Old English Sheepdog

Height: 21 inches at shoulder and up

Weight: males are 80 to 100 pounds; females are 60 to 85 pounds

Coat: thick and shaggy

Life span: 10 to 12 years or more




The Old English Sheepdog is a large, athletic dog with an unmistakable shaggy coat. The Old English Sheepdog was historically a drover, helping farmers drive cattle and sheep to the market. Today, the good-natured Old English Sheepdog enjoys the comfort of home life and still competes in conformation, obedience, agility, and herding trials. He's an adaptable, intelligent dog with an easygoing disposition.

The wonderfully shaggy Old English Sheepdog is a favorite in children's television shows and movies, where he's usually an affable, if sometimes bumbling, character. But, hair and Hollywood glitz aside, who is the OES?

In reality, the OES--nicknamed "Bobtail" because of his docked tail (traditionally kept short to identify him as a drover)--is an easygoing, fun-loving, intelligent dog.