Cambridge Encyclopedia :: Cambridge Encyclopedia Vol. 55

Old English sheepdog - Care, Miscellaneous

A breed of dog, developed in Britain in the 18th-c to protect cattle; large with hindquarters higher than shoulder; covered in long, untidy coat, often hiding ears and eyes; usually white with large dark patches; short tail.

Old English Sheepdog
Pair of Old English Sheepdogs
Alternative names
Bobtail
Country of origin
United Kingdom
Classification and breed standards
FCI: Group 1 Section 1 #16 Stds
AKC: Herding Stds
ANKC: Group 5 (Working Dogs) Stds
CKC: Group 7 - Herding Dogs Stds
KC (UK): Pastoral Stds
NZKC: Working Stds
UKC: Herding Dog Breeds Stds

An Old English Sheepdog is a breed of dog formerly used for herding livestock, and now primarily kept as a pet. AKC and British show breed regulations require showing only dogs with bobbed tails. It generally gets along well with children, other dogs, other pets, and visitors.

These dogs are tender and catch on quickly to things like boundaries and little things such as doing a trick for a treat.

Care

The long coat requires thorough brushing at least weekly, preferably from the base of the hairs to keep the thick undercoat hair mat and tangle free.

Miscellaneous

Dulux dog

The Old English Sheepdog is the brand mascot for Dulux paint.

Over the years, different dogs have appeared in the adverts. The first Dulux dog was Shepton Dash, who held the role for eight years. His successor, Fernville Lord Digby, was the most famous Dulux dog and also made his owner, Cynthia Harrison, famous.

Apart from Dash, all the Dulux dogs have been breed champions, and five of them have won 'Best of Show' prizes.

Famous Sheepdogs

Alfie from Serpico Ambrosius and Merlin from Labryinth Edison from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Farley, the first dog of the Patterson family in the comic strip, For Better or For Worse. Modeled after Lynn Johnston's own dog of the same breed who in turn was named after Farley Mowat. Shag from Road Rovers The Shaggy Dog from The Shaggy Dog, The Shaggy D.A., and The Shaggy Dog Returns Tiny, pet of FDR The English Sheepdog (real name: Wolfie) from 101 Dalmatians, both the animated and live-action versions. Digby from Digby, the Biggest Dog in the World (1973) Barkley from Sesame Street Bebe from Captain Kangaroo Wordsworth from Jamie and the Magic Torch

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