Bobtail

Other names: Ancestral English Sheepdog, English Sheepdog, Old English Sheepdog

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Hair type	Long
Origin	Britain
Template	Big
Head shape	Square

Weight and size
Sex	Weight	Cut
Female	From 28 kg to 38 kg	From 55 cm to 62 cm
Male	From 30 kg to 40 kg	From 56 cm to 66 cm

History of the breed

The Bobtail or Old English Sheepdog is today considered a very old dog and of British origin. However, his past is hardly obvious. It is believed that his ancestors belong to European Shepherd Dogou dogs like the Owtcharka and the Bergamasco . The Briard and the Russian Shepherd can also be its ancestors, just like the Caucasian Shepherd and the Bergamo Shepherd, from which it takes up certain characteristics.

From the start, the Bobtail specialized in the care and management of herds. Its very thick dress and its great resistance allowed it to remain efficient in mountain and rural environment. The name of Bobtail comes from the fact that its tail is intentionally shortened. It is not uncommon for him to be amputated. The first exhibition of an Ancestral English Shepherd Dog dates from 1873. The official current standard of the breed was published on October 13, 2010.

Bobtail Pictures

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Physical features

His hair: abundant, rough, shaggy and not curly or frizzy. The hair covers the whole of his body. The undercoat provides effective protection against bad weather.
Its color: gray, grizzled or blue. Uniform color for body and hindquarters, with or without small white markings at the ends of the legs. The head, the neck, the legs and the underside of the belly are imperatively white, with or without mark.
His head: large and square in shape. The stop is well marked, the nose is strong and black in color, with large nostrils. The muzzle is strong, square and truncated.
His ears: small in size, worn flat on the sides of the skull.
His eyes: dark or minnow, wide apart. The outlines of pigmented eyes are desirable, but not light eyes.
His body: short, compact, writable in a square. The kidney is wide and slightly arched, the chest is ample and well let down.
Its tail: short from birth or shortened. Natural habit, well fringed and covered with abundant, hard hair.

Behavior and character

Behavior with others

From its past as a sheepdog, the Bobtail retains the characteristics of an active animal, getting along with other animals, intelligent , loyal and reliable , but also less easy to train . Its natural softness and interest in play make it a perfect companion for children. In addition, he is never aggressive until we push him to his limits.

The Bobtail is a warning dog and therefore quite suitable for guarding , but much less for defense. The Bobtail values his adoptive family as if he were herding sheep. In fact, he will be attentive, benevolent and above all with unparalleled kindness. He can therefore be abrupt at times, but without an ounce of nastiness. The Bobtail also appreciates foreigners . He can be scary with his impressive build.

The Bobtail
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Education

Active dog, sometimes turbulent and not really aware of its strength, the Bobtail must be educated in a rigorous way , without being harsh. Especially since he is not very inclined to dressage . He must be accustomed very early to outings on a leash and to good behavior during walks. He is naturally attracted to his fellows and other animals, which is not negative in itself, but can sometimes make him difficult to manage during walks. Strict and fair education makes the Bobtail an excellent companion dog.

Living conditions

The Bobtail is primarily a mountain and country dog . He is certainly happier there than in the city, and even more so than in an apartment. Nevertheless, a fenced outdoor space allowing it to enjoy a certain freedom of movement and long walks allow it to remain balanced. The Ancestral English Shepherd Dog is rather intended for owners who have a minimum of experience in dog training and who are ready to devote time to it on a daily basis for its maintenance.

Health

The Bobtail is a hardy and fairly healthy dog. It does not present any particular health problem, which does not prevent it from requiring basic care, as with any breed of dog: vaccines, dewormer, etc. It can live for more than a dozen years in perfect conditions.

To protect yourself from these risks and insure your companion in the event of health problems, Woopets recommends a Bobtail dog insurance .

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Life expectancy

Maintenance and hygiene

The Bobtail is a dog that requires a lot of maintenance due to this abundant coat . It should not curl or curl, which can happen if it is neglected. If knots do form, the only solution is to take it to the groomer.

The Bobtail dress is to be examined and maintained every day in order to be untangled and clean. Regular visits to the groomer are recommended, especially if the dog is intended to compete or be exhibited.

Price and budget

No name is currently proposed. Use our tool to find the name of your Bobtail!

Food

The Bobtail supports all types of food . Whether human or simple high quality kibble. You just have to be careful not to change your diet all the time, at the risk of causing some problems to your digestive system, which is particularly fragile.

Physical activity

The Bobtail needs long daily outings to stretch its legs. A few games are not too much during these walks.

Competitions

Others

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FCI Information