Vanhaenglanninlammaskoira

FCI:

Old English Sheepdog- Group I. - Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs, Section 1 - Sheepdogs Recognized in the year 1890th

General Appearance:

Old English sheepdog today almost exclusively a remarkable, truly, impressive companion dog. It is obedient, balanced character, fearless, smart, controllable at all times, easygoing, kind and good-natured, brave and vigilant, faithful and reliable, without the slightest inclination to nervousness or unprovoked aggression. It is adaptable and responsive. Despite its size, it has a decidedly gentle behaviour. It is basically a cheerful, extrovert and under some circumstances, it clearly begins consciously as a clown.

Temperament / Behaviour:

Bobtail outstanding natural obedience, it does not tend to attract the "pack" the leading position, and it is therefore suitable for beginners. Sometime it tends to be a "one-man dog," but even so the other family members behave very friendly.

Training, if owner respects dog´s fundamental principle, by calm, nice consistency, usually it does not cause any trouble to train this breed. Using harsh educational or training methods is not useful, but even harmful and due to its character would also be culpable. Due to its sensibility that is enough appropriate intonation (not intensity!) voice, while accusing rebuke rather than be upset or even threatening intonation.

Early socialization is needed to get the puppy gently and completely peacefully accustomed to different environments, strangers, other dogs and possibly and other pets. Its willingness to make friends with them is extraordinary. It can be calm, patient and sincere friend of children playing and willing participant in their games. Remarkable is its generosity to toddlers, so it should be supervised to ensure that toddlers do not abuse it in games.
To strangers it is distrustful. It remains attentive watchdog. It excels great stamina and resistance to its bearish appearance, for which, however, it may be particularly rich coat, if necessary, surprisingly fast and agile. Its bark is typical of their special tuning.

In no case it does not belong to the outdoor pens it is detrimental to the body and coat. Necessarily it needs to live in a society of "its" people seeking contact with them. Although not among the giant breeds is needed at a time of intense growth and dentition milk for steady pay more attention to its nutrition (calcium and vitamin C).

It requires like every sheep dog plenty of exercise are essential longer walks, during which it can be unleashed freely, it does not tend to run away. Also it welcomes some mental work, e.g. one regular practice of dog sports.

Body:

This powerful dog, square body must be perfectly balanced and generally sturdy, stocky, muscular, robust, no hint, no leggy to all parts of the body heavily furred (must be trimmed or groomed. Height at withers: male is 61 cm, female: 56 cm and more.

Head corresponds to the size of the total size of the body. The skull is large, rather angular face distinctly arched over eyes. The frontal slope should be clearly defined. The muzzle must be strong, angular, and should never be pointed at the end. Nose large, black nostrils wide open. Ears should be small, hanging, the area fitting to the cheek.

Teeth should be strong, large and evenly spaced, requires a complete scissor bite, pincer bite tolerated but undesirable.

Eyes are stored far apart to be dark or porcelain or "glass" (whitish) may be both blue, but bright, i.e. yellow, i.e. predators are undesirable. Pigmented eyelid edges are preferred.

The neck should be fairly long, strong, arched gracefully in the neck. The body is rather short and compact tap must be in an attitude rather than loin. These are sturdy, broad and gently arched. Typical is the contour of the body to be seen from above like pear shape.

The tail is docked (unless prohibited by law on protection of animals), but it can also be naturally short or long. When docked, to be completely removed. Undocked should be Unobtrusive, low and should never be curled or carried over back. For the movement can be kept higher.

The chest should be deep and capacious, ribs are properly sprung. The forelegs should be perfectly straight, with powerful bones. Shoulders should be oblique. Gross shoulders undesirable, elbows should fit snugly across the chest.

The hindquarters form the back of the thighs, rounded, richly plumed and well-muscled hindquarters. Knees should be bent properly, legs are long and powerful, hocks must be low over the base and are directed straight backwards. Feet are required small, round and closed. Toes are nicely arched, padded strong and rigid, dewclaws should be removed. The movement is very characteristic and rolling amble.

Hair is good harsh texture, not straight, but shaggy and free from curl. Undercoat is waterproof pile. Head and skull well covered with hair, ears moderately coated and neck is well coated, forelegs well coated all round, hindquarters more heavily coated than rest of body. Quality and texture must be considered above length and profusion. Colour: Any shade of grey, grizzle or blue. Body and hindquarters are solid colour with or without white socks. White patches in the solid area to be discouraged. Head, neck, forequarters and under belly must be white with or without markings. Any shade of brown undesirable.

Faults from the standard requirements must be considered as defects and evaluate accurately the degree of expression with respect to the health, welfare and, if necessary the ability of the traditional work of the dog. To negative defects include aggression or fearfulness and any abnormal physical or behavioural.