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General Appearance
Strong, square-looking dog with great symmetry and overall soundness. Absolutely free from legginess, profusely coated all over. A thick-set muscular, able-bodied dog with a most intelligent expression. The natural outline should not be artificially changed by scissoring or clipping.

Characteristics
Of great stamina, exhibiting a gently rising topline, and a pear-shaped body when viewed from above. The gait has a typical roll when ambling or walking. Bark has a distinctive toned quality.

Temperament
A biddable dog of even disposition. Bold, faithful and trustworthy, with no suggestion of nervousness or unprovoked aggression.

Head and Skull
In proportion to the size of the body. Skull capacious, rather square. Well arched above eyes, stop well defined. Muzzle strong, square and truncated, measuring approximately half of the total head length. Nose large and black. Nostrils wide.

Eyes
Set well apart. Dark or wall eyes. Two blue eyes acceptable. Light eyes undesirable. Pigmentation on the eye rim is preferred.

Ears
Small and carried flat to side of head.

Mouth
Teeth strong, large, and evenly placed. Scissor bite – jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Pincer tolerated but undesirable.

Neck
Fairly long, strong, arched gracefully.

Forequarters
Forelegs perfectly straight, with plenty of bone, holding body well from ground. Elbows fitting close to brisket. Shoulders should be well laid back, being narrower at the point of withers than at the point of shoulder. Loaded shoulders undesirable. Dog standing lower at withers than loin.

Body
Rather short, and compact, with well sprung ribs, and deep capacious brisket.

Hindquarters
Loin very sturdy, broad and gently arched, quarters well covered round and muscular, the second thigh is long and well developed, the stifle well turned, and the hocks set low. From the rear the hocks should be quite straight, with the feet turning neither in nor out.

Feet
Small, round and tight, toes well arched, pads thick and hard. Dew claws should be removed.

Tail
Previously customarily docked or natural bobtail.
Docked: Customarily completely docked.
Undocked: Natural carriage. Well feathered with abundant, hard-textured coat.

Gait/Movement
When walking, exhibits a bear-like roll from the rear. When trotting, shows effortless extension and strong driving rear action, with legs moving straight along line of travel. Very elastic at the gallop. At slow speeds, some dogs may tend to pace. When moving, the head carriage may adopt a naturally lower position.

Coat
Profuse, of good harsh texture, not straight, but shaggy and free from curl. Undercoat of waterproof pile. Head and skull well covered with hair, ears moderately coated, neck well coated, forelegs well coated all round, hindquarters more heavily coated than rest of body. Quality, texture, and profusion to be considered above mere length.

Colour
Any shade of grey, grizzle or blue. Body and hindquarters of solid colour with or without white socks. White patches in the solid area to be discouraged. Head, neck, forequarters and under belly to be white with or without markings. Any shade of brown undesirable.

Size
Height: dogs: 61 cms (24 ins) and upwards; bitches: 56 cms (22 ins) and upwards. Type and symmetry of greatest importance, and on no account to be sacrificed to size alone.

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Last Updated - September 2007

Glossary of Canine Terms

Health Information

The Kennel Club operates health screening schemes with other organisations.  Some are clinical veterinary screening schemes and some are DNA screening schemes, which may be relevant to this breed.

The current health screening requirements and recommendations for Kennel Club Accredited Breeders of this breed show what is required and recommended for the sire and dam of any litter of this breed bred by an Accredited Breeder.

Breed specific summary results from the Purebred Dog Health Survey in 2004 are available.  Individual summaries are only available where the breed response rate was greater than 15%.

Recommended Reading

All the below publications are available to order from the Online Shop.

Kennel Club Breed Standards Kennel Club Breed Standards are available for most breeds indicating the qualities which competition judges normally take into account and the standard or model which breeders endeavour to achieve. The Breed Standards can be purchased by group.

The Kennel Club Illustrated Breed Standards Containing full descriptive standards for 192 breeds, as well as representation for the six Kennel Club recognised breeds that are currently without standards, this beautifully illustrated volume is a must for all dog enthusiasts. This third edition has been completely revised and updated by a panel of experts and incorporates the very latest standards for breeds in each group.

Breed Clubs and Societies

• EAST ANGLIAN OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG CLUB. Sec. Mrs.V.Burns. Tel No: 01449 766793
• GREATER LONDON OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG CLUB. Sec. Mrs J Wilkinson. Tel No: 01727 822440
• LANCASTRIAN OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG CLUB. Sec. Mr R Wilkinson. Tel No: 01204 696085
• MIDLAND OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG CLUB. Sec. Mr A Steele Tel No: 01788 567002
• NORTH EASTERN OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG CLUB. Sec. Mr P D Coggins. Tel No: 0191 410 9733
• NORTH WESTERN OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG CLUB. Sec. Mrs D Brocklesby-Evans. Tel No: 01302 785021
• OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG CLUB. Sec. Mrs P Barnes. Tel No: 01793 741002
• OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG CLUB OF NORTHERN IRELAND. Sec. Mrs H Pennie (Acting). Tel No: 01266 758674
• OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG CLUB OF SCOTLAND. Sec. Mrs M McWilliam. Tel No: 01236 874129
• OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG CLUB OF WALES. Sec. Mrs G Mogford. Tel No: 01633 897553
• SOUTH EASTERN OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG CLUB. Sec. Mr B Anderson. Tel No: 01903 892247
• SOUTH WESTERN OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG CLUB. Sec. Mr B Ford. Tel No: 01454 325882

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Discover Dogs, Pastoral Group 

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