Bobtail dog: photo, description of the breed, character, features of care and maintenance, owner reviews

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Among the many large breeds, the bobtail attracts attention. A dog with a chic coat and an original color is also distinguished by an extremely friendly character. Herding instincts make them formidable protectors and caring nannies for children. The ability of the animal to adapt to the rhythm of the owner's life makes the breed attractive to all segments of the population.

History

The British themselves believe that the history of the origin of the bobtail dog (see photo in the text) goes back centuries, almost to the time of the Druids. Her ancestors were ancient shepherd dogs, unknown today. Perhaps some of the animals were brought by traders from Europe, but it was so long ago that they are already considered the original inhabitants of the British Isles.

Some cynologists claim that the breed is relatively young. The Old English Shepherd Dog originated from "emigrants": a very large South Russian Shepherd Dog (from the south of Ukraine) and a French long-haired shepherddogs called briar. They were specially brought into the country to protect flocks of very expensive fine-fleeced merino sheep.

Tribal breeding of large shaggy dogs was carried out in the counties of Cornwall and Devonshire. Geographically, they are located in the southwest of the country. The mild coastal climate with extensive pastures has long favored sheep farmers. From the surviving manuscripts of the 17th century, it is known that the peasants used large, shaggy "all-weather" shepherd dogs to protect the flocks.

The progenitor of all bobtails is considered to be a dog presented in London at the Islington Exhibition in 1865. The breeders came to grips with the shaggy guard. They set a goal for themselves: to get an animal not only with good working qualities, but also attractive in appearance. There is information about attracting the blood of some Russian breeds and long-haired French shepherds.

In 1873, the result of selection work was presented at an exhibition in Birmingham. He did not delight either the audience or the judges. The breeders, the Tilly brothers, continued to work with the breed in their Shepton kennel network. Ten years of hard work have borne fruit: the standards for the desired type of dog obtained have been approved. The breed received its official name - Old English Sheepdog (Old English Sheepdog). Under this name, the dogs were included in all studbooks, including the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale).

In 1888, the eldest of the brothers, Henry Arthur Tilly, led the first English amateur clubbreeds. Animals quickly gained popularity around the world. At the end of the 19th century, the breed appeared in the United States and very quickly gained recognition. In 1904, The Old English Sheepdog Club of America was created - an American breed club that still exists. In Russia, bobtails were seen live only in the seventies of the last century. Today, Moscow is considered the center of dog breeding.

Description

When describing a bobtail dog, first of all, the appearance of the animal is noted. A large, good-natured, shaggy bear with a funny gait. Has a strong, muscular, proportionately folded body. It has excellent security features. Earlier, when Bobtails were still herding sheep, they coped well with strangers and wolves. The alarm was raised by a powerful guttural bark.

Today it is more of a companion or babysitter for children. Dogs are unconditionally devoted to man, they need his company. It is easy to walk with them, they never let the owner out of sight, ready to defend him at any second. They get along great with other pets. They never start a fight, but if the dog is pissed off, he boldly enters into a duel.

Decades of breeders' work have not been in vain - the modern Old English Sheepdog has a cheerful and friendly disposition, rarely barks. Has excellent learning ability and intelligence, can make independent decisions.

Breed Standard

According to the FCI classification, animals belong to group 1 Sheepdogs andCattle Dogs” (excluding Swiss Shepherds), section 1 “Sheepdogs”, country of origin – Great Britain. Bobtail dog description:

• Sizes. Males grow up to 61 cm at the withers (on average 54 cm), sometimes higher, females - up to 55 cm. The weight of animals is not defined by the standard, as a rule, for males - 30-45 kg, for females - 25-30 kg.
• Head. The skull is massive, square, of medium length. The transition from the forehead to the muzzle is clearly expressed. The muzzle itself is massive, bluntly cropped. The nose is black, large with wide nostrils.
• Fall. Strong and evenly spaced large teeth. Scissor bite - the upper teeth are perpendicular to the jaws and tightly overlap the lower teeth, a level bite is undesirable. Jaws strong.
• Eyes. Wide-set, blue or dark, multi-colored eyes are acceptable, it is good if the edges of the eyelids are pigmented. Oval cut.
• Ears. Hanging, medium-sized, tightly pressed to the head.
• Neck. Strong, fairly long, set high, with a well defined nape.
• Torso. Compact, muscular, strong. Withers below the sacrum. The chest is wide and deep. The loin is wide and strong. The back is flat and wide. Tightened belly line.
• Limbs. The forelegs are straight, the skeleton is massive, the elbows fit snugly to the chest. Hindquarters - muscular, well developed long legs. The metatarsus is short and completely straight behind. The angle of the knees is well defined. The hocks are low. The paws are rounded, small, the fingers are tightly brought together. The pads are hard and thick. Dewclaws are removed.
• Tail. original form,sometimes with a thickening at the end up to 5 cm long.

When driving, the swaying of the body is clearly visible, especially when viewed from behind. It has an elastic canter and a strong drive from the hind legs. Amble appears at the walk and trot. Dogs are able to withstand severe physical exertion.

Color

Bobtail is a dog with chic coat and original color. The coat is hard, very thick, has a disheveled appearance without curls. The undercoat is a waterproof down, may vary in length. Wool evenly covers the entire body. It is thickest in the croup, neck and hind legs.

Puppies are born black and white, the shade may change with age. Acceptable colors:

• silver;
• blue;
• all shades of grey.

The back of the body and hind legs are painted in the same color. Paws may have white "socks". On a solid dark area, white spots are undesirable. The front part of the body, head, front paws are white, spots are acceptable. A thoroughbred bobtail cannot have a brown shade of wool. Brown color is not considered a deviation, but it is not welcome either.

Colour may have an original pattern in gray-blue, bluish-marble or white. In such dogs, it is not uncommon for the iris of the eyes to be blue or pearl. When evaluating an animal, not only the length and color of the hair are taken into account, but also its quality, structure and density.

He alth

The decent weight of a bobtail dog provokes in them a very common for large, massive animalsThe disease is hip dysplasia. After a comprehensive study of the genetic predispositions of dogs, dog handlers from the USA and Great Britain identified hereditary diseases. These include:

• allergies, including to veterinary drugs;
• congenital underdevelopment of the acetabulum (provokes hip dysplasia);
• inversion of the eyelid (entropy);
• progressive or congenital deafness;
• diabetes;
• predisposition to heat stroke;
• problem skin;
• cancer (the most diverse localization and form) is one of the main causes of death in dogs;
• functional disorders of the thyroid gland.

Vision problems:

• glaucoma;
• cataract;
• progressive retinal atrophy.

With proper care, the average life expectancy of Old English Sheepdogs is 10-12 years.

Character

The balanced nature of the bobtail dog makes it in demand among all age categories of owners. A very loyal and courageous dog, without any signs of nervousness or unreasonable aggression. A calm dog, and even a little lazy in apartment conditions, he is happy to sleep and lie on the couch.

The Old English Sheepdog has not lost its guarding qualities, and if the boundaries of its territory are violated, it will definitely give a voice. Easily adapts to new conditions, is tolerant and caring towards children. Dogs have a docile and non-confrontational nature. They adoresociety of the owner or family members. Despite their size, they have an instant reaction.

In the reviews about the bobtail dogs, the owners praise, speaking about them only in superlatives - “the most”:

• smart;
• correct;
• devotee;
• reasonable;
• understanding;
• disciplined;
• obedient;
• good-natured.

All these qualities are manifested in shepherd dogs only under the condition of proper upbringing and maintenance.

Care

Keeping bobtail dogs is a simple matter. A private country house is perfect, but this breed also feels great in an apartment. The activity of the animal requires long, preferably with physical activity, walks. Ideally, twice a day. Shepherd dogs living in private homes with their own yard are recommended to actively walk a couple of times a week.

Bobtail ears require careful care. They need to be cleaned and trimmed regularly. The eyes are wiped with a damp cotton swab or disc, removing excess mucus and dust. You can use a decoction of chamomile or strong tea. Paws also need to be processed in a timely manner: wash after a walk, cut off the hair on the pads, cut the claws.

Excessive salivation leads to discoloration of the coat around the mouth. Prevention is washing the dog several times a day and always after meals. Brush your pet's teeth weekly to ensure fresh breath and prevent dental problems.

Carewool

Bobtail is a dog that stands out for its luxurious hairline. In order for long hair to please with its appearance, it needs appropriate care. During the hot summer months, pets are shorn (not too short), this makes grooming easier and protects the pet from overheating.

The dog is thoroughly brushed two to three times a month. To do this, use special combs. Frequent combing leads to the removal of not only dead hairs, but also quite he althy ones. The appearance of the animal will deteriorate significantly, it will look slightly shabby. Carefully and very carefully comb out the soft undercoat of puppies, this allows you to speed up its renewal. The resulting wool is used to knit warm clothes.

Combing technique:

• wool is treated with a special conditioner;
• the dog is laid on its side;
• combing starts from the spine, the hair is thrown back up and the comb is directed against hair growth;
• the brush is moved directly over the body of the animal, removing the dead undercoat while massaging the body;
• paws scratch also against hair growth;
• The belly and chest are combed arbitrarily;
• to cover the eyes, the hair on the head is combed forward.

Bathe bobtails no more than 4-5 times a year using a special shampoo for long-haired dogs. After bathing, comb thoroughly.

Feeding

Bobtail is a large breed dog and should be fed accordingly. Animals can be accustomed to a natural complete diet or ready-made dryfeed. Despite their size, adults eat once or twice a day and are not prone to overeating. Puppies are fed four to five times, gradually reducing the number of feedings. The pet is provided with round-the-clock access to fresh water.

To maintain good physical shape and coat quality, it is better to choose premium food. For wool, the presence of a water-soluble vitamin of group B - biotin is very important. The natural feeding diet includes:

• lean raw meat (up to 500 grams per day);
• flour products and cereals;
• raw vegetables;
• eggs;
• fish (without bones);
• dairy products: puppies - milk, adults - low-fat sour cream, cottage cheese, kefir fermented baked milk;
• offal.

Use

The bobtail dog, the photo of which can be seen in our article, is able to master several "professions". In addition to their direct duties - the protection of farm animals - they have proven themselves as circus performers, sled dogs, watchmen, hunters (they can bring prey), companions. The Old English Sheepdog is an indispensable participant in a wide variety of dog shows and sports:

• dog agility - overcoming obstacles and projectiles on the site;
• obedience training - demonstration of pet obedience;
• rally obedience - passing a certain route, compiled by the judge, with the owner;
• flaball - catching the ball.

There is another type of exciting competition where "workers"bobtails show off their herding dog skills. It includes:

• sheep penning into a small paddock;
• selection from the owner's mixed flock of sheep;
• search for "lost" sheep on the ground and others.

It is impossible not to note the role of these dogs in the rehabilitation of children with disabilities. Good-natured nannies in special English schools "work" as professional educators.

Puppies

Before you get yourself a friend, you should pay attention to the reviews about kennels. Bobtail is a dog with certain breed requirements that are inherited by offspring. Unscrupulous breeders do not pay attention to the quality indicators of the parent couple. Animals unsuitable for breeding (with congenital defects) will give a weak and defective litter.

When choosing a pet, carefully examine the nose and coat. The nose cannot be pink or gray. Let's say black color with a pink spot. The wool is black and white. The fatness of the animal, its mobility, occlusion are noted (the upper jaw may slightly extend beyond the lower jaw or be even). The gait must be correct and confident.

If the task of acquiring a puppy for breeding or participation in exhibitions is not set, then the color and some shortcomings, such as malocclusion, do not play a role for the future owner. A bobtail dog puppy is an expensive treat. In Russia, the average price (depending on the region) ranges from 800-1200 dollars. You should not buy puppies cheaper on the market, not the fact that in the endthe bobtail will grow. No one can guarantee that the baby is he althy.

Training

The quick wit and high intelligence of bobtails makes them train from early childhood. He will obey only a person who has earned his trust and respect. Training is carried out in a persistent but friendly manner. Physical punishment is unacceptable.

Smart shepherd dogs do not need to explain the essence of the exercise many times, they understand everything the first time. If the dog feels the weakness of the owner, she will manipulate him without a twinge of conscience. Patient and persistent training will help you get a well-mannered and devoted friend.

This is interesting

A few interesting facts about Old English Sheepdogs:

• this is one of the oldest breeds;
• if you break the pottery, you can find out how the barking of the bobtail sounds, only louder and with a little hoarseness;
• they are ideal for communicating with children, usually animals of this breed are kept in English schools for children with mental disabilities;
• literal translation of the name of the breed - "short-tailed", puppies are born with short tails or without them at all;
• animals categorically cannot stand loneliness;
• to put it mildly, dogs are not very tidy: they shed a lot, drool profusely and get smeared rather quickly;
• hair care requires a lot of effort and time;
• puppies need a solid upbringing, kids are very active, prone to some violence;
• shaggy dogs are extraordinarily photogenic,only in the USA they managed to be filmed already in 23 feature films.

Besides, they are frequent heroes of animated films. The well-known English company Dulux has been using the image of a dog on its logo for many years. In England, there is a legend about the purposeful breeding of a short-tailed large dog. The fact is that in the XVIII century the tax on dogs depended on the length of its tail, the longer it is, the higher the fee. The owners of the Old English Sheepdog are many celebrities, among them Sir Paul McCartney.