Dog Articles
Past and Present: Old English Sheepdog
Rapidly
gaining in popularity, the curious woolly Sheepdog has become
thoroughly established in the United States; he has long been used
as a practical helper in the great sheep ranges of western Canada.
He bears no resemblance whatever to the familiar Collie type of
sheepdog, but looks rather like a great long-legged, round-headed,
bounding terrier.
He has a
formidable voice, very different indeed from the rather fox-like yap
of the Collie, and while he is some 24 to 27 inches at the shoulder
and weighs 60 to 80 pounds one cannot quite get away from the
impression that he is, in fact, a huge Terrier of some kind. The
effect is heightened greatly by the long woolly hair on his head and
face, which virtually hides the clever eyes, and makes a study of
his actual head-form very difficult. The hair on back and hips is
very long; when combed out they look very curious indeed.
In color
they are usually blue gray and white; any strong tendency toward
brown is not good. The white usually occupies most of the head and
fore-quarters.
He is a
dog of very striking appearance, one might almost say of undog-like
appearance. He is large, rather tall on the legs, tailless, and
covered from head to foot with a long, loose hair, which tosses
about freely when he runs or jumps, giving him the appearance of a
huge animated floor-mop. But if you part the hair on his face you
will find a pair of beautiful, intelligent, friendly eyes. He is
active, good-natured, and makes a fine companion.
Dogs of
this breed were not always bob-tailed; originally they were probably
as well provided with tails as other dogs. Many of them were used
for herding, and consequently exempt from taxation. It is said that
the drovers amputated the tails of their working sheepdogs to
distinguish them from those which were not exempted.
It is
believed by some authorities that this mutilation, continued through
many generations, created in the breed a tendency to produce
tailless and short-tailed offspring. Whatever the cause, it is
certain that today many Old English Sheepdog puppies are born
bob-tailed. When they are bom with tails it is customary to dock
them to within an inch or two of the root, and the operation is
performed not more than four days after birth.
The
docking accentuates the characteristic rounded quarters and
increases the somewhat bearlike appearance of the animal.
Source:
National Geographic 1919
Recommended Reading
Dog Training
Mastery - An Owners' Manual
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