An Old English Sheepdog is a breed of dog formerly used for herding livestock, and now primarily kept as a pet. They are best known for their shaggy grey and white fur which also covers their face, including their eyes, which leads some casual observers to wonder how they can see.

In some areas, they are often known as a Dulux dog, as a result of their prolonged use in advertising Dulux paint.

(Alternative name: Bobtail)

Old English Sheepdog Appearance

Males generally weigh 70 to 100 pounds(45 kg); females, 60 to 80 pounds. They stand around 22 inches at the withers. Their long coats can be any shade of gray, grizzle, blue, or blue merle, with optional white markings. The undercoat is water resistant. The Old English Sheepdog’s abundant coat is an effective insulator in both hot and cold weather.

Old English Sheepdog Temperament

This breed is intelligent, funny, social, and adaptable, although they do tend to seem stupid on first impressions. It generally gets along well with children, other dogs, other pets, and visitors. Like all herding breeds, it requires plenty of exercise, both mental and physical.

These dogs are tender and catch on quickly to things like boundaries and little things such as doing a trick for a treat. These animals are gentle with other dogs and are always willing to play.

Old English Sheepdog Care

The long coat requires thorough brushing at least weekly, and the long hair around the pads of the feet can form mats if it isn’t kept trimmed.

Some people save their Old English Sheepdog’s hair from grooming and have spun it into yarn.