Information on AKC Old English Sheepdog Puppies
AKC MEET THE BREEDS®: Old English Sheepdog
Its trademark is its beautiful, profuse coat, but the intelligent and agile Old English Sheepdog (OES) can easily complete any demanding task asked of him by a shepherd or drover. Square in build and possessing great strength, the OES enjoys working and is seen in the conformation, obedience, agility and herding rings today with their characteristic shuffling gait. His coat, which serves as insulation, can be any shade of gray, grizzle, blue or blue merle with or without white markings.
A Look Back
The Old English Sheepdog originated in the early 19th century in the western counties of England, and is believed to have descended from the Scotch Bearded Collie and the Russian Owtchar. The OES herded sheep and cattle into major city markets, earning the nickname "bobtail" due to their docked tails. The short tail signaled their working status, earning their owners a tax exemption.
Right Breed for You?
The OES is an athletic animal, filled with clownish energy, and therefore requires regular exercise or a job to do. Although affectionate with his family, he may try to herd people or other objects. If the coat is of the correct texture, the breed should not be any more difficult to groom than other long-haired dogs, provided a dog is introduced to it early.
If you are considering purchasing an Old English Sheepdog puppy, learn more here.
- Herding Group; AKC recognized in 1888.
- Size: 21 inches tall and upward at the shoulder.
- Sheep/cattle driver.
© The American Kennel Club, Inc.
Old English Sheepdog Breed Standard
General Appearance
A strong, compact, square, balanced dog. Taking him all around, he is profusely,
but not excessively coated , thickset, muscular and able-bodied. These
qualities, combined with his agility, fit him for the demanding tasks required
of a shepherd's or drover's dog. Therefore, soundness is of the greatest importance.
His bark is loud with a distinctive "pot-casse" ring in it.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Type, character and balance are of greater importance and are on no account
to be sacrificed to size alone. Size-- Height (measured from top of withers to the ground),
Dogs: 22 inches (55.8 cm) and upward. Bitches: 21 inches (53.3 cm) and upward. Proportion-- Length (measured from point of shoulder to
point of ischium (tuberosity) practically the same as the height. Absolutely
free from legginess or weaselness. Substance-- Well muscled with plenty of bone.
Head-- A most intelligent expression.
Eyes-- Brown, blue or one of each. If brown, very dark is
preferred. If blue, a pearl, china or wall-eye is considered typical. An
amber or yellow eye is most objectionable. Ears-- Medium sized and carried flat to the side of the head. Skull-- Capacious and rather squarely formed giving plenty
of room for brain power. The parts over the eyes (supra-orbital ridges)
are well arched. The whole well covered with hair. Stop-- Well defined. Jaw-- Fairly long, strong, square and truncated. Attention
is particularly called to the above properties as a long, narrow head or
snipy muzzle is a deformity. Nose-- Always black, large and capacious. Teeth-- Strong, large and evenly placed. The bite is level
or tight scissors.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck-- Fairly long and arched gracefully. Topline-- Stands lower at the withers than at the loin with
no indication of softness or weakness. Attention is particularly called
to this topline as it is a distinguishing characteristic of the breed. Body-- Rather short and very compact, broader at the rump
than at the shoulders, ribs well sprung and brisket deep and capacious.
Neither slab-sided nor barrel-chested. The loin is very stout and gently
arched. Tail-- Docked close to the body, when not naturally bob
tailed.
Forequarters
Shoulders well laid back and narrow at the points. The forelegs dead straight
with plenty of bone. The measurements from the withers to the elbow and from the
elbow to the ground are practically the same.
Hindquarters
Round and muscular with well let down hocks. When standing, the metatarses are
perpendicular to the ground when viewed from any angle.
Feet
Small and round, toes well arched, pads thick and hard, feet pointing straight
ahead.
Coat
Profuse, but not so excessive as to give the impression of the dog being overly
fat, and of a good hard texture; not straight, but shaggy and free from curl.
Quality and texture of coat to be considered above mere profuseness. Softness
or flatness of coat to be considered a fault. The undercoat is a waterproof pile
when not removed by grooming or season. Ears coated moderately. The whole skull
well covered with hair. The neck well coated with hair. The forelegs well coated
all around. The hams densely coated with a thick, long jacket in excess of any
other part. Neither the natural outline nor the natural texture of the coat may
be changed by any artificial means except that the feet and rear may be trimmed
for cleanliness.
Color
Any shade of gray, grizzle, blue or blue merle with or without white markings
or in reverse. Any shade of brown or fawn to be considered distinctly objectionable
and not to be encouraged.
Gait
When trotting, movement is free and powerful, seemingly effortless, with good
reach and drive, and covering maximum ground with minimum steps. Very elastic
at a gallop. May amble or pace at slower speeds.
Temperament
An adaptable, intelligent dog of even disposition, with no sign of aggression,
shyness or nervousness.
Approved February 10, 1990
Effective March 28, 1990
