Bobtail (Old English Sheepdog)
The Bobtail, or Old English Sheepdog, is a medium-sized dog breed with a characteristic shaggy coat, which is primarily known as a herding dog. Even if it seems a bit clumsy, it is an excellent protector for the family and wins everyone over with its charm.
Content: Bobtail
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Bobtail - Profile
- Character: Adaptable with a balanced nature, bold, loyal, reliable. Does not show nervousness or unnecessary aggressiveness.
- Size: Medium
- Height: 56 – 61 cm
- Weight: 30 – 40 kg
- Life expectancy: 12-14 years
- Coat type: Long hair
- Colour: shade of grey/grizzle or blue
- Special features: Characteristic shaggy coat
- FCI Group: Herding Dogs and Cattle Dogs
Bobtail - Special characteristics
The Bobtail is a medium-sized dog, up to 65 cm tall. One of its trademarks is its tail. Some dogs are born with a "stubby tail", which is how it got its name - Bobtail. The Bobtail is a strong and square-looking dog that is bursting with performance. The Bobtail has a rising back line and is therefore lower at the withers than at the loins. Its rolling gait and its special bark are typical. With its thick coat and waterproof undercoat, it is not affected by bad weather. The Bobtail's color is in shades of gray, grizzle and blue. The hind legs and body are solid colored, sometimes with white "socks". While white spots in solid colored coats are not desired, they are welcome on the head, neck, lower abdomen and forequarters. Brown is completely undesirable. As former herding dogs, the shaggy Bobtails are an excellent addition to the family. Not only as a playmate for the children, but also as a protector. He rewards a close friendship with his friendly nature. Bobtails are cheerful and spirited dogs who can also be sensitive at times. He doesn't like being reprimanded too harshly. Like all herding dogs, the Bobtail is fast and intelligent. He therefore has a strong need for exercise and wants to be challenged.
Bobtail - What should you consider when feeding it?
As with any dog, a balanced diet is the most important thing. The food should tend to be high in protein with a high meat content . The amount of food should be based on the dog's age, weight and activity level. The Bobtail is generally very fond of everything. Therefore, you should pay attention to what it eats. Wet food is less suitable, as its lush facial hair can quickly lead to dirty, sticky fur. In addition, some Bobtails cannot tolerate it and get diarrhea from it.
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Bobtail - Health and Care
When caring for a Bobtail, special attention should be paid to its coat. The shaggy, long coat needs to be brushed regularly to prevent it from matting. The sooner your Bobtail learns about hair care, the better. An occasional bath can't hurt either. Your dog will also be happy with a shorter summer hairstyle if the temperatures rise in summer. In general, you should always keep a close eye on your Bobtail's coat, as ticks or other foreign bodies can easily get caught in the thick coat.
Since the Bobtail is bursting with energy, it needs plenty of exercise. Long walks in particular, but also dog sports such as flyball, agility and obedience are good ways for your four-legged friend to let off steam.
Bobtail - The right accessories
The Bobtail loves to romp and play and is the perfect dog to try out all kinds of dog toys, especially outdoors. However, the shaggy four-legged friends also collect all kinds of foreign objects and ticks with their magnificent manes. Therefore, brushes, combs and dog shampoo are part of the standard equipment of a Bobtail owner.
Advanced dog owners use grooming scissors to groom their dogs or use a de-tangling rake and undercoat brush to take care of the water-repellent undercoat.
Bobtail - Origin & History
The Old English Sheepdog, also known as the Bobtail, is considered the oldest English sheepdog and was first mentioned in writing in the 18th century. It is believed to be descended from German and English sheepdogs, with influences from Russian and Hungarian sheepdogs. Consequently, the Bobtail was often kept as a herding dog, as it could defend itself against predators. Its thick fur also protected it from all weather conditions. Today it mostly herds families rather than sheep and cows, and is occasionally used as a rescue and tracking dog.
The Old English Sheepdog has been recognized as a breed by the Kennel Club since 1890. The FCI lists the Bobtail with standard number 16 in the group of herding and driving dogs, section of sheepdogs.
Conclusion
The Bobtail, also known as the Old English Sheepdog, is a cheerful, spirited and loyal dog with a characteristic shaggy coat. Its adaptability and friendly nature make it an ideal family dog that gets along particularly well with children. It requires consistent but loving training and regular grooming to prevent matting. The Bobtail is energetic and needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation through dog sports. With its rich history as a herding dog and its charming demeanor, the Bobtail is a wonderful companion for active families and dog lovers.
