Old English Sheepdog | Dog Breed Information & Facts – Pictures

The Old English Sheepdog (Bobtail) is recognized worldwide for its long woolly fur that covers its chubby body. Its eyes seem completely covered by hair, but its vision is perfect.

The main distinguishing feature and decoration of representatives of the Bobtail breed is considered lush wool. These dogs look like big soft toys. Many people who are not familiar with this breed believe that bobtail does not have great mental abilities.

In fact, the Old English Sheepdog is very smart, it cannot be otherwise. After all, she was originally used as a Sheepdog, a shepherd dog cannot be stupid. Now bobtails are very popular as companions and decorative pets.

[foogallery id=”44110″]

The Old English Sheepdog is a rather large, stocky dog with well-developed muscles. Power and strength are felt in all parts of the body. The growth of adults is 52-55 cm, weight is about 30-45 kg.

• Head: The head corresponds to the size of the body. The skull is broad and square. The transition from forehead to muzzle is distinctly pronounced. The muzzle is square, of medium length.
• Jaws: The jaws are powerful. The upper jaw fully covers the lower jaw.
• Ears: The ears are triangular, falling freely to the sides. Located slightly above eye level.
• Eyes: The eyes are small, oval in shape, set at a considerable distance from each other. Eye color is dark, light eyes are acceptable in some colors.
• Frame: The body of the dog is muscular. The chest is deep with flat sides. The chest passes smoothly into a constricted stomach. The withers are distinctly pronounced. The back is strong and straight. The loin is wide.
• Limbs: The dog’s legs are straight and parallel. The hocks are low. The paws are rounded, similar to those of a cat. The fingers are gathered into a tight ball. The claws are black.
• Coat: The coat is long, wavy and harsh. The coat is matted, so the dog looks sloppy. The undercoat is dense, does not let water through. The color can be different: gray, ash, white. Bicolor is most often associated with white. The muzzle is still light, and on the legs there are original shoes.

The Old English sheepdog is a herding breed that do an excellent job with the herd. He is strong but balanced. If the dog is properly brought up, it will be a reliable assistant and guardian, to whom the owner can fully entrust the territory.

It seems that old English sheepdog is dark and indifferent. In fact, these dogs are playful and cheerful, especially in nature. Old English sheepdogs are gentle, living even in the most difficult conditions they will not show aggression. At the same time, some people can be cowards.

Old English sheepdogs are smart and hardy, allowing them to perform reliable tasks with ease. Old English sheepdogs need plenty of exercise. Otherwise, dogs become lazy and cowardly. The breed is highly trainable. Old English sheepdogs never show aggression.

Old English sheepdogs are able to gauge the mood of the owner. The dog will never get underfoot at the wrong time. Old English sheepdogs have a very unusual appearance, they look more like a teddy bear than a dog.

Representatives of the breed like to be in the spotlight. These dogs will never run away from their owner. Family comes first for them.

The owner of the Old English Sheepdog must know that his dog is predisposed to the following diseases:

• Nasopharyngeal cancer – symptoms of the disease are unilateral outflows from the nose or eyes, nosebleeds, a decrease or complete loss of scent, loosening of the teeth, combing of the muzzle with paws.
• Bloating – in case of untimely response as a result of bloating, the dog may die within a few hours.
• Epilepsy – accompanied by seizures, convulsions, involuntary bowel movements.
• Dysplasia – leads to lameness, severe pain, immobility can occur at the last stage.
• Congenital dislocation of the elbow is an abnormality of development that is removed surgically.
• Cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye.
• Ataxia is a violation of the functionality of a special part of the brain. This is one of the most dangerous diseases, which in many cases is fatal.
• Congenital deafness.
• Autoimmune hemolytic anemia – autoimmune mechanisms are launched to destroy body cells, in particular, normal red blood cells.
• Progressive retinal atrophy – in many cases, the dog completely loses sight.
• Dilated cardiomyopathy – manifested by congestive heart failure, thromboembolic syndrome, rhythm disturbances.
• Cryptorchidism is the undescended gonads in the scrotum.

The Old English sheepdog can live both in apartments and in country houses with a large plot. Representatives of the breed cannot be kept in an aviary, and even more so on a chain. These dogs need constant human contact.

These dogs require special care:

• Representatives of the breed do not shed twice a year, like most breeds, but the coat changes. This happens at the age of 4 months, at 1 year and when the dog reaches puberty, that is to say around 2 years.
• During the first diaper change, the coat should be brushed 3 times every 7 days, and after the last diaper change, it should be brushed 3 times per month. For the summer period, the dog’s hair is cut so that the skin is less frizzy.
• Bathing representatives of the breed should take place 2-4 times a year, but since dogs often sweat, they should be wiped with a damp towel. After water procedures, the dog can be dried with a hair dryer, but only in cold air.
• The bangs of the dogs are combed so that they do not fall into the eyes of the animal. Do not let the skin moisture.
• After the walk, the dog’s coat should be cleaned of leaves, branches, insects and dirt.
• Dog ears require special care – they need to be cleaned 3 times in 7 days.
• The eyes should be cleared of secretions.

• In earlier times, there was a law in England that shepherd dog owners paid tax for their pets. The amount of tax was determined based on the length of the tail of the animal. The shepherds, trying to reduce this toll, stopped the tails of the puppies immediately after birth. So the name happened – bobtail (short tail).
• Old English Sheepdog dogs are able to feel comfortable in any climate. Their coat protects against severe frosts.
• The Old English Sheepdog Dog is characterized by a characteristic bark with hoarseness.
• Bobtails have established themselves as talented actors. They can be seen in many films. They also became the heroes of many cartoons.
• In the old days, Old English Sheepdog who grazed livestock, farmers sheared every two months with the sheep.
• Escape from home is not in the nature of a bobtail. This dog always seeks to be on its territory or somewhere nearby, the shepherd does not like independent walks and travels.

The homeland of Old English Sheepdog – Bobtail is the UK. These dogs were called so because from the very beginning of their appearance, their tail was shortened. The British for the most part call the Bobtail Old English Sheepdog.

Initially, the only purpose of the breed was to graze livestock of farmers. Presumably brought bobtail in the central part of the UK. In ancient times, there were many farmlands in England; in this regard, Sheepdog dogs were very popular and in demand. The clever dog, who followed the herd well, was worth its weight in gold.

Among all shepherd dogs, Old English Sheepdog dogs are considered a relatively young breed. The first information about them appeared in the eighteenth century. It was then that the famous artist Gainsborough in his painting portrayed a dog with fine hair, which was a copy of the bobtail.

You can trace how the history of the breed evolved over the years:

• 1885 – Old English Sheepdog was officially recognized. An important role in this recognition was played by the expert on cattle breeds – Lloyd Freeman. It was he who presented the world with a shepherd old English Sheepdog.
• 1888 – Bobtail is registered as an independent breed by the Kennel Club in America.
• 1904 – in the USA, admirers of Old English Sheepdog dogs open the first club of this breed.
• The sixties – seventies of the twentieth century – the Old English Sheepdog has established itself as an excellent actor, films featuring representatives of the breed are screened, and shepherd dogs take part in many television programs and shows.

Modern bobtail dogs have not lost their shepherd’s talent, but for the most part now they are faithful companions, friendly pets.