El English Sheepdog or Old English Sheepdog As it is also known and in contradiction to its name, it is considered a breed of North American dog. Nevertheless, it is clear that it has deep historical roots on the European continent. It has gradually increased in popularity in the United States and Canada. They remain a favorite pet for farm work, herding and security.
The English Shepherd has proven to be a faithful and ideal pet for open spaces. Despite its incredible utility at work as a company, it has stood out for its intelligence, kindness and loyalty.
Origin and history of the English Shepherd
The origins of this breed are not exactly clear, however, it is evident that the mixture and the generations dedicated to herding have been evolutionarily beneficial, making it a long-lived and healthy breed.
The origin of the English Shepherd is definitely uncertain. Theories abound, but none have been confirmed enough to declare it definitive. Of course, as it draws closer in history, evidence of its recent past abounds. The most significant aspect regarding the origin of this breed is its evident and proven influence of an ancestor of the Collie breed.
Although this dog is an interesting and effective mix of several breeds of dogs that They stood out for their effectiveness in herding work and huntingIt is the Collie that has the most influence on the genetics of the English Shepherd. Being linked the history of both breeds makes it more difficult to determine their origins, since the Collie has little documentation and different theories that try to determine its roots.
With the passage of time, a unique and indigenous breed was obtained that gradually adapted to the different climatic and geographical conditions of the new continent. This provided undeniable advantages such as increased strength and adaptability, enviable health, and superior longevity over other purer breeds.
The breed's popularity peaked in the 50s when family farms were important to the economy. However, this panorama changed rapidly after 1960. By 1970 the English Shepherd was in danger of extinction.
Features
The English Shepherd is proving to be a great companion pet for all those owners full of energy and willing to offer this dog a healthy lifestyle that favors its balance, health and longevity. In return, you can count on a pet unmatched in affection, loyalty, and as a guardian.
Lovers of this breed have not shown any interest in having the English Shepherd recognized by any canine association, since they consider that setting standards is limiting and can be detrimental to the health of the breed. The physical appearance of the English Shepherd is very diverse thanks to the fact that it is the result of the mixing of several working breeds.
However, it predominates in the improved genetic aspects of the collie breed. There is a slight difference between males and females This is particularly noticeable in the height at the withers and the weight.
The average weight of the male English Shepherd is 36 kg and that of the female is 32. The height of the female at the withers is 53 centimeters while that of the male is 56 cm. They have a shape that tends to be square with an upper line running down from the loin to the withers.
The appearance it has when covered in long fur is very different from that seen when it is shaved. In the latter case you can notice the beautiful body lines and show the musculature and strength of both the rear and front members.
His ears hang down and he has dark eyes that give him a mysterious appearance. His thick fur is a unique curly double-coat feature. Their coat is so thick that they used to shear it just like sheep. The color spans a range of shades from blue to gray with white.
Temperament
This breed of dog has been working as a shepherd for many generations, so it has an independent and imposing character. It is essential that the owner knows how to lead it from puppyhood. It is necessary that it be socialized both with people and with other animals.
The Old English Shepherd requires channeling an enormous amount of energy and perform activities that challenge your intelligence. Otherwise, it can develop unwanted behavior that can even lead to aggressiveness, especially in males.
Basic care
The appearance of the English Shepherd gives the impression that it needs a lot of attention in maintenance, however, it is the opposite. Your hygiene requirements are low, needing a biweekly brushing of the coat. If it leaves a trace of its coat where it passes, some owners prefer to trim it, thus improving its care and appearance.
As always it is advisable to visit the vet twice a year while he is a puppy and once when he reaches adulthood. This breed tends to mature slowly, so it needs to be aware of its vaccinations as well as its diet.
Health and disease
The English Shepherd is a healthy and long-lived breed. You can live fourteen years with just basic care and it is one of the few medium breed dogs that reaches 17 years. Its health is enviable, since it has been greatly favored by its genetic diversity and stupendous adaptability.
Among the diseases that you can suffer are the hip dysplasia and elbow, Collie eye abnormality, drug allergies, entropion and ectropion, cataracts, sensitivity to anesthesia and Luxating Patella. You can suffer from some of these genetic diseases in smaller proportions than other races.
Finally, it is necessary for your emotional balance that walk at least an hour a day And although the breed has been effectively introduced as a companion pet, we must not forget that it has been a working dog for a long time, so the ideal is to have the ideal conditions for its physical and emotional health.
We have had 2 male dogs of this breed, the first one adopted in adulthood and the second bought with a caretaker because we fell in love with his character. They are noble, loyal, super loving and extremely intelligent. Perhaps because they are shepherds they consider us their flock and they want to gather the whole family to eat or to live together. Really beautiful ?