Origin: The bobtail, or Old English sheepdog, has quite ancient origins. The history of this breed begins in England in the 18th century, when it was used for shepherding work. At that time, it bore the name “northern shepherd dog.”
However, the exact origin of the breed is unknown. There are several versions about its origin. One of them associates the appearance of Bobtails with Dutch sheepdogs, which were brought to England by ships, and at the place of their unloading sheepdogs were left to protect the flocks.
Use of the breed as a herding dog: Bobtails were used to work on farms in England and Scotland. Their job was to protect sheep from predators and help shepherds lead the flock. They were also used as hunting dogs.
Official recognition of the breed: In 1888 the Old English Shepherd was recognized as an independent breed and was shown at dog shows. In 1905 the first club of the breed was founded in England. It later became popular all over the world and is still one of the most recognizable dog breeds today.
Breed description
Appearance: The bobtail is a large dog with long hair and a distinctive body shape. Their height at the withers is from 56 to 61 cm, and their weight is from 27 to 45 kg. The color of the coat can be different: white, black, gray, blue, as well as a combination of two or more colors.
A characteristic feature of the breed is the absence of a tail or its tiny remnant, which is often called a “ring”. Bobtails also have a thick coat that covers the entire body, including the head and ears.
Character and behavior: Bobtails are friendly and energetic dogs. They have a fairly calm personality and are well suited for families with children. They can be quite playful, but at the same time can be wary around new people or animals.
Bobtails tend to be protective of their family and can be aggressive around strangers. However, with proper socialization and training, they can become friendly to people and other animals.
Breed Care: Bobtails require regular coat care, including daily brushing and regular haircuts. They also need daily exercise and activities such as training or command classes.
These dogs can be susceptible to a number of health problems such as eye problems, arthritis, skin problems, etc. Therefore, it is important to monitor their health regularly and make regular visits to the veterinarian.
Breed Features
Intelligence and trainability: Bobtails have a high level of intelligence and trainability. They can learn new commands quickly and have a good memory. However, like any other dog, they need proper training and socialization.
Health and breed problems: Bobtails can be susceptible to a number of health problems such as eye problems, arthritis, skin problems, etc. Therefore, it is important to monitor their health regularly and make regular visits to the veterinarian.
Cost and Breed Availability: Bobtails are a fairly rare breed, which can affect their cost. The price of puppies can vary depending on the location and reputation of the kennel. Typically, prices for Bobtails puppies start at $1,000 and can go as high as several thousand dollars for a high quality puppy.
Bobtails are a breed that requires quite a lot of attention and care, but at the same time they can be great companions and guards. Their unique appearance and unique personality make them one of the most recognizable and popular dog breeds in the world.
What breeds do bobtails have?
Bobtails, or Old English Sheepdogs, have only one breed. However, there are different coat colors such as black, white, gray, blue and combinations of these, which can create different variations in appearance.
How do I identify a bobtail?
You can identify the bobtail, or Old English sheepdog, by several distinctive characteristics:
- The absence of a tail or the presence of its tiny remnant, which is called a “ring”.
- Thick fur covering the entire body, including the head and ears.
- The large size of the dog: the height at the withers is from 56 to 61 cm, and the weight is from 27 to 45 kg.
- Characteristic body shape, which differs from other dog breeds. Bobtails have a fairly powerful musculature and skeleton, as well as short paws.
- Friendly and energetic character, which makes them great companions for families with children.
- The presence of distinctive coat colors such as black, white, gray, blue and their combinations.
It is important to note that in order to be sure that you choose an Old English Shepherd puppy, you need to go to proven breeders who are registered in specialized clubs and have the necessary documents for each puppy.
Top 10 facts about the bobtail:
- Bobtails get their name from their lack of a tail or its tiny remnant.
- Bobtails were used for herding, guarding herds and hunting wolves and foxes.
- The Old English Sheepdog is recognized as one of the most intelligent dog breeds.
- The Bobtail’s coat needs regular brushing and haircutting.
- Bobtails have a fairly calm character and are suitable for families with children.
- Bobtails can be aggressive toward strangers, but with proper socialization, they become friendly.
- The average lifespan of Bobtails is 10 to 12 years.
- Bobtails can come in a variety of colors, including white, black, gray and blue.
- Bobtails have a good memory and learn new commands easily.
- Bobtails are a rare breed, which can affect their cost. They can also have health problems, so regular vet visits are necessary.
Conclusions
The Bobtail (Old English Sheepdog) is a dog breed that is one of the most recognizable due to its lack of a tail and thick coat covering its entire body. They were used for herding and guarding herds as well as hunting wolves and foxes.
Bobtails have a fairly calm character, are easy to train and have a high level of intelligence. However, they can be aggressive toward strangers, so socialization and proper training are important factors in their upbringing.
Bobtails need regular brushing and haircuts, and they can also have health problems, so regular vet visits are essential.
Bobtails are a rare breed, which can affect their value. However, they can make great companions and guards for families with children because of their friendly and energetic nature.
