Temperament: Adaptable, Gentle, Smart
Height: 22 inches & up (male), 21 inches & up (female)
Weight: 60-100 pounds
Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
Group: Herding Group

MORE ABOUT THIS BREED

The Old English Sheepdog is a large, athletic dog breed with an unmistakable shaggy coat. The OES, as fans call the breed for short, was historically a drover, helping farmers drive cattle and sheep to the market. Today, this good-natured dog enjoys the comfort of home life and still competes in conformation, obedience, agility, and herding trials.

Those who know and love him are familiar with his sense of humor. He can be playful and comical, although he is also the guardian and protector of his family.

You can’t talk about the OES without talking about hair, a lot of hair. This coat needs more care than most. It’s long and prone to matting if not regularly brushed. Many owners clip the hair short — but if he is to be a show dog, the OES cannot be trimmed short.

With his shaggy coat, keen mind, and bobbed tail, the OES is a great addition to any family with the time and patience to care for him.

PERSONALITY

Old English sheepdogs are smart but independent dogs. They can be strong willed and need a firm hand to guide them along the right path. They do have a remarkable sense of humor and seem to enjoy their owner’s dismay at some of their antics.

While not thought of as a guarding dog, some Old English sheepdogs can be protective. Their bark is loud and some become nuisance barkers. Digging and chewing develops in dogs that are not exercised or mentally challenged enough.

FEEDING

Recommended daily amount: 2.5 to 4.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day.

Note: How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level.

HEALTH

Responsible breeders screen their stock for health conditions such as hip dysplasia, eye conditions (PRA and hereditary cataracts), autoimmune thyroiditis, cardiac anomalies, and hereditary deafness. Fortunately, DNA tests now exist for cerebellar ataxia and primary ciliary dyskinesia, two deadly diseases that breeders can avoid producing simply by identifying carriers and not breeding them to other carriers. DNA tests are also available for drug sensitivity and exercise-induced collapse.

Recommended Health Tests from the National Breed Club:

Hip Evaluation
Thyroid Evaluation
Ophthalmologist Evaluation
EIC DNA Test

CARE

Because of his working origins, the OES likes activity. Today’s Old English Sheepdogs are very capable participants in sheepherding and agility trials, both of which demand a healthy and physically fit dog. Figure on one to two hours of daily exercise as part of the OES routine.

Of course, your dog’s needs will vary according to age. Pups have a lot of energy — so much so that they will use it to destroy your home if they aren’t kept busy with approved activities.

However, cut back on outdoor exercise when the weather is hot. The dense undercoat of the OES is extremely warm, and the dog can overheat quickly and easily.

The OES does not always take confinement well, so if you crate train your OES puppy, must make sure that you do not leave him in the crate too long. He should be out with you when you are home; the OES is sensitive to being shut off from the family he loves.

Additionally, he shouldn’t run and play on very hard surfaces such as pavement; normal play on grass is fine. Forced jumping or jogging on hard surfaces should be avoided until the dog is at least two years old and his joints are fully formed (puppy agility classes, with their one-inch jumps, are fine).

GROOMING

The coat is what attracts most people to the Old English Sheepdog. The breed is double-coated and requires a thorough grooming down to the skin, over the entire dog, at least weekly to maintain their full coats. “Puppy trims” are good options for pet dogs, but they also require regular brushing between baths and haircuts. Keeping the feet clipped (“Poodle feet”) will minimize problems and cleanup. Potential owners need to be prepared to spend the time required to do this, or pay a professional groomer, for several sessions each month for the life of the dog. As with all breeds, the nails should be trimmed regularly.