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History Of The Old English Sheepdog
The origin of the Old English Sheepdog remains a question of keen interest
to Bobtail fanciers, and is still open to new theories and discoveries. However, there are traces of evidence which
place its origin in the early nineteenth century, centered in the Southwestern Counties of England. Some maintain that
the Scottish Bearded Collie had a large part in its making; others claim the Russian Owtchar as one of the progenitors of
the Old English Sheepdog.
Writings of that time refer to a "drovers dog" which was used primarily for driving
sheep and cattle to market, and it is speculated that these drover's dogs were exempt from taxes due to their working status.
To prove their occupation, their tails were docked...leading to the custom of calling the sheepdog by the nickname "Bob" or
"Bobtail". Since this dog has been used more for driving than for herding, the lack of a tail to serve as a rudder,
so to speak, has in no way affected its ability to work with heavier kinds of sheep or cattle.
The Old English Sheepdog was first promoted in the U.S. by Pittsburgh industrialist
Wm. Wade in the late 1880's, and by the turn of the century, five of the ten wealthiest American families--the Morgans, Vanderbilts,
Goulds, Harrisons and Guggenheims--all owned, bred and exhibited the Old English Sheepdog. In fact, the social prominence
and importance of the owners and spectators at the Old English ring in the 1904 Westminster Show in New York prompted the
show superintendent to discreetly advise the judge to "take plenty of time; the dogs in the ring are the property of some
of our leading Americans". It should be noted here, that these prominent families also had kennel managers and staff to care
for and groom their OES!!!!!
This is an illustration from The Old English Sheep Dog, by Henry Arthur
Tilley, Revised Edition 1937. The caption is from Mr. Tilley.
CHAMPION ELKINGTON SQUIRE
This book is one of the most important ever published about the Old English Sheepdog
and is still regarded by many as the definitive work in the breed. Henry Arthur Tilley was a President of the Old
English Sheepdog Club (England) and founded the Old English Sheepdog Club of America in 1904. Mr. Tilley and his brother
William Steeds Tilley were proprietors of the famous "Shepton" kennels of Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England, and pioneers
in raising the standards for the breed, producing many great dogs that can be found in many, many of the pedigrees of today's
Old English Sheepdogs all over the world.
The dog pictured is from the early 20th Century--compare this dog to the present
Standard for the breed! If you find his duplicate in your ring someday, you will be the envy of all who breed, show,
and judge Old English Sheepdogs!
"As his name appears in so many of the present-day pedigrees, it may interest
readers to see a photograph of him. This unfortunately does not do him justice as he was out of coat; it shows
him with a dark coat, whereas he was a beautiful blue grizzle. Still, it does reveal many of his good points, e.g. spring
of ribs, shortness of back, length of neck, beautiful hocks, and length from hip to hock; but far more important was his grand
character and strong constitution--which features were transmitted to his offspring"
Some excerpts from an article entitled "The Working Old English Sheepdog" by Nick Waters, as printed in the August, 2002,
Issue of Dog News. 
"Supporters of working dogs and those of show dogs have frequently never been good bedfellows. Both sides have their
devotees who argue that each have ruined certain breeds."
"The Old English Sheepdog is one of the most ancient of British working breeds and has become one of the most instantly
reconizable breeds of dog in the world and one of the most popular show dogs. Breeding for coat, which to a great degree
defines the breed, now serves as a disadvantage to the breed as a working dog. Those familiar with working cattle and
sheepdogs say its excessive length and softer texture renders it largely unsuitable to work in the weather, terrain and conditions
in which the breed originally worked."
 "Although most working Old English did not have the coats of their counterparts in the show-ring, many were kept cut
short and it was the practice with sheep farmers to shear and dip their dogs with the sheep."
"Many would argue that the
name is a misnomer as the breed was originally and until comparatively recently, an all-round versatile stock dog. .........Driving
milking cows they would go steadily as they would with calves, but young spirited stock they would make move fast. One
particular dog that sometimes worked horses soon learnt to get down flat after they had gone through a gate, to avoid any
kickback from any of the horses. .....Some working Old English Sheepdogs were known to take on the trait of a Corgi
when working stubborn moorland sheep and have a nip at their heels......."
"The history of the Old English Sheepdog is intertwined with the bygone days of the drovers.........The type of dog a drover
needed was one with stamina, steadiness and the temperament that would see off any predators, would stand its ground against
any rogue beast and would see off man attack by a bull or ox intent on mischief towards the drovers."
"In 1891 Drovers' Dog Shows were inaugurated, the purpose of this being for the improvement of the breeds drovers used
and of their treatment. In 1894 the show was held at the Metropolitan Cattle Market and of the 78 dogs entered 20 were
Old English Sheepdogs and Best Dog and Best Bitch in show were both Old English;...
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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
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