Old English Sheepdog and Puppy Facts and Information Guide

Old English Sheepdog Breed In Brief | Old English Sheepdog History | Appearance
Old English Sheepdog Temperament | Exercise Needs | Grooming Requirements
Old English Sheepdog Health Concerns | Training Your Sheepdog
Is an Old English Sheepdog The Right Breed For You? | Online Resources
Old English Sheepdog Pictures | Old English Sheepdog Breeders
English Sheepdog Rescue | Old English Sheepdog and Puppy Names

TheOld English Sheepdog Breed in Brief:

Origin: England
Height: Females stand a minimum of 21 inches at the shoulder, males a minimum of 22 inches
Weight: 60-100 pounds
Exercise Needs: Moderate
Grooming Needs: High
Life Expectancy: 10-12 years
Good With Kids: Yes
Trainability: Medium
Common Misspellings: Old English Sheepdog, Old English Sheep Dog Olde English Sheepdog Oldenglishsheepdogs
Alternate Names: Hairy Bobtail, Bobbie, Bobby, Bobbies

One of the larger teddy bears of the dog world, the Old English Sheepdog is a wonderful pet as well as a capable working dog. With his long and fuzzy coat obscuring all but this personable fellow’s black nose, he remains one of the most easily recognizable breeds of dogs in the world and a favorite amongst those who actually get to know the breed. While some are put off by these loveable giants’ thick furry coats, the Old English Sheepdog is really no more work than any other long-haired breed of dog, and fanciers are sure to tell you that this fuzz ball’s great personality makes any amount of upkeep well worth it.

The History of the Old English Sheepdog

The true origins of this magnificent breed have been lost in the turn of centuries, though it is believed that the Old English Sheepdog can be traced back to the early parts of the nineteenth century. In the counties of Southwestern England, there were references made to a large animal, known as the "drovers dog," a breed which may have been a descendant of the Scottish Bearded Collie or a dog known as the Russian Owtchar. This large canine was used for driving cattle and sheep to market and, due to the fact that their working status made them exempt from taxes, their tails were cut off (a practice known as "docking") in order to identify them as such. The practice of docking the tail remains in effect in these modern times, the breed having earned the nickname of "Bobtail" or "Bobs" because of this.

Old English Sheepdog Appearance

Square-bodied and sturdily-built, the Old English Sheepdog is easily recognized by his shaggy waterproof coat and large size. Standing a minimum of 21 inches at the shoulder, this hardy working breed was bred large enough to handle the cattle that had to be driven to market, and yet agile enough to handle the sheep in the fields. Also unique to the breed is their strange shuffling gait, not unlike the movements of a bear. The Old English Sheepdog is also known to have a distinctive bark, known to have a "pot-casse" tone.

The Old English Sheepdog can be found in any shade of blue, gray, grizzle, or blue merle and can be found either with or without white markings. Their eyes are intelligent and bright, found in shades of blue, dark brown, or an eye of each color. Additionally, the blue-colored Sheepdogs typically have one pale eye, known as a pearl, china, or wall-eye. While some people think that this pale eye is due to a defect and is a sign of blindness it is, in fact, just a normal eye and considered to be perfectly acceptable. Yellow or amber eyes are considered a fault, however.

Old English Sheepdog Temperament

The Old English Sheepdog is a loving and friendly fuzz ball that tends to get along well with other dogs, children, and a variety of other pets. While keenly intelligent, they can have a bit of a stubborn streak and their bull-headed determination can make them a challenge to train, but they remain a steadfast and loyal companion to those who take the time with them. Well known for their stable disposition, the Old English Sheepdog may make a good watchdog, but is not known for being shy, nervous, nor is he an aggressive dog.

Old English Sheepdog Exercise Needs

Due to his size, many think that the stout Old English Sheepdog is a lazy dog that does not require much exercise. In truth, however, he is an athletic giant, bred for the purpose of working for a living. While he doesn’t mind the opportunity to nap in the shade, the Sheepdog does enjoy a healthy amount of exercise and can be prone to obesity if he does not receive it.

Should you choose an Old English Sheepdog as your ideal pet, you will probably want a large back yard where younger dogs have plenty of room to run, frolic, and race around. If you don’t have this, the new Sheepdog owner had best be prepared to go for frequent walks or to take regular trips down to the dog park.

Old English Sheepdog Grooming Requirements

For many years, the Old English Sheepdog was shunned by the mainstream public, due to a misinterpretation of the term "profuseness of coat," which caused many to believe that this meant that the breed had an excessive coat which required an abnormal amount of maintenance. In truth, the ideal Bobtail’s coat requires no more upkeep than any other breed of long-haired dog. For those who don’t wish to groom their dog every couple of weeks, a simple trip to the groomers for a clip-down may be in order, allowing the dog to enjoy the hot and humid days in a short-shorn coat. Don’t be fooled, however - the Old English Sheepdog coat actually serves to insulate the dog, helping to keep him cooler on hot days, warm on cold days, and protection from the damp.

Training Your Old English Sheepdog

The Old English Sheepdog is a notoriously clever dog with a strong mind of his own. They rarely react to loud voices and will come downright belligerent if any type of physical reprimands are used against them. When training the Old English Sheepdog, it’s important to bring a great deal of patience, and to stock to routine. Most dogs are creatures of habit and will learn through positive reinforcement - the Sheepdog is no exception. In fact, it’s important to realize that edible treats aren’t the only kind of "reward" that a dog can receive. If you’re not careful, you can reward him in a negative fashion, such as chasing after him in an attempts to retrieve a slipper that he was chewing on. Instead of teaching him this behavior is "bad," he learns that he can get his owner to come and enjoy a great game of tag simply by stealing the slipper.

It’s also equally important to teach your Old English Sheepdog how to respond to non-physical cues. When teaching him to sit, try taking a tasty-smelling treat and hold it in your hand, letting him smell it. Instead of pressing down on your dog’s hindquarters or patting him on the back, instead tell him to "sit," in a firm tone as you slowly raise the treat up over your dog’s head and in the direction of his back several inches over his head. Ideally, your dog will raise his head to try and see the treat and will instinctively sit down so that he can look up.

Old English Sheepdog Health Concerns

Like any breed of dog, the Old English Sheepdog is subject to a variety of health concerns. Your best bet is, when deciding to choose a new Old English Sheepdog puppy, check around with several breeders and ask about the various health issues that can affect these beautiful little dogs. A reputable breeder should be well-versed in the health concerns and should be able to give you more details, as well as showing you the sire and dam of your potential puppy. Some of the health problems that can affect Old English Sheepdogs include:

Deafness
Cataracts
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
Hip dysplasia
Hypothyroidism

Is the Old English Sheepdog the Right Breed For You?

A loving and protective companion, the Old English Sheepdog makes an ideal family pet. They enjoy being the comical clowns of the family and are very playful dogs who exhibit a great deal of patience with children and other pets alike. While they can be somewhat stubborn, taking them to obedience classes can prove very helpful, and the cooperative Bobtail is a fast learner.

The main drawbacks of this breed would be the Sheepdog’s large size and people being intimidated by the dog’s long, shaggy coat. While the Old English Sheepdog does a couple of brushings throughout the week, most fanciers will tell you that the merits of this wonderful dog far outweigh any brushing-related drawbacks. If you have room in your heart for this big loveable teddy bear, chances are that the Old English Sheepdog may fit perfectly into your life.

Online Old English Sheepdog Information Resources

There are a wealth of resources online that can help you learn more about the Old English Sheepdog breed. We've compiled a list of Old English Sheepdog information sites to assist you in quickly locating quality information about the Old English Sheepdog breed, while avoiding the "garbage" sites that are nothing more than poor attempts to capitalize on the popularity of dog breeds in general. If you know of a Old English Sheepdog information site that offers unique, quality information and photos of the Old English Sheepdog breed, please contact us with the URL and a brief description so that our editors can consider it for inclusion in our list below.

Everything about Old English Sheepdogs - Photo galleries, owner discussion forums, medical and tick information, Old English Sheepdog merchandise, and links to North American rescue organizations.
Old English Sheepdog online pedigrees - An online pedigree database for Old English Sheepdogs.
Old English Sheepdog Standard - Official standard set down by the AKC.

Old English Sheepdog Pictures

Old English Sheepdogs are a very photogenic dog breed. By looking at Old English Sheepdog pictures, you can usually gain more insight into what these dogs and puppies are like as a breed, and this can help you decide if you really want to become a Old English Sheepdog owner. The following sites below offer pictures of Old English Sheepdogs, English Sheepdog puppy photos, funny Old English Sheepdog photos and more. Enjoy!

Andy's Home - Pictures of Andy the Sheepdog in Japan, with lots of Old English Sheepdog links around the world. [English/Japanese]
Annie's Homepage - Annie - a bobtail living in Stockholm, Sweden.
Barb's OES Page - Rescue and Old English Sheepdogs in agility, conformation, and obedience.
Chopin, the OES - Chopin the Old English Sheepdog in Japan. [English/Japanese]
Deb's Old English Sheepdogs - Providing a general overview, history, grooming tips, breed standard comparison, photographs and links to OES related sites.
FamilyTime OES - Jack and Annabelle OES located in central Oklahoma. Pictures, links, health info and guestbook.
Fluff's Page - Fluff the Old English Sheepdog in her new home after being rescued.
Frank the Sheepdog - Pictures of Frank as he has grown.
Henny's Old English Sheepdog Site - Photographs of 2 Old English Sheepdogs. Bonnet was born August 6th 1991 - died September 16th 1999, and Macy was born March 11th 1997. Nederlands.
Horatio and Shelby's Site - Horatio and Shelby's Old English Sheepdog photo galleries
International Ch. Winner De Larrywood - Photos and awards and show results for this International Champion Old English Sheepdog
Isaura's Home Page - Pictures, links and guestbook all concerning Isaura. From New Mexico.
Jasmist In The Tunnel of Love - Information photos and news.
Lakesong Reg'd - Many pictures of OES puppies Dancer and Sky
Niki Dawg - Niki, an Old English Sheepdog in California, USA jumps through hula hoops and has been seen on tv newscasts.
Sebastian - Old English Sheepdog with photographs.
The Shaggy Dog Gallery - Post photos and leave comments at this photo gallery dedicated primarily to Old English Sheepdogs.
WiggleBus - Family friendly fantasy adventure following 3 Old English Sheepdogs and two terriers aboard a retired school bus. Sensitively handles the passing of one of the sheepdogs.
Willie's World - An Old English Sheepdog shares about himself, his family, his friends, and his photo album.

Buying a Old English Sheepdog Puppy

Now that you have decided that the Old English Sheepdog is the right breed for you, it's time to start the process of finding a responsible Old English Sheepdog breeder from which to buy a healthy, well-socialized puppy. Not all breeders are alike; there are good breeders - and bad breeders. Don't be in a hurry to buy the first English Sheepdog puppy you find at the cheapest price available! To buy a puppy from a responsible Old English Sheepdog breeder, you may need to pay more and wait longer. The additional money and waiting time will be well worth it. Buy a puppy in haste from a newspaper ad, pet store or "backyard breeder", and you'll likely also purchase a great deal of additional expense and heartache, since you will likely end up falling in love with a puppy with health and behavioral problems that will likely need special care, plenty of veterinary visits, regular medication - or even euthanasia. But do your homework and find a responsible, caring Old English Sheepdog breeder who home-raises their puppies with love, screens their breeding dogs for health problems, offers a health guarantee and post sale support, and who genuinely loves the Old English Sheepdog breed and is in it for the love of the breed, rather than profit, and you can be fairly well assured of getting a healthy, happy, long lived and affectionate family companion that will provide you and your family with many years of joy, laughter and companionship.

Further information about choosing a responsible breeder...

Here are a few breeder directory sites that we recommend. These sites attempt to screen advertisers to ensure that the breeders listed are responsible and sell healthy, home-raised Old English Sheepdog puppies to carefully screened buyers. There are many, many sites now online that advertise dog breeders - many are a Mecca for puppy mills and backyard breeders. We recommend that you steer clear of these resources in favor of sites that are more selective in the breeders whom they allow to advertise.

We Highly Recommend:

Old English Sheepdog Rescue

Old English Sheepdog clubs and rescues web sites can help you learn even more about the Old English Sheepdog breed, help you locate a responsible Old English Sheepdog breeder, or help you find a Old English Sheepdog or puppy in need of a second chance for a loving, forever home. We've compiled the following list of Old English Sheepdog clubs and Old English Sheepdog rescues web sites for your convenience:

Dixie Old English Sheepdog Rescue, Inc. - OES rescue services provided in northern Florida and surrounding region. Surrender documents, adoption application.
Lone Star Old English Sheepdog Rescue - Photographs and profiles of available dogs, adoption information and forms, happy endings, and rescue links. Texas.
New England Old English Sheepdog Rescue, Inc. - Charitable organization incorporated in 1994. Photographs and profiles of available dogs, application forms, national rescue contact list, photo gallery, merchandise, and links.
OES Rescue Network of the Southeast - Provides rescue services in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Includes stories and photos of past rescues and links.
Old English Sheepdog Rescue of Colorado - Colorado Old English Sheepdog Rescue
Old English Sheepdog Rescue of Southern California - Provides information on rescue and adoption, with stories of adopted dogs. Also offers merchandise.
Texas Old English Sheepdog Rescue - Provides information on a dogs available for adoption, online adoption forms, rescue stories, and care tips.

Old English Sheepdog Breed Clubs

Belgian Old English Sheepdog Club - Show info, photos, club history and links.
Bobtail Club of Finland - The Official OES breed Club of Finland, member of Kennel Club of Finland. In English and Finnish.
Continental Kennel Club - Old English Sheepdog Information on the Continental Kennel Club
Les Amis du Bobtail - Association in France dedicated to helping the Sheepdog aka "Bobtail" enthusiast. Membership information, show results and photographs, list of breeders, merchandise, and rescue. [French/English]
National Old English Sheepdog Council, Australia - Standards, show results, news, membership info and links.
New England Old English Sheepdog Club - Organization details, event dates, grooming information and pictures.
New Zealand Kennel Club - Old English Sheepdog information, sites and New Zealand Breed Standard
Old English Sheepdog Breed Council - History, constitution, show dates and judges reports, health issues and more from this Council that represents the breed clubs of the UK at the Kennel Club.
Old English Sheepdog Club - Denmark - Founded in 1965 as a club beneath the Dansk Kennel Klub. The aim of the club is to work for the preservation of the breed according to the standard being sound and typically animals and furthermore to extend the interest for Old English Sheepdogs.
Old English Sheepdog Club Nederland - Founded in 1974. Includes committees, breed standard, rescue, agendas, breeder directory, events, shows, competitions, and links.
Old English Sheepdog Club of Scotland - Information on the OES Club of Scotland including shows, gifts, training nights, rescue and rehoming service, grooming requirements.
Old English Sheepdog Club of Victoria, Australia - Club information and history, events, and breed standard.
St Louis Old English Sheepdog Club - Calendar of events, photographs and links.

Old English Sheepdog Puppy Dog Names

Choosing a name for your Old English Sheepdog puppy can be a daunting task! There are so many names to choose from that it can take a lot of thought and research to find just the right name for your Old English Sheepdog. Usually, it's best to get to know your puppy for a few days or weeks. Often your puppy's personality will help you decide on just the right name to choose. Does he have a sense of humor? A serious side? A goofy way of cocking his head to one side? A strange love of cantaloupe? By observing your new Old English Sheepdog puppy over the first days or weeks, you should at least have a clue about what type of name you want to give. There are a ton of dog names and pet names web sites on the internet. Some are wonderful information resources, while others, unfortunately, are just "garbage" sites set up with the sole purpose of cashing in on visitor hits for this popular subject.

We recommend the following sites to assist you in choosing a name for your new Old English Sheepdog puppy. These sites offer inventive, unique, original and creative pet names suggestions that have helped thousands of new puppy owners in selecting just the right name for their new baby!

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