Old English Sheepdog
Thank you for using our site to find Old English Sheepdog information. Feel free to add any information about the Old English Sheepdog breed we may have missed. If you have any specific questions about the Old English Sheepdog, feel free to ask them below. We've found that most breeders are more than happy to reply and answer your questions. We love your photos and reviews! We appreciate all additions to the site and we know our users value them as well. If you need help training your Old English Sheepdog check out our dog training reviews. |  |
General Description
(Bobtail) (OES) (Bob)The Old English Sheepdog is unique looking breed with one interesting feature: their coat. The breed’s round head looks like a puff ball. Also covered with fur are their small, round eyes which are rarely seen, and their square muzzle with a beard hanging off it. Set low on the side of their head are two floppy ears. A thick neck which is also covered with their fluffy fur leads to their deep chest. Long legs, which look like they have boots on thanks to their coat, lead to huge round feet. That thick coat covering their bodies comes in white with blue, gray, blue merle, or blue gray.Know something we don't? Add it here
Character
The Old English Sheepdog is a sweet lovable breed. Loving to be with their family, this breed does wonderful with all children and their family. Not only does this dog love their family but they also are sweet with strangers. However, this is a devoted and protective dog that will do anything for their owners except be aggressive. Training is vital for the Old English Sheepdog because they are stubborn and will often not listen to their owners. *
If not properly socialized they become wary of strangers.
Size
20 – 24 inches
Weight
60 – 100 pounds
General Health
The Old English Sheepdog is prone to a few diseases that rarely occur in the breed, such as cataracts, hip dysplasia, and Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia. This breed’s average life expectancy is 10-12 years.
History
The origins of the Old English Sheepdog are not well-known, but the general theory is that it was created from the combination of other English or Russian dogs. The modern version of the breed was created in England and was used for herding cattle and sheep – that much is known. Some farmers would shear their Old English Sheepdogs and use their plentiful coat to make blankets or clothes as if it were one of the sheep being herded. The breed was first shown in the UK in 1873.
Maintenance
As most people would expect by looking at the Old English Sheepdog they need lots of grooming. Brushing should be done three times a week and needs to reach the under coat. Matting occurs frequently and needs to be taken care of immediately. Clipping out all the tangles is important to prevent skin problems caused by keeping mats in the fur. If an Old English Sheepdog is used only as a pet than getting a profession trim is only needed once every two months. Exercise is essential to a happy and healthy Old English Sheepdog. This breed mostly enjoys being allowed to run off leash and play in the house.
Ideal Environment
The Old English Sheepdog is a wonderful family that does great with all people. Training is very important to this breed and should be done consistently with a firm hand. Living in an apartment is fine for this breed, however, they enjoy having a yard to play in. The Old English Sheepdog is not for an owner who has little time or money for their extensive grooming.
Dog Training!If you're having problems training your dog or getting control, you should read our review of DogProblems.com. Adam will do whatever it takes to help you whip your dog into shape. I've used them to help with my Great Dane as well as help friends train their dogs. It's the first place I go to help answer users Questions. Many training issues are too extensive to answer in this forum, which is why I refer a lot of the load to his site. |
Find your new Old English Sheepdog
Puppies For Sale
Be the First to take out an Ad!
Find a Breeder
|
Burleson, TX
"Special Dogs for Special People" located in North Texas. We are a family breeder of beautiful championship...
"Special Dogs for Special People" located in North Texas. We are a family breeder of beautiful championship...
Rescue a Dog
Be the First to take out an Ad!
Discuss the Old English Sheepdog breed on our Forum!
Ask a QuestionOld English Sheepdog Q&A
Hello. I have just recently rescued an Olde English Sheep Dog from a Native reserve. He was tied to a pole in the back yard about 50 feet from the house. He was in horrendous conditions. His coat was very matted and dirty. I had a groomer take care of that. He was somewhat semi-aggressive with her. He is very out of character for his breed. Knowing the conditions he was left in and mistreated I understand this is something I will need to work on with him. He is very loyal and obediant for me and my partner, however we have 3 cats also, and I'm afraid to trust him with them, as he is friendly with humans but aggressive with other animals (please also consider that as he was tied there were two smaller dogs at the same residence that ran freely and a husky neighbour who was also always untied). We figure he is no older than a year old. Is there a way I can trust him not to eat the cats? He tends to attack them only from behind. If he has gone some what wild and become a predetor/hunter is it too late now to train him to live peacefully with the other animals in our home? Please anything to help this poor guy and the rest of my animal family would be great.
p.s. I also have 3 rats, a chameleon and frogs and fish that he does not bother at all. But has attacked 2 of the 3 cats and barks at dogs, big trucks, and trains.
My grandfather rescued an old english that was malnurished and slightly aggresive. At the time my grandfather was a police officer and was able to have a "heavy" hand with him. My grandfather never mistreated the dog or ever hit him. It was all in the tone of his voice and the grip on the collar that trained Duffy. Sorry to say that even with all that Duffy still has his faults. He hated cats, and he once attacked my baby brother because he had gotten to close to his food bowl, leaving my brother with a scar on his nose. Please do not think that there is no hope for your sheepdog. Besides those faults (and it took massive will for my pap to not shot that dog after what he did to my brother) that dog was great. He was very loyal and very prtective of my grandmother. He saved her life twice. So I think that with a "heavy" hand and a firm grip your dog can be saved! Good Luck!
Hi, we just got an OESD, he is two months old and up till now, very well behaved. We were wondering if it is definitely best to crate train them. I have a big terrace with grass on it, where he is learning to go, he only pees on newspaper inside sometimes but usually we let him out and he goes there.
hello , what is the significance of cropping their tails? I adopted a 4 month old who is now 8 months old and still has her tail. i wouldn't even consider cropping it now, i was just curious as i really am just learning about this breed. sooooo much fun
I think back in the day the tails were docked only to be tax exempt and classify the dog as a true working dog. . . .today may just be to maintain the look of the breed. Most of the time tails are docked when puppies are only a week old . . .a bit harsh to put an older dog through it . . . since I'm anthropomorphizing iit would be like getting your wisdom teeth out, just a routine !
A friend of mine has asked my parents to watch his old english sheep dog for a month or two while hes abroad. He's still somewhat of a puppy so still tearing things up, my parents wont let him in the house for fear of the furniture, but i have huge fenced in yard. Would he be okay in teh summer with a close haircut and dog house to stay out in the yard even to sleep at night? (they also have a lab and mutt at home who play in the yard all day but go in the house at night.)
Hello listen i do not recommend to keep your OES in the back yard by him/her self all the time, the OES is a very sensitive breed, and they need to be treated, just like another family member. If you keep them on chain or by themselfs you can destroy the personality of a dog, and create a totally different one from him. What are you expecting from a puppy, he has to learn just a way the human baby does. If you live a human baby in a house they will discover and grab everything they can to get to know it. So i think if you cant keep up with him/her should give him/her back to the owner, But if you keep your sheepdog exercised, they always say a tired OES is a good OES. Good luck
I would not suggest leaving the dog outside completely unsupervised. Do they have a crate or pen to keep the dog confined indoors where he/she cannot get into anything?
View more Old English Sheepdog Questions and Answers
Upload a PhotoOld English Sheepdog Photos
