Breed Standard
While there is no strict breed standard there is a set of breed characteristics that are desirable for the English Shepherd, over all the most important thing is that the dog is able to work and function with ease.
Physical Characteristics:
HEAD - The head should be of medium length with moderately defined stop, broad and slightly rounded between the ears. The distance from tip of nose to stop should be roughly equal to the distance between stop and occiput and to the width across the top of skull between bases of ears. The muzzle is moderately broad, neither pugged nor pointy and the teeth should have a scissor bite; the jowls should be straight with no sloppy droop. Their nose should be fully-pigmented, generally solid black although "clear" sable dogs may have brown nose. The eyes are brown and moderately round with a slightly oblique set and should express character with a strong, intelligent look. Their ears are typically wide apart, standing slightly outward at the base with a sharp bend and lie close to the head when relaxed, raised up slightly when alert. Variation in ear set is common and of trivial significance.
BODY - An English Shepherds back is strong and level, their loins are strong and deep with slight muscular arch. A strong, arched neck with shoulders well laid back, ribs well sprung and the chest extending down in depth approximately to the elbows. Their body is slightly longer than tall and the chest is moderately broad.
Their forelegs are straight when viewed from front with pasterns that are short, thick and strong, but still flexible, showing a slight angle when viewed from the side. The back legs are well boned and muscular, placed well apart, with moderate angulation. Their paws are oval and compact, with the toes together and well arched, well-padded and tough. Rear dewclaws common but may be removed. The tail is moderately long with sweep toward end, the carriage may vary, but it is preferably held low when standing relaxed. Natural bobtails are acceptable and may be up to eight inches long.
GAIT - When viewed from the front at a fast trot, the front feet track close together but do not cross over. The gait should give the impression of ability to change direction instantaneously. The dog moves ahead in a straight line with effortless motion and without a rolling gait. When viewed from the rear, the hind legs are straight and converge as pace increases so as to take the weight under the centre of gravity. The gait is smooth without choppiness.
Below is a video of Kumi practicing her competition heel work.
Physical Characteristics:
HEAD - The head should be of medium length with moderately defined stop, broad and slightly rounded between the ears. The distance from tip of nose to stop should be roughly equal to the distance between stop and occiput and to the width across the top of skull between bases of ears. The muzzle is moderately broad, neither pugged nor pointy and the teeth should have a scissor bite; the jowls should be straight with no sloppy droop. Their nose should be fully-pigmented, generally solid black although "clear" sable dogs may have brown nose. The eyes are brown and moderately round with a slightly oblique set and should express character with a strong, intelligent look. Their ears are typically wide apart, standing slightly outward at the base with a sharp bend and lie close to the head when relaxed, raised up slightly when alert. Variation in ear set is common and of trivial significance.
BODY - An English Shepherds back is strong and level, their loins are strong and deep with slight muscular arch. A strong, arched neck with shoulders well laid back, ribs well sprung and the chest extending down in depth approximately to the elbows. Their body is slightly longer than tall and the chest is moderately broad.
Their forelegs are straight when viewed from front with pasterns that are short, thick and strong, but still flexible, showing a slight angle when viewed from the side. The back legs are well boned and muscular, placed well apart, with moderate angulation. Their paws are oval and compact, with the toes together and well arched, well-padded and tough. Rear dewclaws common but may be removed. The tail is moderately long with sweep toward end, the carriage may vary, but it is preferably held low when standing relaxed. Natural bobtails are acceptable and may be up to eight inches long.
GAIT - When viewed from the front at a fast trot, the front feet track close together but do not cross over. The gait should give the impression of ability to change direction instantaneously. The dog moves ahead in a straight line with effortless motion and without a rolling gait. When viewed from the rear, the hind legs are straight and converge as pace increases so as to take the weight under the centre of gravity. The gait is smooth without choppiness.
Below is a video of Kumi practicing her competition heel work.
COAT - The coat is of medium length and can be straight, wavy or curly. It is weather and dirt-resistant, with an undercoat that sheds seasonally. Hair is short and smooth on the head, outside of ears, front of forelegs and below the hocks. The backs of forelegs are moderately feathered; breeches are moderately full; tail is plume-like. Excessively heavy manes and heavy frills on underside of neck and on breast are not desirable. An English Shepherds coat should require minimal grooming. There are four predominant colour patterns which are: black and tan, tricolour (black, tan, and white), black and white, and sable and white. A sable dog may have black-tipped hairs, or may have a solid black saddle pattern, or may be "clear" -- without black pigment in the coat. Sable may appear as shades of brown from a pale honey-gold colour through a deep mahogany. White markings are typically distributed in an "Irish" pattern, with or without a white collar; a black mask is acceptable in any of the colour patterns. In none of the colour patterns is white permitted to be unbalanced to a degree of being splotchy-looking or of covering more than 30% of the body. Solid white coats or piebald markings are not desirable. Merles do not appear in the English shepherd.
SIZE - Range:
height: 18 - 24", preference for 19 - 22";
weight: 35 - 65lbs, lean and fit condition
males larger than females’
Sturdy balance and harmonious proportions are more critical than absolute size.
(Adapted from the breed standard given by The English Shepherd Society)
SIZE - Range:
height: 18 - 24", preference for 19 - 22";
weight: 35 - 65lbs, lean and fit condition
males larger than females’
Sturdy balance and harmonious proportions are more critical than absolute size.
(Adapted from the breed standard given by The English Shepherd Society)
Monty owned by Kate Tant. Scout owned and photographed by Karlie Tamplin. Joy, Rio and Indi owned by Green Mountain English Shepherds. Ginger and Wrangler owned by Shezan Cliffman. Rosie (black and white) owned by Charlotte McCue. Buddy, Maggie and Briar owned by Caroline Betts. Gracie owned by Cheryl Johnson. Black and Tan dogs courtesy of Victoria Pollard and Working Dogs in Action. Brindle Puppy owned by Alex Nicholson. Harley owned by Monika Strell.