Old English Sheepdog

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The Full Old English Sheepdog Description

In today's families, the Old English Sheepdog is a big, lovable companion. He likes to be with his family and get plenty of exercise every day. Although the Old English Sheepdog's abundant coat might seem a problem in hot weather, it's an effective insulator in both hot and cold.

Did you know?

The Old English Sheepdog can reach between 60-100 pounds as an adult and 23-26 inches at the shoulders.

So you want to own an Old English Sheepdog?

The Old English Sheepdog's coat is one of his most distinctive features. The coat is profuse, but not excessive, and may take three to four hours a week to groom.
The Old English Sheepdog is known to shed, so if you have an aversion to dog hair, you may want to consider another breed.
The Old English Sheepdog loves his home and family. He is an extremely affectionate dog who makes an ideal house-dog.

Indicative Breed Standard

 

General Appearance

Strong, square-looking dog with great symmetry and overall soundness. Absolutely free from legginess, profusely coated all over. A thick-set muscular, able-bodied dog with a most intelligent expression. The natural outline should not be artificially changed by scissoring or clipping.

Characteristics

Of great stamina, exhibiting a gently rising topline, and a pear-shaped body when viewed from above. The gait has a typical roll when ambling or walking. Bark has a distinctive toned quality.

Temperament

A biddable dog of even disposition. Bold, faithful and trustworthy, with no suggestion of nervousness or unprovoked aggression.

Head and Skull

In proportion to the size of the body. Skull capacious, rather square. Well arched above eyes, stop well defined. Muzzle strong, square and truncated, measuring approximately half of the total head length. Nose large and black. Nostrils wide.

Eyes

Set well apart. Dark or wall eyes. Two blue eyes acceptable. Light eyes undesirable. Pigmentation on the eye rim is preferred.

Ears

Small and carried flat to side of head.

Mouth

Teeth strong, large, and evenly placed. Scissor bite – jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Pincer tolerated but undesirable.

Neck

Fairly long, strong, arched gracefully.

Forequarters

Forelegs perfectly straight, with plenty of bone, holding body well from ground. Elbows fitting close to brisket. Shoulders should be well laid back, being narrower at the point of withers than at the point of shoulder. Loaded shoulders undesirable. Dog standing lower at withers than loin.

Body

Rather short, and compact, with well sprung ribs, and deep capacious brisket.

Hindquarters

Loin very sturdy, broad and gently arched, quarters well covered round and muscular, the second thigh is long and well developed, the stifle well turned, and the hocks set low. From the rear the hocks should be quite straight, with the feet turning neither in nor out.

Feet

Small, round and tight, toes well arched, pads thick and hard. Dew claws should be removed.

Tail

Customarily docked or natural bobtail.
Docked: Customarily completely docked.
Undocked: Unobtrusive. Low set. Never curled or carried over back, with no kink evident. Well feathered with abundant hard-textured coat.

Gait/Movement

When walking, exhibits a bear-like roll from the rear. When trotting, shows effortless extension and strong driving rear action, with legs moving straight along line of travel. Very elastic at the gallop. At slow speeds, some dogs may tend to pace. When moving, the head carriage may adopt a naturally lower position.

Coat

Profuse, of good harsh texture, not straight, but shaggy and free from curl. Undercoat of waterproof pile. Head and skull well covered with hair, ears moderately coated, neck well coated, forelegs well coated all round, hindquarters more heavily coated than rest of body. Quality, texture, and profusion to be considered above mere length.

Colour

Any shade of grey, grizzle or blue. Body and hindquarters of solid colour with or without white socks. White patches in the solid area to be discouraged. Head, neck, forequarters and under belly to be white with or without markings. Any shade of brown undesirable.

Size

Height: dogs: 61 cms (24 ins) and upwards; bitches: 56 cms (22 ins) and upwards. Type and symmetry of greatest importance, and on no account to be sacrificed to size alone.

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