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History

The origin of the Old English Sheepdog remains a question of keen interest to Bobtail fanciers, and is still open to new theories and discoveries. However, there are traces of evidence which place its origin in the early nineteenth century, centered in the Southwestern Counties of England. Some maintain that the Scottish Bearded Collie had a large part in the making of the Old English Sheepdog. Others claim the Russian Owtchar as one of its progenitors. Writings of that time refer to a "drover's dog" which was used primarily for driving sheep and cattle to market. It is speculated that these drover's dogs were exempt from taxes due to their working status. To prove their occupation, their tails were docked, leading to the custom of calling the sheepdog by the nickname "Bob" or "Bobtail." Although this dog has been used more for driving than for herding, the lack of a tail to serve as a rudder, so to speak, has in no way affected its ability to work with heavier kinds of sheep or cattle.

General Appearance A strong, compact, square, balanced dog. Taking him all around, he is profusely, but not excessively coated , thickset, muscular and able-bodied. These qualities, combined with his agility, fit him for the demanding tasks required of a shepherd's or drover's dog. Therefore, soundness is of the greatest importance. His bark is loud with a distinctive pot-casse" ring in it.

Size Type, character and balance are of greater importance and are on no account to be sacrificed to size alone.
Size * Height (measured from top of withers to the ground), Dogs * 22 inches (55.8 cm) and upward.
Bitches * 21 inches (53.3 cm) and upward.
Proportion * Length (measured from point of shoulder to point of ischium [tuberosity]) practically the same as the height. Absolutely free from legginess or weaselness.
Substance * Well muscled with plenty of bone.

Head A most intelligent expression.
Eyes-- Brown, blue or one of each. If brown, very dark is preferred. If blue, a pearl, china or wall-eye is considered typical. An amber or yellow eye is most objectionable.
Ears-- Medium sized and carried flat to the side of the head.
Skull-- Capacious and rather squarely formed giving plenty of room for brain power. The parts over the eyes (supra-orbital ridges) are well arched. The whole well covered with hair.

Stop Well defined. Jaw Fairly long, strong, square and truncated. Attention is particularly called to the above properties as a long, narrow head or snipy muzzle is a deformity.
Nose * Always black, large and capacious.
Teeth * Strong, large and evenly placed. The bite is level or tight scissors.

Neck Topline * Body * Neck * Fairly long and arched gracefully.
Topline * Stands lower at the withers than at the loin with no indication of softness or weakness. Attention is particularly called to this topline as it is a distinguishing characteristic of the breed.
Body * Rather short and very compact, broader at the rump than at the shoulders, ribs well sprung and brisket deep and capacious. Neither slab-sided nor barrel-chested. The loin is very stout and gently arched.
Tail * Docked close to the body, when not naturally bob tailed.

Forequarters Shoulders well laid back and narrow at the points. The forelegs dead straight with plenty of bone. The measurements from the withers to the elbow and from the elbow to the ground are practically the same.
Hindquarters * Round and muscular with well let down hocks. When standing, the metatarses are perpendicular to the ground when viewed from any angle.
Feet * Small and round, toes well arched, pads thick and hard, feet pointing straight ahead.

Coat Profuse, but not so excessive as to give the impression of the dog being overly fat, and of a good hard texture; not straight, but shaggy and free from curl. Quality and texture of coat to be considered above mere profuseness. Softness or flatness of coat to be considered a fault. The undercoat is a waterproof pile when not removed by grooming or season. Ears coated moderately. The whole skull well covered with hair. The neck well coated with hair. The forelegs well coated all around. The hams densely coated with a thick, long jacket in excess of any other part. Neither the natural outline nor the natural texture of the coat may be changed by any artificial means except that the feet and rear may be trimmed for cleanliness.\

Color Any shade of gray, grizzle, blue or blue merle with or without white markings or in reverse. Any shade of brown or fawn to be considered distinctly objectionable and not to be encouraged.
Gait * When trotting, movement is free and powerful, seemingly effortless, with good reach and drive, and covering maximum ground with minimum steps. Very elastic at a gallop. May amble or pace at slower speeds.
Temperament * An adaptable, intelligent dog of even disposition, with no sign of aggression, shyness or nervousness.

Faults Any departure from foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact propotion to its degree.

Note * Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.