Smithfield (dog)

Last updated
Smithfield
SmithfieldJuno.jpg
Other namesSmithfield Collie, Smithfield Sheepdog
Traits
Color Black, grey or red with a white collar or entirely white
Dog ( domestic dog )

The Smithfield, Smithfield Collie or Smithfield Sheepdog is a breed of herding dog. It is a large, strong dog of the collie type. The Smithfield can be black, grey or red with a white collar, or wholly white [1] and they always possess floppy ears and shaggy hair on the body, face and legs. Two varieties exist, with one having a natural bobtail and the second with a longer tail. [2] It was used for droving cattle in the southeast of England, especially the Smithfield Market in London, [3] and although this breed of dog is believed to be extinct and was never recognised by any of the major kennel clubs before its extinction, dogs of a similar type are shown under the same name in Tasmania, Australia.

Contents

Overview

The Smithfield was first introduced to Australia during colonial times. [4] It was a handy dog that was used to work the meat market in Smithfield, London. It is a dog standing from 18 to 21 inches (46 to 53 cm) [5] and has a shaggy appearance. Very little has been documented about this breed, and although it is not a recognised pure breed in the Australian National Kennel Council, it is shown at the Campbell Town Show in Tasmania. Many older farmers still own the breed, as well as some breeders who want to keep the original lines going and maintain effort in the future of the breed. [4] [ unreliable source? ] [5]

Characteristics

SmithfieldJuno1.jpg

Appearance

The Smithfield is different in appearance from the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog. They are sometimes referred to as 'the British Smithfield'. The coat of the Smithfield grows long, coarse and shaggy in nature. As this dog was originally found in England, and was a street dog, this is consistent with staying warm. [6]

Personality

The Smithfield displays characteristics which are friendly, patient, and good with children. However, they are a working breed and require exercise to satisfy this and ensure a relaxed demeanor at home. Chasing a ball, learning tricks, catching a Frisbee will all satisfy a Smithfield which is not being actively used as a herding dog. At home, and as long as they receive an outing and some exercise each day, they will enjoy being with the family and will be happy to lounge around and alert the family to visitors with a friendly bark.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian Kelpie</span> Dog breed

The Australian Kelpie, or simply Kelpie, is an Australian sheepdog capable of mustering and droving with little or no guidance. It is a medium-sized dog and comes in a variety of colours. The Kelpie has been exported throughout the world and is used to muster livestock, primarily sheep, cattle and goats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Border Collie</span> Working dog breed

The Border Collie is a British breed of herding dog of medium size. It originates in the region of the Anglo-Scottish border, and descends from the traditional sheepdogs once found all over the British Isles. It is kept mostly as a working sheep-herding dog or as a companion animal. It competes with success in sheepdog trials. It has been claimed that it is the "most intelligent" breed of dog.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shetland Sheepdog</span> Dog breed

The Shetland Sheepdog, often known as the Sheltie, is a breed of herding dog that originated in the Shetland Islands of Scotland. The original name was Shetland Collie, but this caused controversy amongst Rough Collie breeders of the time, so the breed's name was formally changed. This diligent small dog is clever, vocal, excitable and willing to please. They are incredibly trustworthy to their owners to the point where they are often referred to as "shadows" due to their attachment to family. This breed was formally recognized by The Kennel Club (UK) in 1909.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Herding dog</span> Type of dog used for herding

A herding dog, also known as a stock dog, shepherd dog, sheep dog or working dog, is a type of dog that either has been trained in herding or belongs to breeds that are developed for herding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Collie</span> Type of herding dog

Collies form a distinctive type of herding dogs, including many related landraces and standardized breeds. The type originated in Scotland and Northern England. Collies are medium-sized, fairly lightly-built dogs, with pointed snouts. Many types have a distinctive white color over the shoulders. Collies are very active and agile, and most types of collies have a very strong herding instinct. Collie breeds have spread through many parts of the world, and have diversified into many varieties, sometimes mixed with other dog types.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian Shepherd</span> Breed of dog

The Australian Shepherd is a breed of herding dog from the United States. The name of the breed is technically a misnomer, as it was developed in California in the 19th century, although it has its origins in Asturias, in the northwest of Spain; the breed was unknown in Australia at the time. It is claimed that Australian Shepherds descend from a variety of herding breeds, including collies imported, alongside sheep, from Australia and New Zealand; the breed reportedly took its name from this trade. Originally used solely as a herding dog, the Australian Shepherd has become one of the most popular companion dog breeds in North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rough Collie</span> Dog breed

The Rough Collie is a long-coated dog breed of medium to large size that, in its original form, was a type of collie used and bred for herding sheep in Scotland. More recent breeding has focused on the Collie as a show dog, and also companion. The breed specifications call for a distinctive long narrow tapered snout and tipped (semiprick) ears, so some dogs have their ears taped when young. Rough Collies generally come in shades of sable and white, blue merle, tri-colored, and colour-headed white.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bearded Collie</span> Dog breed

The Bearded Collie, or Beardie, is a herding breed of dog once used primarily by Scottish shepherds, but now mostly a popular family companion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old English Sheepdog</span> Dog breed

The Old English Sheepdog is a large breed of dog that emerged in England from early types of herding dog. Obsolete names for the breed include Shepherd's Dog and bob-tailed sheep-dog. The nickname Bob-tail originates from how dogs of the breed traditionally had their tails docked. Old English Sheepdogs can grow very long coats with fur covering the face and eyes and do not shed unless brushed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tibetan Terrier</span> Dog breed

The Tibetan Terrier is a medium-sized breed of dog that originated in Tibet. Despite its name, it is not a member of the terrier group. The breed was given its English name by European travelers due to its resemblance to known terrier breeds. The Tibetan name for the breed, Tsang Apso, roughly translates to "shaggy or bearded ("apso") dog, from the province of Tsang". Some old travelers' accounts refer to the dog as Dokhi Apso or "outdoor" Apso, indicating a shaggy or bearded working dog which lives outdoors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polish Lowland Sheepdog</span> Dog breed

The Polish Lowland Sheepdog, is a medium-sized, shaggy-coated, sheep dog breed native to Poland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lancashire Heeler</span> Dog breed

The Lancashire Heeler is a small breed of dog developed for use as a drover and herder of cattle. The Lancashire Heeler is listed by the Kennel Club (UK) as an endangered breed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog</span> Dog breed

The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog, commonly known as the Stumpy, is a naturally bobtailed or tailless, medium-sized cattle dog closely related to the Australian Cattle Dog. The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog and the Australian Cattle Dog share Halls Heeler origin. The ancestors of both breeds arrived in Australia with the First Fleet and/or later convict fleets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Huntaway</span> Dog breed

The Huntaway is a large, strongly-built breed of dog used for general sheep-herding tasks in New Zealand, where they originate. They were bred to use their loud, deep bark to drive sheep.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Portuguese Sheepdog</span> Dog breed

The Portuguese Sheepdog is a medium-sized breed of dog of the herding dog type, and is one of the indigenous regional dogs of Portugal. The Portuguese name refers to Serra de Aires, a mountain near Montforte in the Alentejo region. The breed is nicknamed cão macaco for its furry face and lively attitude.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Welsh Sheepdog</span> Dog breed

The Welsh Sheepdog is a breed of herding dog of medium size from Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saint Miguel Cattle Dog</span> Dog breed

The Saint Miguel Cattle Dog is a dog breed of mastiff type originating on São Miguel Island in the Azores, an island chain which is one of the autonomous regions of Portugal. The breed was originally used as a herding dog for working with cattle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Schapendoes</span> Dog breed

The Schapendoes or Dutch Sheepdog, is a breed of dog originating in the Netherlands. The Schapendoes was originally a herding dog and general farm dog, but today also participates in dog sports such as agility and flyball.

The Welsh Grey or Old Welsh Grey was a breed of sheepdog native to Wales. It is probably now extinct.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gaucho sheepdog</span> Dog breed

The Gaucho Sheepdog (Portuguese: Ovelheiro gaúcho) is a dog breed that originated in the Pampas, Brazil. The breed is not recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), but it has been recognized by the CBKC, a Brazilian kennel club affiliated with FCI. Dogs of this breed are often characterized as sturdy and agile, which makes them suitable for herding activities. The Gaucho sheepdog is widely used for herding sheep and other livestock, especially in the southern region of Brazil.

References

  1. "Dog Diaries: The Smithfield, Breed of the Month" [ unreliable source? ] Archived March 18, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  2. "The Smithfield Sheepdog Site, An Overview of the Smithfield" [ unreliable source? ] Archived March 18, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  3. Iris Combe & Pat Hutchinson, The ancestral relationships of contemporary British herding breeds, 2004. Archived June 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  4. 1 2 John Chandler, The "Smithfield" Dog
  5. 1 2 Hartnagle-Taylor, Jeanne Joy; Taylor, Ty (2010). Stockdog Savvy. Alpine Publications. ISBN   978-1-57779-106-5.
  6. "Australian working dog rescue". Facebook. Retrieved 5 December 2017.

See also