Smithfield (dog)
Encyclopedia
The Smithfield, Smithfield Collie or Smithfield Sheepdog is a type of herding dog
. It is a large, strong dog of collie
type. The Smithfield can be black, grey or red with a white collar, or wholly white 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. It was used for droving cattle in the south-east of England, especially the Smithfield Market in London, 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 similar type are shown under the same name in Tasmania
, Australia.
, 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 a future of the breed.
.
The Dogs are shown under five categories:
with the Smithfield Champion Award being chosen from winners of each class.
Whilst it is accepted that they are not a registered breed as such, there is sufficient interest and acceptance in Tasmania of the breed for this event to be held. The show is held in early June, usually with over forty entries, and the dogs are presented in natural condition. Purity is decided by the dog’s owner, solely on the basis of the dog’s appearance and regardless of known or suspected ancestry; all dogs are required to be genuine working dogs.
Herding dog
A herding dog, also known as a stock dog or working dog, is a type of pastoral dog that either has been trained in herding or belongs to breeds developed for herding...
. It is a large, strong dog of collie
Collie
The collie is a distinctive type of herding dog, including many related landraces and formal breeds. It originates in Scotland and Northern England. It is a medium-sized, fairly lightly built dog with a pointed snout, and many types have a distinctive white pattern over the shoulders. Collies...
type. The Smithfield can be black, grey or red with a white collar, or wholly white and they always possess floppy-ears and shaggy hair on the body, face and legs. Two varieties exist, with one having a natural bobtail
Natural bobtail
A natural bobtail is an animal's tail which due to a mutated gene grows unusually short or is missing completely. The genes for the shortened tail may be dominant or recessive....
and the second with a longer tail. It was used for droving cattle in the south-east of England, especially the Smithfield Market in London, 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 similar type are shown under the same name in Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
, Australia.
Overview
The Smithfield was first introduced to Australia during colonial times. It was a handy dog used to work the meat markets in Smithfield, London. It is a dog standing from 18 to 21 in (45.7 to 53.3 cm) 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 CouncilAustralian National Kennel Council
The Australian National Kennel Council is the peak body in Australia responsible for promoting breeding, showing, trialling, obedience, and other canine-related activities and the ownership of temperamentally and physically sound purebred dogs by individuals across Australia. It was formed in...
, 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 a future of the breed.
Exhibition at the Campbell Town Show, Tasmania
Each year Smithfields are exhibited at the Campbell Town Show, held in Campbell Town, TasmaniaCampbell Town, Tasmania
Campbell Town is a town in Tasmania, Australia, located on the Midland Highway. At the 2006 census, the town had a population of 772.Campbell Town was originally one of the four garrison towns linking Hobart and Launceston. Today, it acts as the only major rest area on the Midland Highway, with...
.
The Dogs are shown under five categories:
- Pure Smithfield Dog
- Pure Smithfield Bitch
- Partbred Smithfield Dog
- Partbred Smithfield Bitch
- Pure or Partbred Smithfield Puppy
with the Smithfield Champion Award being chosen from winners of each class.
Whilst it is accepted that they are not a registered breed as such, there is sufficient interest and acceptance in Tasmania of the breed for this event to be held. The show is held in early June, usually with over forty entries, and the dogs are presented in natural condition. Purity is decided by the dog’s owner, solely on the basis of the dog’s appearance and regardless of known or suspected ancestry; all dogs are required to be genuine working dogs.