd slips as he walks, but then appears to be back to normal for the next step.

To review, three potential health concerns for these dogs are:

• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Luxating patella

English Shepherd Temperament and Behavior

These dogs have a very loyal personality. They were used as herding dogs, so they can make an excellent working dog. However, this breed also exhibits traits and behaviors that make them a great family dog. They are protective and eager to please. Additionally, they are very intelligent dogs, which makes it easier to train this breed.

How To Take Care of a English Shepherd

Every breed is unique. Your plan to care for an English Shepherd will look different for what you would need to care for another breed. Keep their health concerns, temperament, nutritional needs, and other unique characteristics in mind when you create a care plan for your pup.

The Best Dog Food for English Shepherds

Look for a high-quality and nutritious food for your dog. Many English Shepherd owners recommend feeding this breed a mix of dry and wet foods. The amount of shedding that comes with English Shepherds can be hard to keep up with. While this probably won’t dramatically reduce shedding, you can read up on the best dog foods for shedding and which nutrients can nourish the skin and fur for some degree of shed control.

Most dogs of this breed will need about three cups of food each day, split into two or three smaller meals. The exact amount of food your dog will need may vary based on his weight, age, health concerns, and activity level. Consult their veterinarian if you are unsure how much food you should feed them.

Puppies have a smaller stomach than adults and can’t handle as much food at a time. For this reason, they should be fed smaller meals more frequently throughout the day.

English shepherds are pretty healthy, but it’s still ideal to find a dog food based on nutrients that address their propensity for joint issues.

That’s why A-Z Animals thinks the best dog food for English Shepherds is Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Healthy Mobility for Joint Health, Chicken Meal, Brown Rice & Barley Recipe.

Designed by vets and nutritionists, this joint support food provides glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate to fortify English Shepherds’ hips, elbows, and knees, with copper for more resilient connective tissues. Plus, there are omega-6 fatty acids, zinc, and vitamins A and E for the skin and fur of your intense shedding English Shepherd.

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English Shepherd Maintenance and Grooming

These are heavy shedding dogs. You will need to brush their coat between two and three times each week to reduce the amount of shedding around your house. While you will need to brush them pretty frequently, the dog won’t need to be bathed very often. They have a water-proof and dirt-proof coat that keeps itself looking pretty good.

Their nails should be trimmed to keep them short and prevent them from causing the dog discomfort when he walks. Their teeth should be brushed a few times each week, and their ears should be cleaned out regularly to keep them from getting clogged with dirt.

English Shepherd Training

These dogs are easier to train than many other breeds. They are very eager to please and intelligent, so they’ll pick up on commands and expectations rather quickly. Using positive reinforcement training techniques is the best way to help this breed learn expectations, so be sure to follow up with lots of praise or treats when they do what you want them to.

If you have young children or other pets in the home, you may need to train your English Shepherd not to herd them. Since they were bred to be a herding dog, their instincts may kick in and they could attempt to corral children or other pets in the home.

English Shepherd Exercise

These are highly active dogs that require a lot of exercise. They should get between one and two hours of activity each day, so they are best suited for very active owners. Some ways you can help your dog get the exercise he needs including taking him for long walks, going hiking, visiting the dog park, letting him swim, or playing in a large fenced-in backyard together.

In addition to physical exercise, these dogs also require plenty of mental stimulation. Without it, they can easily become bored and may be destructive. Agility and obedience training are great ways to provide mental stimulation to these dogs. Food toys can also offer some mental stimulation for this breed.

English Shepherd Puppies

Bringing home an English Shepherd puppy is a big commitment. This breed lives an average of 12 to 14 years, so you shouldn’t bring one home unless you’re ready to provide them the care they need for their entire life.

There is more variability in this breed than with some others. Before selecting a puppy to bring home, talk to the breeder to learn about the puppies in their liter. Try to find a few different breeders with puppies available and schedule visits to get to know each dog. This can help you find the right fit for you and your family. You should also request information about the parent’s history to confirm that they didn’t have any genetic conditions that could be passed on to a puppy.

Before you bring home your new puppy, you should make sure that your home is ready. Puppy-proof all the rooms the dog will have access to and purchase food, toys, and all the supplies they’ll need.

English Shepherds And Children

These are a good dogs for families with children. They are eager to please and easy to train, so it will be easy to teach your dog how to interact with a child. They are also a very protective breeds and will look out for a child.

Dogs similar to English Shepherd

Border Collies, German Shepherds, and Miniature Australian Shepherds are three breeds that are similar to these dogs.

• Border Collie: Border Collies and English Shepherds share common ancestors. They are both excellent herding dogs and are highly intelligent. English Shepherds are larger in size than Border Collies, though. The average weight of a male English Shepherd is 52.5 pounds, while the average weight of a male Border Collie is just 37.5 pounds.
• German Shepherd: German Shepherds and English Shepherds are both affectionate and playful. Both breeds are also easy to train and can be territorial. German Shepherds are a larger breed. Males have an average weight of 77 pounds, while male English Shepherds have an average weight of 52.5 pounds.
• Miniature Australian Shepherd: Miniature Australian Shepherds and English Shepherds can both be used for herding livestock. Both breeds are easy to train and are very territorial. Miniature Australian Shepherds are smaller than English Shepherds, though. Their average weight is just 30 pounds, while the average weight of a male English Shepherd is 52.5 pounds.

Popular Names for English Shepherd

Finding the right name for an these dogs isn’t always easy. Check out the list below if you need some inspiration.

• Buddy
• Jacky
• Riley
• Dexter
• Oliver
• Molly
• Penny
• Abbie
• Bella
• Sadie

Last update on 2022-07-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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