There is a dog for everyone :lol:
I , of course, recommend what I grew up with and still have. An English Shepherd. They are not the same thing as a farm collie, although the terms are used interchangeably sometimes. Despite the name, they are an American breed, with a large base of collie stock. They have been registered by UKC since the 1920's.
Here is a description I wrote recently for a breed magazine : :compute:
There is a wide variety in English Shepherds in size and looks. Also a wide
variety of traits within the breed. I think most English Shepherds carry
most ES traits, but the degree the trait expresses itself within the
individual dog can vary by large degrees. I think to get what you
want you really need to SEE for yourself the individual dogs, especially parents, as well as
collect as much information as you can about the pedigree background. We
all love our English Shepherds and think they are wonderful but I would
advise someone new to the breed to try to sift through our emotionalism
about the dogs and listen for specific facts when they are described.
It is hard to make comparisons to other working breeds. There are many
similarities to Aussies and Border Collies and Collies. There are
many differences within those breeds as within our own.
I have owned two Aussies and one Collie and many English Shepherds. I have
never owned a border collie but have spent a good bit of time around some.
My experiences only, but in general I would say an English Shepherd should
show a unique kindness to those he is devoted to, and that can include stock as well as family and children. Working style can be very like an Aussie. An English Shepherd should have more natural stock ability than a modern collie. ESs tend to be slightly larger than a border
collie and more upright and do not tend to obsession. I have seen a couple of more upright farm type BCs that were virtually indistinquishable from an ES. I have never seen a fullblood English
Shepherd actually crouch when working like a BC will do, although when they are intense they
will often drop their heads level with their shoulders and do use more eye
than people think they would.
ESs can balance off stock and can be natural gathering dogs or natural
driving dogs or dogs that head or heel equally, or any combination thereof, including no herding talent at all. They do seem to take
to driving more easily than many other breeds and historically I believe that is
strong in the background of their use - driving cattle and hogs in the SE and Midwest. They will often be heelers as well and that is how they were historically advertised in the past. This
is not a trait that always will show itself until a situation where it is
needed so it is hard to evaluate sometimes. I do think we've seen that trait
diminished in recent history but hopefully it is receiving some new priority
and will not be lost. Sometimes they will start out biting a little high on
the hock but will drop to the heel with experience.
I think ES working strength is in being a chore dog. An ES most certainly
CAN do an outrun, but it is not likely to automatically be pretty pear
shaped. Most of all he is a practical thinking dog and it will show in how
he does things . He can find balance but neither does he mind upsetting the balance to get things done. He is a good chore type dog because his mentality is generally less obsessed about moving the stock and balanced by loyalty and devotion and protection of you and that includes helping you in
whatever you are trying to accomplish and showing understanding of the job. He is about getting the job done and he wants and needs a relationship of being your partner. They can be invaluable in barns, pens, gates, feeding time, doctoring time, and loading trailers as well as moving stock to and from fields. Sometimes it may require a sense of humour from the owner about how he goes about getting things done if he hasn't been taught a certain way.
They will often hunt rabbits, squirrels, possums etc. but frankly most of the dogs I
have owned of whatever breed would do that. They are a territorial breed
and will patrol what they perceive as their property, keeping off stray
animals, coyotes, dogs. Some will fight them and some will come and tell
you about them. They will kill coons, possums, etc. My neighbors have
been thrilled to have sweet corn that wasn't ravaged by coons any more.
Some of them can track and do it very well, including tracking lost stock.
Once they get the idea and you say " go find the sheep" you can sit and wait
until they come back with them if you are lucky!
To me what defines an English Shepherd is his mindset. He is a farm and
family dog with great capacity for loyalty. Most of them take that role seriously and project a certain
dignity with it. English Shepherds have been about family since they came of being and often are part of the family. Children seem to hold a special place. Whether an English Shepherd has been
raised with children or not, I expect them to be good with them and will not breed one that is not. I consider that to also be one of the defining breed traits as well as being a stockdog.
They readily accept and even desire responsibility and a good English Shepherd
is always aware of his surroundings and his perceived duties. He is a working breed and thrives in that environment.
The biggest problems in homes that I see are caused by English Shepherd
territorialness, which doesn't work well in more urban and suburban areas
and must be kept under control in those situations. Not all English
Shepherds are that territorial though and they often make very good pets and
companions. Some English Shepherds are quite strong mentally, and if there is a void in leadership they will try to fill that roll, thereby requiring a dog savy owner; yet they can do what is requested for a child out of love as well.
ESs with skewed judgement for whatever reason, environment and/or
genetics can be a real challenge. They are a resilient breed and can successfully be dealt with with the right owner.
Some have an aloof demeanor which I don't consider a pro or con - just depends on what the owner likes.
Many people feel like the aloof ones with their no nonsense attitude actually make excellent or superior working dogs.
I have one that is quite a clown and keeps us laughing daily. Even so take him with
you to a field and the dignity the breed so often possesses shows up while we work on whatever and he automatically takes watch.
Our biggest health issue is hip dysplasia.
The English Shepherd can be tough when needed, yet an owner also
needs to be aware he can and is usually sensitive also. On most things (99% ) they
train best with positive methods. My exception to that would be some
territorialness issues where you may have to up the ante gradually until you get the desired response. They usually will go a very long way for a simple good dog and a hug.
Melissa Crislip
WildOats English Shepherds
