Old English Sheepdog

The Old English sheepdog, sometimes known as a "Bobtail," is a type of dog that was originally developed to herd sheep.
1. The "Old English" in the breed's name alludes to its English ancestry. The Old English Sheepdog was developed as a working dog in England and has a long history of doing so.
2. The name "sheepdog" refers to the breed's original function, which was to herd and guard sheep. Because of their natural herding instincts, Old English Sheepdogs have long been used to oversee and direct sheep herds.
3. Informally, the breed is called a "Bobtail" since their tails are commonly docked. Tail docking, the surgical shortening or removal of a dog's tail, was a common practice for Old English Sheepdogs in the past. It was thought that doing this would protect the tail from getting caught on things while working with sheep, therefore this was done for practical reasons. It also played a role in giving the breed its signature fluffy, rounded behind.
The term "Old English Sheepdog" is indicative of the breed's origins, its function as a sheep herder, and its distinctive appearance, most notably the lack of a tail. Concerns for the well-being of animals have led to a decline in the use of tail docking, and in certain places it is now illegal.