Old English Sheepdog Profile

Old English Sheepdogs are smart, intelligent and independent dogs. Most of them are easy to train and will be good listeners. There are, however, individuals that require somewhat more firm approach. Most Old English Sheepdogs like to pretend that they don’t understand something when they are “not in the mood”. This is easy to spot as they would do something you request regularly, but in one instance they seem like they forgot how to do that. It is part of their charm. Click here to learn more about Old English Sheepdog behavior.

As advised by the most dry-food manufacturers, you will feed 400 g or 0.88 lbs. of dry dog food to your Old English Sheepdog daily. If your sheepie is more active you can increase daily intake up to 1.1 lbs. or 480 g of dry food, or if your bobtail is more of a couch potato, you can reduce to 0.7 lbs. or 320 g per day. To find out more on quantities, costs and quality of food for your Old English Sheepdog, click here.

Old English Sheepdogs actually see quite well. As it is the case with other breeds, Old English Sheepdogs depend largely on their smell and can reinforce visual inputs with smell to make informative decisions. Some Old English Sheepdogs are goofy and will hit obstacles when they play, but this is not related to their ability to see. It is rather a consequence of their playfulness at that moment. If they sense any kind of danger, they will get serious and observe a surrounding carefully. Like other dogs, Old English Sheepdogs actually have issues in detecting the source of a sound. But this is also a problem of human beings as well. When they run, their bangs move from their eyes, but you can also help them by tying them out on top with a hair band. To read more about Old English Sheepdog appearance, click here.

As humans, dogs do differ even they are of the same breed. Therefore, it is hard to state the exact number for the speed of Old English Sheepdogs, but our experience is that they are capable of reaching and maintaining speeds from 32 to 34 miles per hour (51 to 55 km/h). As they belong to herders and drovers, they are more sprinters than marathon runners, so you have to keep that fact in mind when planning an exercise for your OES. Even they do look clumsy and chubby, they are actually slender and able bodied underneath their coats, which you can see when they go for a swim or you trim their coat. When they sprint, you will notice that they are very nimble, and if your OES has a tail, you will see that they use the tail as a rudder to support their precision in movement. Click here if you would like to learn more about Old English Sheepdog activity preferences and abilities.

Even there are three major clubs providing standards for an Old English Sheepdog, all of them provide similar requirement for Old English Sheepdog coat color to be in any shade of gray, grizzle, or blue. White patches in solid areas are discouraged, even though it is more so in the UK and countries following FCI standards, than it is in the USA with AKC standards. Head, neck, forequarters, and under belly is to be white with or without markings. Any shade of brown is strongly discouraged and undesireable. To find out more about standards for an Old English Sheepdog, click here.

As per the American kennel Club standards, Old English Sheepdogs belong to the Herding group. As per the FCI standards, Old English Sheepdogs belong to the Group 1, Section 1. As per the Kennel Club’s standard in the UK, Old English Sheepdogs belong to the Pastoral group. To learn more about Old English Sheepdog standards, click here.

On average, Old English Sheepdogs will reach their final height at 1 year old. Their final height varies, but as per American Kennel Club standards it should be at least 21 inches (53.3 cm) for females, and 22 inches (55.6 cm) for males, while as per UK’s Kenne Club and FCI standards female height should be at least 56 cm (22 inches), and 61 cm (24 inches) for males. Click here to learn more about Old English Sheepdog appearance.

Old English Sheepdogs are herding dogs, so they require approximately 2 hours per day of regular exercise, which should be split in several walks with engaging runs. It is adviseable to take some toys with you and engage in playtime with your OES, so that they get both mental stimulation and running exercise daily. Of course, some Old English Sheepdogs are couch potatoes, but even them will get an urge to run from time to time. They love larger open areas, but there are many succesful stories of owning Old English Sheepdogs in apartments with regular walks, so living in an apartment should not be a worrying factor when making a decision to own an OES. If you would like to learn more about Old English Sheepdog appearance, click here.

Even though all pooches tend to turn grey after certain age, typically after 5th year of age, Old English Sheepdogs are different. They belong to the group of dogs that have special gene that turns their black coats to different shades of grey and blue. Surveying Old English Sheepdogs, the change usually starts when they are 6 months old and they tend to turn to a more permanent grey color when they reach 18 months of age. There are individual dogs with slightly different progression, but on average you will experience more permanent coat colors when they turn 18 months old. Once coat of an Old English Sheepdog matures, it should be in any shade of grey, grizzle, blue or merle, while any shade of brown or fawn is to be considered distinctly objectionable. To find out more about Old English Sheepdog standards click here, and if you would like to find out more about Old English Sheepdog appearance, you can read this article.

Old English Sheedpogs’ tails were initially docked due to 18th century laws that were taxing owners “as per tail of a dog”. As Bobtails were used as working dogs, tails were docked to prove their status of a working dog. Today, docking is purely cosmetic. If you want to start heated debate among OES owners, just ask for their opinion on tail docking. While some kennel clubs like The Kennel Club of UK and FCI allow for both docked and undocked Old English Sheepdogs to show, American Kennel Club requires docking or natural bob tailed. Many countries have laws that prohibit docking of tails. One of the biggest benefits of an undocked tail is their usage of the tail when running at high speeds, as they will utilize the tail as rudder to ensure their movement is imble and stable. Another benefit of undocked tail is when they poop, as they use their tails as a sort of catapult, so you will have to deal much less with cleaning their behinds then with bobbed tails. If you would like to read more on the topic of docking of tails, click here.

It is undisputed that Old English Sheepdog’s origin is England. However, there is still a discussion what is ancestry of the Old English Sheepdog. While some state that Bearded Collie is the original stock, others believe it was Russian Owtchar. There is also an overview that Smithfield, a natural bobtail, is one of the ancestors. Old English Sheepdogs were used as drovers and sheepdogs in rural England to herd cattle and sheep to markets. Their shaggy coat is a natural defense mechanism against predators, as their lean body is hidden under a good amount of hair which would be hard to overcome under attack. Today bobtails are great show dogs and excellent house companions that make us happy with their goofy behavior. You can read more on Old English Sheepdog origin and history in this article.

Grown up Old English Sheepdogs would vary in height and weight, but there is a minimum height set up by AKC, The Kennel Club and FCI. As per AKC, male’s height (measured from withers to the ground) should be at least 22 inches (55.8 cm), while female’s height should be minimum 21 inches (53.3 cm) and upwards. The Kennel Club’s and FCI’s standard is slightly different, where male OES should be at least 61 cm (24 inches) tall, while female OES should be at least 56 cm (22 inches) tall. If you would like to learn more about standards for the Old English Sheepdog (weight, height, color, etc.), click here.

The weight of an average Old English Sheepdog depends on the individual dog, but it ranges from 60 to 100 pounds, or 27 to 45 kilograms. You should always consult with your veterinarean what would be the optimal weight for your sheepie. Some females are larger and some males are smaller, so we can’t generalize, but rather do physical exam and find out. If you would like to find out more about Old English Sheepdog breed, click here.

The average lifespan of an Old English Sheepdog is 10 – 12 years. However, there are examples of bobtails living up to 15, or even 18 years of age. The most determinant factor for the lifespan is genetic background and healthy lifestile. If you would like to learn more on Old English Sheepdogs health and lifespan, then click here.

Yes, Old English Sheepdogs do shed and they shed moderate to large amount of hair all year round. However, it is important to state that if your OES is with full length hair with both top layer and undercoat, you will not see a lot of hair falling out of their coat on its own. You will actually need to brush and rake fallen hair out of their coat, so Old English Sheepdog shedding is easily manageable. Even if they leave some of their hair somewhere, it is easy to pick it up. If you decide to shave your OES, it could be somewhat more challenging to pick up the hair, but this can also be controlled by regular brushing sessions. Therefore, Old English Sheepdogs  do shed, but management of their fallen hair is easier than compared to some other breeds with fur and shorter hair. If you would like to read more on Old English Sheepdog grooming and coat maintenance, click here.

Old English Sheepdogs have long double-coated hair. A lot of it. This makes them unique in appearance and the reason why so many people love the breed. Outer layer is more textured and curly, while the inner coat is soft and protective. Bobtail’s coat keep them warm during winter times and shaded druring summer. You should keep this in mind if you decide to cut hair short for your OES. Short hairstyle is not a bad thing, but you will have to protect them from longer exposure to sunshine or extreme cold. A lot of potential owners are worried about amount of shedding, but even though your Old English Sheepdog will shed, it will be easily controlable due to the double coat. Most of the hair that does fall out will not fall out on its own, but rather when brushed. In nature, Old English Sheepdog would use branches of bushes to brush their coats and remove dead hair. to find out more on coat standards, quality and grooming tips, click here.

Old English Sheepdogs have natural oils on their skin, which in combination with two layered coat protects them from heat, cold and infections. Therefore, it is not advisable  to bathe them too often. Recommended bathing frequency for an Old English Sheepdog is  quarterly (every three months), or two times per year as a minimum. If you would like to read more on Old English Sheepdog grooming, click here.

Some Old English Sheepdogs are very neat, while others are messy. If your bobtail is messy, you can have a habit of wiping beard daily, or trimming it short to avoid dripping and staining. There are dog shampoos that are effective to maintain white hair and remove staining, so you can also wash only beard weekly to maintain cleanliness and color. To learn more about maintaining your Old English Sheepdog clean, click here.

As all other mammals do, Old English Sheepdogs see using their eyes. Of course, it is natural to ask that kind of question considering that Old English Sheepdog’s face is often covered with hair. In nature, Old English Sheepdogs were more shaggy than the pet dogs, so their hair around eyes was more in strands and when moving, hair moved away from the eyes naturally. With pets, we often use hair ties or hairbands to allow them to see better, but we have to be careful not to expose their eyes to direct sunlight or extreme winds for prolonged time. You can also trim their hair to be out of the way. However, you should also keep in mind that dogs use their nose to “smell the view”, so their eyesight is always incorporating smelling and hearing senses to see better. To read more on grooming of Old English Sheepdogs, click here.

As detaily explained in this article, you can do grooming on your own or use regular grooming service to groom your Old English Sheepdog. However, even if you decide to use professional groomers, there is some minimal grooming work you will have to do on your own (trimming and some brushing between grooming sessions). If you decide to groom on your own, yearly cost is approximated to be USD 212 on average, while if you decide to use professional groomers, you should budget approximately USD 480 yearly. To find out more on cost of Old English Sheepdog ownership in the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia or India, click here.

It can definitely be a challenge if your OES loves muddy puddles. Some bobtails just love to get dirty, while others won’t go potty if there is even a droplet of rain. The best way to maintain your Old English Sheepdog clean is to brush them weekly and bathe them quarterly. Due to the length of their hair, bobtails often have issues after they go potty and sometimes require your assistance to remove remainings. This can be done with comb, but often you’ll need to use scissors as well. Old English Sheepdogs with tail have less problems with this as they use their tails as a sort of catapult, but the most important step to take if your OES has issues after potty is to check if their diet is correct. Poop should be solid enough to not stick to their hair on the backside. Another challenge with cleaning is the face, especially their beard, as some bobtails are sloppy, while others are neat. Some will require regular wiping or trimmed beard to avoid dirty look, itchy muzzle, or odor. To learn more on how to keep your Old English Sheepdog clean, click here.

Old English Sheepdog’s hair grows at a rate of approximately 1/2″ (1.3 cm) to 1″ (2.5 cm) per month. This means that in a year you can expect that the length of your bobtail’s hair is approximately 12″ or 30 cm. If you shave or trim your Old English Sheepdog very short, it will take more than a year to get back to the full length of a coat. If you would like to find out how to maintain Old English Sheepdog’s hair, click here.

Old English Sheepdogs are very prone to matting. This is due to the nature of their coat, which has two layers; outer rough and shaggy, and inner smoother and more gentle. Many potential owners ask about OES shedding. Old English Sheepdogs do shed, but not in a same way as most other dogs do. When their hair falls out or breaks, it usually stays within the coat until you brush it out, so shedding is very controllable. However, if you do not brush your pooch regularly, hair that has shedded will form mats. If your OES gets wet these mats can get very hard to control and separate. Your approach to dematting will depend on how heavy matted is your Old English Sheepdog. If mats are superficial, a simple manipulation with a comb where you utilize the end tooth of a comb to pick apart the strands of a mat and comb it out. If mats are heavy, you’ll probably need a help of detanglers and rakes to separate mats in smaller pieces and then you can do the same approach with the comb as described . To get more information on detangling, dematting and grooming of Old English Sheepdogs, click here.

What do you mean? Old English Sheepdogs are cool, aren’t they? Joking aside, Old English Sheepdogs’ coat helps them regulate their body temperature and stay warm or cool. However, it is a fact that if you have an air conditioner in your house, they will gladly lay down in an area which is well affected with cool air. Most of Old English Sheepdogs like swimming (all dogs are reluctant at first, but very soon give in and enjoy swimming), which gives another hint that they like to get wet and then sleep in a shade peacefully. Considering that they like to get wet, you have to think of preventing matts, as they can get hard to manage after their hair gets wet. If you live in warm areas, you can consider to trim their hair, but keep in mind that they will need good protection from the Sun, so it is advisable to keep them in shades when the Sun is strong. To learn more on benefits of long or short hair styles for your Old English Sheepdog, click here.

Out of all grooming activities, shaving or clipping your Old English Sheepdog is the easiest. It still requires some experience building, especially if you like your bobtail to have a specific look. If you would like to leave head unshaven, but rather trimmed, then you will need some experience in how to make an invisible transition from long hair on their head to short hair on their body. Considering that your OES has long hair, and a lot of it, you should consider investing in pricier professional clipper. This will be of great importance if you like to do your shaving/clipping in one go, as cheaper clippers tend to become very hot when used for a prolonged time. Usually, Old English Sheepdog owners prefer to make a puppy cut of their bobtail’s face. If your OES has an undocked tail, recommendation is that you keep the length of hair for aesthetic reasons. Body and legs could be trimmed as much as you prefer. Old English Sheepdog’s hair grows at a rate of approximately 1/2″ (1.3 cm) to 1″ (2.5 cm) per month, so you will probably need to shave  your Old English Sheepdog two to three times per year. Keep in mind that short hair is easier to maintain, but you are removing natural protection from heat and cold, so ensure that your pooch is not exposed to heat or cold for prolonged times. Once it falls out on your furniture or your clothers, shorter hair is somewhat harder to clean than it is the case with the long hair. If you would like to read more on grooming your Old English Sheepdog, click here.