At a glance the quick version
UKC gives 45-60 lb (males) and 40-50 lb (females); Wikipedia gives up to 65 lb for males; the English Shepherd Club gives 35-65 lb overall.
Coat and looks how to spot one
medium-length double coat
A soft, glossy coat of medium length that may be straight, wavy or curly, with feathering on the backs of the legs and tail. Hair on the face and front of the legs stays short and smooth, and the coat sheds dirt and weather well.34
Personality what they are like
A smart, alert and responsive working partner that is strongly attached to its family. It likes rules and teamwork, can switch off and rest calmly between jobs, and is naturally watchful, sometimes reserved with strangers.543
Daily activity how busy a day looks
High energy and stamina; thrives on real work or activities such as herding, agility, obedience, tracking, dock diving or search and rescue.351
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
A correct coat needs little grooming; expect seasonal shedding of the undercoat.4
Home where they are happiest
Suited to farms and active homes where it has daily jobs or training.15
Company who they like around
Deeply devoted and happiest working side by side with its people.54
The story where it all began
The breed grew from herding dogs that British settlers brought to North America from the 1800s. On family farms it herded stock, caught vermin, guarded the yard and kept the children company. The UKC began registering it in 1927.123
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The breed is often seen as the classic all-American farm dog and was painted by Norman Rockwell.1
- 2
It herds in an upright, loose-eyed style, unlike the crouching stare of the Border Collie.1
- 3
Merle colouring does not occur in the breed.4
- 4
It has gone by many folk names, including Ring Necked Shepherd and Black Shepherd.1
Recognised by the official bits
- UKC
- Registered since 1927; known as the American Farm Shepherd until renamed in 2003 (per Wikipedia).3
- English Shepherd Club
- Breed club founded in 1954 that keeps its own breed standard.5
- AKC
- Not recognised.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a English Shepherd. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- BrushingDaily during heavy sheddingevery 3 days
- Double coats insulate against cold and heat, so shaving is not recommended
- Bathevery 10 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkevery 2 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 8every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- English Shepherd Club breed history englishshepherd.orgused for history, other names, fun facts
- Wikipedia, English Shepherd en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, size, AKC status, rename
- UKC English Shepherd breed standard ukcdogs.comused for recognition, size, coat, colours, temperament
- English Shepherd Club breed standard englishshepherd.orgused for size, coat, colours, grooming, temperament
- English Shepherd Club home page englishshepherd.orgused for club founding, temperament, activities
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.