226 THE OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG 



It should be noted that this same coat must be 

 hard in texture and not soft or woolly. 



Old writers differ materially in their estimates 

 of his size, origin, and disposition. Youatt speaks 

 of him 9,5 being comparatively small in the northern 

 and open parts of the country, where activity was 

 required, while in enclosed districts, in order to get 

 greater strength, he was crossed with some larger 

 dog, such as the rough Terrier, sometimes the 

 Pointer, and now and then with the Bulldog. As 

 regards disposition, the same writer remarks : " If 

 he be but with his master he lies content, indifferent 

 to every surrounding object, seemingly half asleep 

 and half awake, rarely mingling with his kind, rarely 

 courting and generally shrinking from the notice 

 of a stranger ; but at the moment duty calls his 

 sleepy, listless eye becomes brightened ; he eagerly 

 gazes on his master, inquires and comprehends all 

 he is to do, and, springing up, gives himself to the 

 discharge of his duty with a sagacity, and fidelity, 

 and devotion too rarely equalled even by man 

 himself." 



To keep a bobtail fit arid well he must have plenty 

 of liberty. He is usually so well behaved that there 

 is really no object in chaining him. A daily groom- 

 ing with a stiff dandy-brush will prevent the coat 

 from matting. Unless too much inbred he is quite 

 hardy. 



The Old English Sheepdog Club thus describes 

 the dog : 



SKULL. Capacious, and rather squarely formed, 

 giving plenty of room for brain power. The parts 

 over the eyes should be well arched and the whole 

 well covered with hair. 



