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Rescue an Old English Sheepdog
Old English Sheepdog Puppies for Sale
Old English Sheepdog
(Bobtail)
(Bob) (OES)
Photo Courtesy of CAROLINE'S OLD
ENGLISH SHEEPDOGS.
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Rescue an Old English Sheepdog
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Pronunciation |
Old English
Sheepdog |
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Description |
The Old English Sheepdog is a strong, compact, square dog. The topline is lower at the shoulders slopping higher towards the back end. The chest is deep and broad. The head is large with a well defined stop. The nose is black. The teeth meet in a level or tight scissors bite. Eyes come in brown, blue or one of each color. The medium sized ears are carried flat to the head. The front legs are very straight and the hind legs are round and muscular. The small feet point straight ahead are round with well arched toes. The Old English Sheepdog is either born tailless (as
the name Bobtail implies) or is completely amputated. Note: it is illegal to dock tails in most parts of Europe. The shaggy, double coat is long and profuse with a good hard textured outer coat and a soft waterproof undercoat. Coat colors include gray, grizzle, blue, blue gray, blue merle, gray with white markings or white with gray markings. |
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Temperament |
The Old English Sheepdog is stable and happy-go-lucky. They are able to adjust oneself readily to different conditions, are loving and friendly. Loyal, protective and intelligent, they make a fine family companion. Friendly and gentle, they love and are good with children and are very
much part of the family. They have a strong herding instinct and may try to herd people by bumping, not nipping, and need to be taught not to herd humans. Meek or passive owners or those that do not make the rules of the home clear in a way the dog can understand will cause the dog to become
strong-willed. This breed needs firm, but calm, confident and consistent leadership. The Old English Sheepdog is
a very good worker and is able to follow commands, but will ignore the instruction if they think they are stronger minded than their human pack members. The bark of the Old English Sheepdog sounds like a cracked bell. This
breed remains puppy-like for many years, and age tends to hit them suddenly. |
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Height, Weight |
Height: Dogs 22-24 inches (56-61
cm) Bitches 20-22 inches (51 cm)
Weight: Dogs from 65 pounds (29 kg) Bitches from 60 pounds (27
kg)
Some can grow to over 100 pounds (45 kg.) |
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Health Problems |
Prone to IMHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia), hip dysplasia and cataracts. Some herding dogs carry a MDR1 gene which makes them sensitive to certain drugs, that are otherwise okay to give another dog, but if tested positive for this gene can kill them. |
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Living Conditions |
The Old English Sheepdog will do okay in an
apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. They are fairly active indoors and
will do best with at least an average-sized yard. |
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Exercise |
These dogs were developed for hard work and love a
good run. They need to be taken on a
daily walk, jog or run. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. |
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Life Expectancy |
About 10-12 years |
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Grooming |
The coarse, longhaired coat needs constant care to
keep it in top condition. Unless it is combed and brushed right through to the
dense, water-proof undercoat at least three times per week, it will become
matted and the dog may develop skin problems, making them prone to host parasites. Clip
out any tangles carefully so as not to nick the skin. A grooming table will make
the whole job easier. If the dog is not being shown, the coat can be
professionally machine-clipped every two months or so, about one inch all the
way around. In former times these dogs were shorn along with sheep. Trim around
the eyes and rear-end with blunt-nosed scissors. This breed sheds like a human, not a lot but in small amounts. |
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Origin |
There are a few theories about the origin of the
Old English Sheepdog. One is that it is related to the Poodle and the
Deerhound. Other theories are it is related to the Briard and the Bergamasco, or from Scotch Bearded Collies and the Russian Owtchar, a hairy Russian breed brought to Great Britain on ships from the Baltic. The Old English Sheepdog
was developed in the western countries of England by farmers who needed a quick, well-coordinated sheep herder and cattle
driver to take their animals to market. The dogs became widely used in agricultural areas. Farmers began the practice of docking the tails in the 18th century as a way of identifying the dogs that were used for working so they could get a tax exemption. For this reason the dogs were given the nick name "Bobtail". Each spring when the sheep were sheared farmers would also shear the dogs coat to make warm clothing and blankets. The Old
English Sheepdog has been used for reindeer
herding because they tolerate cold weather so well. It was first shown in Britain
in 1873 and by the AKC in 1888. Some of the Old English
Sheepdog's talents include: retrieving, herding and watchdog. |
| Group |
Herding, AKC Herding |
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Recognition |
CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC,
APRI, ACR, DRA, NAPR |
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CKC = Continental
Kennel Club
FCI = Fédération
Cynologique Internationale
AKC = American
Kennel Club
UKC = United Kennel
Club
KCGB = Kennel
Club of Great Britain
CKC = Canadian
Kennel Club
ANKC = Australian
National Kennel Club
NKC = National
Kennel Club
NZKC = New Zealand
Kennel Club
APRI = American Pet Registry
Inc.
ACR = American Canine Registry
DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
NAPR = North American Purebred Registry, Inc. |
"Toby is an Old English Sheepdog, shown here at about 9.5 years old. He is extremely intelligent, smart and obedient. He is the love of my life. In this picture Toby has full length hair."
"This is Toby with his hair cut short due to a vacation time in Union Pier, MI."
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This is Sir Winston Maxwell 7th. Born: May 1st 1997. See
more photos of Max and his sister Abby!
Photo Courtesy of CAROLINE'S OLD
ENGLISH SHEEPDOGS.
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Photo Courtesy of CAROLINE'S OLD
ENGLISH SHEEPDOGS.
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"This is my Old English Sheepdog Selina. The pictures were taken at a friends goat farm when she was 9 month sold, where Selina "attempted" to heard the goats. She is a silly girl, and has two speeds, sleeping and bouncing! She always has a smile on and is every ones friend. She absolutely loves the water, drinking it, sticking her paws in it, swimming in it, and drinking while swimming. I do agility with her and its one of her favorite things to do. I have a border collie as well and call her my dog, and Selina my big bear. I watch Cesar Millan, I have his first season on DVD and have read his first book. He taught me to be a pack leader. I have used his techniques, to raise my first dog, and Selina as well. I am the pack leader, and know that this makes my dogs better k-9s."
Selina the Old English Sheepdog at 9 months old.
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"This is my Old English Sheepdog (bobtail) named Barry at about 5 years old. He is the smartest and the most intelligent dog in the world. I spend as much time has I can with my buddy. He loves going for car rides and walks with me. Barry is very special in my life and I love him with all my heart."
Old English Sheepdog (bobtail) named Barry at about 5 years old.
Old English Sheepdog
Pictures 1
Old English Sheepdog
Pictures 2
Old English Sheepdog
Pictures 3
Understanding Dog Behavior
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