English Shepherd facts for kids
Tricolor English Shepherd
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| Other names | Farm Collie, Farm Shepherd, Old Farm Collie, American Farm Shepherd | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Origin | United States | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
The English Shepherd is a smart and hardworking herding dog breed that comes from the United States. These dogs are known for being great helpers on farms.
About the English Shepherd
The English Shepherd is a medium-sized dog. They usually weigh between 40 and 65 pounds (18 to 29 kg) and stand about 18 to 23 inches (46 to 58 cm) tall. Male dogs are typically a bit bigger than females.
These dogs have a long, thick coat that can be straight or wavy. They have longer hair, called "feathering," on their legs and tail. You'll often see them in four main color combinations:
- Black and white
- Black and tan
- Sable and white (sable means brownish-yellow)
- Tricolor (black, white, and tan)
Sometimes, you might also see them in shades of fawn (light yellowish-brown) or red tan with white. The hair on their face, head, and the front of their legs is usually short and smooth.
History of the Breed
The English Shepherd's ancestors were different types of Collie dogs. These early dogs were brought to America by settlers from Britain and Ireland a long time ago. This means the English Shepherd shares family roots with other well-known breeds like the Border Collie, Rough Collie, and Australian Shepherd.
The ancestors of the English Shepherd were very important on farms across the eastern United States. Their main job was to herd sheep and cattle. But they were also good at other tasks, like being a watchdog (warning people about strangers), a ratter (catching rats), and a loyal friend to their families.
The United Kennel Club (UKC) started keeping records of English Shepherds in 1927. At first, the UKC called the breed the American Farm Shepherd. But in 2003, they changed the name to English Shepherd. The English Shepherd breed is not officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), which is another large dog registry.
See also
- Dogs portal
- List of dog breeds
