Old English Sheepdog

The Old English Sheepdog developed in Britain during the 19th century, probably from various droving and herding dogs used in southwestern England. Despite its name, the breed is not especially ancient, and its traditional work involved moving livestock as much as tending sheep. Drovers needed strong, weather-resistant dogs capable of helping move cattle and sheep along roads to markets. The breed's exact ancestry is uncertain, with several European herding breeds proposed as contributors, but there is no simple documented recipe. Early dogs could look considerably rougher than the heavily coated show dogs familiar today. The breed began appearing at British dog shows during the 1800s and became increasingly standardized toward the end of the century. Its shaggy coat and distinctive rolling movement eventually made it one of the most recognizable British breeds. Traditionally, working dogs were sometimes docked, leading to the nickname "bobtail," although docking practices have since changed or been prohibited in many countries. As livestock driving declined, the Old English Sheepdog shifted mainly toward companionship and showing, while retaining the sturdy build and intelligence expected of a practical farm dog.