English Shepherd Owner’s Guide

Reviewed By Tom •  Updated: 04/09/21 •  6 min read
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Have you wondered whether an English Shepherd is the best canine for you? This pooch is typically a working dog but they can also fit into an active family’s home. Before you think about adopting this furry friend, it is best to learn more about their traits and needs. This can ensure that you can give the English Shepherd what they need. So, let’s learn more about this pooch.

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What can I Expect from the English Shepherd?

The English Shepherd is an old breed that has been used by farmers for many years. But they have also become an active family dog that is also becoming more of a companion. You may notice that the English Shepherd has a few nicknames. For example, you can hear this pooch referred to as the old style Collie. In addition, they are often mistaken for Border Collies and Australian Shepherds due to their working and herding abilities.

The average height of a male English Shepherd is from 18 to 23 inches, as well as weighing 45 to 60 pounds. A female English Shepherd is going to be slightly smaller at 18 to 22 inches. Typically, they are also lighter at 40 to 50 pounds. They tend to be muscular and fit canines, able to run for a long time and are very agile in different conditions. The English Shepherd has floppy ears, with the common colors being black and tan, as well as a tricolor of black, white and tan. The fur is usually medium length and it can be straight or wavy depending on breeding.

Do They have a Good Temperament?

The English Shepherd is known as a working breed. This means that they are going to be loyal and follow commands when they have the right training. They are eager to please and they will enjoy working and being active. They will also make a wonderful companion when you are at home, being a watchdog for you and your family. But they can be independent and have a mind of their own sometimes. So, this can make your furry friend stubborn sometimes, which might require more training.

An important thing to remember is that some English Shepherds can be standoffish. For example, they can be apprehensive about new people coming into their home. So, you will need to ensure that you socialize your furry friend from an early age. Being exposed to new people and dogs, this can prevent any standoffish behavior in the future.

The English Shepherd also likes to have a routine. This keeps them calm and avoids nervousness. So, try to keep your pup in a routine so that they can anticipate what is coming next.

Do They Need a lot of Grooming?

There is going to be some grooming involved when you own an English Shepherd. They have a thick coat, which is going to need regular brushing. It is recommended that you brush your English Shepherd’s coat every day. This is going to keep it soft and shiny. It is also going to prevent tangling and matting. This can become uncomfortable for your canine and it the matting gets back, it may mean that their coat has to be shaved. Your English Shepherd will also need to be bathed on a regular basis. This is going to avoid them from getting dirty and smelly.

Do They Need a lot of Exercise?

If you are looking for a canine that is going to sit on your lap all day at home, this is not going to be the English Shepherd. This is a furry friend that loves to be active and have a job to do. So, the best thing you can do for your canine is to provide them with lots of exercise during the day. They will enjoy going hiking, as well as being your jogging partner. You should aim to offer your English Shepherd at least 60 minutes of moderate exercise every day.

Do not forget that the English Shepherd is an intelligent canine. This means that you will have to exercise their brain too. Always make time to play with your furry friend, as well as giving them puzzles. This can keep them occupied when you are busy too. In addition, regular and short training sessions can exercise your canine’s brain. It will also ensure that they have good manners.

Where Can I Find an English Shepherd?

The English Shepherd can make a wonderful companion. Now that you have learnt more about their needs, you can decide whether this is the right pooch for your family. If you think that the English Shepherd will suit your lifestyle, there are a variety of ways you can find one. The best place to start looking is at your local animal shelter. There are a lot of canines here that are looking for a family to start a new life with. While they are not going to be the most popular breed to find in an animal shelter, you might find an English Shepherd you can adopt.

You can also look online to find an English Shepherd. There are rescue organizations that might be able to find a canine for you. This is another affordable way to find an English Shepherd. There might be adverts online from owners too that are trying to re-home their canine. Just ensure that you ask the right questions so that you know what you can expect from this pooch.

You can also look for an English Shepherd in your area. This can allow you to purchase a puppy and train them from an early age. There are some families that prefer to do this. However, be aware that an English Shepherd puppy can be expensive. In addition, you will have to do a lot of research to find a reputable and experienced breeder that you trust. The last thing you want is to purchase a pooch from a puppy mill. The price that you can expect to pay for this beloved companion is anywhere from $350 to $1,000.

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Tom

Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!

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