The Old English Sheepdog -
Standard
General Appearance
Strong,square looking dog
of great symmetry and overall soundness.Absolutely free of
legginess,profusely coated all over.A thick-set muscular,able bodied dog
with a most intelligent expression.The natural outline should not be
artificially by scissoring or clipping.
Characteristics
Of great stamina,exhibiting
a gently rising topline and a pearshaped 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
rims preferred.
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 the 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 neither in nor out.
Feet
Small,round and tight,toes
well arched,pads thick and hard.Dew claws should be removed.
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 galopp.At slow speeds,some dogs may tend to
pace.When moving,the head carriage may adopt a naturally lower position.
Tail
Customarily completely
docked
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
24 inches and upwards for dogs,22
inches and upwards for bitches.Type and symmetry of greatest importance and
on no account to be sacrificed to size alone.
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points
should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should
be regarded in exact proportion to ist degree.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently
testicles fully descended into the scrotum.