Breed library

Old English Sheepdog

Also known as Shepherd's Dog.

Old English Sheepdog photograph.
Old English Sheepdog (side).jpg - AKS.9955. CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Old_English_Sheepdog_(side).jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0. License: CC BY-SA 4.0.

Breed overview

The Old English Sheepdog is a large breed of dog that emerged in England from early types of herding dog. Other names for the breed include Shepherd's Dog and . The nickname Bob-tail (or Bobtail) originates from how dogs of the breed traditionally had their tails docked. Old English Sheepdogs can grow very long coats with fur covering the face and eyes and do not shed unless brushed.

  • Breed type: dog breedBreed reference breed kind.
  • Country of origin: EnglandBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

  • The Old English Sheepdog comes from the pastoral type dogs of England.
  • In the early 19th century a bobtailed drovers dog, called the Smithfield or Cotswold Cor, was noticed in the southwestern counties of England and may have been an ancestor.
  • Most fanciers agree that the Bearded Collie was among the original stock used in developing today's breed.
  • Some speculate that the Russian Owtchar was among the breed's ancestors.
  • The Old English Sheepdog was at first called the "Shepherd's Dog" and was exhibited for the first time at a show in Birmingham, England, in 1873.

Size and appearance

The Old English Sheepdog is a large dog, immediately recognizable by its long, thick, shaggy grey and white coat, with fur covering their face and eyes. The ears lie flat to the head. Historically, the breed's tail was commonly docked (resulting in a panda bear-like rear end), but tailed Old English sheepdogs are now common, as many countries have outlawed cosmetic docking. When the dog has a tail, it has long fur (feathering), is low set, and normally hangs down. The Old English Sheepdog stands lower at the shoulder than at the loin, and walks with a "bear-like roll from the rear". Height at the withers is at least 61 cm (24 in), with females slightly smaller than males. The body is short and compact with a deep chest and 'well-sprung' ribs.

  • Body mass reference: 30 - 40 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 30 - 40 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Body mass reference: 36 - 46 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 36 - 46 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 56 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 56 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 56 cm or moreBreed reference height. female, minimum.
  • Height reference: 61 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 61 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 61 cm or moreBreed reference height. male, minimum.
  • Coat layers: double
  • Coat length: long
  • Coat texture: shaggy
  • Height category: tall
  • Weight category: large
  • Weight category: giant

Personality and behavior

Care planning: record what your dog enjoys, how they greet visitors, and how they respond to new places. Add notes after walks and training so you can see their habits over time. Where this profile includes behavior research, use the same named measures when comparing your shortlist.

  • Attachment and attention seeking (C-BARQ mean): 2.22 / 4Owner-reported attachment and attention seeking factor mean for US reference population Old English Sheepdog.
  • Chasing (C-BARQ mean): 1.64 / 4Owner-reported chasing factor mean for US reference population Old English Sheepdog.
  • Dog-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.77 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Old English Sheepdog.
  • Dog-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.72 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Old English Sheepdog.
  • Energy (C-BARQ mean): 2.31 / 4Owner-reported energy factor mean for US reference population Old English Sheepdog.
  • Excitability (C-BARQ mean): 2.06 / 4Owner-reported excitability factor mean for US reference population Old English Sheepdog.
  • Familiar-dog aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.25 / 4Owner-reported familiar-dog aggression factor mean for US reference population Old English Sheepdog.
  • Non-social fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.77 / 4Owner-reported non-social fear factor mean for US reference population Old English Sheepdog.
  • Owner-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.21 / 4Owner-reported owner-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Old English Sheepdog.
  • Separation-related problems (C-BARQ mean): 0.63 / 4Owner-reported separation-related problems factor mean for US reference population Old English Sheepdog.
  • Stranger-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.43 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Old English Sheepdog.
  • Stranger-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.35 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Old English Sheepdog.
  • Touch sensitivity (C-BARQ mean): 0.40 / 4Owner-reported touch sensitivity factor mean for US reference population Old English Sheepdog.
  • Trainability (C-BARQ mean): 2.51 / 4Owner-reported trainability factor mean for US reference population Old English Sheepdog.

Exercise and activities

The Old English Sheepdog can compete in dog agility trials, obedience, Rally obedience, Schutzhund, showmanship, flyball, tracking, and herding events. Herding instincts and trainability can be measured at noncompetitive herding tests. Old English Sheepdogs that exhibit basic herding instincts can be trained to compete in herding trials.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

  • Coat layers: double
  • Coat length: long
  • Coat texture: shaggy

Health and lifespan

A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 12.1 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

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Breed history

The Old English Sheepdog comes from the pastoral type dogs of England. A small drop-eared dog seen in a 1771 painting by Gainsborough is believed by some to represent the early type of the Old English Sheepdog. In the early 19th century a bobtailed drovers dog, called the Smithfield or Cotswold Cor, was noticed in the southwestern counties of England and may have been an ancestor. Most fanciers agree that the Bearded Collie was among the original stock used in developing today's breed. Some speculate that the Russian Owtchar was among the breed's ancestors.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. Old English Sheepdog - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Old English Sheepdog, revision 1378831360. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Old_English_Sheepdog&action=history
  2. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  3. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  4. File:Old English Sheepdog (side).jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Old English Sheepdog (side).jpg - AKS.9955. CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Old_English_Sheepdog_(side).jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
  6. AKC national parent club directoryAmerican Kennel Club Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. Names and verified external links only. No source descriptions, logos or endorsement reused.