Old English Sheepdog
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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.*
This breed can live up to 15 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.
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Ask a QuestionOld English Sheepdog Q&A
I have just taken in a 2 year old OESD from a rescue , she is very nervous and urinates at the slightest noise or If I even call her name. Being male I thaught maybe that was an issue but things are the very same with my partner.I have another 7 month old male that i also rescued seperatly but niether dog has been house trained and its becoming an issue.The female just urinates at the slightest noise or movement. The male refuses to go to the toilet out side even on his long walks he seems to want to use the kitchen floor for a toilet. He does know that he is wrong as he will not return to the living room after he has messed but almost cowers at the foot of the stairs iun total fear of our discovery.I have had both dogs checked at the vets and both are fine and healthy with no medical reason for the behaviour.I am at a loss as I have tried all standard practices fro house trainng.I have tried news paper trainig, positive reinforcment with lots and lots of praise for using the proper facility. I have even tried treats to achieve my goal. The final resort was when I set the alarm to activater every hour on the hour and took both dogs out side seperatly and waited for movment. I had some succes with the female but none at all with the male he simply waits untill we stop asking him to go and goes on the floor.Niether OESD have been mine since they were puppies so I realise that my training method must be at fault. I hope you can help if not I will have to put both dogs up for adoption again as I have a young child in the home and my marraige to consider
maybe they've had a bad experience with their previous owner. try scolding them every time they do it
I think that taking them outside after the mistake and then keeping in a crate for 15 minutes after the mistake and then taking outside again might help.....have you put them in a crate for training at all?
I agree with the method of putting the dog in his or her crate, but no longer than 5-10min. as they need to relate to why they are there. An immediate response is necessary without anger, just a simple 'no'. Don't get emotional, possibly they are having territory wars. Use their names as rewards and reward them for going outside. I have taken rescue dogs who have cowered & piddled inside to being healthy happy home dogs. They just need you to be consistant without getting emotional about it. Babies poo, dogs do too, but mum & dad rule. Both you & your partner are the top dogs. Don't fuss over them to back up their fear response. All the best & good on you for taking on some 'grown up' babies. I begin by bringing these type of dogs in for short intervals, as it is a priviledge to be with the top dogs. We don't know how they've been treated before but we know the here & now and they'll learn what you want, so long as you are good top dogs. Don't think of thier yesterday, it's today that counts.
They say that urination like that upon excitment or spook is a sign of submissiveness. I would make a dog as comfortable as possible. You make it way worse by reacting to the urination. If it continues to happen use soft voice and only positivly reinforce times that it does occur or occurs appropriately.
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.)
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?
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
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 !
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.
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