Old English Sheepdog

Wizard01

We are thinking of getting a female Old English Sheepdog.
Does anyone here own one?
What are they like as family pets, with children etc..
Are there any health problems they are likely to have?
Easy to train or not?
A lot have the Bellablue bloodlines, Is this a good bloodline?

We are doing research into this breed to see if she will fit in with us and want to know anyone's opinion if they own or have owned one.
Thanks

magentas

I don't have first-hand experience with this particular breed (I'm a collie enthusiast though!) but I believe they have a wonderful temparment, easy to train and they are intelligent and very social dogs.

The main health issue with sheepdogs in general seems to be cancer (it's the biggest killer) but they are also known to suffer from hip dysplasia.
The best thing you can do is buy from a responsible breeder that has done the necessary health tests etc.

The old english sheepdog will need routine grooming because of it's long shaggy coat and they would be prone to matting which could cause discomfort and you'll need to take care to clip around his/her ears to avoid possible infections.

Fair play for researching the breed! I've 3 border collies that are pretty active but I think the old english are a bit more laid back although the still require plenty of exercise. I think the most important thing would be that you include him/her in your everyday family life as they are an incredibly social breed.

Good luck in your search!:)

golden8

OES are extremely high maintenance with regards to grooming a friend of mine brushes her dog every day and sends her to the groomers on a regular basis.

Also be aware of bloat all deep chested dogs such as OES are prone to it, having said that it does not stop me getting a deep chested dog, I have a lab and will get another any time. Just be aware thats all.

Heres a link for you
http://www.globalspan.net/bloat.htm#Prevention

portgirl123

have been told that they are a german shepherd in disgise.

Nollipop

I walk an Old English Sheepdog a few times a week for someone else and he's lots of fun. He loves to chase balls and paddling in rivers.

The house has two cats as well, which he likes to sniff but generally gets on well with. He was crate-trained from a puppy and taught to be sensible around them.

The couple don't have children, but the ones I meet out and about on the walk with him are delighted. He's the "Dulux doggie" and loves to be stroked by them. I don't let the smaller children get too close as he's very big and might knock them over by accident.

One word of caution: they can be very energetic, some are slightly stubborn to train (especially at recall, but that's hard for most dogs anyway!) and can try to bully other dogs, if you let them. Obedience classes/training yourself if you're experienced is a must as they grow to be big, strong dogs. Insurance can also be more expensive as they are often classed as 'large breed.'

Hope that helps!

peasant

We have an OES mix (either OES / Bearded Collie or OES and just Collie ...the jury is still out. At first glance he's mostly OES) and he's an absolute gent.

Well ...he is now. We got him as a "teenager" and he was extremely headstrong and a real challenge for training. OES in their history were never herders but drovers. This means they weren't so much used to function by "remote control" as to act on their own initiative. This still shines through sometimes. Where a Collie will be asking to be told to do something to the point of being a nuisance, an OES will sooner or later give you the finger and just walk off and do his own thing or be likely to interpret commands in a way that suits his current state of mind ...certainly not one for pointless repetition.

Things to watch out for:

The coat ...is a massive amount of work to keep in good condition. Next to impossible for dogs that lead a dogs life with dirt, water and muck involved.
Be prepared to get the dog shorn every now and then. Show standard trim is totally impractical for a normal dog. Apply scissors liberally and regularly around the eyes, ears, mouth, paws and anus.

There are reports of aggressiveness in some lines of OES. These are big, strong dogs...you don't want an agressive one. Research your chosen breeders lines, meet a few dogs, form an opinion before you buy

Attention ...you will be getting lots of it. Screeching children (and adults) running towards the dog to bury themselves in its fluffy coat without asking or warning are a common occurance. Make damn sure that your dog is well socialised and tolerant of this attention, especially where children are concerned.

Fur ...you will wear it yourself. No amount of cleaning and hoovering will stop the spread of OES hair to the smallest crevice of your house. Newly washed clothes will be decorated with dog hair, hairballs will grow all by themselves in dark corners, your garden will sport hair trees, your car won't need sheepskin seat covers

Noise. Not normally very noisy dogs, but have a tendency to be watchful. So if you live in a busy area, your OES may be busy barking at all sorts of perceived "threats" all day long ...difficult to impossible habit to control.



Other than that ...and if our fella is anything to go by...they are great dogs. Strong, healthy, quite fond of the odd cuddle (by owner or adoring stranger), with a bit of an independent streak and a good sense of humour.

Whispered

I've only ever met 2 of these dogs - my grans old dear - Trixie Belle. She was a rescue and mad as a hatter until the day she died. She loved us as kids and had the patience of a saint. She was excitable and stubborn, but on a whole very well behaved. She was a lot to handle excitement wise, but I imagine this had a lot to do with a lack of sufficient exercise. She had MAD blue eyes and was shorn all of the time. The thing I remember most about her is how clean she was. Poor thing, when my gran would be away and my uncle was supposed to be looking after her, would not go to the toilet out the back at all, even if it was 2 days between walks. EDIT: she was a very clowny dog and enjoyed acting the brat in front of the kids to get a laugh.

The other one, well I haven't so much as met him, as seen him a few times. Sitting up on the wall at the front of his house having his amazing coat attended to by his owner - and I strolled past with my little baldy boy. I see him being groomed - outside - every second day or so. His coat seems to take a lot of maintenence. I have seen what peasent mentioned above and the kids crowding around him and the owner. It seems to be a sociable persons dog. If you like to be left to yourself when out and about, probably not the dog for you.

Lady Thor

They are a wonderful happy dog, its good to socialise them or they can get a bit territorial, I have a 7 year old old english&he loves playing football&he gets groomed twice a year

EGAR

I've got a 3 yro male in rescue at present. He is has guarding instinct and can be quite intimidating with visitors but is brilliant with my son and the cats (which, the previous owner assured me, he has lived with before he came here). Very active, highly intelligent and thrive on exercise. However, the breed is prone to several genetic diseases such as entropia. For the full list have a look here: http://pedigreedoghealth.org/old-english-sheepdog-disease-predisposition/