Old English Sheepdog
Appearance and History
– Old English Sheepdog is a large dog with a long, thick, shaggy grey and white coat
– Ears lie flat to the head
– Historically, tail was commonly docked, but tailed Old English Sheepdogs are now common
– Stands lower at the shoulder than at the loin
– Ideal weights can be as much as 46kg (101lb) for large males
– Believed to come from pastoral type dogs of England
– Bearded Collie and Russian Owtchar may be among the breed’s ancestors
– First exhibited in Birmingham, England in 1873
– Elaborate grooming practices recorded as early as 1907
– Exported to the United States in the 1880s and became popular among wealthy families
Docking and Health
– Undocked Old English Sheepdogs are becoming more common
– Kennel Club (UK) and Australian National Kennel Council do not express a preference for docked or undocked animals
– American Kennel Club breed standard states tail should be docked close to the body, even though the practice is opposed by the American Veterinary Medical Association
– Tail docking originated in the 18th century for taxation purposes, but now performed for cosmetic reasons
– Some countries have banned docking
– Average lifespan is 12-15 years
– Old English Sheepdog Club of America sponsors investigations into diseases in the breed
– Diseases being investigated include hip dysplasia, cataracts, glaucoma, and thyroid problems
– Heatstroke is a serious concern in full coated dogs
– Cancer is a major cause of death among Old English Sheepdogs
Temperament and Activities
– Breed standards describe the ideal Old English Sheepdog as never being nervous or aggressive
– Intelligent, social, and adaptable
– May try to herd children or objects
– Comfortable in rural, suburban, or urban settings
– Requires company and warmth of people
– Can compete in dog agility trials, obedience, rally obedience, and herding events
– Herding instincts can be measured at noncompetitive herding tests
– Basic herding instincts can be trained to compete in herding trials
– Can also participate in showmanship, flyball, tracking, and Schutzhund
– Versatile in various activities
Coat care
– Long coat requires thorough brushing at least once weekly
– Without regular care, coat can trap dust, debris, and moisture
– Matting can become painful and restrict movement
– Preferred grooming method involves starting from the base of the hairs to keep the undercoat hair tangle-free
– Some people trim their dogs’ coats to a more manageable length
Dulux dog
– Old English Sheepdog is the mascot for Dulux paint
– First introduced in advertising campaigns in 1961
– Different dogs have appeared in the adverts, but all look similar due to selection process
– Fernville Lord Digby was the most famous Dulux dog
– Dulux dog is a popular feature in Dulux advertisements