Old English Sheepdog

History and Origin

This breed originated at some point in the 19th century from the West Country of England, particularly the counties of Devon and Somerset, in southwestern England. Some of its speculated ancestors are the bearded collie and perhaps the Russian Owtchar. By the late 1800s, this breed made its way to the United States and quickly became a popular choice for wealthy American families. Despite the name, it does not usually herd sheep. Instead, it was originally bred to move cattle along country roads between the pasture and the market.

You do not need to employ this breed as a working dog to enjoy its lovable company, however. You just need to give it plenty of affection and care. It also makes for an excellent show dog that loves to perform for audiences. Alternative names for this breed include the Bobtail or the bob-tail sheepdog. According to the American Kennel Club, it ranks about average in popularity.

3 Pros and Cons of Ownership

Size and Weight

The Old English Sheepdog is a medium- to large-sized breed with a very compact body, a big square head, and a strong, muscular frame. Males weigh more than females on average. Here is a more complete breakdown of its size and weight:

Common Health Issues

The Old English Sheepdog is generally a strong, healthy breed with only a few notable problems. This breed is sometimes afflicted with eye diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy (the gradual loss of function in the retina) and cataracts (a clouding of the eye that is often associated with old age). Another potential health issue is hypothyroidism, which results from the underproduction of the thyroid hormone. Potential symptoms of this condition include lethargy, obesity, temporary cognitive decline, and infertility. Canine hip dysplasia is a genetic disorder that causes a developmental abnormality in the hip socket, resulting in lameness and limping. Other common problems include heart disease, arthritis, and deafness. Cancer is also one of the leading causes of death in this breed. Fortunately, some of these problems can be caught early with an annual health checkup.

Temperament and Behavior

The Old English Sheepdog is a kind and gentle soul with a very friendly and affectionate personality. It is also intelligent and playful in equal measure and just loves to experience new situations and people. Despite being very athletic and energetic, this breed is actually suitable for a variety of different living conditions in both the country and the city. As long as it receives enough exercise every day, it will cause very little trouble around the home. But don’t let its laid-back nature fool you. The Old English Sheepdog actually makes for a good watchdog thanks to its alert personality and a loud and resonating bark. This breed is just an all-around excellent companion wherever you live.

How to Take Care of an Old English Sheepdog

The Old English Sheepdog is a medium to high-maintenance pet. You will get the best result if you socialize and train this breed from an early age as a puppy. This will form a deep lifelong bond with your dog that will encourage it to obey more often.

The Best Dog Food

The Old English Sheepdog requires high-quality dog food to support its moderately active lifestyle. The dog’s age shouldn’t be a huge factor when choosing the type and brand of food. Treats can be given to help guide your dog in training. However, this breed may tend to become overweight, so it is a good idea to limit calorie consumption throughout the day.

Maintenance and Grooming

With its thick coat of double fur, the Old English Sheepdog is not a hypoallergenic breed. It sheds a good amount, though probably not any more often than comparable long-haired or bob-tailed breeds.

In order to prevent matting, tangles, and the accumulation of dirt and grime, this breed does require very careful and thorough grooming around two or three times a week. The fur tends to become quite dirty after outdoor activity and may therefore require periodic baths as well. You should also trim the nails regularly to prevent any discomfort when walking or running. If you do not want the burden of grooming it yourself, then you should take it to a specialty groomer instead.

Training

Obedience training is an important aspect of this breed’s socialization that will teach it basic commands such as sit, come, and stay. Fortunately, the Old English Sheepdog has a strong memory and a laid-back, compliant nature, so training should come relatively easily to it as long as you don’t push it too hard. This breed does not tolerate confinement very well, so you should not leave it in a crate for long periods of time.

Exercise

The Old English Sheepdog requires about one or two hours a day of moderate exercise in the form of walks and play sessions. A large yard is not necessary to keep this breed occupied, but you should make sure there is plenty of space around your home for daily activity. Despite its high energy level, this breed does know when to settle down and relax with the family after a long exercise session.

Puppies

The first thing you will always want to do when buying a new puppy is to make sure it is fully up to date with its vaccines and health checkups. For the best results, you should purchase the puppy from a breeder who actually screens for genetic conditions. You may also notice that the English Sheepdog puppies tend to have a different appearance compared to their adult counterparts. They are born with a black and white coat of fur. The white and gray coat only develops after it sheds for the first time.

With Children

The Old English Sheepdog has a very casual and friendly demeanor for its entire life that makes it well-suited around children. It is patient and tolerant and doesn’t mind rough play. It is just an overall great companion for people of all ages. In fact, this breed is often called a nanny dog because of its kind and supportive role within the family.

Similar Breeds

If you are a fan of the Old English Sheepdog, then you might want to check out the following breeds of dogs, though many of these are not hypoallergenic either.

• Border Collie: Although sporting a shorter coat of fur, this highly intelligent and athletic breed was created in northern England for the purpose of herding livestock. It has a very alert and lively personality that requires lots of physical and mental stimulation.
• Bearded Collie: This breed is very similar to the Border Collie, but it has a very similar appearance to the Old English Sheepdog with the long shaggy hair and white and gray coloration. It is an athletic and intelligent breed with a loyal bearing.
• English Shepherd: With its intelligent and athletic disposition, this breed is similar to the Border Collie. In fact, both the English Shepherd and the Border Collie share a common ancestry around England.
• German Shepherd: Although it has a more wolf-like appearance, the German Shepherd has the temperament and behavior of a traditional herding dog. It is very strong, trainable, and obedient. This makes it ideal for all sorts of tasks such as police duty, disability assistance, and search and rescue.

Famous Examples

The Old English Sheepdog is a fairly popular breed that has appeared in numerous works of fiction and the wider popular culture. Here are just a few examples:

• President Franklin D. Roosevelt briefly owned an English Sheepdog called Tiny between 1933 and 1934. After about a year, he gifted it to his friend, Admiral Cary Grayson.
• Paul McCartney owned an English Sheepdog called Martha between 1966 and its death in 1981. The dog supposedly inspired the song Martha, My Dear. Martha’s offspring, Arrow, later appeared on the cover of a live album.
• The Old English Sheepdog was a mainstay of several powerful American families, including the Vanderbilts, Morgans, Goulds, and Guggenheims.
• The 1959 Disney film The Shaggy Dog is about a teenage boy who transforms into an Old English Sheepdog with the power of an enchanted ring. This breed was also featured in the movies Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the 1989 animated film The Little Mermaid, and One Hundred and One Dalmatians.