English Shepherd Lifespan, Temperament, Size, Weight, and Cost

English Shepherd Dog Breed Introduction

English Shepherd also known as Farm Collie, Farm Shepherd, Old Farm Collie, and American Farm Shepherd is a medium-sized dog breed. It is mostly known as a herding dog from the United States due to its ability to work livestock and its physical and structural appearance. Scottish and English immigrants first bred them in the 17th century, originally used as a herding dog. They have a long, straight, or wavy double coat that has the legs and tail feathery.

Moreover, when it comes to color, the Farm Collie has four different color combinations which include black and white, black and tan, sable and white, or tricolor. They are known for their versatility, loyalty, and intelligence which make them active companions and working partners in homes. Along with their appearance, they are often confused with the Border Collie.

Origin | History

Farm Collie is a pure breed dog that is from the British Isles and Ireland. Their lineage was brought to the New World and shares their origin with the modern Border Collie, Rough Collie, and also Australian Shepherd. In the Eastern states, the Farm Collie was mostly used on farms to herd valuable livestock and to protect the isolated homesteads.

The first Farm Collie dog was of William Wade who was an industrialist in Pittsburgh. He later bred the dog in the 1880s. After over 20 years, several American families owned the puppies and they later bred the dogs. This dog breed is recognized by the United Kennel Club since 1927. However, English Shepherds are not recognized by the AKC (American Kennel Club). They are now commonly seen in showcases and often seen in research and rescue centers.

English Shepherd Photo — **English Shepherd’s Photo**

English Shepherd Life Expectancy | Lifespan

Farm Collie has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.

English Shepherd Grooming

They have a long, straight, or wavy double coat which requires slicker brushes or pin brushes to brush them twice a week. Brushing is done to ensure its coat is free from mating, and detangling, and also promote new hair growth. If the Farm Collie will be used for herding, it requires bathing every four to six weeks. However, the dogs that are living indoors, require a bath after two to three months or when they roll in something stinky.

First, brush its coat with a brush and fill the Bath or Sink with a few inches of Lukewarm Water. Place the dog in the water and use a canine shampoo and conditioner to wash the dog. Dry the dog after and brush its coat again. When grooming the dog, do not cut the whiskers. Cleaning their teeth should be done twice a week by using a canine toothpaste and a brush.

Teeth brushing helps to keep the dog free from plaque and tartar that might build up. Ensure the Farm Collie’s nails are short to avoid overgrowing, cracking, or splitting by using clippers every three to four weeks. Moreover, the Farm Collie ears should be cleaned using a damp cotton ball soaked in an ear cleanser solution every week to remove dirt and ensure the ears are infection-free.

English Shepherd Shedding

The Farm Collies are known to be big shedders. They shed moderately through the year and heavily when experiencing seasonal change. They shed their undercoat twice a year during fall and spring and a rake-out brush is mostly used. When drying the dog using a blow dryer helps to get rid of the loose hair in their coat. The loose hairs can be found behind the ears, armpits, and where the coat is thicker.

Coat | Coat Type

Farm Collies have a long, straight, or wavy double coat that is feathery on legs and tail.

Hypoallergenic

The Farm Collies are not hypoallergenic as they tend to shed more hair due to their molting coats. As they shed, they allow hair and dander to spread around the house triggering allergic reactions in people with allergies. They are not likely to drool but their urine and mucus have protein allergen which causes inflammation.

English Shepherd Training

Farm Collies are intelligent dogs that are easily trainable and training should begin five weeks before they are adopted at the age of eight weeks. The parents should establish leadership pack roles as this type of dog may tend to be stubborn. These dogs live well with other dogs and children where they play together. A farm collie may be wary of strangers hence socialization of the dog comes in handy in raising a well-mannered fur friend.

Moreover, it is attained by introducing the pet to new dogs or people, places, and sounds like washing machines, trains, and doorbells. To avoid the dog being bossy or stubborn, enroll them in puppy class when they are eight to 16 weeks old. Pet owners should make use of positive reinforcement training and train the dogs for five to ten minutes at a time. Farm Collies seek more attention thus using positive verbal praises, treats, and having their playtime will give positive outcomes. Ensure the training sessions are fun and challenging to avoid boredom since Farm Collies get bored with typical routine training.

When training, avoid harsh correction methods like yelling, punching, beating, and kicking which will make their training counterproductive. Furthermore, obedience training enables the owner and Farm Collies to have a respected bond. Teach the dog common commands like sit, heel, and stand before introducing new commands. Additionally, to housebreak this breed, introduce them to potty training, crate training, and feeding schedules at an early age.

English Shepherd Temperament | Personality | Characteristics

Intelligent.
Kind.
Bossy.
Energetic.
Independent.
Adaptable.
Gentle.
Courageous.
Loyal.
Funny.
Affectionate.
Little Stubborn.

Exercise

The Farm Collies are known to be very energetic dogs that require a lot of exercise to avoid undesirable behaviors. They love to spend a lot of time outdoors as they need physical activities. This makes them preferred dogs for kids as they will play a lot. The owners who live with the dog in the city should have enough exercise through walks. The walks should take an hour or short minutes walks distribute evenly throughout the day. They will enjoy games of fetching, swimming, and wrestling. Additionally, they are good jogging buddies for active people.

English Shepherd Barking

The Farm Collies bark only when they feel the need to be vocal about something or alert their loved ones.

English Shepherd Height

A female Farm Collie stands between 18 to 22 inches ( approx. 46 -56cm ) while the male Farm Collie stands between 20 to 24 inches ( approx. 51 – 61cm ) measured from the withers.

English Shepherd Weight

A female English Shepherd weighs 40 to 50 pounds ( approx. 18 to 23kg ) while the male English Shepherd weighs 46 to 60 pounds ( approx. 21 to 28kg ).

English Shepherd Size

A Female Farm Collie stands between 18 to 22 inches ( approx. 46 -56cm ) and weighs 40 to 50 pounds ( approx. 18 -23kg ) while a male Farm Collie stands between 20 to 24 inches ( approx. 51 – 61cm ) and weighs 46 to 60 pounds ( approx. 21 – 28kg ).

Aggressive

Farm Collies are not known to be aggressive as they are good companions. However, they may become aggressive when they feel that something is threatening them or their families. This will make them bark or growl in protection.

Bite Force

They have a biting force ranging between 200 to 400 PSI which is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI).

English Shepherd Health Issues

The Farm Collies are generally healthy breeds that are also playful which helps in improving their physical health. However, they may be prone to diseases including Hip Dysplasia which is more visible when the dog is six months old. The dog with the condition should not be used for breeding as it will further to the other generation. They may also suffer from a Mutation that causes the dog to be allergic to some drugs. Eye diseases are mostly progressive retinal Atrophy and Collie Eye Anomaly. Additionally, they may suffer from elbow dysplasia and luxating patella.

Seizures

The Farm Collies are not prone to seizures. However, they may have seizures caused by an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), kidney or liver disease, hypoglycemia, brain tumors, and idiopathic.

English Shepherd Names

The Farm Collie parents often give their dogs names. This happens before they join them home from the breeder or days after joining them home where the parents will first observe their traits before naming them. These names vary from different parents as they may give the dogs names according to movies, coats, songs, books, or historical places. The names given should not rhyme with the command words taught in training.

Female Names

Bellatrix.
Alice.
Olympia.
Cadence.
Peanut.
Carly.
Divot.
Daisy.
Lulu.
Roxy.

Heat Cycle

The Farm Collies go through two heat cycles per year, on average 5 to 11 months. The dog may be ready for mating from 6 to 12 months. However, it is advisable to wait for the second cycle so that the Farm Collies can be more physically and mentally mature enough to cope with having puppies. During their heat cycle, they will display a bloody vaginal discharge and swollen genitals that usually lasts between 14 and 21 days. This discharge indicates that the female dog’s hormone levels are changing, making her ready for fertilization.

Pregnancy Length

After fertilization is done, the Farm Collie will have a gestation that lasts for 63 days. However, the dam can be receptive to the male before and after ovulation thus, the time is usually between 58 to 70 days.

Litter Size

The dam Farm Collie whelps an average litter size of 5 to 8 puppies with 96% survival to weaning.

English Shepherd Feeding | Food

A Farm Collie’s food intake usually depends on their specific size, metabolism, ailments, and conditions. The best way to feed the seniors and adults is twice a day with a mix of dry and wet foods given throughout the day. The puppies have three small portion meals a day with treats given throughout the day in moderation. Additionally, provide clean fresh water for the Farm Collies at all times.

Apart from Farm Collies, other dog breeds include:

Goldendoodle.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

French Bulldog.

Australian Cattle Dog.

Borzoi.

English Shepherd Colors | Coat Colors

The Farm Collie has four different color combinations which include black and white, black and tan, sable and white, or tricolor.

English Shepherd Black

The Farm Collies that are purely black are rare as most have black with tan or white patches.

English Shepherd Black And Tan

The Farm Collies with a black and tan color have a black coat with tan trim appearing on the cheeks as “shepherd spots”. The marks are also available over the eyes and broad chest bar.

English Shepherd Brown

The Farm Collies will be brown tan from light gold to mahogany brown but have a white color on the neck ring, tip on tail, and lower legs as well as a blaze on the face.

English Shepherd Black And White

The black and white Farm Collies have a well-defined black coat with white markings. The white fur is present on the neck ring, with a blaze of white on the top of the skull. However, it’s important to note that the white blaze should not extend back so far as to meet the white neck ring.

English Shepherd Tri Color

Tri-color is a dog color that comprises black, tan, and white forming the tri. The dog will have a black coat with some white replacing the tan trim. Additionally, there are tan “shepherd spots” over the eyes.

English Shepherd Short Hair | Short Haired English Shepherd

There are no short-haired English Shepherds as they have a thick, medium-length coat that can be straight, wavy, or curly.

English Shepherd Allergies

A Farm Collie may suffer from a Mutation that causes the dog to be allergic to some drugs like ivermectin. The ivermectin is mostly given for anti-parasitic purposes. This allergy can cause neurological symptoms that prove to be deadly to them. The mutation can be checked in the Farm Callie through a DNA test to be aware of the drug to give them.

English Shepherd Ears

The Farm Collies have moderate size of ears, set fairly wide apart on the skull, and high on the head. The inner corners are level with the plane of the top skull and are triangular with rounded tips.

English Shepherd Tail

They have a thick tail at the base and tapering toward the tip. Their tail mostly moves by the dog’s mood and energy level. The tails may be a natural full-length tail or a natural bobbed tail, never docked short.

English Shepherd Teeth

The Farm Collies have strong and regular, scissors bite. Their teeth may have a fault of Overshot and undershot bites.

English Shepherd Golden Retriever Mix

The English Shepherd has been bred with a Golden Retriever to provide a dog mix that is more intelligent and loving. The mix is rare as both breeds have the most common features.

English Shepherd Lab Mix

English Shepherd has not been bred with a Labrador. However, the Australian Shepherd has been crossbred with a Labrador to form Aussiedor.

English Shepherd Blue Heeler Mix

English Shepherd has not been bred with a Blue Heeler. However, the Australian Shepherd has been crossbred with a Blue Heeler to form the Texas Heeler, which is a hybrid dog.

English Shepherd Puppy | Puppies | Pups

The dam Farm Collie gives birth to an average litter size of 5 to 8 puppies. The puppies display color combinations which include black and white, black and tan, sable and white, or tricolor.

English Shepherd Cost

The average price of a Farm Collie ranges between $800 to $1500 depending on the age, pedigree, and location of the breeder.

English Shepherd vs Australian Shepherd

English shepherds have tails while some Australian shepherds do not have tails.
The English Shepherd requires more time to train properly, while the Australian Shepherd is more easily trainable.
They are both high-energy dogs and were mostly used as herding dogs.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What Is An English Shepherd

English Shepherd is a medium-sized dog breed primarily a working dog. It was first bred to help with herding, vermin, livestock, and watching children. They are loving and loyal companions perfect for families and great at sports.

How Big Do English Shepherds Get

What Does An English Shepherd Look Like

A Farm Collie has a long, straight, or wavy double coat that is feathery on the legs and tail. They have four different color combinations which include black and white, black and tan, sable and white, or tricolor.

Do English Shepherds Shed

Yes. They have a long, straight, or wavy double coat that they shed moderately throughout the season and high during summer and spring.

Are English Shepherd Hypoallergenic

No. Farm Collies are not hypoallergenic dogs. They shed their coat leaving dander around the house and causing inflammation in people with protein allergies. Their mucus, saliva, and urine also have protein allergen that causes inflammation.

English Shepherd Quick Facts

Nicknamed “shadow shepherds” as they are extremely loyal and follow humans around.
They are known to be “loose-eyed” herders.
Share ancestry with Rough Collie, Australian Shepherd, and the modern Border Collie.