Old English Sheepdogs: everything you need to know

The Old English Sheepdog, or should we say, the ultimate big-haired cutie of the canine kingdom?! Their sheer shaggy mass is often what attracts people to these fluff-covered hounds, but what else is there to know about these pups? 

Whether you’re a pet sitter or you’re looking for a house sit with Old English Sheepdogs galore, come with us as we explore (almost) everything there is to learn about this BFFG (that’s Big, Friendly, Fluffy Giant, for those who don’t know).

Old English Sheepdog characteristics 

Origin: Old English Sheepdogs are, you guessed it, from England! They were most likely developed as a breed in the western English counties of Devon, Somerset and Cornwall.

Size: We don’t call them big and fluffy for nothing - these cuties can weigh between 60 and 100 pounds, and grow up to 22 inches tall.

Character: While they’re fluffy, they’re also big friendly giants - affectionate, loving, fun and playful, Old English Sheepdogs make for the perfect family pet.

Health needs: The key care need for Old English Sheepdogs is grooming, but we’ll get onto that shortly. To find out about the health conditions that OES sometimes encounter, take a look below at our section on Old English Sheepdog health.

Grooming: These double-coated, shaggy cuties take a whole lot of grooming, so if you’re thinking about adopting an OES, think twice if you’re not ready to either groom for hours every week or fork out for the groomer’s fees.

Training: Old English Sheepdogs are ex-working dogs (for more on their history, take a look below), so they’re pretty easy to train and keen to please. For more tips on training your OES, head to our section dedicated to training these fluffballs below.

Energy levels:  OES have medium energy levels - they’ll need activity to stay happy and healthy (like all of our four-legged friends), and due to their working background, they’ll expect a fair amount of exercise. For more on their exercise needs, head to our section on the best humans for Old English Sheepdogs. 

Intelligence: Old English Sheepdogs are a pretty intelligent breed - they’re keen to learn and eager to please (the best combo), so you’ve got nothing to worry about so long as you start training and socialization from a young age.

Lifespan: According to the American Kennel Club, Old English Sheepdogs live between 10 and 12 years.

Noise levels: Old English Sheepdogs are known for their loud, ringing bark, but that’s not to say it’ll be a nuisance. With the odd bark when a stranger comes to the door, they shouldn’t upset the neighbors too much, as long as you start training from an early age.

Old English Sheepdog appearance

Let’s start with the Old English Sheepdog size - we don’t call them big friendly, fluffy giants for nothing! Healthy female Old English Sheepdogs generally weigh between 60 and 85 pounds, growing up to 21 inches tall, while males can weigh up to a whopping 100 pounds, and grow up to 22 inches tall.

Size aside, let’s get to the part you’re here for - this shaggy dog’s famous thick coat. Probably the envy of their pet parents and all their mates at the dog park, Old English Sheepdogs are covered in a thick, double coat that’s textured up top, with a soft inner layer. It requires a whole lot of grooming and maintenance, so for more info on that, head to our section on Old English Sheepdog grooming below! Now for the famous OES colors - find these cuties with brown, blue or blue merle, gray, grizzle or fawn that’s usually mixed with lots of white markings. Their famously long hair often covers those adorable eyes, but when we can see them, they’re dark, rounded buttons that’ll melt any pup-lover’s heart. Another well-known controversy around these cuties is the Old English Sheepdog tail - unlike what many believe, Old English Sheepdogs are born with tails, but due to docking, they became known as ‘Bobtails’, due to the shape made after their longer tails were cut off.

Old English Sheepdog personality

Old English Sheepdog puppies and adults make for the ideal family pet, just as long as you’ve got the room amongst the rest of your pack! The Old English Sheepdog temperament certainly isn’t something new pet parents should be worried about. With early socialization and consistent, positive reinforcement-based training, your OES should grow up to be a playful, loving and trainable pooch. While their good-natured ways are equally fab to be around, Old English Sheepdogs can sometimes be a little too reliant on it, and they’re often prone to separation anxiety when left alone. 

And when strangers come to the door, you might see another side to your fluffball - OES can become pretty assertive, loud and protective around people they don’t know in their own home. The best way to avoid these behaviors (if you don’t want a shaggy guard dog) is to get them used to new people coming in and out of your home from puppyhood.

Not only do they love nothing more than quality time with their pack, Old English Sheepdogs are pretty easy to train. Probably due to their working background, they’re keen to please and capable at learning the ropes of your household. Alongside basic training, Old English Sheepdogs are also known for picking up herding, agility, search and rescue, and obedience training seamlessly as well.

What’s the ideal home for an Old English Sheepdog?

For rather obvious reasons, Old English Sheepdogs are prone to overheating, so if you live in a particularly hot country, they’re probably not the pups for you. If you’re in a temperate or cold climate but you’ve got cats at home, we’d only recommend welcoming an OES if they’re a puppy. Those high prey instincts might get in the way if welcoming an older dog is on the cards. 

And when it comes to children, Old English Sheepdogs are known for their affectionate and friendly nature, but just be wary around particularly small children, as they’re large, excitable dogs that can easily knock over smaller members of the pack! And like with any dog breed, always supervise your pup around little ones. 

And your home itself? Well OES were bred in the English countryside, so will be happiest with lots of space to move around (i.e. not an apartment), and will relax better in the suburbs or countryside.

What’s the ideal human for an Old English Sheepdog?

Old English Sheepdogs will get on with just about anyone, so as long as you’ve got space for their sheer fluff and lots of time for cuddles (and heaps of grooming), they should fit into your pack like a paw-shaped glove. The affection these cuties have for their humans can be a bit of a double-edged sword, as while the love for their pack is beyond endearing, they don’t do too well when left alone. In fact, a frustrated OES can develop separation anxiety and become destructive to your home. So, if you work from home or you’re part time with your pack in and out of the house regularly, your new pooch should be perfectly happy. 

When it comes to activity levels, remember that these cuties are working dogs, so they’ll need long walks and lots of mental stimulation at home to stay happy and healthy. And if you’re worried about your Old English Sheepdog shedding, they might not be the pups for you (for rather obvious reasons!).

Tips for training an Old English Sheepdog

Old English Sheepdog puppies will need early socialization with as many different types of dogs, humans and spaces as possible (granted they’ve had all the jabs they need, of course). Socialization is key for making sure your beloved pooch grows up into a welcoming, confident and friendly dog. Alongside that, your OES will need positive reinforcement-based training alongside mental and physical stimulation. Without socialization, training and stimulation, your sheepdog couldbecome destructive. So, if you value your pup’s health (and your furniture), be sure to keep your pooch busy.

Old English Sheepdog grooming

We’ve made no secret of the fact that these ever-shaggy pups need a whole lot of grooming and coat care, so if you’re thinking about adopting an Old English Sheepdog, think twice about whether you’ve got the time and energy these pups need on their fur! If you’re up to the challenge, we’d always recommend speaking to someone who specializes in grooming your dog’s breed - it’s the best way to make sure you’re doing everything you can to prevent matting and tangling. 

Aside from that, your OES will need to be brushed at least once a week, right down to the skin. It’s important to make this a positive experience for your pup from day one, awarding them with treats for good behavior. Regular trimming is also important to make sure your fluffball can see where they’re going! Shorter hair also makes it a whole lot easier for your pooch to swim, so ask your groomer for a shorter crop if you live by a river or the sea. Alongside their high-maintenance coat care, OES also need to be washed regularly to make sure all that drool isn’t staining that plush beard yellow! And like all pups, you’ll also need to check their ears regularly and keep those nails trimmed.

Old English Sheepdog history

As you might have guessed by the name, Old English Sheepdogs originate from (drumroll please), England! And according to the American Kennel Club, it’s likely the breed was developed in the western English counties of Somerset, Devon and Cornwall (but contrary to their name, it’s thought that OES are in fact related to dogs of Scottish, Russian and other European heritage). 

And unlike their name suggests, OES aren’t actually sheepdogs per se. In fact, according to the Old English Sheepdog Club of America, these bob-tailed cuties were actually bred for driving cattle and sheep in the 18th century, for transporting livestock from the countryside where they were reared to the market to be sold. 

More herding dog than sheepdog, OES eventually earned their reputation as the ‘Bobtail’, which referred to the fluffy shape of their docked tail, which was probably docked due to their working roles. As well as their physical working roles, Old English Sheepdogs were also popular for their fur, even back in the 18th century. So much so that in some areas, shepherds would shearl their fur once a year, which would be used to make yarn for clothes.

Eventually, their popularity outside of driving cattle and sheep arose and the Old English Sheepdog became a popular show dog. Taking a lot of pride and effort in grooming, it’s no wonder OES pet parents thought this dog breed to be well-suited for the ring. In fact, since 1865, the Old English Sheepdog has been exhibited, which eventually caught the attention of the American Kennel Club in 1888, when their first OES was registered. 

Since their official recognition, it’s no surprise that these attractive, intelligent pups have been popular on the screen, as well as off. Find adorable, ever-shaggy Old English Sheepdogs in Disney’s The Shaggy Dog, the 1992 film Housesitter, and Barney, a British TV show.

Old English Sheepdog health

The Old English Sheepdog lifespan tends to be between 10 and 12 years, and in that time, they’re generally healthy pups. But, like all breeds, there are a few health problems that they might (or simply never) encounter. To find out about the health clearances that new pups need, check out the official breed club health statement. Just as a heads up, here are some of the health issues that Old English Sheepdogs can encounter…

• Hip dysplasia
• Cataracts
• Progressive retinal atrophy
• Hypothyroidism
• Deafness

Getting an Old English Sheepdog

So, still thinking about welcoming an Old English Sheepdog into your home? Firstly, congratulations! Secondly, we’d always advise finding out if your local rescue center has any pups waiting for their forever home. And if not, consider looking further afield or waiting for your perfect pooch to walk through the door. Otherwise, if welcoming an Old English Sheepdog rescue or adoption hasn’t worked out for you, make sure your Old English Sheepdog breeder is reputable and practicing ethically.

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