What makes the Welsh Sheepdog Unique?
This dog is very capable of using its own initiative and making on the fly decisions as well as accepting direction from its owner when acting in a herding role. This dog is a herding dog that is considered to be a loose-eyed herder, meaning he does not fixate his eye contact onto the animals he is herding, like the Border Collie does. They love to work and as such would not be a good choice for those looking to keep them solely as a pet.
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Is the Welsh Sheepdog Right For You?
The Welsh Sheepdog is generally bred for its working abilities, and therefore does vary in build, color and size. Most are usually black and white, red and white, or tricolor, but merely markings are also frequent over any of these.
This dog is very capable of using its own initiative and making on the fly decisions as well as accepting direction from its owner when acting in a herding role. This dog is a herding dog that is considered to be a loose-eyed herder, meaning he does not fixate his eye contact onto the animals he is herding, like the Border Collie does. They love to work and as such would not be a good choice for those looking to keep them solely as a pet.
In 5 Words
- Alert
- Energetic
- Tenacious
- Independent
- Intelligent
Characteristics
Learn About the Welsh Sheepdog
Description
General Description
The Welsh Sheepdog is a collie type dog that is medium sized and well proportioned. They have longer legs, a broader chest and wider muzzle than the Border Collie. The coat can be rough or smooth in appearance and coloration will range from black, black and white, black and tan, red, roan or blue merle with or without white markings. The ears are alert and pricked and generally folded at the tips, these dogs are extremely intelligent working dogs and as such would require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation if they were to be kept as a pet.
Size
This dog has a size between 38 to 48 cm (15 to 19 inches) tall for male and 38 to 46 cm (15 to 18 inches) tall for female. They weighs in between 13.6 to 20.4 kg (30 to 45 pounds) for males while females weighs between 12.2 to 19 kg (26.9 to 41.9 pounds)
Coat
Coat types can be may be short or fairly long. It’s color is usually, black and white, red and white, and black and reed.
Short History of the Welsh Sheepdog
Believed to have been established in the 19th century, the Welsh Sheepdog was developed in Wales. Working collies in Scotland met up with some old native Welsh breeds to form the Welsh Sheepdog, also called the Welsh Collie. Some of the Welsh breeds in its ancestry are the shaggy Old Welsh Grey, the Black and Tan Sheepdog and the sable or blue-merle Hillman. The Welsh Sheepdog Society was formed in 1997.
Temperament
The intelligence of the Welsh Sheepdog combined with their natural herding instinct provides a breed that is extremely adaptable in their herding work. This dog is very capable of using its own inititive and making on the fly decisions as well as accepting direction from its owner when acting in a herding role.
In the field they can spring to flush sheep from undergrowth or rocks, or they can eaily use their tremendous agility,stamina and courage to turn a 1500lb+ cow. In the pen or on enclosed land it is not uncommon for the Welsh Herding dog to run across the backs of sheep if they become jammed, they are also capable of catching and holding full grown lambs or sheep on command.
The will of this dog is to work and as such would not be a good choice for those looking to keep them soley as a pet.
Caring for Your Welsh Sheepdog
General Health
With the formation of the Welsh Sheepdog Society in 1997. The main area of importance at this point in the breeds preservation would be a solid and regulated breeding program that strictly prohibits the breeding of siblings or relatives and ensures that breeding stock is properly tested for the presence of existing defects prior to breeding.
Care
With a coat that is similar to that of a Border Collie, brushing at least once a week to remove mats or tangles would be recommended. However, this is a working dog and grooming for this breed would realistically consist of cutting out mats or the occasional hose bath, the absolute minimum necessary to ensure they remain healthy and are able to perform at peak levels.
Grooming & Bathing
With a coat that is similar to that of a Border Collie, brushing at least once a week to remove mats or tangles would be recommended. However, this is a working dog and grooming for this breed would realistically consist of cutting out mats or the occasional hose bath, the absolute minimum necessary to ensure they remain healthy and are able to perform at peak levels.
Exercise & Training
This herding dog is extremely active, and needs a job to do.
Welsh Sheepdog Picture Gallery
