Springer Spaniel Sheepdog -- English Springer Spaniel X Old English Sheepdog (Bobtail)

		Springer Spaniel Sheepdog
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Great Britain -> U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Springer Spaniel Sheepdog

The Springer Spaniel Sheepdog, a hybrid of the English Springer Spaniel and the Old English Sheepdog (Bobtail), could be considered a plush, furry mix of old English history, combining the known hunting, retrieving and tracking talents of the English Springer Spaniel with the herding, hunting and good-natured character of the Old English Sheepdog to create a versatile, affectionate watchdog and family companion. His talents and skills include hunting, searching and spotting game, herding, driving cattle and amazing agility. One skill not necessarily appreciated is that of "sitting on your lap", but, more seriously, he'll happily share the sofa, armchair, car driver's seat or your bed at the slightest opportunity.

History of the Springer Spaniel Sheepdog

The Springer Spaniel Sheepdog is a hybrid of the English Springer Spaniel and the ancestral English Sheepdog. No information has been found on the hybrid itself. We can therefore assume that it originated in the USA in the late 1900s or early 2000s, when interest in combining pure breeds for various reasons became more popular. To better understand our hybrid, let's take a brief look at its parent breeds. There is currently no organization recognizing the Springer Spaniel Sheepdog hybrid.

	A little of the English Springer Spaniel
	The English Springer Spaniel is thought to have originated in Spain, and the dogs were transported to the UK and around the world by trading ships and with the Romans, and are mentioned in Welsh law in 300 AD. Before the invention of guns, this ancient breed was bred to hunt, flush and bring game out of its den, then retrieve it for its masters. Today, they are still used for their versatility in hunting and retrieving, and are extremely popular in conformation shows. Today's English Springer Spaniel comes in two varieties: one that performs in the conformation ring and one that performs in the field, with very few Springers found in both fields. The English Springer Spaniel was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1910 and is the 26th most popular breed on its register.

	Standard of the English Springer Spaniel


	A little of the Old English Sheepdog (Bobtail)
	The Old English Sheepdog (Bobtail) also originated in the UK, in the western counties, where it was developed as a cattle driver and sheep herder. The approximate date of its origin is unknown, but it is known that a painting was discovered in 1771, depicting a dog resembling an earlier version of the Ancestral English Sheepdog. The breed's popularity grew in agricultural farming, where it became a working breed, to the point that owners were exempted from taxes when they docked their dogs' tails to identify them as working dogs rather than pets. In spring, when the sheep were shorn, so was the ancestral English Sheepdog, its fur being used for clothing and blankets. The Old English Sheepdog arrived in the United States in the 1880s and became very popular. By the 1900s, it was owned by five of the wealthiest families. It was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888 and is currently the 75th most popular breed in its registry, the breed's high level of maintenance being responsible for a decline in popularity today.

	Standard of the Old English Sheepdog (Bobtail)

Appearance of the Springer Spaniel Sheepdog

The Springer Spaniel Sheepdog is a hybrid of the English Springer Spaniel and the Old English Sheepdog, and can inherit appearance traits from either or both of its parent breeds. The Springer Spaniel Sheepdog hybrid can measure from 48 to 61 centimeters and weigh from 22.5 to 41 kilos. Its coat can be double, long, shaggy and thick, or dense, medium-length and perhaps water-repellent, the most common colors being merle, blue, gray, white, black, brown and red. Its body may be square, compact and strong, or medium-sized and compact, with a deep chest and a head that is either large or in proportion to its size, and a tail of variable length. Its eyes may be blue or brown, or one of each, or they may be dark hazel or brown, depending on the coat color, its nose may be black or liver and the teeth probably come together in a scissor bite. Ears may be medium or long, folding back towards the nose and held close to the head.

Temperament of the Springer Spaniel Sheepdog

Your Springer Spaniel Sheepdog hybrid is a cross between an English Springer Spaniel and an ancestral English Sheepdog, and may have the temperament and personality traits of either or both of its parent breeds. The traits it can inherit are: friendliness, affection, vigilance, gentleness, cheerfulness, energy, intelligence, love, loyalty, mischievousness, protection and sociability. He will bark at the approach of a stranger and will be wary of that stranger until he feels there is no danger to his human family. He should be socialized as soon as possible to get along well with children, the family cat, other dogs and the aforementioned strangers. He can be a frequent barker, so keep this in mind if you live in noise-restricted areas. He can be quite independent, which, combined with his high level of intelligence, can make him moderately difficult to train. It's very important to firmly and lovingly establish who's in charge as early in life as possible, as he may decide he knows more than you do, another trait that can complicate the training process.

Needs and activities of the Springer Spaniel Sheepdog

Your Springer Spaniel Sheepdog is an active dog who will need at least 2 hours of exercise a day. This exercise can take the form of long daily walks, playtime in a dog park, fenced yard or other secure enclosure, interactive games such as fetch, Frisbee, flyball, earth dog activities, agility training, obedience training and search activities. He can adapt to life in an apartment or condominium, provided his exercise needs are met and noise restrictions are taken into account. It can also adapt well to a family home, with or without a fenced yard, in an urban or rural environment, in a temperate climate that offers extra protection against extremes of temperature, whether hot or cold.

Maintenance of the Springer Spaniel Sheepdog

The Springer Spaniel Sheepdog belongs to the high-maintenance, constant-shedding category, as it takes its constant-shedding character from its ancestral English Sheepdog parent. He'll probably need brushing two or three times a week, if not daily, to remove loose hairs, debris, knots and tangles, and to distribute essential oils throughout his coat. He probably won't need bathing, unless he's dirty or has a doggy smell, to prevent loss of these vital oils. She's in the high category for drool, a contribution from the ancestral English Shepherd Dog parent, and in the low category for doggy odor. Her ears should be checked weekly and cleaned if necessary with absorbent cotton and a dog-approved earwash solution. Check his nails often and trim them at least once a month or as needed, unless he can manage to remove them with his normal physical activities. Brush his teeth at home two or three times a week to prevent the development of periodontal disease and subsequent tooth loss.