Posture

Bobtails are total family dogs who immensely enjoy playing with and protecting their humans . Although they are extremely good-natured and cooperative, their roots as herding dogs always come through, as evidenced by the fact that they tend to be independent and can occasionally be stubborn . Therefore, a lot of consistency is needed in the education of dogs. However, it is important to note that Bobtails are also very sensitive and therefore need a lot of feeling. It is essential to set clear boundaries from puppyhood, as dogs tend to jump up on people, for example, due to their exuberance, underestimating their size and weight.

The Bobtail is a real bundle of energy and, as a former herding dog that had to cover long distances, has great stamina and therefore needs sufficient exercise, for example in the form of long daily walks or dog sports. He has talent for sports like agility, flyball, dog dancing and also obedience where he can show not only his physical resilience but also his intelligence. Most importantly, however, is that the bobtail has enough opportunity to run out.

He doesn’t care what the weather is like, as his dense coat means he’s ready for any weather. Only in summer, an overly bushy coat can become uncomfortably warm.

Bobtails are most comfortable in the outdoors, so they are less suitable for city-only homes. The best thing for the dog would be a house with a garden, so that he can sniff fresh air at any time.

Nutrition and care

The Bobtail is very uncomplicated as far as its diet is concerned. He will eat just about anything, which is why you should be careful with spicy leftovers and sweet foods, as eating them is not good for him or can even be dangerous. Especially for families with children, make sure each family member knows what your dog can and cannot eat.

Since the Bobtail is physically very active, it doesn’t tend to be overweight, so you can’t do much wrong when feeding your dog. It can also eat dry, wet and home-cooked food. Just keep in mind with wet food that the dogs’ long fur can sometimes end up in the bowl, making it easy for it to stick. It can also happen that Bobtails tolerate wet food sporadically worse.

For young dogs, it is advisable to use high quality and very nutritious food to prevent diseases and promote healthy growth.

The magnificent coat of the Bobtail, on the other hand, requires more attention. After all, without regular care, this tangles quite quickly. Your dog’s coat needs to be combed thoroughly at least two to three times a week and cleaned of dirt and bugs after every walk. Regular bathing can never hurt either.

If, despite the measures taken, matting occurs, it is advisable to visit a dog groomer. They can also, if you don’t want to do it yourself, do a shearing especially in the summer so your Bobtail doesn’t get so hot.

Also, make sure to keep your dog’s eyes clear. For example, you can carefully trim fur around the eyes, pin it up with clips or even tie a braid.

In addition, you should especially wash the hair around your dog’s mouth regularly.

To avoid discoloration of the coat, you should also clean the fur around the genital area regularly.

Since something likes to hide in the dogs’ thick coat, you should check your Bobtail regularly for ticks and other bugs, as well as injuries. Pay particular attention to the ears and paws.

Bobtails are in themselves very robust against diseases and enjoy basically the best health. However, hip and elbow dysplasias occur occasionally, which is why the selection of a good breeding is particularly important. There is also a slight tendency to cataracts, but this can be counteracted with good nutrition.

In addition, the bobtail sometimes has a genetic defect called MDR1 defect, which can make it sensitive to certain medications.

History

The history of the Bobtail is not fully understood to this day. However, it is clear that he belongs to the oldest dog breeds and especially shepherd dogs of Great Britain. It is believed to be descended from German and English shepherd dogs, as well as Russian and Hungarian shepherd dogs, and was first mentioned in writing in the 18th century. The combination of the characteristics of his ancestors led to his extraordinary robustness and endurance, which was of particular benefit to him when he was used as a shepherd dog. Especially his fur ensured that he could perform his duties of rounding up animals and protecting them from danger in any wind and weather.

In order to mark him as a working animal and therefore pay less tax, the tails of the dogs were docked at that time, which is how he got his name bobtail – “stubby tail”. However, today this practice is no longer carried out.

In addition to its use as a herding dog, the Bobtail was and is also very popular as a show dog.

However, over time, the Bobtail has become mainly a family dog.

Conclusion

The extremely affectionate, active and friendly Bobtail is suitable for people who can offer him a lot of affection and employment. The dog feels most comfortable when he has his family around him, can play with them and protect them. Those who are ready to take on themselves the elaborate care of the furry dog and optimally find joy in it, will gain an extremely loyal, bright and clever family member.