Description: Old English Sheepdog
The Old English Sheepdog is a large, shaggy-coated dog breed known for its distinctive appearance and gentle, friendly temperament. Originally bred in England for herding sheep and cattle, this breed is easily recognizable with its profuse, long coat and characteristic bear-like gait. Old English Sheepdogs are affectionate, intelligent, and social companions, making them excellent family pets. They are known for their patience and good nature with children, and they often become loyal protectors of their household. Although they have a playful side, Old English Sheepdogs do require regular exercise and thrive on activities that engage both their mind and body. Grooming their thick double coat can be time-consuming, but proper care helps prevent matting and keeps them looking their best. Their adaptability and love of people make them well-suited for a variety of homes, provided their needs for mental and physical stimulation are met.
Old English Sheepdog ratings
Properties
The Old English Sheepdog is a large, shaggy breed that originated in England in the early 19th century, primarily used for herding livestock and driving sheep and cattle to market. Known for its trademark profuse coat and distinctive bobtail, this breed is both an iconic working dog and a beloved family companion. The Old English Sheepdog has a powerful, compact, and robust build, with a characteristic bear-like, rolling gait.
Its dense, double-layered coat consists of a soft, insulating undercoat and a harsher outer coat, providing protection from harsh weather conditions during outdoor work. Regular grooming, typically several times a week, is essential due to the breed's tendency to mat and collect debris in its coat. The coat’s grey, grizzle, blue, or merle coloring, often with white markings, adds to the breed’s striking appearance.
Temperamentally, the Old English Sheepdog is renowned for its intelligence, adaptability, and gentle nature. These dogs are highly trainable and eager to please, though occasional stubbornness can occur, making consistent, positive reinforcement important. They thrive on companionship and form strong bonds with their families, including small children, with whom they are patient and protective. Despite their working heritage, Sheepdogs have a clownish and playful spirit, often displayed through their boisterous antics.
The breed requires substantial physical and mental activity to keep them healthy and content, enjoying long walks, running, and interactive play. A home with adequate space and a securely fenced yard is ideal. Early socialization and ongoing training help channel their natural herding instincts and promote good behavior.
Healthwise, the Old English Sheepdog is generally robust but predisposed to some conditions, such as hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, and certain autoimmune disorders. Longevity typically ranges from 10 to 12 years. Their sociable and adaptable nature makes them suitable for diverse environments, as long as their needs for exercise, grooming, and companionship are met. With proper care, Old English Sheepdogs are devoted, affectionate, and entertaining family dogs.
Appearance
The Old English Sheepdog is a large, distinctive, and highly recognizable breed, notable for its iconic shaggy double coat and robust build. Males typically stand at 22 inches (56 cm) or more at the shoulder, while females are just a bit smaller. This breed is powerfully built, with a square, compact body that gives it a solid, athletic appearance. The topline of the body exhibits a characteristic rise over the loins, contributing to an unmistakable, gentle arch from shoulder to rump.
The skull is large and somewhat domed, with a well-defined stop and a strong, square muzzle. Their eyes can be brown, blue, or one of each—a phenomenon known as heterochromia—though the eyes are often partially obscured by the long hair that falls forward from the forehead. Ears are set moderately low, of medium size, and they typically lie flat to the side of the head, mostly hidden by the extended facial hair. The nose and lips are usually black.
The coat is perhaps the Old English Sheepdog’s most distinguishing feature. It is a double coat, with a softer, water-resistant undercoat and a coarse, shaggy outer coat. This gives the dog its characteristic disheveled, fluffy appearance. Coat colors are generally shades of blue, gray, blue-gray, or grizzle (a mixture of dark and light hairs), often with white markings on the head, neck, forequarters, and underbelly. The coat can be straight or slightly wavy and requires regular and diligent grooming to prevent mats and tangles.
Traditionally, the Old English Sheepdog’s tail was docked, which is why many breed standards still refer to the breed having a 'bobtail.' However, tail docking is now illegal or discouraged in many countries, so many present-day Old English Sheepdogs often have full, natural tails. Their powerful, muscular neck leads into well-laid-back shoulders and straight, strong legs, giving the breed its unique, rolling, bear-like gait when moving.
Overall, the Old English Sheepdog’s appearance is both impressive and endearing, defined by its voluminous coat, soft expression, and substantial size, making it an unmistakable figure among dog breeds.
History
The Old English Sheepdog is a distinctive and much-loved breed, instantly recognizable by its shaggy blue-gray and white coat and bear-like gait. The breed’s history dates back to at least the early 19th century in England, though some experts believe its roots stretch even further into the past, possibly to the late 1700s. Originally bred in the pastoral counties of southwestern England, such as Devon and Somerset, the Old English Sheepdog was developed as a drover’s dog, tasked with herding sheep and cattle from the fields to market.
One theory suggests that the breed was created by crossing the now-extinct old English drovers’ dogs with Scottish Bearded Collies and perhaps Russian Owtcharkas (a type of livestock guardian dog). The result was a dog known for its intelligence, stamina, and herding instinct, all wrapped in a thick, weather-resistant double coat that provided protection from the harsh British climate.
The breed became popular among English farmers because of its ability to move livestock efficiently and independently over long distances. Traditionally, their tails were docked – a practice which may have helped distinguish working dogs (who were exempt from taxes). In fact, the Old English Sheepdog was sometimes called the "bobtail," a nod to its trademark docked tail.
The Old English Sheepdog first appeared in the show ring in Birmingham, England, in 1873. From there, its popularity began to spread, and it was introduced to the United States in the late 19th century. American breeders further refined the dog’s abundant coat, gradually giving it the iconic fluffy and voluminous appearance that is so admired today.
While the original working purpose of herding livestock has waned, the Old English Sheepdog became a popular companion and show dog, known for its gentle temperament and affectionate nature. It has entered popular culture through advertisements and films, most notably as the Dulux paint mascot in the United Kingdom.
Despite its popularity as a pet and show dog, the Old English Sheepdog remains true to its working roots, retaining an energetic spirit, keen intelligence, and a loyal disposition. These qualities, along with its striking appearance, ensure the breed’s continued appeal and place in canine history.