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 and description

Male height at the withers: from 61 cm;

Bitch's height at the withers: from 56 cm;

Weight: 45-46 kg

Color: all shades of gray, blue, graying, marbled blue with white markings. The body and rump are plain with white “socks”. Markings in the area of ​​solid color are undesirable. The head, neck, chest and belly should be white. Brownish or beige coloration lowers points.

Additional characteristics: large dogs with a strong build, they stand out from others with their long and dense hair. The eyes are dark, a black rim around the eyes is desirable. Blue color of both eyes is allowed. Eyes of different colors are a disqualifying factor.

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 the Bobtail Breed

It is known that this breed originated in the counties of Devon and Somerset in western England.

Most dog experts are confident that the dog in Gainsborough's painting, painted in 1771, belongs to the ancestors of the bobtail. It is very likely that their ancestors included bearded collies and South Russian Shepherd dogs.

The breed was valued by shepherds for its incredible skills in herding sheep flocks. The bobtail has a deep guttural bark, which helped him cope with his charges.

In 1873, the first specimens were exhibited in England under the name “cattle dog”. They immediately attracted attention due to their unusual appearance.

In 1880, dogs were brought to the United States, and within 5 years, half of the ten richest families in America had these pets. The cream of society constantly held exhibitions and competitions of their favorites.

The name itself means "short tail" . The fact is that the tax on dogs was collected based on their tails, the tails of working dogs were docked, and the tax was not paid. Today, many countries have banned tail docking, so, for example, in America, a long tail is not a reason for disqualification at an exhibition.

Why are cats without tails?

Geneticists explain the origin of cats with short tails by mutation. If we take the Isle of Man hypothesis as a basis, then we need to keep in mind the influence of inbreeding, as well as the passage of the mutated gene from generation to generation.

The nosological group of Manx was divided into rampies (no tail at all), risers (single-vertebral process), stumpies (short tail), longies (regular).

Bobtails can be completely tailless or short-tailed. The English words bob - pompom and tail - give rise to the name for the branch of short-tailed animals under the name bobtail.

Character and temperament

Even the standard states that a bobtail cannot be aggressive or nervous. This is a calm dog that loves to sleep and lie on the couch.

Easily adapt to any environment, neat and smart. One of the advantages is the lack of stubbornness ; they are ready to agree with the owner in everything.

You don't have to be afraid to leave your children with him. Sometimes the bobtail pushes people under the knees with its head: this is an echo of its herding past.

An attentive guard of the house, he is sensitive to the boundaries of his territory, therefore, when these boundaries are violated, he barks loudly, attracting attention.

Origin

The history of bobtails begins on the thresholds of Buddhist temples. There, on the tops of the Himalayan mountains, lived white temple cats, guarding the shrines of the monks. These animals, distinguished by their courage and high intelligence, gradually migrated from the Himalayas to the territories of eastern countries. So, in Japan, keeping such cats at home was an honor; they were groomed and cherished. However, the semi-wild cat nature took over and they left.

The journey brought the temple cats to the Kuril Islands. Outside of human homes, cats took care of themselves. Hunting and the need for defense forced the Japanese Bobtail to change. An increase in size, an unusual color for the ancestor, a lack of fear of water and claws that cats never fully retracted - these are the changes the breed has undergone.

Non-retractable claws are one of the features of bobtails. Thanks to this, today smokers running around the apartment make clicking sounds.

With the arrival of people from Siberia in the Kuril Islands, the bobtails had a new neighbor, with whom he immediately found a common language. The newcomer turned out to be a large, long-haired domestic Siberian cat. Thanks to the union of these two breeds, the modern standard of the Kuril Bobtail emerged.

Dog and man

It will be difficult for this breed to settle into a family where people are often away from home. But in a family with children, he will become a nanny and playmate.

A bobtail is adopted as a first dog , as its docile nature will make training easier.

Interesting Facts:

The breed has appeared in the following cartoons:

• "101 Dalmatians"
• "Mermaid",
• "Lady and the Tramp"
• "Raccoons"
• "Cats vs dogs."

Bobtail is one of Sir Paul McCartney's .

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.

Maintenance and care

The best place to live would be a country house , where the dog can walk around the yard when he needs it.

You need to walk your dog twice a day every day. This can be an ordinary walk; the breed's activity level is such that it does not need exhausting and long walks . But, if you live in the city, then you need to provide your dog with exercise.

The fur is often a special source of pride for owners . Oddly enough, it does not require any super complex care. The dog needs to be thoroughly combed once a week and washed when the coat becomes dirty. Periodically, the animal is trimmed in the abdominal area.

Show-class pets receive a special haircut that maintains length and allows them to demonstrate the beauty of their fur. It is better if the animal becomes familiar with these procedures at an early age. If the dog is not exhibited, then many prefer to cut it short.

You will also need to trim your nails regularly and check the cleanliness of your ears.

What to feed

The dog is not picky about its diet, but it is important that it receives all the necessary vitamins and microelements that will maintain healthy hair. The menu includes the following products:

1. Meat and poultry. Any meat can be given raw or boiled, choosing low-fat varieties.
2. Offal - tripe and liver, as well as bones and cartilage for chewing.
3. Fish is allowed raw. To satiate, there should be 2 times more fish than meat.
4. Vegetables - almost any, except beets and carrots. An excess of them can tint your pet's fur in strange colors.
5. Cereals as the main food ingredient.

Special foods may be offered to your puppy to ensure he gets all the vitamins and minerals he needs. In the future, dry food should be given in parallel with the main diet, but it cannot replace homemade food.

Important! A bobtail should have two bowls, one for water and one for food. You need constant access to water - you need to take a bottle with you even on walks. It is also worth feeding the animal at the same time.

The breed often suffers from food allergies. This problem is solved by one-time selection of the correct diet, which is then adhered to. There is no need to worry about the lack of variety: a bobtail will eat whatever is given to it with equal pleasure , as long as it replenishes the energy spent.

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.

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.

Training

It is better to start training a bobtail as early as possible. The animal is growing rapidly, in a matter of months it grows from 6 kg to 35-40 kg.

Particular attention should be paid to herding instincts : it strives to “herd” everything that surrounds it. And we're not just talking about people and animals: cyclists and moving cars can also become the object of your pet's attention. We need to teach him obedience and fight such characteristics.

The approach to teaching should be friendly but firm. Bobtails are smart and quick-witted dogs, they can easily understand what is required of them.

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.

Breed photo

A selection of photos of cheerful bobtails.

Upbringing

Raising a bobtail can be managed with a certain amount of persistence and experience. On the one hand, they are very smart and truly enjoy learning. Because of their herding dog instincts, bobtails happily take on challenging tasks . It is not for nothing that they are willingly filmed - the dog is able to learn not only ordinary, but also non-trivial commands.

On the other hand, due to their shepherd's pedigree, animals of this breed are independent and quite stubborn . The dog follows any commands as long as it likes it, but they quickly get bored with the routine. They need to be trained from a very early age, consistently, patiently and persistently. Bobtails react sensitively to the owner’s voice, and they can easily sense whether he is confident or not. The owner of this dog must be perceived by it as a leader, the leader of the pack - only then is obedience possible on a permanent basis.

Important! You cannot beat a bobtail or take it out in a bad mood. One unfair punishment is enough for the dog to stop obeying.

The best option would be motivational training; it will keep the dog interested all the time.

It is worth remembering that the bobtail is a very loyal dog that strives to establish as close contact with its owner as possible.

Diseases

Bobtail cats are in good health and have not been diagnosed with any genetic diseases. However, some bobtail breeders note that the absence of a tail can cause inflammation of the anus and rectal prolapse. Therefore, it is important to examine your cat from time to time to identify redness or cracking in the anus in advance. Otherwise, all bobtails need the usual procedures for all cats - preventive vaccination and treatment for parasites.

The life expectancy of bobtail cats is quite high. With proper care, they live for more than 15 years.

Mekong Bobtails are the longest-living breed not only among bobtails, but also among cats in general. Their lifespan is 20-25 years.

Mekong cats are the longest-livers of the cat world.