|
Over
a decade ago, I wrote a short description of the character
of English Shepherds for a club handbook. That description
-- online here -- provides some
context for understanding the working traits commonly found
in the breed.
The
first thing to remember when considering working ability in
English Shepherds is that the dog is just one variable in
a complex situation. Dogs work in partnership with a human;
the relationship between a person and their dog is critical
to the success of the dog -- and the qualities that create
a solid relationship will vary from one person to the next.
For example, some people work best with dogs that are soft
and biddable; others want a dog with more grit and determination.
Biddability and grit are both important working
traits, and both qualities should be present in an English
Shepherd, but the balance may vary depending on personal preferences
of the breeder.
In addition to working with people, English Shepherds work
in diverse environments: the livestock being handled vary
from farm to ranch to homestead; the climate and terrain vary
as well, ranging from lush, hot, and humid to rugged and dry.
With all the variables to be considered, and using accomplishment
of particular JOBS as the measure of success, it is clear
that what makes a good WORKING English Shepherd is going to
vary somewhat depending on who you talk to and the conditions
within which they operate. That is to say, breeders have not
all selected for precisely the same qualities. There are themes
to look for, but careful attention to the variations on those
themes is important as well.
The
English Shepherd breed standard states, "the unique ability
to handle all types of livestock and a variety of tasks is the
defining feature of this breed." The versatility
that characterizes English Shepherds stems, in my opinion, from
two qualities: intelligence and a strong orientation
to their owner. Some people refer to this orientation as
"pack drive"; however labeled, it is this tendency
to form a strong alliance, and a desire to work in partnership
with a "leader", that enables English Shepherds to
adapt so readily to a variety of demands.
English Shepherds are thinking dogs; intelligence and
problem-solving take precedence over pure "instinct"
in shaping English Shepherd working behavior. This is a subtle
but important difference to consider when comparing English
Shepherds to many other herding breeds. Over the past several
decades, some of those other breeds have been increasingly defined
by hard-wired, stereotyped behaviors, in particular "strong
eye". English Shepherds are not an "eye" breed.
Their approach to livestock is upright and free-moving;
with experience, they adjust the degree of pressure applied
to fit the situation and maintain a relaxed attitude,
stepping in when needed but not necessarily attempting to control
every step along the way.
The genetic difference between "eye" and non-eye herding
breeds has several practical implications when it comes to training
a dog for work. English Shepherds watch what you do, process
what they see, and learn by example. Set a good example! English
Shepherds see the Big Picture when working, so understanding
the GOAL of the job is key to eliciting their support. Emphasis
on drills and mechanical repetition of skills -- unattached
to a clear job -- is unlikely to be an effective approach to
training an English Shepherd and may result in a loss of motivation
as the dog starts to question YOUR intelligence for subjecting
it to pointless exercises.
English Shepherds need to be allowed to learn through experience
(you can't teach experience!) and to work out situations with
a reasonable degree of freedom (you may find your dog's solution
to a problem better than your own!). For some excellent advice
on training, and food for thought, read Ray
Hunt's philosophy -- yes, he trains horses not dogs, but
99% of what he teaches is relevant regardless of species!
It is essential to consider an English Shepherd your working
partner not just a "tool" to be applied in particular
situations. Develop a solid relationship with your English Shepherd,
establish trust and clear communication, maintain an open mind
about possibilities, and what your dog can do will amaze you.
In addition to the qualities mentioned above, English Shepherds
are (or should be):
- Intelligent... quick and attentive learners
- Responsible... maintaining order is a natural part of
their being
- Alert... readily pick up on cues and circumstances
- Territorial... boundaries matter, both in the social and
the physical environment
- Assertive... willing to show initiative and take charge
- Athletic... not to be confused with "busy" or
hyper
- Calm... increases with maturity, but often present as
a seriousness of mind even in pups
- Honest, Kind and True... you think I'm joking, but this
is at the heart of everything else!
It would be fair to ask at this point if this list details working
traits or character traits... since it is my opinion that character
is inseparable from working ability, understanding breed
character is essential to understanding their working traits.
In addition to the complex character described above, English
Shepherds should have an instinctive ability to both gather
and drive livestock; many are natural low heelers,
most are willing to work the front or the rear as needed to
get a job done. English Shepherds do not generally cast as wide
as Border Collies, however with experience most learn to rate
well and are able to adjust the amount of pressure they apply
to move stock calmly and quietly. In addition, English
Shepherds often have an ability to settle their stock by adopting
a relaxed attitude (as opposed to the hard eyed stare
typical of some other breeds). This enables them to work closely
without upsetting their stock. English Shepherds should have
enough natural confidence and power to move stubborn
livestock, while at the same time possessing a kindness
that keeps them from being overly rough with fragile animals.
Whether any particular dog possesses the working ability and
character that define the breed will depend on the quality of
its breeding and, to some extent, the luck of the draw: no breeder
can control all the variables that go into a breeding. A responsible
breeder should be able to detail the working characteristics
of the parents of the litter; they should be mature adults who
have been subjected to sufficiently challenging work to truly
test their ability. Simply living on a farm ("farm bred")
is not enough! A responsible breeder should also spend time
evaluating each litter, and follow up on their progress over
time. While they can not guarantee every pup will work out as
hoped, they should be able to offer guidance and support to
ensure that each pup reaches its full potential. |
