The Old English Sheepdog, also known as the Bobtail, is a very playful dog with a gentle, calm and even temperament. It is characterized by a natural defense instinct, loyalty and intelligence. He looks for close contact with people and builds strong relationships with them. However, wherever he appears, his impressive hairstyle attracts the greatest emotions, attention and great recognition.
Intelligent, fun-loving and good-natured, the Old English Sheepdog is one of the oldest dog breeds originating from Great Britain. Unfortunately, the breed's origins are poorly documented and largely unclear. Presumably, the breed was created as a result of crossbreeding island sheepdogs. Until the 19th century, the Old English Sheepdog was a working dog. It was used exclusively in pastures, for grazing sheep and cattle, or for driving animals to local markets. His long, thick and waterproof fur made it easier for him to fulfill this role. Even in difficult weather conditions, wind, rain and frost. The breed's name "Bobtail", meaning a short tail, probably originated in the times when representatives of this breed had their tails docked immediately after breeding.
The first two dogs of this breed were registered in the English Kennel Club in 1877. The pioneer of Old English Sheepdog breeding was Henry Arthur Tilley (Shepton kennel). A decade later, the first Old English Sheepdog Club in Great Britain and the first breed standard were established. The Second World War left a huge mark on the breeding of Old English Sheepdogs. Breeders sent some of the dogs to the USA before the war began to protect their valuable specimens. Although it was not easy, some breeders managed to develop breeding again after the chaos of the war. In 1963, the Old English Sheepdog entered the official FCI breed catalog. The current standard for this breed was published in 2010.
According to the FCI classification, the Old English Sheepdog belongs to group I - herding and herding dogs, section 1 - herding dogs. It is a strong dog with a symmetrical, square and quite stocky figure. Due to its thick, long fur, it looks larger than it actually is. The muzzle of an Old English Sheepdog can be a maximum of half as long as the total length of its head. His eyes are generally dark, but a porcelain tint to one or both eyes is also acceptable. The ears are relatively small and lie flat against the head. Typical for this breed is a slightly raised topline and a pear-shaped body (seen from above).
Its gait is also characteristic - at a slow pace, the Old English Sheepdog moves with a gait, in the steppe it slightly sways its hindquarters, and when galloping its gait is springy. Although tail docking has already been banned in many countries, especially in Europe, there are certainly some specimens with a congenital vestigial tail. However, most bobtails boast a long, heavily furred tail that is carried naturally.
The Old English Sheepdog is lower at the withers than at the loin. Dogs reach a height at the withers of over 61 cm and weigh 32-45 kg, and females reach a height of about 56 cm and a weight of 27-36 kg. The coat of the Old English Sheepdog is long, lush, not entirely straight, but not curly either. It consists of a very abundant undercoat and hard outer hair. The sheepdog's head and rump are the most covered. In terms of color, all possible shades of gray and blue are acceptable. White coloring of the head, neck, forelegs and underbelly is desirable.
The Old English Sheepdog always seeks close contact with its family and is particularly concerned about children. On the one hand, he loves spontaneous play, on the other hand, he is always vigilant and responsible. He does not show any aggression, although in some situations he can be stubborn. Due to his strong personality, he needs consistent upbringing, based on positive methods, with the absolute exclusion of harsh punishments. The Old English Sheepdog is characterized by great endurance. He likes long trips during which he demonstrates his excellent abilities as a shepherd dog, always watching over the entire family and trying to keep all his loved ones together.
The Old English Sheepdog is a versatile dog that, supported by love and positive training, shows a cheerful, gentle and balanced character. Other features such as obedience, courage, devotion and a temperament without a hint of nervousness or unjustified aggression open up many possibilities for the Bobtail, for example as a working dog. Old English Sheepdogs have been successfully used all over the world as rescue dogs for years. They work well as tracking dogs. They also achieve success in popular dog sports. The experience of the owners of these wonderful pets shows that it makes sense to teach your pet how to cope with its expressive temperament at an early stage in its life. It is also worth properly directing the excess energy hidden in this unique shepherd dog.
Moreover, on a daily basis, it should be remembered that all forms of activity, especially physical activity, are particularly important for the health and happiness of the Old English Sheepdog. In addition to walks and hikes in nature, there is a whole range of activities that you can offer your four-legged friend, such as: games at home and outside, and mental challenges (including learning commands and tricks). When choosing a form of activity, it is important that it brings pleasure to the owner and the dog. It is worth remembering that joint activity builds or strengthens bonds and mutual trust, and also has a positive impact on the condition of both parties.
When it comes to care, the Old English Sheepdog is one of the most demanding breeds. Proper care of your pet's long, very thick fur is time-consuming and requires a lot of patience. It is very important to accustom the patient to the treatments at an early age. To prevent matting of the fur and the formation of knots and felts, you should regularly comb the fur down to the undercoat (twice a week) and remove any leaves or twigs tangled in the hair after each walk. It is best to ask the breeder to show you how to brush the fur properly, because insufficient care inevitably leads to matting of the fur next to the skin.
If your Old English Sheepdog requires bathing, it is advisable to use a shampoo and conditioner for long-haired dogs. After bathing, dry the lush fur with a hair dryer. For everyday use, it is a good idea to pin up long hair on your head. However, in the summer it is best to give your pet a haircut because at high temperatures it is easy for its body to overheat.
Unfortunately, the Old English Sheepdog is not completely disease-free. There are several hereditary conditions that the breed is prone to, including:
In the case of genetic diseases, the most important thing is prevention, which includes performing genetic tests on future parents before the planned litter and the proper selection of dogs for breeding. For this reason, before purchasing your dream four-legged friend, it is extremely important to check the selected breeder. A key element is also proper care for your pet, which should include, among others: regular veterinary check-ups and strict adherence to the veterinarian's recommendations.
Very affectionate, good-natured and reliable, this set of positive features makes the Old English Sheepdog an excellent family dog. A caring pet is perfect for this role because it likes close contact with household members and loves playing with children. He feels like a full member of the family and wants to be treated as such. However, it is important to train your pet patiently, based on positive, loving methods. Thanks to proper upbringing, we gain a loyal and funny friend who loves his family above all else. Before purchasing an Old English Sheepdog puppy, complex care should also be taken into account. You should bear in mind that your pet needs daily physical and mental challenges. Otherwise, sooner or later he will show the stubborn side of his nature. Bobtail will be a great companion for an active person who prefers hiking, close contact with nature or practicing sports, and also likes to spend a lot of time with his beloved four-legged friend.
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