Learn the key traits of an Old English Sheepdog, from soundness to structure, and how to properly evaluate this unique breed.
Elizabeth Fujikawa
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What are the essential differentiators of an Old English Sheepdog (OES)? Proper evaluation of the OES should seek out the hallmarks of the breed. It is important to realize that the OES is not a “profile” breed; the eye can be tricked with clever grooming. A thorough examination must be done with the hands to verify the actual structure of what’s under the coat.
The OES Breed Standard says that soundness is of the greatest importance. The OES should have effortless, balanced movement, meaning efficient and equal reach in the front and drive in the rear. Bicycling, or kicking up in the rear to make up for lack of reach, is not correct. Equally important is the evaluation of the OES coming and going. The OES should converge to a center line with increased speed. The OES should not sidewind or show hockiness. Soundness of mind is also important. The OES is an intelligent dog of even disposition and should never show signs of aggression, shyness, or nervousness.
The OES is square and balanced, free from legginess and not short of leg. From the side of the dog, measure from the withers to the ground, and from the point of shoulder to the ischium, looking for measurements that are practically the same. Pull aside the coat to confirm the true location of the elbow. Check to see that measurements from the withers to the elbow and from the elbow to the ground are practically the same. A long-backed and short-legged dog, as well as the reverse (a dog that is too high on leg and too short-backed), are both incorrect.
The OES should have a gentle rise over the loin. Start at the withers, lay your hand flat and feel for a firm back that then rises gently over the broad, muscular loin. A level topline, and sway or roach backs, are not acceptable, as are “false toplines” that start at the withers and continually rise to the rear.
Pull the coat down and feel for a fairly wide and deep muzzle, and a fairly long, strong, truncated underjaw. Next, find a well-defined stop, good fill under the eyes, and well-defined supra-orbital ridges over the eyes. Spread your hand across the flat and squarely formed capacious skull, reaching from temporal bone to temporal bone. Width, length, and depth of the skull are approximately equal or block-like. A long, narrow head or a snipy muzzle are considered deformities.
The OES has a thickset body. Feel to check that the dog is broader at the rump than at the shoulders, with well-sprung ribs and a brisket that is deep and capacious, and not slab-sided or barrel-chested. The loin is stout, short, and gently arched.
The OES coat is profuse with a hard texture; shaggy and not straight. Look for a natural outline. Check the texture of the coat by feeling for a crisp, coarse texture of the outer coat. Separate the guard hairs to see the dense, softer undercoat below. The soft, single-coated OES puppy is the exception. The OES should appear square and balanced, free from legginess and not short of leg. The coat is profuse but not excessive; overall a thickset, muscular, and able-bodied dog. When moving, the OES should cover maximum ground with minimum steps, with balanced reach and drive, and no excess movement. OES may amble or pace at slower speeds.
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