There are a few theories about the origin of the Old English sheepdog. One is that it is related to the Barbone and the Deerhound. Second, it is related to the Briard and the Bergamasco. And the third theory is that the breed is descended from a hairy Russian dog called the 'Owtchar' that was brought to Great Britain on ships from the Baltic. It also may have been created through crosses between Bearded Collies and animals brought to England from Russia, the Baltics, or France. Farmers who needed an agile cattle driver and sheepherder to take their animals to market developed the Old English sheepdog in England’s West Country. By the 19th century, the breed was widely used in agricultural areas. Sometimes called "Bobtail," the Old English sheepdog's tail was customarily docked in the 18th century as a way of identifying tax-exempt herding dogs. Farmers sheared their dogs each spring when they sheared the sheep, and then used the dogs' hair to make warm blankets and clothing. Some of the Old English sheepdog's talents include: retrieving, herding and watchdogging. The Old English sheepdog is a fine herding dog, but he has also been used for reindeer herding because he tolerates cold weather so well. It was first shown in Britain in 1873.
The Old English sheepdog is a large, squarely proportioned, agile dog with a profuse shaggy coat. The body is stocky, well balanced and muscular. The topline slopes upward from the withers to the loin. This unusual topline is an important breed characteristic. The brisket is very deep and the chest broad. The forelegs are straight with small, round feet pointing directly forward. The large, rather square head is covered with hair and has a well-defined stop. The small ears lie flat. The dog may have blue or brown eyes, or one of each color. The nose is large and black. The teeth should meet in a level or tight scissors bite. This breed is either born tailless (as the name Bobtail implies) or the tail is completely amputated. The Old English sheepdog has a long double coat with coarse guard hair and a soft downy undercoat, which insulates the dog. The accepted coat colors are blue, gray, blue gray or blue merle, often with white markings. Sometimes white is the predominate color with markings of the above listed darker colors. This breed has a rolling, bear-like gait and a distinctive low-pitched, loud-ringing bark.