The Youandi Breeding Philosophy
Anyone can breed dogs… But breeding a good Old English Sheepdog takes much more than simply putting a male and a female together. My breeding philosophy focuses primarily on quality rather than quantity, which means that since 1990, an average of just one litter per year has been born. My girls never have more than three litters in their lifetime, and almost always with a responsible interval of at least 18 months between litters. (See also the [Litter Overview].)
The FCI breed standard describes the characteristics an Old English Sheepdog should possess (see [Breed Standard]), and this is always the ideal I have in mind when planning a litter. Of course, priorities have to be set…
Health comes first.
Originally, the OES was a sheepdog that worked every day, spending day after day out in the fields with the flock, walking and working. Even today, an OES should still be capable of doing just that. This is only possible if the dog is healthy, which is why I breed exclusively from dogs that are fundamentally sound and healthy.
Selection is based on official health examinations, such as eye and hip tests, but overall health also plays an important role. Skin problems, a weak immune system, poor condition and other vague or persistent complaints may indicate underlying congenital or hereditary issues. It is impossible to test dogs preventively for every possible condition, but by using common sense and experience, it is possible to select healthy, strong breeding dogs rather than continuing to breed from dogs with ongoing health problems.
Temperament is almost as important as health.
Historically, sheepdogs had to do their work without disturbing the flock. The OES of today should still be a friendly dog, completely free from aggression and with a stable temperament.
An OES is also intelligent and, by nature, should be capable of making its own decisions without becoming stressed, fearful or hyperactive. Temperament is inherited too, which is why I have high standards for both parents in every breeding combination.
Appearance is naturally an essential part of the whole picture.
Not every grey-and-white ball of fluff is an OES in my eyes… The breed standard clearly describes, among other things, a compact dog, correctly constructed to trot for hours without expending excessive energy, enabling it to work for extended periods. The OES should have a deep chest to support stamina, a broad skull to accommodate the brain, and a thick coat with the correct texture to provide protection.
Dog shows are an important way of having my dogs assessed against these characteristics by judges. Thanks to the many awards and victories my dogs have achieved at international shows throughout Europe, under numerous independent all-round judges and breed specialists, I know that my dogs meet this ideal and rank among the best.
For me, all these breed characteristics combined — health, temperament and appearance — form the ideal Old English Sheepdog. They are essential considerations when selecting the parents for a litter.
With every combination I make, I aim to improve the breed, combining not only health but also beauty and brains. Nobody is perfect, and neither are my dogs. However, by matching the right male with the right female, I can strive to take another step closer to the ideal.
This is rarely the easiest path, but the positive feedback I receive from puppy owners about their dogs’ health and temperament, together with the show successes my dogs achieve, reassures me that I am on the right track.
I will almost never repeat a combination, because doing so adds little to the already limited gene pool of our beautiful breed. Simply producing more puppies is not enough.
After all, anyone can breed dogs by putting a male and a female together… but breeding a true Old English Sheepdog takes a great deal more!
