Sporting a mop of uncombed hair and his namesake "bobtail," the Old English Sheepdog ranks high on everyone's list of most recognizable and lovable shaggy dogs. Under these famous strands stands a working droving dog of exceptional skill and talent, and more than a dollop of personality. The Old English Sheepdog, prized as a family dog of boundless affection and energy, warms the hearts of owners around the world. Written by breed authority and breeder-judge Ann Arch, this new book provides an insightful look at the history and characteristics of the Old English Sheepdog as well as the breed standard. The author provides everything an owner needs to know about puppy selection and care, feeding, grooming, obedience training, health care and maintenance. New owners will welcome the author's advice about housebreaking, puppy-proofing the home and preventing puppy problems. In addition to an authoritative, comprehensive text, this book presents over 135 photographs in full color, which prove to be as informative as they are attractive. Book jacket.
Whether you are interested in working dogs for a hobby, on the ranch, or for serious trial competition, Stockdog Savvy will be an invaluable aid. Beginning with chapters on herding dog characteristics, instinct, and choosing a herding dog, the Taylors explain how to prepare your puppy and do basic foundation training. The book progresses to starting the dog on stock and developing a useful working dog and ends with advanced lessons and preparing for the various types of competition. If you want to learn about working stockdogs, this is the book for you! Learn how to: • Select, care for and train a working stock dog. • Teach your dog to work cattle, sheep, goats, foul or exotic livestock. • Choose the right type or breed of livestock, care for and handle them correctly. • Train a dog for work on a ranch, the open range, or in the trial pen. • Recognize more than 60 different herding breeds and much, much more.
An accidental-friendship story packed with humor from author-illustrator Eric Barclay Sheep is an expert at protecting sheep—or so she thinks until one happy afternoon when she bumps into a very hairy someone on the farm. “Who are you?” she asks. “I’m the sheep dog!” the someone says. “I watch the sheep.” Holy begonia! Sheep knows this can’t be right. After all, she’s the pro! So Sheep goes off to get everything Sheep Dog needs to get the job done, but each time she goes, something almost happens to Sheep… And it's Sheep Dog who saves the day! For fans of Goodnight Already! by Jory John, You Will Be My Friend! by Peter Brown, and Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle, this hilarious and tender friendship story proves that even the best watchers must look out for one another.
The PERFECT guide for any new Bobtail owner! Learn everything you need to know including: Preparing your home for a Sheepdog Training during the first few weeks Proper Nutrition and Diet for a Sheepdog Avoiding the common mistakes most new Old English Sheepdog owners make Exercise tips and Socialization ideas See an Old English Sheepdog in the show ring with its immaculately-groomed, flowing coat and it's hard to imagine the hard knock life for which they were originally bred. Beneath all that fur and abundant fringe, there lies the heart and soul of a working dog. Big-boned and robust, the Old English Sheepdog is never happier than when at the center of attention or in the middle of the action. First appearing in the mid 1700's, this comparative newcomer to the canine world was originally bred for the tough life of a drover in Southwest England. Here, they were responsible for driving sheep and cattle to market. It was at this time that they picked up the nickname Bob-Tails because of their docked tails which identified them as working dogs and allowed their owners to avoid paying pet tax. Tasked with guarding and moving sheep and cattle across windswept moors and dales, they are doubly blessed with brain and brawn. Their loyalty and companionship are beyond reproach, but it is the breed's sense of fun that is as strongly imprinted in their DNA as their instinct to herd. The Old English Sheepdog is often called the clown prince of dogs, which is a great indication of the indelible imprint he leaves on owners and breeders alike. A large breed, adult Old English Sheepdogs reach around 21-22'' at the shoulder and weigh as much as 80 pounds. Hugely affectionate and attention seeking, they will never be far from their owner's side. So, if personal space is high on your list of priorities, this may not be the ideal breed for you. As long as an OES is part of the family, it doesn't matter if you live in a penthouse or a farmhouse. What does matter, though, is exercise and lots of it. Be aware, this love of human company also means that your new best friend will not make a good yard dog. Everything about this breed is larger than life, from their abundant shaggy coat to their outgoing quirky character. They also live to around 12-years of age, so making this affable breed of dog a member of the family is a long-term commitment. For all these reasons, knowledge of this large breed is essential before committing to welcoming one into your family. Are you intending to go down the puppy route, or maybe offering a loving home to a rescue dog? Then the chapters of this guide will provide you with all the information you need to get the best from your big bouncy bob tail.
#1 New York Times Bestseller In this pathbreaking guide, two of the world’s most popular and trusted pet care advocates reveal new science to teach us how to delay aging and provide a long, happy, healthy life for our canine companions. Like their human counterparts, dogs have been getting sicker and dying prematurely over the past few decades. Why? Scientists are beginning to understand that the chronic diseases afflicting humans—cancer, obesity, diabetes, organ degeneration, and autoimmune disorders—also beset canines. As a result, our beloved companions are vexed with preventable health problems throughout much of their lives and suffer shorter life spans. Because our pets can’t make health and lifestyle decisions for themselves, it’s up to pet parents to make smart, science-backed choices for lasting vitality and health. The Forever Dog gives us the practical, proven tools to protect our loyal four-legged companions. Rodney Habib and Karen Becker, DVM, globetrotted (pre-pandemic) to galvanize the best wisdom from top geneticists, microbiologists, and longevity researchers; they also interviewed people whose dogs have lived into their 20s and even 30s. The result is this unprecedented and comprehensive guide, filled with surprising information, invaluable advice, and inspiring stories about dogs and the people who love them. The Forever Dog prescriptive plan focuses on diet and nutrition, movement, environmental exposures, and stress reduction, and can be tailored to the genetic predisposition of particular breeds or mixes. The authors discuss various types of food—including what the commercial manufacturers don’t want us to know—and offer recipes, easy solutions, and tips for making sure our dogs obtain the nutrients they need. Habib and Dr. Becker also explore how external factors we often don’t think about can greatly affect a dog’s overall health and wellbeing, from everyday insults to the body and its physiology, to the role our own lifestyles and our vets’ choices play. Indeed, the health equation works both ways and can travel “up the leash.” Medical breakthroughs have expanded our choices for canine health—if you know what they are. This definitive dog-care guide empowers us with the knowledge we need to make wise choices, and to keep our dogs healthy and happy for years to come.
CLASSIC More than 200K in print In a modern-day parable about a man and his transforming love for his dog, Lass, best-selling author Phillip Keller paints a vivid picture of God's love for the unlovable. What you see is not always what you get - and this true story of a man and his dog is no exception. Woven just under the surface of this simple parable, Keller presents profound spiritual truth. It is the story of Lass, a worthless animal thought to be untrainable, who becomes a magnificent and valuable sheepdog - not terribly unlike how God's love can transform our worst characteristics into blessings that serve to further His Kingdom. Allow yourself to see Biblical truth in this classic tale of what can happen when you yield to the Master.
Originally published in early 1930s. The author was a Past President of the Old English Sheepdog Club and also Founder of the American Old English Sheepdog Club. The illustrated contents deal with every aspect of this much loved breed. Chapters include: History and some Old Time Breeders - Hints to Beginners - Description - Nutrition - Management - Breeding and Whelping - Puppies - Ailments - Training and Working - Shows and Showing - Judging - Abroad - Some Recollections - Financial Side etc. Many of the earliest dog books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Home Farm Books are republishing many of these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.
This book covers the history of the Polish lowland sheepdog and everything the owner needs to know to look after them, whether the dog is simply a pet or a pedigree show dog.