OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG

OLD DANISH BIRD DOG
OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG
OTTER HOUND
OWCZAREK PODHALANSKI

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COUNTRY: Great Britain

WEIGHT: 66 pounds or more

HEIGHT: 22 inches or more

COAT: Long, profuse, hard texture, shaggy

COLOR: Any shade of gray, grizzle, blue or blue merle; with or without white markings

OTHER NAMES: Bobtail

REGISTRY: FCI, AKC, TKC, CKC

GROUP: Herding

Despite the name "Old English," evidence suggests the breed is neither old nor all English. An 1835 painting by Sidney Cooper gives us the first illustration of the Bobtail. Its ancestry is through the European shepherd dogs, such as the Bergamasco or Russian owtcharkas, bred to the sheep dogs of the British Islands. The body structure of the OES is more like that of the heavier shepherd dogs seen on the Continent.

Contrary to its nickname, the "Bobtail" was created (by docking), not born. In the 18th century, drovers' dogs, which helped drive the herds to market, were exempt from taxation. To mark these dogs, their tails were docked. The lack of a tail was not a hindrance to the drover's dog, which didn't require the quick turns and stops of the herder. The Bobtail made a good drover's dog: eager, protective of his charges and weather-resistant with his heavy, dense coat. No one spent time on grooming these dogs, however, and they were sheared down annually in the spring along with the sheep. Farmers' wives spun the dog shearings, as well as the sheep's wool, into warm clothing.

Everywhere the breed debuted in shows, it was received with delight. The OES won dedicated fanciers not only in England, but in Canada, the States and other countries around the world, due to its distinctive coat and its singular, rolling gait. That same coat with its time-consuming care, however, has kept its numbers sensible and has not allowed him to become a "dog of the moment." While the pet owner may still resort to the "shear down," the exhibition specimen requires hours of care.

The modern OES retains the appearance of a fluffy clown with the heart of a faithful guardian. The breed is a popular competitor with spectators in the obedience ring and scent hurdle races, and they perform well despite their veil of hair. They tend to be very protective of their possessions. Fanciers recognize the need for a firm hand in training to overcome their strong will.