Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Overview
The Old English Sheepdog, also known as the Bobtail, has ancient British origins and developed as a herding dog used for driving livestock to market and guarding flocks. Its ancestors included local shepherd dogs and pastoral breeds from the western regions of England, as well as, likely, types introduced by European traders. By the 18th century, the Bobtail had acquired its recognizable appearance and was valued for endurance, strength, and the ability to work in harsh weather conditions. By the 19th century, the breed had spread widely thanks to its efficiency, calm temperament, and expressive appearance. The rise of the exhibition movement reinforced the characteristic coat and shortened tail. Today, the Old English Sheepdog maintains its status as a reliable working and family dog.
General Appearance
The Old English Sheepdog gives the impression of a large, powerful, well-balanced dog with a dense body structure and abundant, voluminous coat. The format is slightly elongated, with soft, harmonious lines. The head is large and proportional, with a broad skull and noticeable depth. The neck is strong, blending smoothly into a well-developed withers. The back is broad and firm, the loin strong and slightly arched. The chest is deep and full, with rounded ribs. The limbs are straight, strong, and muscular, providing confident movement. The coat is dense, harsh-textured, with a thick undercoat. The dog moves with confident, springy strides, emphasizing its working type and stability. Overall, the appearance is impressive yet friendly.
Important Proportions
The proportions of the Old English Sheepdog aim toward strength, endurance, and working stability. The format is moderately elongated: the body length slightly exceeds the height at the withers. The head is voluminous but balanced with the body; the skull is wider and longer than the muzzle. The chest is deep, reaching the elbows, providing adequate capacity for sustained work. The limbs are balanced in length, with well-defined but not exaggerated angulation, ensuring smooth and stable movement. In countries where permitted, the tail may be naturally short or docked. All proportions must support the working type: the dog should be strong, stable, and agile, without excess heaviness or softness.
Behavior and Temperament
The Old English Sheepdog is known for its calm, even-tempered, and friendly nature, while retaining its working motivation and attentiveness. It is intelligent and independent, capable of making decisions during herding work and quickly adapting to changing tasks. The breed forms strong bonds with its family, is gentle with children, and tolerant of other animals. In behavior, it combines goodwill and confidence, avoiding unprovoked aggression but retaining protective instincts and stress resistance. Highly trainable and emotionally stable, the breed thrives on interaction with its owner. Its character reflects harmony of strength, intellect, and steadiness, making it a reliable companion.
Head
The head of the Old English Sheepdog is large, voluminous, and proportional to the body, with characteristic expression and soft outlines. The skull is broad, slightly domed, well filled between the ears. The stop is moderate but noticeable. The muzzle is square, wide, with a straight bridge and well-developed jaws. Lips are tight and dry. The nose is large, predominantly black. The preferred bite is scissor; the teeth are strong and even. Ears are medium in length, hanging close to the cheeks and covered with long hair. The head must convey strength, friendliness, and confidence.
Facial Region
The facial region is clearly defined and harmonious, giving the breed its typical gentle and composed expression. The muzzle is square, well filled, with a straight profile. Lips are tight, without looseness. The nose is large, with wide nostrils and dark pigmentation. Jaws are powerful, with a complete set of teeth and a scissor bite. Cheeks are moderately developed, not coarse. The area under the eyes is tight and well shaped. The skin fits closely without folds. The facial region as a whole expresses confidence, softness, and working composure.
Eyes
The eyes are medium-sized, wide-set, with a soft, attentive, and friendly expression. The shape is predominantly oval, without protrusion or looseness. Dark brown is most common, but blue eyes or heterochromia are acceptable and characteristic of the breed. Eyelids are tight, with pigmentation matching the coat. The gaze is calm, intelligent, and balanced. Unacceptable features include excessively light eyes, lack of pigmentation, round or protruding shapes. The eyes must underline the confident, gentle character and harmonize with the large head and abundant coat.
Ears
The ears are medium-length, hanging, positioned at the sides of the head, and lying close to the cheeks. They are rounded or slightly triangular in shape, without excessive width or length. Covered with dense, long hair, they contribute to the breed’s characteristic silhouette. The set should be harmonious with the skull. During movement, the ears remain stable. Unacceptable are overly large, light, or high-set ears. They must reinforce the expression of softness, friendliness, and steadiness.
Neck
The neck is strong, of medium length, well muscled, with a smooth transition into the withers. The topline of the neck is slightly arched. The skin is tight, without dewlap. The neck must ensure stability and free head movement during work. Incorrect proportions — short, overly long, weak, or heavy necks — disrupt balance. A proper neck maintains the natural strength and steadiness of the breed.
Body
The body is strong, slightly elongated, with smooth lines and pronounced functionality. The withers are moderately defined, blending into a strong back. The loin is short, muscular, without dips. The chest is deep, reaching the elbows, with moderately arched ribs. The croup is wide, slightly sloped, supporting strong drive. The belly is slightly tucked. Tight skin and harmonious proportions underline the working character of the breed.
Tail
The tail may be naturally short, docked (where permitted), or of normal length. In its natural form, it is covered with long, dense coat, forming notable volume. Set moderately low, carried freely, continuing the body line. At rest it hangs down; during movement it may rise slightly but must not curl or kink. Faults include excessively short, kinked, or high-set tails. The tail must harmonize with the silhouette and add to the breed’s flowing lines.
Forequarters
The forequarters are strong, straight, and parallel, with well-developed muscles. Shoulders are long, sloping, tight-fitting, creating correct angulation. The upper arm is long, enabling free movement. Forearms are straight and strong, with substantial bone. Elbows point strictly backward. Pasterns are short, slightly sloped, elastic. Feet are large, rounded, with tight toes and thick pads. Faults include weakness, crookedness, or looseness.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters are powerful, broad, with strong musculature and correct angulation. Thighs are long and full, supplying strong drive. Stifles are moderate, hocks low-set and stable. Metatarsi are vertical and parallel. Feet are rounded and compact. Hindquarters must provide powerful propulsion and endurance. Faults include weakness, poor muscle development, and instability.
Gait and Movement
Movement is free, powerful, and springy. At the trot, the dog moves confidently, with good reach in front and strong rear drive. The topline remains steady. The gait is straight and rhythmic. In work, the dog can travel long distances without loss of tempo or coordination. Faults include stiffness, short steps, instability, excessive swaying, or signs of weakness. The gait must demonstrate the breed’s working power and endurance.
Coat
The coat is dense, long, voluminous, with a harsh texture. The undercoat is soft and dense, offering protection from cold and moisture. The topcoat may be slightly wavy but not curly. Forms a “cap,” “beard,” and abundant furnishings. The coat must retain a functional, weather-resistant quality. Unacceptable: overly soft, silky, curly, sparse coat, or lack of undercoat.
Acceptable Colors
Colors include blue-and-white, grey-and-white, various shades of grizzle, and solid grey or bluish tones. Patterns may be even or patched if harmonious. White markings commonly appear on head, neck, chest, limbs, and tail tip. Pigmentation must be dark. Unacceptable are washed-out shades, lack of pigmentation, or colors inconsistent with the breed’s historical type.
Size
A large breed with harmonious power and activity. Males: 56–61 cm at the withers; females: 53–58 cm. Weight ranges from 27 to 45 kg depending on sex and type. The emphasis is on balance and working ability, not absolute size. Excessive heaviness or insufficient weight disrupts functionality.
Faults
Faults include weak musculature, narrow chest, soft back, insufficient depth of body, excessive softness, incorrect angulation, weak pasterns, unstable hocks, loose eyelids, light eyes, overly soft or sparse coat, lack of undercoat, excessive curl, nervousness, or excessive excitability. Any feature reducing working ability must be penalized.
Disqualifying Faults
Disqualifying faults include unprovoked aggression, extreme shyness, uncontrollable behavior, severe bite defects, missing multiple teeth, depigmented nose or eyelids, atypical colors, baldness, severe coat defects, structural abnormalities of the spine or limbs, pathological gait impairments, and any condition limiting health or work.
Important Notes
The Old English Sheepdog requires regular exercise, systematic coat care, and a stable emotional environment. Grooming must prevent matting and maintain coat structure. Judges must evaluate balance, movement stability, and characteristic expression. Variations in coat or pattern must remain within the standard. Any deviation affecting functionality requires strict assessment. Preservation of breed type depends on responsible breeding and compliance with ICCF requirements.
Conclusion
The Old English Sheepdog is a powerful, good-natured, and reliable breed that has preserved its working qualities and expressive appearance. To participate in ICCF exhibitions and breeding programs, the dog must have official ICCF documents confirming its lineage and conformity to the standard. The breed combines strength, endurance, and intelligence while remaining a calm, loyal companion suited for active families. Proper selection, care, and adherence to ICCF rules ensure preservation of type, functionality, and health
