sheepdog: see working dog.

old English sheepdog, breed of large, wiry working dog developed in England in the early 19th cent. It stands from 21 to 25 in. (53.3-63.5 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 55 to 65 lb (24.9-29.5 kg). Its double coat is composed of dense, water-resistant underhairs and a profuse, harsh, curl-free outercoat. It may be any shade of gray, grizzle, blue, or blue-merle, with or without white. The tail is bobbed to approximately 11/2 in. (3.8 cm). The old English sheepdog was originally raised in W England as a drover of sheep and cattle. Today it is popular as a farm dog and show dog and as a pet. See dog.

Shetland sheepdog, breed of small, agile working dog perfected in the Shetland Islands in the 19th cent. It stands from 13 to 16 in. (33.0-40.6 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs about 15 lb (7 kg). Its double coat consists of a very dense, furry underlayer and a long, straight, harsh outercoat. It is usually colored a combination of black, blue merle, and sable, with white and tan markings. Although of obscure origin, the sheltie is probably a descendant of small specimens of the Scottish collie and the King Charles spaniel. It was developed to tend the diminutive sheep of the Shetland Islands, whose rugged, stormy shores have produced other small-statured animals such as the Shetland pony. Today it is raised as a farm dog and family pet. See dog.

English sheepdog: see old English sheepdog.

Belgian sheepdog, sometimes called Groenendael, breed of sturdy working dog developed from a wide assortment of sheepherding dogs in Belgium in the early 20th cent. It stands from 22 to 26 in. (55.9-66 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 50 to 60 lb (22.6-27.2 kg). Its long, straight coat is black, sometimes with white markings on the chin, forechest, and feet. As a result of such developments as the widespread use of fencing, the increasing availability of rail transportation, and a decline in the threat of marauding animals, the necessity for sheepherding dogs began to decline in Belgium toward the end of the 19th cent. Dog breeders began to turn their attention to the show ring. Of the widely divergent types of herding dogs in existence, three varieties differing only in coat and color were finally bred true, i.e., the Belgian Malinois, Belgian sheepdog, and Belgian Tervuren. All were shown under the name "Belgian sheepdog" until 1959 when they were designated separate breeds by the American Kennel Club. See dog.

or sheltie

Breed of sheepdog developed from a Scottish working dog to herd the small sheep of the Shetland Islands. The sheltie resembles the rough-coated collie but in miniature; it stands 13–16 in. (33–41 cm). Sturdy and agile, it is noted for its herding ability, intelligence, and affectionate nature. Its long, straight coat is generally black, brown, or blue-gray with black mottling.

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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.

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