- Old English sheepdog
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one of an English breed of large working dogs having a long, shaggy, gray or blue-merle and white coat that hangs over the eyes, and a bobbed tail, originally developed to drive sheep and cattle.[1885-90]
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Shaggy working dog developed in early 18th-century England and used primarily to drive sheep and cattle to market.It has a shuffling, bearlike gait and a dense, solid-coloured or white-marked gray or blue-gray coat. It stands 21–26 in. (53–66 cm) tall and weighs over 55 lb (25 kg). Its long, dense, weather-resistant coat covers the eyes but does not obscure vision. The tail is usually removed soon after birth.* * *
▪ breed of dogshaggy working dog developed in early 18th-century England and used primarily in driving sheep and cattle to market. A compact dog with a shuffling, bearlike gait, the dog stands 21 to 26 inches (53 to 66 cm) and generally weighs over 55 pounds (25 kg). Its dense coat is weather-resistant and long enough to cover the eyes, though it does not obscure vision. The coat may be gray or blue-gray, with or without white markings. The dog is often called “bobtail” because its tail is usually removed soon after birth.* * *
Universalium. 2010.