Welsh Sheepdog

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Welsh Sheepdog

Tricolour Welsh Sheepdog

Country of origin

Nicknames

Welsh Collie

Traits

Classification & standards

The Welsh Sheepdog (sometimes known as the Welsh Collie) is a breed or landrace of herding dog from Wales, in Welsh called Ci Defaid Cymreig (pronounced /kiː dɛvaɪd kəmˈrɛɨɡ/, "kee devide kumrayg").

The Welsh Sheepdog's life span is 12-15 years.

Like other types of working dog, Welsh Sheepdogs are normally bred for their herding abilities rather than appearance, and so they are generally somewhat variable in build, colour and size. Welsh Sheepdogs are of collie type, usually black-and-white, red-and-white or tricolour, and merle markings may occur over any of these combinations. The coat may be short or fairly long, and the ears are pricked, but usually folded at the tip. They are extremely active, and are unsuited to being kept as pets.

Over many decades the Welsh Sheepdog has been widely replaced in Wales for working sheep by the Border Collie, but in more recent years efforts have been made to maintain the indigenous Welsh Sheepdog as a distinct type.

Welsh Sheepdogs are usually of loose-eyed action, not fixing the stock with their gaze like the strong-eyed Border Collie. They are able to work independently without necessarily being under direct human control. Welsh Sheepdogs are most often used for herding sheep, but also readily work cattle, goats, and even horses and pigs. Traditionally they were often used as droving dogs to take cattle and sheep to markets locally or elsewhere in Britain.