How to Identify an English Shepherd

By John Albers

Instructions

Step 1:
Start by trying to get an idea of the dog’s dimensions and weight. Males are typically 22 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 45 and 60 pounds. As a rule, females are a few inches shorter and about ten pounds lighter. Females are typically between 4 and 6 inches longer from the chest to hind end than they are tall. The thick chest and stubby limbs erroneously suggests that the dog is not completely grown. Its tail should be short and heavily curved, though still pointing backward. Depending on the coloration it’s common to get an overall impression of a juvenile Rottweiler or adult Collie, though you will notice some differences if you pay attention.
Step 2:
Examine the dog’s coat. It should be thick and glossy, though much longer than the fur of a Rottweiler or Collie. You will likely see fringes along the belly and tail, though the legs, head and face will have much shorter fur. There are four common color configurations. Black and tan in mimicry of a Rottweiler is one, the tricolor patterning of a Collie is another. The other two are primarily white with either sable or black fur along the back, chest, or neck.
Step 3:
Examine the dog’s head. The skull should be thick and wide, though shorter than one would expect. This often adds to the impression that you’re looking at a juvenile of another breed, as well as the short and very thick neck leading up to it. The primary difference is that the English Shepherd’s skull has a much larger dome. The muzzle starts out from the front of the skull very wide with a large circumference. This circumference does not taper as much as would be expected, stopping shorter than what seems normal or natural. The eyes are typically dark brown and the ears are wide, short, and flop over forward. They are placed very low on the sides of the head.

Photo/Video Credit

www.rarebreed.com

More Puppy Pages

How to Identify a Dutch Shepherd

The Dutch Shepherd dog started out in the southern part of the Netherlands as an all purpose farm dog in the late 1700s. It was expected to guard the farm, herd sheep, pull carts, as well as perform other menial tasks. It became popular several decades...

How to Identify An Anatolian Shepherd Dog

The Anatolian Shepherd is a very old breed of sheep dog originating in Turkey. This breed is known for working independently without instruction and spending the majority of their lives with the flocks it is their job to safeguard. Living on the plateaus...

It's helpful to be able to identify dog breeds when you're choosing a dog from a shelter and want to know something about its background. While some types of dogs are easy to recognize, some resemble other breeds. The best way to learn about different...

Most dogs are what the owner makes them. They respond to the guidance and firm but gentle leadership of human companions. Dogs originally bred to perform a job can come with breed-specific challenges.

In fiction and popular culture, Dalmatians are traditionally seen as the ideal canine companion of firefighters. But what modern-day police department would be complete without its very real crime-fighting dog, the German shepherd? German shepherds are...