FCI Standard for the Old English Sheepdog

by admin · 21/12/2023

Size:

Weight Range:

Head (Skull, Eyes, Ears, Nose, Muzzle, Lips, Teeth):

Skull: Broad and preferably square, providing ample space for the brain. The forehead has a clear indentation between the skull and muzzle.
Eyes: Brown, blue, or one of each. Darker shades are preferred for brown eyes. Typical for blue eyes are gray, blue-gray, or ringed eye colors.
Ears: Medium-sized, lying flat against the head.
Jaws/Teeth: Moderately long, strong, square, and shortened. Scissor or pincer bite.

Body (Neck, Chest, Back, Forequarters, Skin):

Neck: Moderately long, gently arched.
Back Line: The back is slightly lower than the withers but shows no signs of weakness.
Forequarters: Shoulder blades slope backward, and front legs are absolutely straight and well-boned.

Limbs (Forequarters, Shoulders, Upper Arm, Elbows, Forearm, Pasterns, Hindquarters, Thighs, Hock Joints, Hocks, Feet):

Body: Short and compact, chest deep and wide, ribs well-sprung but not barrel-chested.
Hindquarters: Round and muscular, hocks low-set.
Chest: Well-supported ribs with good elasticity.
Feet: Small, round, with well-arched toes and thick, tough pads.

Tail:

Gait/Movement:

Energetic and powerful movement with a relaxed and low-frequency stride. Elastic and bouncy when running. Head position is lower than usual during motion.

Disqualifications:

Any deviations from the above points are considered defects. White patches on the coat with gray or blue are disqualifying, as are deviations in head, body, or limb standards. The severity of the deviation determines the disqualification, considering its impact on the dog’s health and quality of life.

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