Old English Sheepdog
Other names: Bobtail
A real sheepdog deep down, the Bobtail loves to have animals that they can “herd like sheep”: they always try to gather together groups of animals or people that they meet. Today, this dog is mainly kept as a pet; very sweet and friendly, but not docile. They therefore need an expert hand. A good guard dog but never aggressive, they are also a wonderful companion for children of all ages.
Key facts about the Old English Sheepdog
Origins and history
They are a breed with ancient origins: they most probably come from the same old Asian Sheepdog that gave birth to the Berger de la Brie (Briard) in France, the Shepherd of Bergamo in Italy and the Komondor in Hungary. The Bobtail was selected for the first time at the time of the Hundred Years War and the Briard is undoubtedly part of their genealogy.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 1 - Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs)
Section
Section 1 : Sheepdogs
Physical characteristics of the Old English Sheepdog
Adult size
Female : Between 22 and 24 in
Male : Between 24 and 26 in
Weight
Female : Between 77 and 88 lb
Male : Between 77 and 88 lb
Coat colour
The head, neck, forelimbs and belly areas are white (with or without marks) and the rest is grey, ranging from all shades of grey or blue.
Type of coat
The coat is long.
Very thick, the hair isn’t straight but should in no case be curly; it must be shaggy (scruffy). They have a dense undercoat.
Eye colour
The eyes are usually dark brown or parti-coloured. Blue eyes are accepted but not sought after.
Description
The Old English Sheepdog is a large, strong and compact breed, with a square-shaped torso and thick hair all over their stocky, muscular body. The head has a broad and rather square skull, bulging at the forehead. The stop is well-defined, and the muzzle is strong and square, the length being half of that of the whole head. Their small ears are set on either side of the head. Their limbs are straight and perpendicular to the body. Sometimes, the tail is amputated naturally; otherwise, it’s covered by thick, fringed hair.
Good to know
In English, “Bobtail” means shortened tail because of the English Shepherd’s choice to cut their tails during the puppy’s first few days. Some say that English shepherds practiced this to escape the “luxury tax” that concerned pet dog owners: the cut tail was therefore a sign that the dogs were not going on display and were not domestic. Others prefer the hygienic assumption that cutting the tail prevents it from becoming too dirty.