Dog World, September 2009, ARBA
“In 1937, Leon F. Whitney of Orange, Conn., a veterinarian and dog-book author, wrote that the English Shepherd “is probably the most numerous dog in America. It is the ordinary shepherd one sees on farm after farm throughout the country” (How to Breed Dogs, 1937).
Historians have speculated the English Shepherd (aka the farm shepherd, barnyard collie, old-fashioned shepherd and cow dog) had its beginnings in Rome, arriving in Eng land when Caesar invaded the British Isles in 55 B.C. Because rations for the Roman legions traveled on hoof, drovers’ dogs were a necessity on every foray. As troops devoured the sheep and cattle, unneeded dogs were left along the route, sometimes becoming the basis for a breed in the area in which they were abandoned. Presumably, this was the fate of the forerunner of the English Shepherd, which bred with local herding dogs of similar type.
Early British settlers brought their farm dogs to America and quickly put them to work as herders, hunters and guardians. It’s believed one of the first to import the English Shepherd was Henry Clay, U.S. secre tary of state from 1825 to 1829, who brought them in at the same time as his first boatload of registered Hereford cattle. The breed moved from east to west as America’s population expanded, and by 1900, no farm was complete without an English Shepherd.
In 1927, the UKC recognized the English Shepherd, and in the 1950s, the Animal Research Foundation (ARF) and the Inter national English Shepherd Registry offered registration for the English Shepherd. But in the 1950s, the rising star in the herding world was the fast and flashy Border Collie. The old reliable English Shepherd began to fade from the scene, giving way to the new upstart.
Today, you won’t find many English Shepherds in the breed’s native country, and despite Whitney’s comment of some 70 years ago, the dogs are now rare in the United States, too. However, the breed still has its share of devoted fans who admire the English Shepherd for its versatility, calm demeanor, devotion to its owners, good judgment and trainability. English Shepherd owners admire the breed’s versatility, devotion and intelligence.
Rectangular in outline, the English Shep herd ranges from 18 to 23 inches in height at the withers and may weigh from 40 to 60 pounds. Its double coat is medium length and about 2 inches long; the coarse outer coat may be straight, wavy or even curly.
Colors are black and tan, black and white, tricolor (black, tan and white), or sable and white. The black and tan’s markings are similar to those found on the Rottweiler or Doberman Pinscher. Low, semi-erect ears lie dose to the head. The eyes are usually brown, but blue may be found with any coat color.
Capable of herding any livestock from cattle to poultry, the English Shepherd differs from the intense Border Collie (which virtually stares sheep into submission), in being a “loose-eyed” (the dog doesn’t stare and stalk the livestock), upright type of herder.
Those seeking a deft yet mellow herder should look no further than the English Shepherd, a longtime worker and friend.”
Alice Bixler judges for the AKC, CKC, ARBA, Canine Rarities and IABCA. She breeds and exhibits Bearded Collies,Briards and Liiwchen.
