Cover photo
People gave the Old English Sheepdog the nicknames Bob and Bobtail, a reference to the practice of tail docking. People used them as ‘dover’ dogs, which means they used to help move cattle to the market. In order to evade taxes, people would dock their Old English Sheepdogs’ tails, classifying them as working dogs. Today, of course, the tail-docking practice is banned in most countries. The Old English Sheepdog is a great family dog as well. They are affectionate and they go well with children, but there are some things we need to reconsider before getting a large dog with long and fluffy fur and a working history into our homes.
Origins: 19th century, England
AKC: Herding group
RKC: Pastoral group
FCI: Group one (Sheepdogs and Cattledogs)
UKC: Herding group
Physical Traits
The Old English Sheepdog is a large dog with a long, fluffy coat. They appear strong and muscular, with long fur covering their entire bodies. These dogs stand slightly lower at the withers than at the loin, giving them a pear-shaped outline when viewed from above.
Height:
Males: from 22 inches up (from 55 cm up)
Females: from 21 inches and up (from 53 cm up)
Weight: 60 to 100 pounds (27 to 45 kg)
Coat: long, double, profuse, harsh texture without curls
Color: Any shade of gray, grizzle or blue; Head, neck, forequarters and underbelly should be white (these white patches can have markings)
Eyes: dark, blue is acceptable (only if both eyes are blue)
Ears: small and carried flat on the side of the head
Tail: natural carriage, well-feathered (when undocked)
Nose: large and black
Skull: mesocephalic, scissor bite
Social Traits
Their goofiness, affection, and people-pleasing nature are well known, and that’s largely due to their purpose: herding sheep all day while connecting with people. When raised and trained properly, they are great with children. Even though they are naturally friendly, they still need proper socialization and training from an early age, just like any other dog.
Key traits:
Friendly
Affectionate
Good with children
Playful
Protective (without aggressiveness)
They get along well with other dogs
They usually get along well with other pet animals (such as cats or rabbits)
They don’t have a high prey drive
They have a herding drive
They don’t like being alone (very important)
Suitable for city and countryside, but if you’re in a city, make sure your dog has enough daily exercise and that you spend enough quality time with him
The Old English Sheepdog (OES) is a dog breed that needs human contact. They love to follow you around from room to room; they will show affection in many ways; and, most of all – they shouldn’t be alone all day long.
The OES can quickly develop separation anxiety, become shy, barky, or show other signs of misbehavior if left alone too long every day. So, if you can’t spend a lot of time with your dog, maybe you need another dog breed?
The OES is a naturally friendly dog, but it still needs proper socialization to grow up into a confident dog that won’t have problems meeting new animals or people. This is especially important if you have small pets, such as cats, bunnies, etc.
And finally, the biggest issue with the Old English Sheepdog and children is that they can accidentally knock them down during playtime. That’s why we cannot leave very young children with dogs alone, no matter how friendly a dog is. Accidents can happen.
Activity Needs and Trainability
The Old English Sheepdog is an active dog, and it needs enough daily exercise to keep healthy and happy. They are moderately active, but they are quite playful and people-oriented, so it’s more about spending time with them, not just taking them out for a walk.
They need around 2 hours of daily exercise combined with playtime
They love to meet new dogs, so taking them to the dog park is a great activity
They are very playful well into adulthood
The OES is not as active as a Border Collie, but, for example, they are more active than a Golden Retriever. They need their playtime and exercise, and if they don’t get enough, they might get barky or destructive (caused by boredom).
The Old English Sheepdog is a smart and trainable dog. Being people-oriented, they love to make people happy and be with them, so training usually goes very well. You can teach them off-leash walking, tricks, obedience training, and they even do great as therapy dogs.
Health and Nutrition
Generally speaking, an OES is a healthy dog, but it depends a lot on the breeder. If it’s someone who doesn’t care about the dogs and just aims for the profit, the dogs will be a lot more susceptible to health issues. This is important for many reasons, but for a new owner who has never had a big dog, it also means much bigger vet bills.
Some possible health issues:
- Hip dysplasia
- Eye problems
- Bloat (GDV)
- Hypothyroidism
A good dog breeder will do all to keep their dogs healthy and to sell healthy dogs. Always ask if they screen-tested their dogs. A good breeder keeps a dog breed healthy, and we shouldn’t endorse backyard breeders.
Another issue is their thick double coat. While it’s great for the cold weather, rain, and snow, it can be a problem in summer, especially if you live in a city. They can easily overheat, which means we have to trim the coat short or pay attention when we go out for a walk.
An Old English Sheepdog needs from 2.5 to 4.5 cups of kibble a day. We should divide the amount into two meals – one in the morning and the other in the evening. For example, if we feed our OES 4 cups a day, we should give him 2 cups in the morning and 2 cups in the evening.
The amount of food a dog needs depends on many internal and external factors. It’s not just about the size of the dog, but health, activity levels, seasons, and so on. If you’re in doubt, it’s best to ask a vet than to change your dog’s diet on your own.
Life expectancy: 10 to 12 years
Grooming
Maintaining an Old English Sheepdog’s coat is very important. The OES needs regular brushing, at least 2 or 3 times a week, but it’s highly recommended you check its fur every day to avoid matting. Brushing is also a good way to further connect with your dog.
If you can’t trim and wash your dog’s fur on your own, you can take it to a professional dog groomer. It is more expensive, but it saves time and lots of work at home, including cleaning your bathroom after you’re done.
You can use a combination of a pin and slicker brush while brushing. This way you can thoroughly brush both layers, the outer and the inner coat. Just don’t forget to choose a pin brush with rounded tips and longer pins for the best effect and to make it more comfortable for your dog.
Moderate shedding
Brushing at least twice a week
Use a slicker and a pin brush
Final Thoughts
Old English Sheepdogs are large, furry dogs with a lot of love to give, and they do best as cherished family members, not just companions. They are known for their gentle and playful nature with children, their friendliness towards other animals, and their ability to connect emotionally with their owners, which fosters a deeper bond beyond a typical pet relationship. Daily activity, regular grooming, and plenty of social contact are necessary for them, and in return they offer loyalty, humor, and endless affection. They’re smart and learn quickly, but can be a bit headstrong, so be nice and encouraging when you train them. If you’re looking for a dog that’s all about people and fun, and becomes a part of your everyday life, an OES is perfect.
Cover photo by Ben Griffiths
