OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG
APPEARANCE
Old English Sheepdog body is compact, square, and heavy-set with a thick coat. Flat, medium-sized ears are set on either side of a large, square head. The coloring of the coat can be blue, blue merle, grizzle, or gray, and this may be with white markings. The height of the Old English Sheepdog is around 21-26 inches, and the weight is around 65-100 pounds.
PERSONALITY
The Old English Sheepdog is a gentle, happy, family-oriented dog that loves to play and thrives on constant contact with its family. The Old English Sheepdog loves the company and attention of his owners and family, and likes to be involved with everything that is going on. This is a very entertaining breed, and will keep you amused for hours with his clownish ways. He is also very friendly and sociable, making a good family pet.
TRAINING
The Old English Sheepdog does wonderfully in herding, and is rather intelligent. This sheepdog requires a firm handler as they can be strong willed and stubborn. A variety of training methods is recommended as this breed tends to do things the way he sees fit. A range of training techniques will keep him interested and alert.
EXERCISE
The Old English Sheepdog does not adapt to confinement and needs lots of human attention. Neglect will negatively affect his temperament. Take the Bobtail to frequent walks or playing with him in a fenced yard will keep him happy, and will return that which is given to him many times over.
SOCIALIZATION
Although the Old English Sheepdog gets along well with children he can be quite independent and sometimes may play rough, which means that he is best around older children. These dogs will bark to raise an alarm, making them effective watchdogs. With strangers the Old English Sheepdog tends to be polite, and he enjoys the company of other pets. It is important to socialize your Old English Sheepdog early on to ensure a well balanced personality and temperament, as some can be timid if not properly socialized at an early age.
LIVING CONDITIONS
The Old English Sheepdog does best with a medium sized yard, however if given regular opportunities to exercise, no yard would be fine. They do well under almost any climatic conditions, their coats serving as insulation against heat, cold, and dampness. The Old English generally has a happy, rough and tumble disposition; he is always ready for action. He makes an ideal house pet not usually given to roaming.
GROOMING
The Old English Sheepdog double coat needs a good brushing right down to the undercoat at least three times a week to prevent matting and skin irritation or infection. Non-show dogs should be clipped every couple months. The Old English Sheepdog is a seasonally heavy shedder, and its coat may require daily attention during the shedding season.
HEALTH ISSUES
The life expectancy of the Old English Sheepdog is around 12-14 years, and there are a number of health problems to look out for with this breed. This breed is vulnerable to canine hip dysplasia, and on occasion has been known to develop cerebellar ataxia, progressive retinal atrophy, hypothyroidism, deafness, gastric torsion, retinal detachment, deafness, cataracts and otitis externa.
HISTORY
The Old English Sheepdog has over 150 years history, believed to be developed in the west of England, yet still rather uncommon. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1888.
