Old English sheepdogs were developed by farmers in England to herd sheep during the 1700s. In 1888, the American Kennel Club recognized the Old English sheepdog as a member of the herding group. During the 1960s and 1970s, the breed’s popularity surged as a result of exposure through various films and television programs.
This is a large, furry dog with square proportions. It was bred to herd, so it’s a very agile dog that can run with great endurance levels. It has an abundant coat with a dense, weather-resistant undercoat and coarse, straight outer coat. Its coat requires a lot of attention. The Old English Sheepdog is a heavy shredder and its coat needs to be cleaned regularly.
Personality
This is a happy, friendly dog. This dog breed is gentle and has a good sense of humor. It’s a very social dog that is very affectionate towards its family. It needs daily exercise in the form of a moderate or long walk or vigorous play. It’s protective of its family and may try to herd children. It’s friendly with other dogs and strangers.
Breed Characteristics
| Type: | Pure |
| Family: | Herders |
| Function: | Working |
| Origin: | Central America |
| Preferred Climate: | Any Climate |
| Group: | Herding |
| Life Span: | 10-12 Years |
| Nicknames: | OES, Bobtail, Bob, Antiguo perro pastor Ingles, Altenglischer schaeferhund |
| Hypoallergenic: | Yes |
Old English Sheepdog Build Information
There is no upper range limit for the height of an Old English sheepdog. The breed typically stands more than 21 inches tall at the shoulder. The large dog weighs between 60 and 100 pounds. The thick and shaggy coat is long and comes in any shade of gray, blue, blue merle or grizzle with white markings. The ears hang downward. Some old English sheepdogs are born without tails. If a tail is present at birth, it is docked. This is a large, furry dog with square proportions. It was bred to herd, so it’s a very agile dog that can run with great endurance levels. It has an abundant coat with a dense, weather-resistant undercoat and coarse, straight outer coat. Its coat requires a lot of attention. The Old English Sheepdog is a heavy shredder and its coat needs to be cleaned regularly.
| Size: | Large |
| Length (Male): | 22-27 in. |
| Length (Female): | 22-24 in. |
| Weight: | > 65 lbs |
| Litter Size: | 5 – 10 Puppies |
| Tail Dock or Crop: | Docked |
Behaviour and Personality
The happy Old English sheepdog is easy-going and can adapt to various situations. The breed has a strong herding instinct, and these dogs will try to herd family members. The Old English sheepdog is a dedicated, alert, protective and territorial watchdog. It loves children, and it can get along with other household pets if it is raised and socialized with them from an early age. Old English sheepdogs are intelligent, but they are also independent thinkers that can be challenging to train. This is a happy, friendly dog. This dog breed is gentle and has a good sense of humor. It’s a very social dog that is very affectionate towards its family. It needs daily exercise in the form of a moderate or long walk or vigorous play. It’s protective of its family and may try to herd children. It’s friendly with other dogs and strangers.
| Activity Level: | Active |
| Affection Level: | Affectionate |
| Aggressiveness Level: | Easy |
| Barking: | Moderate |
| Dominating or Submissive?: | Submissive |
| Energy Level: | Active |
| Good to Other Pets: | Friendly |
| Guardian Skills: | No |
| Independant: | No |
| Kid Friendliness: | Very Friendly |
Appearance
To maintain the luxurious coat of an Old English sheepdog, it will need to be brushed out every other day to prevent tangling and matting. This will also remove dead hair and any debris that gets carried in from outdoors. Each week, the ears should be checked and cleaned if they appear dirty to prevent ear infections. Make brushing the teeth part of the grooming routine in order to prevent periodontal disease.
| Colors: | Blue, Blue Gray, Blue Merle, Gray, Grizzle, Off White, White |
| Shedding: | Moderate |
| Grooming: | High Maintenance |
| Coat Type: | Water-Repellent |
Old English Sheepdog Common Health Conditions
Old English sheepdogs live average lifespans of 10 to 12 years. Some health problems to be aware of in the Old English sheepdog include hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, congenital deafness, progressive retinal atrophy, cerebellar ataxia and heart conditions. The breed is also known for drug sensitivities that can result in adverse reactions to certain medications and to heartworm preventatives that contain ivermectin.
Old English Sheepdog Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
The big, shaggy Old English sheepdog resembles a cuddly stuffed animal, and it really is a child-friendly family companion. The Old English sheepdog was developed in England. The Old English sheepdog is also called an OES, a bobtail, a bob, an antiguo perro pastor Ingles and an altenglischer schaeferhund. The Old English sheepdog is a gentle and loving family companion and an effective watchdog. The Old English sheepdog stands more than 21 inches tall and weighs 60 to 100 pounds. Old English sheepdogs have moderate energy levels. Old English sheepdogs require extensive grooming. The average lifespan for an Old English sheepdog is 10 to 12 years.
| Training: | Easy |
| Hunting Companion: | No |
| Jolly for Jogging: | Yes |
| Sighting Capabilities: | No |
| Ideal for Tracking: | No |
| Retrieving Skills: | Yes |
| Pointing Breed: | No |
| Herding Skills: | Yes |
| Dutiful Watchdog: | Yes |
| Security Guard Capable: | No |
| Police Performer: | No |
| Wet Water rescues: | No |
| Assist Disable Owners: | No |
| Dog Sledding: | No |
| Able to Perform Dog Carting: | No |
| Agile/Zippy: | No |
| Fun with Lure Coursing: | No |
| Obedient: | No |
| Possible Schutzhund Work: | Yes |
| Trainable for Tricks: | Yes |
