Legend states, this hard working, herding dog descended from the Roman Cattle Dog that traveled with Caesar and his army in 55 B.C., across Europe, into Britain and to the border lands of Scotland. These drover dogs interbred with local dogs -- the smaller dogs developed the strong eye, and crouching position, becoming the Border Collie, while the larger dogs with the "loose eye" became known as Farm Shepherds or Farm Collies. When the first English settlers immigrated to the new American continent with their cattle, they brought along this breed which soon became known as the English Shepherd.

Today, the versatile English Shepherd has continued to work on farms, yet many otherwise knowledgeable dog fanciers are not familiar with the breed. This is changing as English Shepherds are excelling in the newer dog competitions of Agility Obedience Trials, Herding, Tracking, Schutzhund, and Flyball events.