They are definitely not an Aussie with a tail.
I've worked with a few of these in rescue - if it's black and white and has a tail, it's a Border Collie, you know. Unfortunately there is a less than responsible breeding in this area with a line of black and white English shepherds.
They have the independent mind of a hunting or protection type dog (think a Pyr), with close to the exercise needs of an Aussie or BC.
The ES has been a "Farm dog" for its entire history, being bred to do many tasks around the homestead, including guarding and hunting, in addition to moving livestock. Their watchdog/protection instincts are extremely strong, making them nosy, busybody type dogs who are easily troubled by anything out of place.
This is the real origin of the "Timmy fell in the well" tradition. If any breed today could attain that level of awareness and ability to "get help" - it would be the English Shepherd.
It's definitely a different kind of dog to train if you are not used to motivating such a dog. They are mentally sharp, learn extremely fast, super loyal and want to please, but have a need to learn what needs to be done, in their own way. They don't want to be shown
how to do something, just
what needs to be done. So, instead of learning "Come by" and "Away to me", they prefer to learn, "Put them in the pen." Although they can definitely be trained to take commands too, of course. But they have a driving need to see the big picture as soon as possible. "Why should I sit? Does my sitting improve the security of the premises? What if I sit and something goes terribly wrong and I can't do something about it?"
They are dignified, upright, and larger physically on average than either BCs or Aussies. They are actually closer to the original looks of the sheepdog that branched out 150 years ago into Collies, Border Collies, and numerous other breeds and varieties around the world. Although they are called "English" - like the Aussie they are a 100% North American developed breed.
I like them a lot and wish I had room in my life for a dog like an English shepherd. Not now, sigh.