About Old English Sheepdogs

History

• Originated in southwestern England, the Old English Sheepdog, despite its name, has only been bred since the late 1800s. The southwestern region of England had large expanses of rugged terrain and because of its location near the ocean, precipitation occurred often. Many individuals living in England's southwestern region were sheep farmers and due to the elements, these farmers needed dogs that were capable of withstanding harsh weather, extreme temperature shifts, and were hardy enough to withstand the rugged terrain. Although it unclear as to where this dog breed's lineage began, Old English Sheepdogs are suspected to be a product of the Scotch Bearded Collie, a Russian Owtchar, and another dog breed that has since disappeared. Today's Old English Sheepdogs do not look much different than the old English Sheepdogs of the late 1800s. The dogs still possess a long waterproof coat, stocky powerful legs, muscularity and a box-like bodies.

Old English Sheepdog Breed Standards

• As with all purebred dogs, there are certain breed specifications for Old English Sheepdogs. In January 2009, the American Kennel Club updated breed specifications. If you want to enter your purebred Old English Sheepdogs into dog shows, here are the standards.

  When it comes to general appearance, Old English Sheepdogs must be symmetrical and boxy. Old English Sheepdogs with long legs are disqualified from dog shows and agility shows. The dogs should be muscular and at the proper weight (65 to 100 lbs.). The coat should be long and thick with a black waterproof undercoat. Old English Sheepdogs should look intelligent, otherwise, they are unfit for show.

  Height requirements are 24 inches at the withers for male dogs. The dogs may reach the height of 26 inches at the withers without disqualification. Bitches must be 22 to 23 inches. Any larger, and it is likely that the dogs will be disqualified.

  Usually, Old English Sheepdogs' heads are proportionate to the size of the body. The skull should be square with a well-defined stop. The Old English Sheepdogs' muzzle should be strong and short, measuring half the total length of the head ("Old English Sheepdog Breed Standard").

  Ears should be small and located close to the head. Over-sized ears may result in show disqualification. Mouths should have strong, evenly spaced teeth. Old English Sheepdogs' bite should be a scissor bite, meaning the upper teeth slightly overlap the lower teeth, creating the illusion of a squared jaw. Eyes should be set far apart with black pigmentation on the rim of the eye. Old English Sheepdogs should have dark brown or blue eyes. Eyes that are lighter than blue will result in disqualification from the show ring. Old English Sheepdog necks should long with a gentle arch.

  As previously mentioned, the body should be boxy. The body should be short and compact with well-sprung ribs ("Old English Sheepdog Breed Standard"). The stomach area should have a deep concave, showcasing a dog of a healthy weight. The forelegs should be perpendicular from the ground. The legs should have thick bones with the elbow bone placed close to the brisket. Shoulders should be laid back and unloaded, which could result in show disqualification. The shoulders should be narrow at the withers. Hindquarters should be broad with a gentle arch. The hindquarters should also be round and muscular. The secondary thigh should be long, lean, and well-developed. The back feet shouldn't turn in nor out. The feet should be very round and small. The toes need to have a strong arch. Paw pads need to be thick and hard.

  There are different standards for tails. In England, Old English Sheepdogs can have either docked or bobbed tails, or undocked tails. Tail docking occurs when the dogs are puppies and the breeder tightly wraps a rubber band around the dogs' tails. There are also surgical methods of tail docking as well. In America, the docked tail is preferred for the breed. However, if you are just purchasing an Old English Sheepdog as a pet, you can choose to leave the tail undocked.

  The coat should not be straight, but coarse, shaggy and curl free. The undercoat should be a waterproof pile. The fur should thickly and completely cover the dog. The quality of the coat is more important than the length of the coat in the show ring.

  Old English Sheepdogs should be gray and white, blue merle and white, or grizzled. In the show ring, Old English Sheepdogs that are brown and white are undesirable. Old English Sheepdogs should roll while they walks. The dogs' rear should look strong and bear-like, and the dogs should travel in a straight line, not staggering. While walking, the head may be held at a lower position.

  Old English Sheepdogs have an even temperament. Although these dogs are described as trustworthy, friendly, adventurous and bold, they could also be used as guard dogs with proper training. Overall, these dos are uneasily provoked and great for families with children.

Grooming

• Old English Sheepdogs require hours of grooming in order to keep the coat from tangling and matting. Oftentimes, the topcoat and undercoat intertwine, matting the fur close to the skin. A fine bristled brush is recommended for these dogs because it helps keep the fur's coarseness and integrity. If you plan on using Old English Sheepdogs in the show ring, prepare for hours of brushing. Old English Sheepdogs shed often, so in order to keep shedding down, it is recommended that you brush your dogs every day, twice a day. Don't brush too hard, however, because Old English Sheepdogs are prone to dry, flaky skin.

Exercise

• Old English Sheepdogs are bred for herding sheep, so don't be surprised if they try to herd you and your children. Old English Sheepdogs, despite their boxy appearance, require a lot of exercise so homes located on large pieces of land are favorable for these dogs. If you live in an apartment or a house with a small yard, Old English Sheepdogs may not be the canines for you.

Health Problems

• Old English Sheepdogs have few health issues, however, some health problems are hereditary. Old English Sheepdogs are prone to epilepsy, hip dysplasia, and fungal infections in their ears. Make sure that you check with your breeder before purchasing an Old English Sheepdog puppy to make sure these problems are not hereditary. The breeder should be able to provide you with papers proving that these health issues have not occurred. If you feel your adult Old English Sheepdog is experiencing any of these problems, contact your vet immediately.