Old English Sheepdog

Old English Sheepdog

The tradition of docking the tail of the Old English Sheepdog (OES) began when droving dogs were exempt from taxes; the shepherds docked their dogs' tails to positively identify them.

History:

The Old English Sheepdog was developed in the West Country of England during the 1800s. They are probably the product of crosses between the Bearded Collie and imported large European Sheepdogs such as the Bergamasco. For a while it was thought that the Old English Sheepdog was related to Sheepdogs from the Himalayan regions, but that theory has now been discarded. During the nineteenth century, the Old English Sheepdog, or Bobtail, was widely used for herding flocks of sheep or for droving them to market. In 1873, the OES made its show debut in Britain, and its popularity has grown so much that it is now a popular pet all over the world.

Physical characteristics:

Under the coat, the OES has a compact, powerful body with no exaggerations. Height: 22 - 24 in (56 - 61 cm). Weight: around 66 lb (30 kg). The actual shape of the OES is difficult to see at first glance, as this breed is adorned by a huge shaggy coat that covers it from head to docked tail. The coat is harsh and crinkled, and should never curl or be straight. As puppies, the coat is white with dark slate markings, usually a saddle, but the dark colors fade with age to finish in various shades of blue, gray or grizzle.

The profuse coat gives the impression that an Old English Sheepdog has a huge head; in fact, while it is broad and strong, it is not cumbersome. The dark brown eyes are set wide apart and the small ears hang close to the head. The only part of the head that shows is the nose, and that is black and large.

Behavior:

This large dog retains much of the intelligence formerly required of it from its working days. These dogs can, however, be quite variable in their temperament. Mostly they are of a stable disposition and very gentle. However, a small minority can be rather fearful of people and other dogs. This fear can translate into aggression. This problem appears to be inherited, and intending owners should purchase their puppy from a reputable breeder.

This dog's coat is truly magnificent, but it does take a lot of effort to maintain it in top condition. It is wise to allow sufficient time for the coat to thoroughly air-dry after bathing, to avoid the musty odor. This dog is easy to train and once it has been cleared of any congenital problems, it will make a marvelous companion animal.