Old English Sheepdog Breed

Great Britain

It is difficult to believe that the Old English Sheepdog was really a dog whose mission was to guard herds – that is, by judging of its abundant hair that a current breed specimen has. – In old times, these dogs were much robust and aggressive as they could in order to be able to scare prey animals that approached to the herd. Since the breed has turned into a more house dog and company dog type, it has turned – as it happened to other "re-tamed" breeds – calm, friendly, and affectionate. Its nickname of Bobtail (trimmed or removed tail), as it is commonly named (when it is not official), comes for the fact that its tail is quite short.

The Old English Sheepdog has a strange aspect, with strong built and an abundant coat that covers it entirely. It should be a little higher from the loin that at withers, a circumstance that gives him an undulating way of walking. The coat must be not only abundant & shaggy, but also of good hard texture.

The color is normally greyish-blue with or without white spots. Its height at withers is about 60 cm for male dogs and a little less for female dogs.