- Related Topics:
- herding dog
- working dog
- sheepdog
Old English Sheepdog (OES)
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What is an Old English Sheepdog?
The Old English Sheepdog (OES) is a shaggy herding dog that was developed in western England in the 18th century from Scottish and Russian breeds. They were used as drovers, moving sheep and cattle to market.
OES's are smart, gentle, loving, and protective, making them ideal family companions. They are moderately playful and active, but are willing to relax indoors if their exercise needs are met. The breed learns quickly but can be independent and stubborn.
The OES has a dense double coat that requires regular brushing to prevent tangling and matting. Regular washing can also prevent matting, but the coat should be tangle-free before bathing. The breed also requires regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent destructive behaviors. The Old English Sheepdog's tail was historically docked to prove that it was a working dog, hence the nickname "Bobtail".
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What does the Old English Sheepdog look like?
The Old English Sheepdog (OES) is a compact, shaggy herding dog with a shuffling, bearlike gait, often described as an amble. Its dense, weather-resistant coat is long enough to cover its eyes and can be gray or blue-gray, with or without white markings.
Historically, the tail was commonly docked, leading to the nickname "Bobtail". The OES has the unusual characteristic of being higher in the rump than in the front. Owners should routinely brush their dog's double coat to prevent tangles and matting, or elect to have their dog clipped. If the facial hair is too shaggy, it can obstruct the dog’s vision, which is why some owners use a barrette to hold the hair away from the eyes.
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Where did the Old English Sheepdog breed originate?
The Old English Sheepdog (OES) originated in the west of England in the 18th century. These herding dogs are descendants of Scottish and Russian breeds. They drove sheep and cattle from pasture to market and were known as "drovers". Shepherds would shear the dog annually and use the clippings as yarn to make clothes. Today, the Old English Sheepdog is a member of the herding group. The breed's tail was historically docked to prove the dog was employed and to avoid luxury dog taxes. The dog's bark is often likened to the sound of two metal pots clanging together.
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What were Old English Sheepdogs originally bred to do?
Originally, Old English Sheepdogs (OES) were bred in western England in the 18th century to work as herding dogs. They drove sheep and cattle from pasture to market, working as "drovers." Shepherds would shear these shaggy and smart dogs annually and use their profuse clippings as yarn to make clothes.
Because of the practice of tail docking to show the dog was employed, the breed is also known as "Bobtail".
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What are some common personality traits of Old English Sheepdogs?
Old English Sheepdogs (OES) are smart, protective, gentle, and loving, making them ideal family companions. While moderately active and playful, they are also willing to relax indoors if their exercise needs are met.
OES can be independent and stubborn compared to other herding breeds, requiring a firm hand. They learn quickly and can excel in agility and obedience sports. They generally get along well with other pets and are moderately friendly towards strangers and other dogs.
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What special care or grooming does the Old English Sheepdog need?
The Old English Sheepdog (OES) has a thick double coat that needs regular brushing to prevent tangles and mats. Some owners clip their dog's hair to avoid brushing; however, even clipped coats need weekly combing.
Regular washing helps prevent matting, as clean hair tangles less. It also prevents stains around the mouth and eyes. Owners sometimes use a barrette to keep facial hair out of the dog's eyes.
Because their thick coat can hide issues, owners should check regularly for lumps, bumps, and signs of skin, eye, or ear infections. Nails should be clipped every two weeks, and teeth brushed daily if possible.
1 Britannica SourceCreated from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Old English Sheepdog (OES), shaggy and smart herding dog developed in west England in the 18th century from dogs of Scottish and Russian ancestry. The breed was used as a “drover,” driving sheep and cattle from pasture to market. In earlier times shepherds would shear the dog annually, using the profuse clippings as yarn for making clothes.
- Other names: Old English, Bobtail, OES
- Area of origin: England in the 1700s
- Breed group: Herding
- Height at withers: 21–22 inches (53–56 cm)
- Weight: 60–100 pounds (27–45 kg)
- Life span: 10–12 years
- Did you know? About 1900 the OES became the darling of the rich and famous, with some of America’s wealthiest families—including the Vanderbilts, Guggenheims, and Morgans—owning, breeding, and exhibiting the breed at dog shows. Other famous owners include Paul McCartney, who wrote the Beatles tune “Martha My Dear” (1968; often credited to both McCartney and John Lennon) in honor of his OES, Martha. The breed also starred in the Walt Disney films The Shaggy Dog (1959) and The Shaggy D.A. (1976).
A compact dog with a shuffling, bearlike gait often described as an amble, the Old English Sheepdog (OES) has the unusual characteristic of being higher in the rump than in the front. Its dense coat is weather resistant and long enough to cover the eyes, and it may be gray or blue-gray, with or without white markings. As with many dogs, the tail was historically docked to avoid paying luxury dog taxes, which were levied against nonworking dogs in 18th- and 19th-century England. Tails were docked to prove that a dog was employed; docking the breed’s tail remains common today, hence the dog’s nickname, “Bobtail.” The dog’s unique bark is described as pot-casse, a French word meaning perhaps “cracked bell,” commonly likened to the sound of two metal pots clanging together.
Care and upkeep
The OES has a profuse double coat that tangles and mats easily unless routinely brushed. Some people elect to have their dog clipped to avoid the brushing requirement, but even shorter-haired dogs need at least weekly combing. Regular washing will prevent some matting, as dirty hair tangles more easily, but the coat should be tangle-free before bathing. Stains can form around the mouth and eyes from saliva and tearing, but this can be prevented with regular washing. Urine and excrement can also easily get caught in the dog’s thick coat. If the facial hair is too shaggy, it can obstruct the dog’s vision, which is why some owners use a barrette to hold the hair away from the eyes.
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Because the thick coat can also hide afflictions, these dogs should be inspected head to toe by carefully examining for lumps, bumps, or signs of skin, eye, or ear infections. Nails should be clipped every two weeks, and teeth brushed regularly (daily, if possible).
Regular exercise is required for these strong, historic workers. Although an hour or less of walking and playing outdoors will suffice, their lumbering presence can carry over indoors, and if rambunctious, they can easily knock over objects and smaller kids alike. Their shaggy coat will invariable track leaves and dirt inside, frustrating owners concerned with cleanliness. As with all herding dogs, this is an active breed that also needs mental challenges, and without sufficient exercise and stimulation, they can become destructive diggers and chewers.
Temperament
The OES is smart, biddable, protective, gentle, and loving—an ideal companion for families. However, given their large size and strength, smaller children and older adults may find them too difficult to handle, for they often need a firm hand to control them. It is moderately active and playful but willing to relax indoors as long as its exercise needs are met. It learns quickly but is slightly more independent and stubborn than other herding breeds. Nonetheless, it can do well at the sports of agility and obedience. It gets along well with other pets, is fairly friendly toward strangers, and moderately friendly toward other dogs.
These are well established and widely accepted generalizations about the breed. Individual dogs may differ in behavior and temperament.
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