Written in 1950

Published in "DOG WORLD", Standards Issue, 1954

 
(above) Tom D. Stodghill w/ "Old Bimbo"

The English Shepherd is a medium size strong built active dog. They are affectionate, intelligent, natural, obedient, not quarrelsome or possessive but of great courage and extremely faithful. They are not easily excitable and unusually dignified in manner. English Shepherds have the intelligence to adapt themselves to a variety of jobs and have proved themselves useful as watch dogs in the large cities and as retrievers and trailers in the hunting field. They can attack an animal from the rear and can kill an animal much larger than they are themselves. The only thing an English Shepherd will attack bulldog fashion is another dog or a wolf, and they are much used to protect young calves, sheep, and chickens from wolves, because they are alert and on the job, and not afraid. Also much used to protect young children. How could a dog trained by time to wait so tenderly upon a little lamb fail to catch the eye of a little child or respond with a tender glance in the call of a man or woman? This temperament and this intelligence makes the English Shepherd the ideal family pet. They are the finest of all cattle dogs because they are natural low heelers and will go to the backside of the farm after the milk cows. Also have the Grit it takes to pen the roughest, wildest cattle.

(above) Logan's Elizabeth (ES 10226DR)

(ES10237) 

GENERAL APPEARANCE and SIZE

The English Shepherd is a medium size; a longhaired dog. He is sturdy and has plenty of bone.

HEIGHT: Not less than 18 inches or over 22 inches. The length from the breastbone to tip of back quarters should equal the height.

WEIGHT: Not less than 40 pounds or over 60 pounds. The most desirable size is 20 inches high and 50 pounds. Dogs too small are more desirable than dogs too large.

HEAD: Medium length. The muzzle from tip of nose to stop should approximately equal length of skull from stop to occupit. The skull should be broad between the ears, but not so broad as to appear clumsy (very few are broad enough). Stop well pronounced.

NOSE: Large and black.

JAWS: Not long, but deep and powerful.

TEETH: Strong; incisor bite, the lower incisor must touch the inner surface of the upper incisor.

EYES: Prominent but not protruding. They should be brown and express good humor, faithfulness and confidence. (A strong eye is very desirable, that is a dog that keeps an eye on the job at hand, also keeps an eye on his master.)

EARS: Wide apart, stand slightly outward at the base with a sharp bend and lie close to the head which keeps the rain and sleet out of their ears. When the dog is relaxed, ears lay close to head, when they are alert, the ears raise up a little.

NECK: Well muscled, round, and rather out-stretched.

BODY: Perfect balanced.

RIBS: Well arched but not barrel shaped.

CHEST: Deep, broad enough for strength, but not so broad as to make the dog appear slow and clumsy.

LOIN: Short, strong and deep.

TAIL: Strong at the base and long enough to touch the hock.. Hair on the lower side of the tail should be half as long again as the hair on the body. When dog is at work the tail is carried on the level with the body (down a little is better than too high). When the dog is relaxed the tail is carried on about a 45 degree angle with a little curve near the end of the tail. A natural born bob-tail is permissible but not desirable; should breed a natural bob to a long tail dog.

RUNNING GEAR: Shoulders long and oblique (sloping), forming a sharp angle with the upper arm.

FOREARM: Strong and moderately heavy from elbow to pastern. The forearm is perfectly straight viewed from the front.

HIND QUARTERS & THIGHS: Strongly muscled. Hock points well bent. The angulation shows plenty of springing power. The hind legs viewed from the back should be straight.

DEW CLAWS: Very desirable because they show pure breeding, but it is permissible for breeders to clip them off as soon as pups are born.

FEET: Should be well padded and large so as to take hard use on mud, or snow as well as rough ground. The toes are well split up and strongly arched.

COAT: The hair should be from 1-1/2 to 2 inches long, glossy and water repellent. Slightly curly, wavy hair is desirable. Kinky hair is a fault because it catches too many burrs.

COLOR: The most desirable color for an English Shepherd is a TRUE Black-tan (glossy black with tan markings), tan dot over each eye, tan around the mouth, under the tail, tan bar across the chest, tan on all four feet, runs down to the ground. Now on the back legs the tan is only on the front side of the back legs and the black runs down to the ground on the back side of the back legs. The markings may be a mahogany brown to a golden tan. A small amount of white on the chest is permissible and the dog is still to be classified as a true black-tan. A tricolor with a white ring neck is also acceptable as long as the white doesn’t cover up more than 1/3 the dog. The best white markings are, a white chest, a white tipped tail, white feet, and a white ring neck. (In mating black and white dogs together you have to be careful or you will get too many pups with too much white.) Sable colored dogs are permissible for English Shepherds but are not desirable.

 NOTE: From Al Walker, ARF Genealogist & Registrar:

This is to remind you that this is the first English Shepherd Breed Standard ever written - over 50 years ago. Due to improved animal husbandry, nutrition, etc., English Shepherd structure is larger than in the past. Therefore, size and weight may vary from this standard.

Also, keep in mind that "Breed Standards" are goals, by which a breeder can perfect his or her breeding program. The majority of canines never will reach "show" or "exhibition" quality, as per their breed standard. Nevertheless, what good is a "show" dog if the dog has no working ability? Therefore, we favor the position that a dog needs to earn a working title, before ever earning a "conformation" title. So, if a dog is all show and no go, indeed, it is just another "pretty face", and, where dogs must earn their keep, it is performance that counts.

Conclusion: ALL English Shepherds are registerable with the ARF. They can be "Doubled Registered" with us [i.e., if they are UKC, IESR/NSDR, etc. registered], or they can be registered on their "Merit" [general appearance and style of work]. If we can assist you in any way, do not hesitate to contact the Foundation. Our staff will be happy to mail or fax you an ARF Registration Application.

Without Prejudice, UCC 1-207
ARF / Common Law Copyright – 2002