Old English Sheepdog

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Old English Sheepdog

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Size: Large
Other Names: Sheepdog, OES, Dulux Dog
Country of Origin: England
Accreditation:
American Kennel Club (AKC): Herding
Canadian Kennel Club (CKC): Herding
United Kennel Club (UKC): Herding Dog
Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC): Working Dogs
The Kennel Club (KC): Pastoral
Kennel Union of Southern Africa (KUSA): Herding
National Kennel Club (NKC): Recognized
New Zealand Kennel Club (NZKC): Working Dogs

The Old English Sheepdog is best known for his shaggy gray and white fur, which also covers his face, including his eyes. He is strong, muscular, compact, thick-set, square, balanced, and able-bodied. He has a broad, rather square skull, with a fairly lone and strong, square and truncated muzzle. His dark eyes are set well apart, he has a large black nose, and medium-sized ears that are carried flat to the side of his head. His undercoat is water resistant. Puppies are born with jet black and white fur, making them look a little like a Panda. Once the puppy coat has been shed, the gray or silver shaggy hair appears.

A large herding dog whose coat is a daily commitment; a watchful bark and a need for space and brushing, not a small apartment.

The Old English Sheepdog is a breed of dog used for herding livestock and as a pet. The OES's abundant coat is an effective insulator in both hot and cold weather. In both Australia and the UK, they are sometimes referred to as "Dulux Dog", as a result of their long-running use in advertising Dulux paint.

Height: 22 inches
Weight: Male: 70-100 pounds; Female: 60-80 pounds
Color: Any shade of gray, grizzle, blue, or blue merle, with optional white markings
Coat: Profuse, shaggy double coat that covers the eyes
Lifespan: 10–12 years
Litter size: 5–8 puppies

Temperament

The Old English Sheepdog is intelligent, funny, and social. He is bubbly and always willing to play with you. Sometimes, he may be stubborn, depending on his mood. Sheepdogs are excellent, intuitive, and loving companions, and have even earned the title "babysitter" or "Nanny" around young children. They have been known to not only herd livestock but also their family members. Without biting or nipping, they will push any family member away from dangerous objects and people. He gets along well with children, visitors, other dogs, and other pets. He can live both outside and inside.

Training

Brushing his coat should be started at a very young age to get the Old English Sheepdog used to it.

Care and grooming

Like all herding breeds, the Old English Sheepdog requires plenty of physical exercise, and mental stimulation. Extensive grooming is required, as the long coat protects him from the cold, and from mild heat and sun. To keep it mat-free and tangle-free, the long coat requires thorough brushing at least once weekly, which can take an hour or longer to perform. Some people have saved their Sheepdog's hair from grooming and have spun it into yarn. Matting of the dog's coat is uncomfortable and can even be painful for the animal. It is not necessary to keep the hair long over his eyes; if you cannot see the dog’s eyes, then the dog cannot see well either. If you cannot devote so much time to grooming, you can trim the dog’s coat in the springtime with a professional electric shear. The dog will become very excited and frisky after shedding his heavy winter coat. The hair between the toes and the ball of the foot should be trimmed regularly. Matting of hair inside the ear canal is normal, and can easily be removed by a veterinarian, or you can use a to do the job. The inside of the ears and underside of the ear flaps should be cleaned regularly.

Shedding

Moderate to heavy; the long coat mats if loose hair is not brushed out.

Health

Old English Sheepdogs may be prone to hip dysplasia, deafness, eye disease, and hypothyroidism. The heavy coat also makes overheating a risk in warm weather.

Crosses that include the Old English Sheepdog

These hybrid pages list this breed as a parent. Open a name to see the other contributing breed.

Old Deerhound Sheepdog

Sheepadoodle

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