Old English Sheepdog
The Old English Sheepdog is a breed of dog which is on the large side (it was initially called a Shepherd's dog). It was bred in England for the purposes of herding sheep and other animals. It has very distinctive long hair, which means that it looks like it cannot see anything. It is nicknamed the Bobtail and is also known as the Dulux dog as it was used for a long time as the mascot of Dulux and constantly in their ads. It is a highly unique breed. Its coat makes this dog water resistant. The dog was first pictured in a painting in 1771 by Gainsborough, this looks like a precursor to the modern Old English Sheepdog. Interestingly enough the hair of the sheepdog can even be used to spin yarn.
Appearance
It has a long shaggy white and grey coat. With fur covering all parts of its body except for its paw. The ears are flat against the head. It has an interesting gait which is characterised as a bear roll from the rear. The height this dog is generally at the very least 61 cm, and this dog can weigh as much as 46 kilos. The coat of this dog ranges from blue to grey.
Temperament
This breed is best described as being a laid back and relaxed dog. Even going so far as to gain weight because they would rather sit about than do exercise. They are a very social breed and tend to clown about. They have also been noted to try and herd people, thanks to their original breeding intent.
Grooming and care
The Old English Sheepdog's coat need good care, with at least weekly good brushing. Otherwise the coat gets very dirty and smelly. This matting may even become painful to the dog. It is important to note that due to the long thick coat this breed has, it can easily suffer from heatstroke in the warmer climates, so care should be taken on warm days to keep the dog well hydrated and in the shade. Wide open spaces are ideal for this type of dog as is in keeping with it being a herding dog. They like to be part of a family environment, and prefer company than being alone.
Health
The Old English Sheep dog has a life expectancy of about 7 to 11 years old. It tends to suffer from common disease that other dogs suffer from. Cancer is a significant cause of death in this dog.