Description

Sometimes called the Old English Sheepdog, the Bobtail is a large breed with a strong, square build. Under all that hair, the Bobtail has an intelligent expression in its eyes (typically brown, though blue or odd eyes are quite common). They have a long, square muzzle, with a dark nose, and strong teeth that meet in an even scissor bite. The low shoulder leads to a slightly higher loin. The Bobtail does not actual have a naturally bobbed tail: historically their tails were docked to give them that appearance. This practise is now banned in many regions to protect animal welfare. 

Origin: England

Look

The Bobtail has a gorgeous hairy coat. Their fur has a shaggy texture, though never curly. Their hair isn’t particularly soft, as their outer coat must be weather resistant. The Bobtail’s soft undercoat is also water resistant. Typical coat colours include grey, blue, and merle, with white fur on the belly, chest, and head. 

These dogs shed heavily and will need frequent brushing every week, if not every day. Thorough brushing is needed to remove all their loose hairs and tidy up any tangles. 

Health

 While the Bobtail is generally a healthy dog, they are prone to a few health conditions: 

• Hip dysplasia
• Heat stroke
• Deafness
• Cataracts 
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
• Hypothyroidism
• Heart issues
• Autoimmune thyroiditis  
• Cancer

At Newdoggy.com we promote reputable breeders, who use genetic testing and good breeding practices to remove genetic conditions from their breeding lines. Newdoggy.com’s Health Guarantee certifies that all promoted puppies are in good health.

Learning

These adorable dogs are also very smart. Although a quick learner and usually keen to please, the Bobtail hates repetitive training exercises. The key is to change up your training sessions every now and again, to keep things fresh and fun. The Bobtail will soon show your just how clever and versatile he/she is: these dogs excel at many activities, including herding, search & rescue, and canine agility.  

Temperament

The Bobtail is playful and friendly, even towards strangers and other dogs, but adores their family first and foremost. They are slow to mature: Bobtails are puppy-like until they are about three years old, and remain playful well into old age. The Bobtail’s kind nature makes them a favourite dog for families, especially those with children.   

Living with

The Old English Sheepdog does need proper exercised, but once they’ve gone for a nice long walk, they are happy to laze around in their basket or on the sofa. The Bobtail adores his/her family, and can suffer from separation anxiety. If you work away from home take this into account, and consider getting a dog-sitter.

This breed is very adaptable, and is quite happy to live in an apartment if properly exercised. Playful and friendly, this is a great dog for a family with children. The Bobtail also gets along well with other dogs, and may even do well with pets such as cats if introduced properly.