Old English Sheepdog

Old English Sheepdog
Pair of Old English Sheepdogs
Alternative names
Bobtail
Country of origin
United Kingdom
Classification and breed standards
FCI: Group 1 Section 1 #16 Stds AKC: Herding Stds ANKC: Group 5 (Working Dogs) Stds CKC: Group 7 - Herding Dogs KC(UK): Pastoral Stds NZKC: Working Stds UKC: Herding Dog Breeds Stds

An Old English Sheepdog is a [[dog breed|breed of dog formerly used for herding livestock, and now primarily kept as a pet. They are best known for their shaggy grey and white fur which also covers their face, including their eyes, which leads some casual observers to wonder how they can see.

Appearance

Males generally weigh 70 to 90 pounds (although some can get up to 100 pounds); females, 60 to 80 pounds. They stand around 22 inches at the withers. Their long coats can be any shade of gray, grizzle, blue, or blue merle, with optional white markings. The undercoat is water resistant. The Old English Sheepdog's abundant coat is an effective insulator in both hot and cold weather.

Temperament

This breed is intelligent, funny, social, and adaptable. It generally gets along well with children, other dogs, other pets, and visitors. Like all herding breeds, it requires plenty of exercise, both mental and physical.

Care

The long coat requires thorough brushing at least weekly, and the long hair around the pads of the feet can form mats if it isn't kept trimmed.

Miscellaneous

Famous Sheepdogs

• Martha, sheepdog belonging to Paul McCartney
• Shag from Road Rovers
• The Shaggy Dog
• Ambrosius from Labyrinth

Sheepdogs on film

In the 1991 film Hook, an Old English Sheepdog played the Darling family's dog, Nana. The breed also figures prominently in both the animated and live-action versions of 101 Dalmatians.