The schapendoes was a common breed during the late 1800s and until the first world war, as was sheep-keeping on a small scale in the Netherlands, but after the second war, it became hard to find any remaining of the shaggy sheepdogs. Fortunately, there were experts available, such as P.M.C. Toepoel, who even during the war traveled to collect schapendoes, despite not being especially young himself. He was 78 years old when he passed away in 1960. The dogs found in 1945 were not many enough to get the breed recognized, but there was much interest and a breed club was formed in 1947. The breed was finally completely recognized and registered with the Netherland Kennel Club in 1971, though the first initial recognition took place as early as 1952.

The schapendoes resembles and is related to breeds like the bearded collie, briard and puli. It should be rectangular in shape, with fine boning. The head looks large due to the large amount of hair. The skull is almost flat and rather broad with marked stop. The ears are large and alert in expression. The neck is dry and strong, the chest deep and long but not too broad. The tail should be well coated, hanging during rest but wagging during movement.