Old English Sheepdog

Size
Large to Giant (27Kg +)
Exercise
40 min/day
Training
Puppy school only
Size of home
House with garden
Time at home
Alone with support
Grooming
As needed
Barking preference
Low
Personality
Very affectionate

Breeder List

Breeder - Mrs Pauline Hartwell (HARTWYN)

hartwynoes@gmail.com
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The Old English Sheepdog is also known as the “Dulux Dog”, having been seen in many advertisements, movies, television and cartoons in recent times, and is instantly recognisable for it’s rolling, bear-like gait and profuse grey and white coat.

History

An Old English Sheepdog appears in a portrait of the Scottish Duke of Buccleuch, by Thomas Gainsborough, as early as 1771 (see image to left). This is generally regarded as the earliest visual of this breed. It is believed that the breed resulted from the crossing between the South Russian Ovchartka and the Briard or the Scottish Bearded Collie. It was bred as a working dog, originally used for driving sheep and cattle in the UK throughout the 18th and 19th century. In the mid 19th century the breed was first brought to Australia, and as well as being a working dog it also served as a companion dog to the shepherds.

The Old English Sheepdog was also known as the “Bobtail,” due to the fact it’s tail was traditionally docked. This was apparently done because taxes in the 18th century in the UK were levied on pet dogs but not on working dogs; hence docking the tail was one way to identify the working dog. The custom to dock tails was carried out until the ban on docking tails was introduced. This ban was imposed in New South Wales from 1st June, 2004 and on other dates in different places around the world.

Their use as working dogs on Australian farms ceased due to fencing of most properties and also the recognition of more suitable breeds for the job.

Appearance

The Old English Sheepdog is described as being a “strong compact-looking dog of great symmetry,” “absolutely free of legginess” and “profusely coated all over”. In the show ring a dog in full coat should have a profile that is almost perfectly square, with the distance from the ground to the crown of the head being the same as that from the nose to the hindquarters. Unusually, the dog stands lower at the shoulders than at the loin. Their walk has a characteristic ambling or pacing movement.

Temperament

They are described as “a biddable dog of even disposition, bold, faithful and trustworthy, with no suggestion of nervousness or unprovoked aggression”. They are required to have “a most intelligent expression”. It is said they are lovable and loyal and possess a definite sense of humour – a shaggy clown. They have great stamina and can demonstrate explosive energy, interspersed with long periods of snoozing. In spite of their size they are not an exercise intensive breed. They can happily live in an apartment, if walked daily and given a free run from time to time.

Health

Most of the health issues of the Old English Sheepdog are similar to any large breed: hip dysplasia, for instance, is a risk that should always be monitored. All breeding dogs should have their hips checked and scored by a vet before breeding. Like any breed, and especially those which spend large portions of the day resting, the Old English Sheepdog should not be allowed to become overweight. Ideal weight for an adult dog should be 38-39kg and a bitch slightly less.

Suitability

They are very well suited to a family with children and will naturally want to play. This can be unnerving for children who are not accustomed to the exuberant, large and friendly dog. However, the Old English Sheepdog will quickly calm down (and more often than not go to sleep on your lap) after meeting and greeting any visitors. Conversely, he is an excellent and protective watchdog, and will respond rapidly and loudly, with his distinctive pot casse (deep) bark, to an unfamiliar noise.

If the Old English Sheepdog is kept in full coat it is crucial that the coat not be allowed to become matted. A matted coat will trap dirt and in the summer months especially, it will become uncomfortably hot for the dog. A dog in full coat will require three to four hours of grooming each week, plus another couple of hours to wash and dry when necessary.

Information from The Old English Sheepdog Club (NSW)

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Old English Sheepdog you may have think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Old English Sheepdog and its needs and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 13 Nov 2014)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

A strong, compact-looking dog of great symmetry; absolutely free of legginess; profusely coated all over. All round he is a thick-set, muscular, able-bodied dog, with a most intelligent expression, free of all Poodle or Deerhound character.

Characteristics

The dog stands lower at the shoulders than the loin. When walking or trotting has a characteristic ambling or pacing movement. His bark should be loud with a peculiar "pot-casse" ring in it.

Temperament

(There is no specification for temperament.)

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	Skull capacious and rather squarely formed, giving plenty of room for brain power. The parts over the eyes should be well arched and the whole well-covered with hair. Jaw fairly long, strong, square and truncated; the stop should be defined to avoid a Deerhound face. Nose always black, large and capacious.
Eyes	Dark or wall eyes are to be preferred.
Ears	Small and carried flat to side of head, coated moderately.
Mouth	Teeth strong and large, evenly placed and level.
Neck	The neck should be fairly long, arched gracefully, and well coated with hair.
Forequarters	The forelegs should be dead straight, with plenty of bone, holding the body well from the ground, without approaching legginess, well coated all round. The shoulders sloping and narrow at the points, the dog standing lower at the shoulders than at the loin.
Body	Rather short and very compact, ribs well sprung and brisket deep and capacious. The loin should be very stout and gently arched.
Hindquarters	The hindquarters should be round and muscular, hocks well let down and the hams densely coated with a thick, long jacket in excess of that of any other part of the body.
Feet	Small, round; toes well arched, and pads thick and round.
Tail	Docked: Previously completely docked.Undocked: Natural carriage. Well feathered with abundant, hard-textured coat. Can be naturally bobtail.
Gait/Movement	Very elastic in gallop but in walking or trotting has a characteristic ambling or pacing movement.
Coat	Profuse and of good hard texture; not straight, but shaggy and free from curl. The undercoat should be a waterproof pile when not removed by grooming.
Colour	Any shade of grey, grizzle, blue or blue merle, with or without white markings; any shade of brown or sable to be considered distinctly objectionable and not to be encouraged.
Size	56 cms (22 ins) and upwards for dogs, slightly less for bitches. Type, symmetry and character of the greatest importance and on no account to be sacrificed to size alone.

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.A long narrow head.