from the library of Linda Rohem
OFFICIAL U.K.C. ENGLISH SHEPHERD STANDARD
HEAD: Head and neck carried slightly raised; skull wide and flat above eyes, broad between ears.
STOP: Nose to stop about four inches; heavy, not pugged, not pointed.
EARS: Wide to point; slight to half prick.
EYES: Dark, round.
CHEST: Wide, deep ‑ allowing large lung capacity.
HIPS: Wide, muscular ‑ quarter and loins.
SHOULDERS: Wide, muscular. Very compact, denoting strength to spring.
FRONT LEGS: Straight, medium bone, but muscular. Not too short.
HIND LEGS: Slightly bent at hock, very muscular; well haired.
FEET: Large, round. Directly under legs. Well padded.
TAIL: Heavily haired. Carried slightly higher than back with only slight curve. White tipped.
COAT: Heavy; glossy. Straight or curly. Fully covering body from cars down to feet; excessive over main body, but not maned about neck. Soft, reading well under body on upper half of legs.
COLOR: Preferred ‑ black and white; black and tan, black, white and tan. Permissible ‑ white ring around neck; white tip on tail; white chest, lower legs and face blaze; tan dots over eyes and on feet, sable color.
HEIGHT: The same at shoulders as at hips; 18 to 22 inches.
WEIGHT: Males 40 to 50 pounds. Females 35 to 4S pounds.
CHARACTERISTICS: Energetic, intelligent, very active, courageous, and gritty. Fearless for their purpose, acting immediately when commanded. Very intelligent and active to the command of the human (master’s) voice. Adapt themselves almost at once to working commands around farm stock. Strictly low heelers. Very free with use of their teeth. Also very watchful as guards of the home. Companionable to their master.