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AKC: Old English Sheepdog breed overview

Herding group · England

Old English Sheepdog

Also called Bobtail, OES

A shaggy English drover with a rolling bear-like walk and a coat that asks for hours of your week.

The Old English Sheepdog is a big, humorous, sociable herder whose huge coat is both its signature and its biggest demand. Under all that hair is a strong, friendly dog that likes company and plenty of activity. Expect several hours of grooming a week or regular professional clips.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

27 to 45 kg

59 to 99 lb

Height

54 to 66 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

10 to 12 yrs

Activity estimate

60 to 90 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

24 months

approximate model input

Life with a Old English Sheepdog

Before it was a paint-advert mascot, the Old English Sheepdog worked cattle and sheep along the droving roads of the west of England. Farmers needed a sturdy dog that could move stock to market over long distances in all weathers, and they selected for a thick coat and a steady, cooperative temperament. The breed's exact origins are unclear, with theories linking it to older European herders.

Early bobtails are said to have been sheared along with the sheep each spring, their hair used for cloth. The tradition of docking tails is often explained by a tax exemption for working dogs, though the evidence is patchy. Many dogs today have full natural tails.

Living with one is a mix of laughter and laundry. Bobtails are affectionate, playful and often goofy, and they generally enjoy children and other dogs. They can be sensitive and may herd family members by leaning, circling or bumping. The coat traps water, mud and leaves, so this is not a dog for people who want a spotless house.

Numbers have swung wildly with fashion. Television and advertising made the breed hugely popular in the 1970s, and many dogs ended up in rescue once owners met the grooming bill. Registrations fell sharply afterward, and in its home country the breed has at times been flagged as a native breed in decline. A well-bred bobtail from a careful breeder is worth waiting for, and so is an honest look at whether you can keep up with the coat for ten or more years.

What stands out

Grooming

Expect three to four hours a week for a full coat. Line brushing, where you part the coat in sections and brush from the skin outward, prevents mats forming close to the skin. Pay particular attention to the armpits, behind the ears, under the collar and the back legs.

Read the full grooming guide

Illustrative grooming schedule based on our editorial coat-care score. Adjust it to the individual coat and professional advice.

Brushing
Daily
Bathing
Every 3 to 6 weeks
Shedding
Moderate, year round
Nail trim
Every 3 to 4 weeks

A great match for

families with time for daily grooming or budget for professional care
homes in cooler climates
people who want a friendly, clownish large dog
owners with a yard and room for a big, bouncy dog

Think twice if

intense grooming commitment
overheats easily in warm weather
herds people by bumping and nudging
boisterous and clumsy as a youngster
hair carries mud, burrs and water into the house

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much an Old English Sheepdog eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	32 kg	1300 kcal	350 g (3.5 cups)
Female, typical pet	32 kg	1490 kcal	400 g (4 cups)
Male, typical pet	39 kg	1730 kcal	470 g (4.8 cups)
Male, very active	39 kg	2160 kcal	585 g (5.8 cups)

Full Old English Sheepdog feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the Old English Sheepdog

Feeding5 cups). Because the coat hides body shape, feel for ribs and the waist with your hands every couple of weeks, as weight gain can go unnoticed for months.Read more Puppy growthOld English Sheepdogs grow into large dogs slowly. They often reach full height around 12 to 15 months, but chest and muscle keep developing, and full coat and adult temperament may not arrive until two or three years.Read more ExerciseMost adults need 60 to 90 minutes of activity daily, including walks, games and time to run in a safe space. Bobtails enjoy herding trials, rally, agility and long countryside walks.Read more TrainingBobtails are intelligent but can be independent and sometimes stubborn. Short, fun sessions with food or toys work best.Read more HealthHip dysplasia, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, hypothyroidism and deafness all turn up in bobtails often enough to be worth asking about. Some dogs carry the MDR1 gene variant, which affects how they process certain medicines, and a DNA test is available.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1Puppies are born black and white; the dark areas usually lighten to grey or blue between one and three years.
2A full show coat can take three to four hours of brushing each week to keep free of mats.
3The nickname bobtail comes from dogs born with short tails or docked; a popular story says docked tails marked working dogs for tax purposes.
4The breed moves with a distinctive ambling, rolling gait at a walk.
5Its bark has a notably loud, ringing quality often described as sounding like a cracked bell.

Old English Sheepdog questions

Why are Old English Sheepdogs called bobtails?

Many were born with short tails or had them docked, giving the name bobtail. A popular story says drovers docked tails to show a dog was working and so avoid a tax on pets, though the records are thin and historians disagree. Many modern Old English Sheepdogs keep their full natural tails, which are usually carried low, well covered in hair and wagged with the whole back end.

Can Old English Sheepdogs see through their hair?

They can see, but not as well as they could with a clear view. Long hair over the eyes can make a dog startle at sudden movement, misjudge steps or hesitate at curbs. Many owners trim the hair above the eyes or tie it back with a small soft band. Show dogs often keep the fall long, but pets benefit from a clear field of vision, especially outdoors and around traffic.

Should I shave my Old English Sheepdog in summer?

A full shave down to the skin is not usually recommended, because the coat also shields the skin from sun and insects, and it can grow back patchy. A shorter trim of around 2 to 5 cm, done by an experienced groomer, can make summer more comfortable and cuts brushing time. Whatever the length, provide shade and water and walk your dog in the cooler hours.

Why did my Old English Sheepdog puppy change color?

Puppies are born black and white, and the black gradually fades to grey, blue or grizzle as the adult coat grows in. The change often starts at the head and the base of the hair, so a puppy can look oddly two-toned for a while. It may take two or three years to finish, and the final shade varies from dog to dog. This is normal and not a sign of illness.

Do Old English Sheepdogs bark a lot?

They bark moderately rather than constantly, but the bark itself is very loud, deep and ringing, and some people compare it to a cracked bell. Most bark to alert you to arrivals. Boredom increases barking, so daily exercise and brain games help. Teach a quiet cue early and reward calm responses at the door. In flats or terraced houses, the sheer volume can bother neighbors.

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