OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG 

Bobtail, sheepie, oes some daily called name for this breed. As a breeder I īd like to tell you little more and something or our own breeding and thoughts of breeding. Our first bobtail came into our lives 1986 and ever since bobtails have been a big part of the living and going. I could say that we do know a lot of this breed, but still only a little part of the "mother nature" ;)

OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG has been imported late 1940th from England where it has been used as a shepherd, a herding and a drover dog. In those days (ever since the end of 1900īs) the tail have been docked for showing he is a working dog and free of taxes (government). Today in Europe there is few countries left which are allowed to dock, Scandinavia has been the leader of docking banded because of the rules (it is against the law). This fluffy & very hairy, long, constantly waiwing tail has a white top (what we have seen)  and  I could say that it looks quite pretty and shows (every moment...) how happy he his to see you! 

Old english sheepdog has the most gentle temperament what I have seen! He is a big dog, with a hugh & harsh & grey coat with a big heart with loyalty, love and sociality. He is an excellent partner for walks, for pet, for children. Because of the coat you have to have time to take care of it; once in a week is quite normal. If the coat is not taken care carefully, he can have problems with the skin and feeling not good. - Think about if you donīt comb YOUR hair for weeks! 

Eye colour can be blue (both eyes), or so called "chinablue" (the other blue, other brown), or brown. As a breeder I like dark brown eyes with nice pigmentation but sometimes it takes a lot of time to see a full pigmentation around the eyes. 

Coat can be any shadow of grey, darker or lighter but the shadow must be grey, black or coat in matured dog is not wanted and brown is a fault. Babies are born either black-white or blue-born (a newborn is silver) and when puppies get more age the coat starts to change itīs colour and it gets harsher and lighter. The coat will be "ready" when dog is around 4-5 years old. Offcourse this is very individual.  

Old english sheepdog is not a trimmed breed, but naturally you want your dog to be clean and brushed, also you can clip  the "dead" tops from the coat. It is quite common that the show-dogs are much more "done" than those who doesnīt go to shows. In my opionion a natural looking dog is a pleasure to eyes, but should be clean and brushed. ;)

Sizes varies as there is no uplimit in standard, but dogs are between 62-67 cm from withers and bitches between 56-61 cm. Weights are between 34-45 kg and 26-35 kg but there is naturally variations depending on muscles and bone structure.

Bobtail is a big dog, and it needs a lot of exercise; daily walks and sometimes longer walks outside the woods. Hair must be brushed every week, it has to be washed regulary, and most of all: TIME AND LOVE. 

So, if you are thinking to have an oes, you have to make it clear that you'll have an extra time for him for grooming, for walking, for sharing. There is no matter either you'll have a pet or a show dog - what matters is that you are sure that you'll have that time for him. Perhaps you'll need some advices - that's what breeders are for! :-))