Old English Sheepdog

Bobtail, OES

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Face-On View

3/4 View

Sideways View

Standing View

Summary

The Old English Sheepdog is a large, shaggy herding breed known for its gentle temperament and profuse coat, originating from England and used for droving sheep and cattle. They are now primarily kept as family companions, requiring daily grooming and moderate exercise.

Origin and Purpose

Developed in the west of England as a drover of sheep and cattle to market, now primarily a family companion.

Appearance

Dimensions

Gender	Height	Weight
Female	21 inches (53 cm) and up	60-100 pounds (27-45 kg)
Male	22 inches (56 cm) and up	60-100 pounds (27-45 kg)

Coat

Attribute	Notes
Color	Any shade of gray, grizzle, blue, or blue merle, with or without white markings. The undercoat may be brown, fawn, or gray.
Type	Profuse, double coat
Length	Long, thick, and shaggy

Care

Attribute	Notes
Shedding	Heavy
Grooming	Daily
Drooling	Low

Body

Attribute	Notes
Head	Large and squarely shaped
Skull	Capacious, rather square
Ears	Small and lie flat to the side of the head
Eyes	Dark brown or blue, or one of each. May be partially or completely blue.
Nose	Black, large
Muzzle	Long and broad
Teeth	Scissor bite
Neck	Long and arched
Forequarters	Well-muscled and powerful, with straight, well-boned legs
Fore Legs	Straight and well-boned
Hindquarters	Round and muscular with well-bent stifles
Hind Legs	Well-muscled and strong
Feet	Small and round, toes well arched and close
Tail	Docked or naturally bobbed. When present, tail is of moderate length, low-set, and carried down.
Gait	Powerful, elastic, and effortless

Temperament

Intelligent, gentle, good-natured, and even-tempered. Can be independent.

Social

Attribute	Notes
Affectionate with Family	Very affectionate
Good with Children	Good
Good with Dogs	Good with early socialization
Good with Cats	Good with early socialization
Openness to Strangers	Reserved
Playfulness Level	Moderately playful
Protective Nature	Protective
Adaptability Level	Adaptable

Working Roles

Drove sheep and cattle to market, herding, family companion, show dog.

Exercise Needs

Moderate; requires daily walks and playtime

Health

Prone to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, bloat, and deafness.

Additional Notes

Requires early socialization and training. Needs consistent grooming to prevent matting. The breed’s coat can be very dense and prone to matting if not properly cared for.

References