IS THE OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG RIGHT FOR YOU?
- 1Old English Sheep Dogs are most commonly identified by their thick, beautiful coat, which requires frequent grooming.
- 2Old English Sheepdogs are large and strong and thrive on plenty of exercise or hard work.
- 3Old English Sheepdog puppies should be started on a grooming process as early as possible.
HISTORY
Bred to be a natural sheep-herder that can cope with extreme climates, the Old English Sheepdog assisted farmers in the western counties of England for a little over a hundred years. Thought to be a crossbreed of the Poodle, Deerhound, Briard, Bergamasco, and Scotch Bearded Collie, Old English Sheepdogs were widely used by English farmers to herd sheep and cattle. In 1888, the Old English Sheepdog was recognized by the AKC.
Quick Facts
Size
Large
Lifespan
10 -12 years
Hair Length
Long
Male Height
22 - 24 inches (56 - 61 cm)
Male Weight
65 pounds (29 kg)
Female Height
20 - 22 inches (51 cm)
Female Weight
60 pounds (27 kg), though some can be over 100 pounds
Litter Size
4 - 8 puppies, average 6 puppies
Personality
A loving, funny, friendly, smart, loyal breed, the Old English Sheepdog makes for an exceptional family dog. Being a natural herder, they may try to herd people and should be taught early on that this is a negative behavior. They need firm, but gentle leadership in order to be properly socialized and should be made to understand that they are lower on the totem-pole than any person. These are very strong-willed dogs, and if they believe that they are stronger of mind than someone else, they will not take direction from them and may even try to boss them around. This should be broken early on. .
Color
Old English Sheepdogs can be found in black and white, grey and white, or grey, with white markings or black markings.
Health Concerns
Old English Sheepdogs have a normal life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. Common health issues are:
- parasites
- IMHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia)
- skin diseases
- hip dysplasia
- cataracts
Appearance
The Old English Sheepdog is a square-built, muscular dog with a large, square head. They have little round feet, flat ears, and a black nose. Their tail is either amputated off or they are simply born without one. Their shaggy fur is long, with a hard outer coat and a soft, water-resistant undercoat.