6 Month C-BARQ Results for SSP FOundation Litters

The chart above compares the results from both SSP litters to the English Shepherd breed averages reported by C-BARQ as of December 2021.
*Number of English Shepherds reported is not readily available from C-BARQ, but we are working to obtain that data.

Shep x Sheba Litter
DOB: 05/04/21
5 of 8 siblings reporting

Below are 3 follow up questions we asked based on the litter averages. These were sent to the owners who participated in the survey. Yes or No answers we received from 4 of the 5 owners who completed the C-BARQ survey.

1. Are you concerned about owner directed aggression? Y/N - if Yes please describe
Yes: 0
No: 4

2. Are you concerned about your dog having any separation problems? Y/N - if Yes please describe
Yes: 0
No: 4

3. Do you find your dog’s energy level difficult to manage? Y/N - if Yes please describe
Yes: 1
No: 3

Owner description on female reported with energy level difficult to manage: “In the mornings it takes at least 1-2 hours of walking/exercise/stimulation before she will settle. She gets walked for at least 3 hours per day, plus playing, sitting in high stimulation settings, and training.”

Kenny x Maggie Litter
DOB: 06/17/2021
6 of 7 siblings reporting

Below are 3 follow up questions we asked based on the litter averages. These were sent to the owners who participated in the survey. Yes or No answers we received from 6 of the 6 owners who completed the C-BARQ survey.

1. Does your dog show a fearful response to situations or objects in the environment? Y/N - if Yes please describe 
Yes: 4
No: 2

Owner 1 description on male with reported fearful response to situations or objects: “Yes, he is fearful of our small wooden gate that we use to block off access to rooms. They fall quite often and make a loud noise. He just keeps his distance from them. I think he has some fear of large new things… for example, at our neighbors park they set up a huge light display along the sidewalk that you could walk through. From about a 100 ft distance puppy refused to get any closer. I ended up carrying him half was through the exhibit then he sniffed around and was fine.”

Owner 2 description on male with reported fearful response to situations or objects: “Yes. He shows mild fear in new, crowded spaces and when encountering novel objects/animals. It’s mostly a fool around response. A lot of times he’ll turn and jump on me or he’ll bark a couple of times and then bounce around. He recovers pretty quickly. He’s never shown what I’d consider aggression or extreme fear. He almost always reorients towards me & asks for food or play after he’s checked it out.” 

Owner 3 description on male with reported fearful response to situations or objects: “Yes. This is mainly around unfamiliar or loud noises and sometimes large objects. Typically he will either plant and stare or move away, but takes cues very well from our older dog and quickly moves on with confidence. When solo he is more likely to shy away, but has good recovery time and has no problem tuning into his handler. This response hasn’t been enough to cause me any concern, but he is more sensitive than my other dogs in comparison.”

Owner 4 description on female with reported fearful response to situations or objects: “Yes. She does show a fearful response to new/uncertain objects. I feel as though it’s a lack of confidence, but she typically quickly recovers. It’s random objects, like at petco today she was afraid of a fish tank mat, but put her two front paws on a cart overflowing with products. I have learned she does not like when people stand still, the more excited someone is to see her, the more comfortable and confident she is to briefly say hi, and then move on.”

2. Are you concerned about your dog having any separation problems? Y/N - if Yes please describe.
Yes: 1
No: 5

Owner description on female with reported concern about dog having separation problems: “I am concerned to an extent with her separation anxiety, and crate anxiety. Although she does show some separation anxiety we have been doing lots of crate games, lots of puzzles and a lot more exercise, which has almost eliminated her anxiety in the kennel from the two weeks of training we have had. I’m definitely being careful and cautious of her crate time, and her anxiety, but she has been doing great so far.”

3. Do you find your dog’s energy level difficult to manage? Y/N - if Yes please describe.
Yes: 0
No: 3
Responded with ‘Sometimes’: 3

Owner 1 description on female reported with energy level ‘sometimes’ difficult to manage: “I do think sometimes her energy level is harder to maintain, vs manage. This is my first high energy dog, and while I have the experience working with high energy dogs, it’s different living with it, and making sure she gets all of the exercise she requires. We have a smaller fenced in yard, so as long as I keep on a schedule and we do long lead hikes and lots of training and ball play we are good. She definitely doesn’t seem to settle and does not like to “chill out”, or stay in one place for too long.”

Owner 2 description on female reported with energy level ‘sometimes’ difficult to manage: “I am okay with her energy level, but when she meets new people, she takes it up a notch because she loves new people. She has the same reaction to new dogs that she has to new people - loves them a little too much. Also working on that. But overall I think these are reasonable dog challenges.”

Owner 3 description on male reported with energy level ‘sometimes’ difficult to manage: “Sometimes. There isn’t always enough time in the day to dedicate to getting all that puppy energy out.”