A very shaggy dog, the Old English Sheepdog, also known as the “Bob-tailed Sheepdog” and the “Shepherd’s Dog”, is a breed that descends from the English countryside. With its iconic appearance and pastoral lifestyle, the Old English Sheepdog is a sight to behold. Read on to learn more about this charming canine!
1. These Dogs Come from England
The Old English Sheepdog hails from the British Isles. Its name is somewhat of a misnomer; this breed isn’t particularly old. It was developed around the late 1700s, and these dogs were used more to drive livestock to villages rather than herd them in pastures (as you will learn more later).
This dog was at first known as the Shepherd’s Dog, and some farmers would even shear this dog’s coat and weave their fur into yarn for use in clothing. While originating around England, the Old English Sheepdog’s ancestry consists of breeds descending from other parts of the world, including Scotland and Russia. The Bearded Collie of Scotland is accepted by many fanciers to be one of the Old English Sheepdog’s ancestral breeds, and others believe that the South Russian Ovcharka also had some influence in its bloodlines.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) would recognize the Old English Sheepdog as a breed in the year 1888, and as of 2024, this breed has been ranked number 77th out of 201 breeds in terms of popularity.
2. These Dogs Are Well-Known in Popular Culture
The Old English Sheepdog has been depicted many times in popular culture. Most notably, this breed was featured in the 1959 Disney film “The Shaggy Dog”, which is a very popular comedy film about a boy who gets turned into an Old English Sheepdog. The classic cartoon films “The Little Mermaid” and “101 Dalmatians” (also from Disney) have Old English Sheepdog characters as well.
The paint company Dulux has an Old English Sheepdog as a mascot, and the agency responsible for its advertisements is very selective on which dogs can be cast as mascots. Dogs in their advertisements are kept as similar in appearance as possible. Paul McCartney from the famous English rock band The Beatles wrote the song “Martha, My Dear” as a tribute to his beloved Old English Sheepdog. It helps that this breed’s physical appearance is very iconic and well-known to the public eye.
3. This Breed Was Created to Drive Livestock
The Old English Sheepdog was bred for the main purpose of driving livestock, such as cattle and sheep, to the market; due to this, it was sometimes nicknamed the “drover’s dog”. While considered a herding breed, this canine was used more so to push livestock rather than gather them up in herds.
Traditionally, the Old English Sheepdog’s tail was docked, giving them the nickname “Bob” or “Bobtail” as a sign that these dogs were working animals, making them exempt from taxation. The lack of a tail used as a rudder didn’t hinder this hard-working canine from performing its laborious duties pushing herds upon herds of stubborn farm animals. Docking and cropping is opposed by the American Veterinary Medical Association along with other animal welfare groups, so Old English Sheepdogs with full tails are becoming a much more common sight.
As you will read later, the Old English Sheepdog’s history as a working animal is important to note as this canine requires moderate amounts of exercise despite its rather cumbersome appearance.
4. They Were Historically Owned by the Wealthy
The Old English Sheepdog was admired by some wealthy elites in the United States upon its arrival sometime in the 1880s. The Old English Sheepdog was first promoted by wealthy industrialist William Willis, who resided in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This promotion must’ve caught the attention of both rich and common folks, as interestingly enough five of the richest families in the country all owned and even bred these wonderful canines just around 20 years later. The dogs had their caretakers, groomers, and other staff members who catered to the important canines in the kennels. These pampered pooches definitely received the royal treatment!
5. These Active Dogs Require Lots of Exercise
While its cumbersome appearance may give the impression that the Old English Sheepdog is a lazier breed, this is only partly true. Being a working breed at heart, this canine needs to exercise every day. While not a hardcore athlete, the Old English Sheepdog requires considerable amounts of physical activity to thrive. While an hour of exercise a day should suffice, more is always appreciated. Walks and outdoor playtime sessions are great for this fun-loving breed, along with the classic game of fetch.
The Old English Sheepdog can also exercise its athletic potential with many different types of canine athletic competitions, allowing them to exercise both physically and mentally. Agility trials are great for this breed as they can peruse through an obstacle course in a certain period of time. Obedience, tracking, and even herding trials are also great sports for an Old English Sheepdog to participate in.
6. These Dogs Require Regular Grooming
The Old English Sheepdog’s double coat needs to be both combed and brushed weekly; if left unbrushed, the coat can develop mats and other uncomfortable tangles. Some people prefer having their sheepdogs clipped, but this should be done with absolute caution as this breed sports a double coat. If you desire to have your dog’s coat trimmed shorter, leave some fur out as being shorn down too much can cause more harm than good.
Grooming is a great way to bond with your dog, but a professional groomer can also satisfy these needs. It is important to note however that not all groomers know specifically how to maintain an Old English Sheepdog’s unique coat. While bathing can help keep your canine’s coat nice and clean, it doesn’t have to be done very frequently as overbathing can strip the natural oils from your dog’s fur.
The fur around an Old English Sheepdog’s paw pads must be trimmed for hygienic purposes as it will minimize filthiness on your canine’s feet. Your dog’s ears also need to have the inside fur plucked and cleaned to prevent earwax buildup and/or infection. Your dog’s nails should also be trimmed every few weeks to prevent discomfort. Brushing your dog’s teeth is essential to maintain great dental health for your canine; while brushing them every day is highly recommended, two to three times a week can also suffice. While dental chews are often enjoyed, it is important to know that these treats aren’t substitutes for actual tooth brushing.
7. Old English Sheepdogs Have Some Health Issues
While the Old English Sheepdog is a relatively robust breed, this canine can be prone to some common health problems. Hip dysplasia, a health condition that affects other large dog breeds equally, is one such problem that can occur in the Old English Sheepdog. This occurs when your canine’s hip joints don’t grow properly, causing them to become misaligned. While a management plan can be set up by a veterinarian to mitigate pain and discomfort, extreme cases may require surgical intervention.
Bloat, or gastric dilation volvulus, is another condition to understand, as it is deadly if left untreated. This occurs when your dog’s stomach fills with gas, and suddenly twists on itself. The Old English Sheepdog is also prone to hypothyroidism and cataracts. Another important thing to consider is this canine’s weight gain, as the shaggy coat of this dog can make it difficult to observe any signs of gaining weight. Obesity should never be ignored at all, as this can cause health problems for your pets ranging from arthritis and lethargy to heart disease and even cancer!
8. This Breed Requires Love, Patience, and Praise
For the right owner, an Old English Sheepdog can be a wonderful family companion. However, it is important to note that raising this dog requires lots of patience and praise. As with all other breeds, training and socialization should begin as soon as possible to curb unwanted behaviors, such as excessive barking and reactivity.
The Old English Sheepdog is known to have an independent streak and may come off as rather stubborn; the ideal owner should establish boundaries with a firm but gentle disposition. This intelligent breed responds well to praise but can become bored quickly with repetitive training routines. As with all other dogs, the Old English Sheepdog responds very poorly to harsh treatment.
The Old English Sheepdog usually gets along well with children, though each individual has its set of quirks. While this dog loves to lounge around as equally as fulfilling its exercise needs, the Old English Sheepdog is not recommended for those living in apartments or other small house settings. They need ample space to truly thrive!
