Sheepdog What and Where??

Originating 200 years ago in England's West Country, the Old English sheepdog was first known only as "The Shepherd's Dog." When wolves still prowled the English countryside, farmers needed a breed of dog that would protect their flocks. While the Old English sheepdog's origins remain a mystery, there are many theories, most of which favor a link with the Bearded Collie or the Russian Owtchar. By the mid-19th century, the Old English sheepdog's role was confined to herding, and its fiercer characteristics began to disappear. As a working animal, the sheepdog was exempt from the English dog tax. Proof of the dog's occupation was a docked tail. This is a custom that continues today and has given rise to the breed's nickname, "bobtail." Farmers in the 19th century sheared their sheepdogs along with their sheep and used the profuse coat to make blankets and clothing. This coat makes the dog sufficiently cold-tolerant that it has been employed to herd reindeer. First exhibited in England in 1873, the breed was recognized by the AKC in 1905 and has since become a very popular exhibit. In the 1970s, television began to showcase the exotic-looking dog with the loving and lovable nature, causing its popularity to skyrocket.