Border Collie vs. Australian Shepherd vs. English Shepherd

[Toller_08]

This thread definitely caught my interest -- I've often wondered what the main differences were between English Shepherds and Border Collies in particular. I've been intrigued by English Shepherds for a long time, as on paper, they sound pretty much perfect as far as what I like in a dog. I wish I could get a chance to meet one, but they're pretty few and far between so I've yet to have had an opportunity. They're definitely a breed I'll be looking into further when it's time for me to start looking at another dog.

[SizzleDog]

I think ES sound like pretty darn near perfect dogs too. I'm beginning to get more and more interested......

[colliewog]

I've considered them before ... if they only came in smooth ...

[stafinois]

I heard back from the breeder near me. She invited me out to meet the dogs sometime. I'm really intrigued. In addition to rounding up and moving their various types of livestock, the dogs also kill various varmints that get into the grain. Apparently they don't even keep cats anymore because the dogs are more effective. They also keep away coyotes. These are actual working all purpose farm dogs.

Don't be shocked if I start posting pics of my English Shepherd pup in a few years

[Sit Stay]

This is my very first post on this forum so I hope you'll be able to forgive any faux pas, haha! I frequent many horse forums (my first passion) but this is my first dog forum.

I am bringing my first English Shepherd home in two days and I've absolutely fallen for the breed. Ever since I was little we've always had herding dogs, mainly Australian Shepherds and Australian Cattle Dogs.

Right now we have a three year old ACD and while she is probably the smartest dog I've ever had, great personality and makes me laugh constantly, she is a LOT of work. She's very high energy and has an outstanding herding drive even for her breed, so you can imagine how hard it is to keep up with her.

She's a great dog and such a blast, but I missed our more laid back Aussies. They were happy to work and go out and about, but at the same time were happy to just sit with you. I have however, not been thrilled about the Aussies I've seen in recent years. Just not my kind of dog anymore, which is why I was so happy when I found the English Shepherds. I find them quite similar to our old Aussies, although even better than Aussies I've met recently. I think the best way I could describe them would be very all around, middle of the road farm dogs. They don't have the extreme drive Border Collies and ACDs generally do. They have the energy and the drive to work but are easily turned off and are then just equally happy to sit with you and stay quiet. They also do have some guarding and hunting instinct in there.

Stafinois, I love what you said about the whole Timmy thing! Granted, I haven't been around the breed for years and years but my family has really done their research and we've gone and checked out dogs from this breeder as well as driven hours and hours to go meet the litter, their dam, and granddam. However, that sounds exactly like what I've been told. One lady said her childhood dog was an English Shepherd and without being taught wouldn't stray from the baby's carriage without being 'released'. IIRC this was even a young dog, so not even a mature dog that knew the drill. Just very intelligent and bonded to their people. I've heard very similar stories to that one, as well.

I've written an awful lot, guess I just got carried away! I'm so excited for my little girl to get here (I say that now, we'll see what I have to say in 2 weeks of sleepless nights and puppysitting).

[JessLough]

Originally Posted by Sit Stay

This is my very first post on this forum so I hope you'll be able to forgive any faux pas, haha! I frequent many horse forums (my first passion) but this is my first dog forum.

I am bringing my first English Shepherd home in two days and I've absolutely fallen for the breed. Ever since I was little we've always had herding dogs, mainly Australian Shepherds and Australian Cattle Dogs.

Right now we have a three year old ACD and while she is probably the smartest dog I've ever had, great personality and makes me laugh constantly, she is a LOT of work. She's very high energy and has an outstanding herding drive even for her breed, so you can imagine how hard it is to keep up with her.

She's a great dog and such a blast, but I missed our more laid back Aussies. They were happy to work and go out and about, but at the same time were happy to just sit with you. I have however, not been thrilled about the Aussies I've seen in recent years. Just not my kind of dog anymore, which is why I was so happy when I found the English Shepherds. I find them quite similar to our old Aussies, although even better than Aussies I've met recently. I think the best way I could describe them would be very all around, middle of the road farm dogs. They don't have the extreme drive Border Collies and ACDs generally do. They have the energy and the drive to work but are easily turned off and are then just equally happy to sit with you and stay quiet. They also do have some guarding and hunting instinct in there.

Stafinois, I love what you said about the whole Timmy thing! Granted, I haven't been around the breed for years and years but my family has really done their research and we've gone and checked out dogs from this breeder as well as driven hours and hours to go meet the litter, their dam, and granddam. However, that sounds exactly like what I've been told. One lady said her childhood dog was an English Shepherd and without being taught wouldn't stray from the baby's carriage without being 'released'. IIRC this was even a young dog, so not even a mature dog that knew the drill. Just very intelligent and bonded to their people. I've heard very similar stories to that one, as well.

I've written an awful lot, guess I just got carried away! I'm so excited for my little girl to get here (I say that now, we'll see what I have to say in 2 weeks of sleepless nights and puppysitting).

You will need to post tons of pics when she gets home! Have a name in mind already? You must Whereabouts in Ontario are you?

[Sit Stay]

Oh man, there will be a TON of pictures!
The breeder has been calling her Amy, but I'm thinking we'll probably change her name to Quinn. I've met her once and I think it could work, but we'll see when she gets here what really suits her and "sticks".

I'm in the GTA (:

[noludoru]

I have absolutely nothing of value to contribute to this thread except this picture:

http://www.cedarcreekenglishshepherd...0/HANK8WKS.jpg

OMGSQUEEEEEEEE!

[oakash]

SQUEE! I love English Shepherds!

You must must must post tons of pictures!

[Lizmo]

Originally Posted by Sit Stay

I have however, not been thrilled about the Aussies I've seen in recent years. Just not my kind of dog anymore, which is why I was so happy when I found the English Shepherds. I find them quite similar to our old Aussies, although even better than Aussies I've met recently. I think the best way I could describe them would be very all around, middle of the road farm dogs. They don't have the extreme drive Border Collies and ACDs generally do. They have the energy and the drive to work but are easily turned off and are then just equally happy to sit with you and stay quiet. They also do have some guarding and hunting instinct in there.

Thanks for the comparison! This is great to know, from a person who knows very little about the breed (me, tehehe).

Congratulations on the new pup. Please share pictures when she arrives!