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NATURE OF
THE SHEEPDOG
This is an
article written years ago by Serena VanRensselaer who owned the
famous “Ceiling Zero,” about the nature of the sheepdog. It was
recently reprinted in the AKC Gazette and I think is worth
having.
TELL ME ALL ABOUT OLD ENGLISH
First we might say the Old English Sheepdog
remains a true working dog – with all that it implies. Yes he is
glamorous, adorable, affectionate, anxious to please, a
homebody, and can live anywhere. His habits are clean, his
character entirely reliable. But as a working dog he is also a
husky, powerful, very energetic, vital, exuberant and extremely
intelligent dog. He can bowl over a big man at play, he can be
very stubborn and very dignified about it if rudely ordered
about; he uses his mind and many inborn talents. He does not
roam but his herding instincts are so strong that he may come to
harm if loose, his love of man so strong that he will pick up
with strangers. His beautiful coat must be understood and must
be maintained. He needs a family to perform all of the duties
nature leads him to discover as his purpose in life. The family
can be any number, any age, and it does not matter where or how
they live. Our dog wishes only to be with them always, and to
enrich each day in his amazing ways.
A sheepdog is not a “sometime-thing,” an
ornament, a toy or a status symbol. He is real, honest, and bred
marvelously for all the endurance of body and mind which makes
the working group the largest and most diversified group
(Columnist’s Note: written, of course, when present Working and
Herding groups were one). They are endowed with every physical
and mental quality to keep them able and anxious to extend man’s
feebler powers in many fields, as they perform tasks beyond
man’s strength and agility. They can still do their original
jobs, but they can also adapt to a remarkable degree for
innumerable other purposes. Their affinity for man, their
understanding and their devotion set the workers apart.
IDEAL CONFORMATION
Among the working dogs, ours is ideally
constructed. He hews to an original standard – the strong,
compact, cobby, able-bodied muscular body called for, the
balance, and symmetry of his conformation, the broad head,
graceful arched back, high rump, short hocks, the very nose,
ears, toes, as well as the double coat and its specified
texture, his ringing “pot-casse” bark, are all for one purpose –
enduring soundness and stamina, the ability to move tirelessly
all day as well as to put on any burst of speed needed, to
withstand extremes of climate and weather, to be impervious to
attacks from enemies ranging from insects to wild beasts, and to
use his own resources with the unruffled assurance of his wit,
humor and strong character. The perfect balance of his
proportions remain the same regardless of his size. This
balance, achieved through three or four years to his full
maturity, also ensures the extended prime of a sound Old
English. He is rare among larger breeds for retaining his vigor
and full powers of mind, body and senses to the ages of ten,
twelve or more. His even temperament and his humorous outlook –
his perfect faith in the goodness of man and of life, keep him
young in spirit as well. It does not come often, but when it is
clear that the chips are down, good will is of no avail, the
full power of his wrath, and the legendary bravery, courage and
disregard of extreme pain make him the most formidable and
effective of foes. It also breaks one’s heart in his extremes of
distress.
OTHER QUALITIES
In his present role as companion, we find our
dog can also be a fine hunting dog or retriever, at home, on
land or in water. He stays by his master, he misses no sound or
motion, he is keen always, and has a fine soft mouth. No Old
English Sheepdog is a food snatcher or a careless bone crusher.
He gently takes the choicest tidbit. He is the Nannie supreme –
every herding and guarding instinct urges him to unfailing
responsibility for the wanderings and disaster imminent for all
toddlers. Hen gently steers them away from possible falls,
dunkings and disasters and keeps them on limits. He defends them
from man and beast, even from well deserved discipline from
parents. With older and grown children he adapts to proper
rowdyism. There is no sport, land or water, in which he does not
join with enthusiasm.
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