Old English Sheepdog

Personality

The Old English Sheepdog has a reputation as the archetypal shaggy dog, and the personality lives up to the look. The AKC describes a mellow, agreeable nature, plus watchfulness, courage and kindliness. Most OES are affectionate clowns who want to be near the family and happily join in a game.

They are famously good with children. VCA calls them gentle and entertaining, and the AKC describes patient, protective playmates. Their herding instinct is strong, though, so some dogs will try to round up kids, adults and visitors by leaning, circling or nudging. Teach polite behavior early, because a herding attempt from a 90 lb (41 kg) dog is hard to ignore.

The OES makes a sensible watchdog, and the bark is loud and ringing. The AKC rates their openness to strangers as middling, so expect a watchful greeting rather than instant friendship. VCA says most get along with other dogs and pets. Reward-based training works best, and because they can be headstrong, as VCA notes, patience and consistency pay off.

History

The Old English Sheepdog is one of the most recognizable dogs of the British Isles, but its name is a bit of a misnomer. The breed was most likely developed in the west of England, in Devon, Somerset and Cornwall, in the late 1700s, so it is not particularly old. Its ancestors were probably a mix of Scotch, European and Russian dogs, and VCA suggests the bearded collie and Russian owtcharka may have played a part.

These were not really sheepdogs, either. They worked as drovers, moving livestock along dusty roads from pasture to market. A popular story says the dogs' tails were docked to show they were working animals exempt from dog taxes, which is how the breed got the name Bobtail. In some places shepherds also sheared the coat and spun the clippings into yarn.

By the 1860s the dogs were being shown in England, and the AKC registered its first in 1888. An OES reached the winner's circle at Westminster in 1914. The breed's looks have made it a favorite of film and television, from The Shaggy Dog to Disney's The Little Mermaid, and Paul McCartney's dog Martha inspired a Beatles song.

Appearance, coat & colors

Under the coat, the OES is a strong, compact, square dog with plenty of bone. The AKC lists males at 22 in (56 cm) and up and females at 21 in (53 cm) and up, with weights from 60 to 100 lb (27 to 45 kg). The body is broader at the rump than at the shoulders, which gives the topline its characteristic downhill slope toward the front. The gait is a bearlike shuffle, yet these dogs are famously nimble.

The coat is the main attraction: profuse, shaggy and free of curl, with a hard texture and a waterproof undercoat. It covers the head, face and legs, and hangs in a thick jacket over the hindquarters. The hair on the head falls over the eyes, so many pet owners tie it back for everyday life.

The coat may be any shade of gray, grizzle, blue or blue merle, with or without white markings. Eyes may be dark brown, blue or one of each, which the standard accepts. Tails were traditionally docked, which is the source of the nickname Bobtail.

Training

OES are intelligent and biddable, and once they learn something they rarely forget it. The AKC also notes they get bored with robotic, repetitive drilling, so change the routine and keep sessions fun. VCA recommends reward-based training with games or food, and mentions that some can be headstrong.

Start socialization in puppyhood. The AKC passes on a breeder's rule of thumb: puppy habits last, so only allow what you would accept from a full-grown, damp, muddy dog. That means no jumping up, no bulldozing through doors and no leaning on guests, even when it looks adorable in a small puppy.

Herding instincts call for special attention. Teach your OES not to nip, circle or bump children, and practice a solid recall and "leave it". Obedience, rally, agility and herding trials all give the breed a job. Use a crate or pen to teach calm settling, and enroll in a puppy class so your dog learns to focus around distractions.

Exercise

Activity levels vary widely within the breed, but every OES needs regular exercise. VCA suggests a moderate-to-long walk, or a good run or play session, every day, with games and tricks for mental work. The AKC says OES have an "off switch" and settle down indoors once they have had their outing.

Good options include walks, hikes in cool weather, fetch in a fenced yard, herding classes and agility. The heavy coat means they can heat up fast. Exercise early or late in warm months, and always bring water. See our guide to how much exercise a dog needs for help matching activity to age.

VCA says OES enjoy cold weather but cannot live outdoors in it permanently. They are family dogs who should live inside with their people. Keep puppies' exercise gentle while their joints are developing, and avoid hard repeated jumping. Heavy panting, drooling, stumbling or collapse in warm weather is an emergency, so call your vet or an emergency clinic right away; see our heatstroke page.

Grooming

The coat is what draws most people to the breed, and it demands commitment. The AKC says the double coat needs a thorough brushing down to the skin, over the entire dog, at least weekly, while VCA recommends brushing and combing every other day or thick mats form. Skip sessions and the tangles build fast.

Many pet owners choose a "puppy trim" or a short pet clip, which makes care easier. It still needs regular brushing between baths and haircuts. Expect several grooming sessions each month for the life of the dog, whether you do them or hire a professional. Keeping the feet clipped short limits mud, mess and mats.

Wash and thoroughly dry the coat after baths, since dampness under dense hair can irritate skin. Shedding is average to below average, but loose hair can stay trapped in the coat, so regular combing matters. Trim nails and check the ears. The beard collects food and water, so wipe the face after meals. Brush the teeth several times a week.

Feeding

Feed a complete and balanced diet suited to age, whether commercial or home-prepared with your veterinarian's guidance. The AKC notes that some dogs are prone to weight gain, so measure meals and watch calories from treats. Use our dog food calculator for a starting amount.

The coat makes body condition hard to judge. VCA says weight changes can be difficult to notice under the thick hair, so feel your dog's ribs and waist at least weekly rather than relying on your eyes. A visible dip behind the ribs from above and ribs you can feel with light pressure are good signs.

Bloat deserves attention. VCA lists the Old English Sheepdog among the breeds predisposed to gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), a twisting of the stomach. Risk factors include eating one large meal a day, eating quickly, and exercising right after a big meal. Feed at least two smaller meals, use a slow feeder for fast eaters, and keep exercise gentle around mealtimes. See our page on bloat and GDV for the warning signs. Keep fresh water available, and keep the beard dry and clean.

Health

The AKC says OES are generally healthy and lists conditions responsible breeders screen for: hip dysplasia, eye conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy and hereditary cataracts, autoimmune thyroiditis, cardiac anomalies and hereditary deafness. DNA tests exist for cerebellar ataxia and primary ciliary dyskinesia, two serious inherited diseases that breeders can avoid by identifying carriers, as well as for exercise-induced collapse and drug sensitivity.

Drug sensitivity matters at the vet's office. Washington State University lists the Old English sheepdog among the breeds that can carry the MDR1 mutation, which can cause dangerous reactions to some common medications. Ask your vet whether to test your dog and never give any drug without veterinary advice.

The breed is also deep-chested, and VCA names it among the breeds predisposed to bloat. A swollen belly, retching without bringing anything up, drooling more than usual and restlessness are emergencies. Go to a veterinarian immediately.

Keep your OES lean, groom thoroughly to check the skin and ears, and see your vet yearly. The AKC lists a lifespan of 10 to 12 years.

Health conditions to know about

• Hip dysplasia — Inherited hip malformation that can cause lameness and arthritis; parents should have hip evaluations on record.
• Bloat (GDV) — VCA names the breed as predisposed to stomach twisting; it is an emergency.
• Eye disease — Progressive retinal atrophy and hereditary cataracts; annual eye exams are part of the parent club's program.
• Autoimmune thyroiditis — Immune attack on the thyroid gland; the parent club requires thyroid testing for breeding dogs.
• MDR1 drug sensitivity — Gene change that can make some common drugs dangerous; a DNA test is available.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Hip evaluation
• Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist
• Autoimmune thyroiditis evaluation
• Exercise-induced collapse (EIC) DNA test
• Cardiac exam
• Hearing (BAER) test
• MDR1 DNA test
• Cerebellar degeneration DNA test
• Primary ciliary dyskinesia DNA test

Read more: ear infections, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism.

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 30, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Old English Sheepdog

OES are large dogs with a big need for company. They want to be inside with their family, and they are happiest in a home with space to stretch out, though the AKC rates their adaptability well. A fenced yard is helpful for play, but it does not replace walks and interaction.

Plan for cool air. The thick coat suits chilly climates and does poorly in heat and humidity, so provide air conditioning, shade, fresh water and a cooling mat in summer. Expect water on the floor, damp beard marks on furniture and the occasional muddy paw print. Some owners choose a shorter clip for easier maintenance.

They get along with children and other pets, and the herding instinct can be managed with training. Supervise play with small kids, since an excited OES is a large bundle of hair and weight. They are watchful, bark loudly and make sensible watchdogs.

If you work long days, arrange a walker or daycare. A lonely, under-exercised herding dog can turn to barking or chewing.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

The Old English Sheepdog Club of America lists required tests for its CHIC program: a hip evaluation, an eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist, an autoimmune thyroiditis evaluation, and a DNA test for exercise-induced collapse. Optional tests include a cardiac exam, hearing (BAER) testing for deafness, and DNA tests for MDR1, cerebellar degeneration and primary ciliary dyskinesia. Ask your breeder for these results on both parents.

Healthy puppies come from breeders who socialize litters in the home, welcome questions and offer a written contract and lifetime support. Be cautious about sellers who always have puppies, avoid health testing or sell by phone without letting you see the dogs.

Cost varies widely. Remember to budget for ongoing grooming, which takes time or money for the life of the dog. Rescue is a good route to an adult OES, and the parent club runs a rescue program.