The Bobtail is an unusual breed of dog with a beautiful color. Detailed description of the breed from A to Z: character, color, coat care, reviews, photos and videos

The Bobtail is a dog with an extraordinary soul and spectacular appearance. This is the most devoted and loyal friend you can imagine. Animals appeal to both beginners and experienced dog breeders - it’s easy to find an approach to them. The article describes what the breed is, its maintenance and care features.

Breed standard

The Bobtail is a strong, compact dog with a square build. Animals are perfectly adapted to perform their direct duties - they are mobile, efficient and hardworking.

Dogs grow large: the minimum height for females is 56 cm, for males - 61 cm. How much weight the animal will have depends on the height at the withers. The standard does not provide clear guidance on this matter. There are dogs weighing both 28 kg and 45 kg. But the females are somewhat smaller and more graceful than the males.

A characteristic feature of the bobtail dog is its shaggy fur, which provides excellent protection from heat and cold. The dense undercoat repels moisture, keeping the body dry. The guard hair is wavy but not curly. Allowed colors are any shades of gray or blue. The feet, head, neck and belly may be white. Brown or reddish colors are considered a fault. You can see what an Old English Sheepdog looks like in the photo.

The breed has an unusual gait - it waddles, like a bear. The running is smooth and energetic, with good thrust of the forelimbs and powerful drive of the hind limbs. Slowing down, many dogs begin to amble. At the same time, they characteristically sway left and right.

Aggressive, cowardly bobtails, as well as dogs with physical or behavioral abnormalities are subject to disqualification.

Character

The Bobtail is a kind and calm dog. She has an obedient, affectionate and balanced character. The animal subtly senses the mood of the owner. If a person is sad, the dog will try to do everything in his power to make him smile.

Old English Sheepdogs do not strive to dominate and are distinguished by their keen intelligence. Bobtail training is easy - the dog happily follows commands if the owner sincerely praises it and rejoices at its success. You can teach your pet various tricks - everything is limited only by the owner’s imagination.

Training a bobtail shepherd is also effortless. It is enough to awaken the animal’s innate instincts. The Old English Sheepdog will learn the rest on its own, looking at older and more experienced comrades.

Application

The Old English Sheepdog has an innate herding instinct. A bobtail dog is able to control a herd of cattle of up to 100 heads. However, now animals are more often adopted as companion dogs. They are infinitely loyal to their owner, non-aggressive and calm.

At the same time, the dog can become a good watchman. In this case, it is advisable that the bobtail dog undergo a course in protective guard service. She will learn to behave correctly in an extreme situation and quickly analyze current events. Given the large size and rough voice of the Old English Sheepdog, there are few who want to conflict with a serious animal.

Animals are often used as guide dogs and are involved in working with children with physical and mental disabilities.

Nutrition

A dog of any breed needs special nutrition. The bobtail was no exception. Although at first glance it may seem that the pet does not care what it eats. But that's not true. Each owner chooses how to feed the dog.

That is, it can be a special balanced food or regular human food. The main thing is to provide the bobtail with the necessary amount of vitamins and minerals that are needed for the proper functioning of internal organs and maintaining a normal appearance.

Mom bobtail with puppies on a walk

If the choice fell on normal and simple food, then there is an approximate menu for the dog, which should be given from a young age. It consists:

1. Dairy products. It is best if among them there is kefir and fermented baked milk. These products are aimed at forming and maintaining healthy bones in all the body.
2. Lean meats and cooked poultry. The dog's stomach will cope well with such food and there will be no problems in the future with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
3. Tripe, liver, bones and other offal. They can be used as a feed or broth for your dog.
4. Fish without bones. Can be given separately or combined with meat. But for a bobtail to eat enough fish, it will need 2 times more fish than meat. Can be given cooked or raw.
5. Vegetables. A dog can be given almost all types of food, with the exception of legumes and peas, which cause intestinal upset. If beets and carrots are constantly present in the dog’s diet, this may affect the color of the pet’s coat.
6. Cereals. Dogs should be on the menu every day. You can give completely different cereals in combination with lean meats, cooked poultry, raw fish, dairy products, vegetables or offal. Cereals are an important source of carbohydrates, without which the dog will not feel healthy.

Food developed by good manufacturers must be given to your pet. They contain correctly and balanced all the vitamins and minerals that are very important for a growing body. For an adult dog, specialized food can be given along with regular food.

Socialization

Socialization of an Old English Sheepdog puppy begins immediately after it arrives in the home. It is better to initially choose babies who grew up in close contact with people. Obedience must always be sought from the animal, but physical force must not be used. Bobtails take grievances hard, and emotional comfort is the main condition for their happy life.

The Old English Sheepdog is indifferent to its relatives, does not conflict with other pets, and adores children. The bobtail dog is ready to tinker with the kids, like a four-legged nanny. Reviews from the owners confirm that this is a unique dog in its own way - smart, peaceful, sociable, loyal and selfless.

How to choose a puppy

A bobtail puppy will require a lot of attention. If the future owner is not sure that he will be able to devote enough time to the pet, it is better to refuse the purchase. With proper upbringing, dogs grow into loyal friends capable of babysitting children and protecting the home.

Before choosing a bobtail puppy, you should get to know its parents. Healthy and large dogs with a stable psyche will produce the same offspring.

Old English Sheepdog puppies are active and curious. They have shiny eyes, a moist nose and a clean coat without an unpleasant odor. To participate in exhibitions, it is better to buy grown-up juniors when the opportunity arises to evaluate their exterior. The breeder must provide a veterinary passport and registration of the dog.

At birth, bobtail puppies are white and black in color. Over time, the color changes to gray or blue.

History of bobtails

The Kuril Islands are the birthplace of bobtails. These tailless cats are the result of crossing Japanese and Siberian breeds. In Japan, cats of this breed were considered symbols of good luck. Despite the fact that representatives of the Bobtail cat breed appeared a long time ago, breeders paid attention to it only at the end of the last century. For the first time they started talking seriously about representatives of the new breed in 1991. In October, bobtails were registered as an independent breed by the Soviet Felinological Organization.

In December 1994, Russian breeders proposed to refine the standard until it is recognized internationally. Only a year later it was possible to officially register short-tailed cats. But from that moment on, interest in them began to grow rapidly. Bobtails began to increasingly take part in European exhibitions. Nurseries appeared where shorthaired bobtails were bred.

Features of maintenance and care

The Bobtail is perfectly suited for life on the street - it is not afraid of rain and frost. However, when alone, the animal becomes very sad, so the owner must regularly set aside time for communication and joint games.

If given a long walk, the Old English Bobtail Sheepdog feels good in an apartment. The pet loves when the whole family gets together and enjoys spending time with people.

Grooming

Coat care requires special attention. Animals are combed 3-4 times a week, and daily during the molting period. If the old fur is not removed in time, the bobtail will develop dermatitis, or in the worst case, demodicosis or eczema. Experienced dog breeders recommend trimming their pets twice a year.

Many owners trim their dogs. A cropped bobtail loses its natural charm, but maintaining a short coat in neat condition is much easier. To prevent bangs from covering your eyes, they are tied into ponytails or slightly shortened. The fur between the paw pads is removed, otherwise the animal will slide on smooth surfaces.

English farmers sheared dogs and spun fur. Things turned out warm and soft.

Bobtail care also includes periodic cleaning of the ears, eyes and teeth. If necessary, the animal's claws are trimmed.

Bathing

Dogs are bathed approximately once a month. There is no need to do this more often - the fur will lose its natural protective shell.

Walk

Representatives of the Bobtail dog breed love jogging. Active physical exercise helps them stay in good shape, which is especially important when living in apartments. Animals are walked twice a day for at least 60 minutes.

Feeding

Old English Sheepdogs are given super-premium food or prepared with natural food. In the latter case, the bobtail diet consists of:

• meat and offal;
• sea ​​fish;
• croup;
• vegetables;
• fermented milk products.

In agreement with the veterinarian, vitamin and mineral complexes are administered.

Two-month-old puppies are fed 6 times a day. Gradually the frequency is reduced. By the age of one year, food is given twice: in the morning and in the evening. After eating, you should not load the dog, otherwise digestive problems will arise.

Bobtails do not have an upper height limit, so the weight of puppies can vary greatly. The main thing is to provide your baby with a balanced diet.

Feeding

Feed manufacturers produce products specifically for large breeds. It is best to choose premium food that already contains all the nutrients your dog needs in the right proportions.

They are not prone to overeating, so they will not eat too much. The dog should always have fresh water.

Health

Bobtails are born hard workers, endowed with excellent health. However, how long Old English Sheepdogs live largely depends on the conditions of their detention. Due to its large dimensions, problems with joints are possible. Also vulnerable points of these animals are their eyes and ears. With proper care, life expectancy is 10-12 years.

Diseases

Representatives of the Bobtail dog breed are predisposed to:

• hip dysplasia;
• progressive retinal atrophy;
• hypothyroidism;
• cerebellar ataxia;
• cataracts;
• autoimmune hemolytic anemia.

Some animals have congenital deafness.

Vaccinations

The first vaccinations are given at 9-12 weeks. During this period, the immunity transmitted through mother's milk weakens. Usually, concerns about primary vaccination fall on the shoulders of the breeder. Upon purchase, he must give the future owner a veterinary passport with the appropriate marks. Adult dogs are revaccinated every year.

Training

Intelligent dogs truly enjoy the process of learning and training. They learn new information quickly. The owner can act as a trainer; no special knowledge is needed to raise bobtails. But an understanding of the hierarchy is necessary. The puppy must learn respect for a person and the need to obey immediately.

• The shepherd instinct requires constant employment and work, new tasks.
• The will and stubbornness inherent in an adult dog can be easily overcome at an early age - the puppy initially needs to be taught good habits and obedience.
• Bobtails do not like routine, so it is better to use a variety of training methods.
• The breed is best suited to motivational training, this will add interest and attention. Development is going very quickly.
• They respect confidence and firmness, recognize the owner’s right to a harsh tone and obey.
• They are loyal and strive for close relationships with the owner.

We advise you to read: Whippet Dog Breed

In puppyhood, you will have to put a lot of effort into raising a bobtail, but the result will be a loving, selflessly loyal pet.

Mating

Only sexually mature healthy individuals who do not have hereditary diseases are allowed to reproduce. When the best sire is found, the dogs are introduced so that they get used to each other. Favorable days for conception are from 11 to 15 from the start of estrus. Bobtails are usually knitted freestyle. After 24-48 hours, control mating is carried out.

Pregnancy lasts from 56 to 72 days. 2-3 days before the birth, it is advisable to agree with the veterinarian about a possible call, but most often the animals cope on their own. The Bobtail dog breed is prolific – 10 puppies are often born in a litter.