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Dogs of all nations / a complete work, profusely illustrated, bearing on the world's different varieties of the dog, grouped under their several nationalities, with descriptive matter explaining the characteristics and utility of each cover

Dogs of all nations / a complete work, profusely illustrated, bearing on the world's different varieties of the dog, grouped under their several nationalities, with descriptive matter explaining the characteristics and utility of each

Chapter 32: OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG
By Walter Esplin Mason
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About This Book

The work presents a comprehensive, illustrated breed handbook that catalogs dog varieties grouped by nationality, providing concise descriptions of appearance, coloration, proportions, and utility. Entries focus on measurable traits—size, head, ears, eyes, tail—and general conformation, often noting standard colors, typical weights and working aptitudes; bitches are noted as slightly lighter. The text favors practical identification over theory, aiming to assist enthusiasts and breeders with accessible breed standards and comparative notes rather than exhaustive pedigrees or histories.

OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG

Color: Any shade of gray, grizzle or blue with or without white markings. Height: 24 in. Weight: 65 lbs.

This is a strong, compact dog, profusely coated, with a characteristic ambling when trotting, and owns a thick-set, muscular short body, liberal bone, and a most intelligent expression. The skull is capacious, squarely formed, and well covered with hair. The eyes vary in color according to the shade of the dog. A “wall” or “China” eye is considered typical. The small ears are carried flat to the side of his head. Many are bred tailless, if otherwise they are docked close. The coat is profuse, of good hard texture, not straight, but shaggy, yet free from curl. He should have plenty of undercoat.

This breed is also of very early origin and has been bred in England for some hundreds of years. He is probably a relic of the early pastoral days when the wolf inhabited the British isles, from which the flocks and herds had to be protected. Some authorities claim, however, that he is a descendant of the Russian Owtchar.

WHITE ENGLISH TOY TERRIER

This Toy Terrier should resemble the white English Terrier mentioned on the previous page in every respect except as regards size, which should be under ten inches high and under 6 lbs. weight.