THE OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG 63 



in his classes reached a total of over one hundred, and there 

 was no gainsaying the quality. 



This satisfactory result is due in no small measure to the 

 initiative of the Old English Sheepdog Club, a society founded 

 in 1888, with the avowed intention of promoting the breeding 

 of the old-fashioned English Sheepdog, and of giving prizes at 

 various shows held under Kennel Club Rules. 



The pioneers of this movement, so far as history records 

 their names, were Dr. Edwardes-Ker, an enthusiast both in 

 theory and in practice, from whose caustic pen dissentients 

 were wont to suffer periodical castigation ; Mr. W. G. Weager, 

 who has held office in the club for some twenty years ; Mrs. 

 Mayhew, who capably held her own amongst her fellow- 

 members of the sterner sex ; Mr. Freeman Lloyd, who wrote 

 an interesting pamphlet on the breed in 1889 ; and Messrs. J. 

 Thomas and Parry Thomas. 



Theirs can have been no easy task at the outset, for it 

 devolved upon them to lay down, in a succinct and practical 

 form, leading principles for the guidance of future enthusiasts. 

 It runs thus : 



General Appearance A strong, compact-looking dog of great sym- 

 metry, absolutely free from legginess, profusely coated all over, very 

 elastic in its gallop, but in walking or trotting he has a characteristic 

 ambling or pacing movement, and his bark should be loud, with a 

 peculiar pot casse ring in it. Taking him all round, he is a thick-set, 

 muscular, able-bodied dog, with a most intelligent expression, free 

 from all Poodle or Deerhound character. 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. Jaw Fairly long, strong, square and truncated ; the stop should 

 be defined to avoid a Deerhound face. The attention of fudges is particu- 

 larly called to the above properties, as a long, narrow head is a deformity. 

 Eyes Vary according to the colour of the dog, but dark or wall eyes 

 are to be preferred. Nose Always black, large, and capacious. 

 Teeth Strong and large, evenly placed, and level in opposition. Ears 

 Small, and carried flat to side of head, coated moderately. Legs 

 The fore-legs should be dead straight, with plenty of bone, removing the 

 body to a medium height from the ground, without approaching 

 legginess ; well coated all round. Feet Small, round ; toes well 

 arched and pads thick and hard. Tail Puppies requiring docking 

 must have an appendage left of one and a half to two inches and the 

 operation performed when not older than four days. Neck and Shoulders 



