Fun English Shepherd Facts For Kids

Early settlers in the New World brought a few Collie dogs with them, and breeding between these Collies eventually resulted in the English Shepherd! These were herding dogs and that's why the English Shepherd has developed some great herding instincts.

There is also another version of this breed called the miniature English Shepherd, which (as seen in its name) is much smaller than the standard English Shepherd!

The dog breed English Shepherd is a loyal and loving pet dog who has a highly energetic temperament. These dogs need a lot of exercise and training from a very young age to keep them friendly and healthy.

The English Shepherd dog breed is relatively easy to train but they also are known to have a mind of their own. Any trainer needs to consistent in order to train this breed into a fun-loving and lively dog.

The English Shepherd is quite famous. So, read on to find more facts about this famous animal. If you like this article, you can also look at these Border Collie Lab mix facts and Great Dane Lab mix facts.

English Shepherd Interesting Facts

What type of animal is an English Shepherd?

English Shepherds are medium-sized dogs.

What class of animal does an English Shepherd belong to?

English Shepherd belongs to the class Mammalia.

How many English Shepherds are there in the world?

The exact number of English Shepherd dogs is not listed since there are many English Shepherds in the world. Do you know any English Shepherds?

Where does an English Shepherd live?

The English Shepherd often lives in a house as a household pet. Since this is a working breed, he needs an adequate amount of exercise and he’s not well-suited for busy families or people living in an apartment or flat.

It is better suited to a home that has a fenced backyard or a farmhouse with plenty of outdoor space to roam around.

What is an English Shepherd's habitat?

English Shepherd dogs descend from Collie dogs. They are believed to have originated in the US after Scottish and English settlers brought dogs over between the 17th and 19th centuries. So whilst this is their original habitat, today they are found in homes around the world, particularly in the British Isles and the US.

Who do English Shepherds live with?

English Shepherds are family pets and they live with their family members. English Shepherds need a lot of care and socialization with people and love spending quality time with their owners.

How long does an English Shepherd live?

English Shepherds live for between 10 and 13 years. Their lifespan is a little longer than the average lifespan of most dogs, but to reach old age they need to be taken proper care of.

How do they reproduce?

English Shepherds reproduce when a male mates with a female. English Shepherd females go through two cycles of 'heat' per year or three cycles within two years. Females are most likely to fall pregnant during these 'heat' periods. The process of ovulation normally takes 63 days.

What is their conservation status?

The popularity of the English Shepherd has changed over time. During the middle of the 20th century, these Shepherd breeds were also called the Scotch Collie Farm Shepherd dogs and Farm Collie dogs. They were quite common in the Eastern and Midwestern regions of the United States.

Also in the 20th century, there was a major industrialization in the farming process. Due to this industrialization, many diverse small farms were created.

This dog breed was the first choice among many farmers. Today English Shepherds are Not Listed on the ICUN red list of threatened species. This is good news for all fans of these fluffy friends!

English Shepherd Fun Facts

What do English Shepherds look like?

* Please note that this is an image of a Border Collie, a relative of the English Shepherd. If you have an image of the English Shepherd please let us know at hello@kidadl.com.

English Shepherds are mostly black and white, sable and white or black and tan. The dog can be of tri-colors too.

Their patterns of colors can range from bits of white on a black and tan coat, along with white blazes, to a simple black and white pattern, sometimes with bright white feet! Tri-colors also come as sables with black saddles or shadings and the sable at times can range from straw color to dark brown.

The English Shepherd looks similar to Border Collies, however, it is a stockier dog.

The herding style is different too. A Border Collie crouches and stares when it is herding, whereas the English Shepherd stays upright.

How cute are they?

Dog breeds like this one are extremely cute and cuddly. These medium-sized dogs have a soft coat of hair and have a cheerful temperament. These loyal pet dogs are balls of energy and the cuteness factor is doubled by their cute pointy ears and adorable wagging tails!

How do they communicate?

English Shepherds have a relaxed attitude towards herding. Unlike many other breeds, the English Shepherd does not take the hard-eye approach towards herding.

They have the tendency to learn from their parents and they are generally calm and do not get agitated too easily. Hence, unlike other herding dogs, they do not come off as flashy and their methods of communication are quite understated. Of, course they do bark from time to time to communicate with their owners too.

How big is an English Shepherd?

English Shepherds are about 1.5-1.9 ft (0.46-0.58 m) which is almost half the size of a Great Dane.

How fast can an English Shepherd run?

English Shepherds are known as herd dogs, and they can run anywhere from 20-30 miles per hour (32.18-48.28 km per hour). These farm dogs are used to herding and watching livestock and can sheep herd for long period. They need plenty of training, exercise, and will have a high energy level throughout most of the day.

How much does an English Shepherd weigh?

English Shepherd males weigh around 46-60 lb (21-28 kg)  whereas the females weigh 40-50 lb (18-23 kg).

What are their male and female names of the species?

English Shepherd males are called English Shepherd dogs and the females are called English Shepherd bitches.

What would you call a baby English Shepherd?

Baby English Shepherds are called English Shepherd puppies.

What do they eat?

These dogs need nourishing food. A lot of breeders recommend feeding them a mixture of wet and dry foods. Most require at least three cups of food every day.

This food quantity can be divided into smaller meals, perhaps two or three a day. The food amount varies according to the individual dog's weight, health, exercise habits, and age. Any breeder and owner should consult their vet about food portions and how to feed their dog.

Are they slobbery?

English Shepherds drool a lot so if you don't like drool spots on clothes and furniture, this may not be the best dog breed for you.

Would they make a good pet?

English Shepherds are fantastic working dogs and they are valued for their faithfulness and intelligence. They also make wonderful friends and pets.

All they need is a family who loves and appreciates their spirit and intelligence.

The temperament of this dog breed varies to a great extent, but overall it is considered to be a highly intelligent and dominant dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.

The English Shepherd dog tends to become devoted to one person and can be wary of strangers sometimes, but English Shepherds also make great family pets because they are gentle and patient with kids.

They are also tolerant of other animals, including cats, but you’ll want to make sure your other pets are accepting of the new English Shepherd too.

They can cost around $400 - $800 in the US, and this dog breed with glistening fur is extremely confident and purposeful. It is an all-around amazing working dog with remarkable speed and dexterity.

English Shepherds have a great intellect which means that it is important for owners to train them from a young age. Since they have a good herding ability, impressive endurance power, and high energy levels, it makes them excellent herding dogs.

This dog breed is also good at tracking and hunting. Because of its intelligence, this dog is relatively easy to train, but don't forget that the English Shepherd needs mental stimulation as well as plenty of exercise.

They need proper socialization and training or else they can become headstrong develop a demanding temperament. The English Shepherd's fur also needs consistent grooming, so that is something else for every pet owner to bear in mind.

Did you know...

English Shepherds naturally like to chase so playing fetch is a great way to entertain them. This also helps provide some more exercise since this dog needs loads of it.

English Shepherds have a water-proof and dirt-proof coat that keeps itself looking pretty good. Despite this, owners need to regularly brush their dog's fur to keep it in a good condition.

The English Shepherd can have the MDR1 gene mutation (around 15% of English Shepherds have this).  Dogs with this mutation can be very sensitive and react badly to some common drugs prescribed to dogs. Of course, it is best to test dogs for this mutation, so that you can adapt any treatments to the dog's needs.

What are their special skills?

English Shepherds are very good at herding and farming jobs. They were used widely by farmers to maintain a herd of livestock. As working dogs, they were in high demand in several parts of the US, especially after Industrial Revolution.

The English Shepherd and Border Collie may seem similar, but they have different herding styles. Generally, each breed of herding dogs (like Border Collies) can herd only one kind of animal.

However, the English Shepherd can herd multiple animals, including chickens and cows. They know what kind of force to use on different animals. Other talents including using them for therapy, tracking, search and rescue, and more!

How friendly are they?

Most English Shepherds are polite and rational with strangers and make brilliant, sensible watchdogs. However, they need extensive socialization from a very early age in order to make them less apprehensive of their environment.

English Shepherds are also quite friendly with other pets if raised with them, but they can become commanding and controlling with unknown and strange animals. They are generally not aggressive but they can bark a lot when they are bored.

Overall, they are extremely adaptable working dogs, who are always inquisitive about learning new things (thanks to their herding dog past). But since these herding dogs have a mind of their own sometimes, there can be times when they are difficult to train as they can't always be controlled.

Some English Shepherds are extremely headstrong and dominant, always wanting to be the boss!

In order to train them properly, the owner or the trainer needs to be extremely consistent and rigid about drawing boundaries. If you can achieve this, English Shepherd dog breeds will be amazing family dogs!

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals including the German Shepherd Doberman mix, or the Pomapoo.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our English Shepherd coloring pages.