OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG
Bobtail, sheepie, oes - some daily called name for this breed. As a breeder I´d like to tell you little more and something or our own breeding and thoughts of breeding. Our first bobtail came into our lives 1986 and ever since bobtails have been a big part of the living and going. I could say that we do know a lot of this breed, but still only a little part of the "mother nature" ;)
OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG has been imported to Finland late 1940th from England where it has been used as a shepherd, a herding and a drover dog. In those days (ever since the end of 1900´s) the tail have been docked for showing he is a working dog and free of taxes (government).
Breed in Finland is not very popular, and there is only few breeders who are still active in breeding scene. Less than 50 puppies/year is registerated, some year it has been (2009 only 18 puppies) less than 20! We have a breeding program which makes a standard for reg. into FKC; hips have to be x-rayed and no less than C will not be registerated, also elbows must be x-rayed - in my opionion this have never been a problem what comes to health of OES as a breed - scoring of elbows doesn´t matter. Also eyes must be clear of HCA or PRA when mating (valid 12 months until vet.check.)
Today in Europe there is few countries left which allow docking, Scandinavia has been the leader of docking banded because of the rules (it is against the law). This fluffy & very hairy, long, constantly waiwing tail has a white top (what we have seen) and I could say that it looks quite pretty and shows (every moment...) how happy he his to see you!
Old english sheepdog has the most gentle temperament what I have seen! He is a
big dog, with a hugh & harsh & grey coat with a big heart with loyalty,
love and sociality. He is an excellent partner for walks, for pet, for children.
Because of the coat you have to have time to take care of it; once in a week is
quite normal. If the coat is not taken care carefully, he can have problems with
the skin and feeling not good. - Think about if you don´t comb YOUR hair for
weeks!
Eye colour can be blue (both eyes), or so called "chinablue" (the
other blue, other brown), or brown. As a breeder I like dark brown eyes with
nice pigmentation but sometimes it takes a lot of time to see a full
pigmentation around the eyes.
Coat can be any shadow of grey, darker or lighter but the shadow must be grey,
black or coat in matured dog is not wanted and brown is a fault. Babies are born
either black-white or blue-born (a newborn is silver) and when puppies get more
age the coat starts to change it´s colour and it gets harsher and lighter. The
coat will be "ready" when dog is around 4-5 years old. Offcourse this
is very individual.
Old english sheepdog is not a trimmed breed, but naturally you want your dog to be clean and brushed, also you can clip the "dead" tops from the coat. It is quite common that the show-dogs are much more "done" than those who doesn´t go to shows. In my opionion a natural looking dog is a pleasure to eyes, but should be clean and brushed. ;)
Sizes varies as there is no uplimit in standard, but dogs are between 62-67 cm
from withers and bitches between 56-61 cm. Weights are between 34-45 kg and
26-35 kg but there is naturally variations depending on muscles and bone
structure.
Bobtail is a big dog, and it needs a lot of exercise; daily walks and sometimes
longer walks outside the woods. Hair must be brushed every week, it has to be
washed regulary, and most of all: TIME AND LOVE.
So, if you are thinking to have an oes, you have to make it clear that you'll
have an extra time for him for grooming, for walking, for sharing. There is no
matter either you'll have a pet or a show dog - what matters is that you are
sure that you'll have that time for him. Perhaps you'll need some advices -
that's what breeders are for! :-))
