Old English Sheepdog (OES) is a large dog breed which was developed in England from early herding type of dogs. As with so many old utilitarian breeds, the ancestry of the Old English Sheepdog is unknown. Although the breed was developed in the south of England, some experts think the Ovtcharka might have been an ancestor, while others feel the Scottish Bearded Collie was.
The Old English Sheepdog is a large dog breed, standing 21 to 22 inches tall and weighing 80 to 100 pounds. The dog is strong, square, and wellbalanced. His eyes are brown or blue, and his ears are medium-sized and dropped. His body is short and compact. His tail is either a natural bobtail or docked close to the body. His coat is his crowning glory. The undercoat is very thick, and the outer coat is profuse. The coat can be any shade of gray or blue merle with or without white markings. This dog breed requires three to four hours of grooming every week. The coat does shed and can easily mat if not cared for correctly.
Potential Old English Sheepdog owners should discuss these aspects of ownership with a breeder prior to making a commitment to buy a dog. The Old English Sheepdog is not an overly active dog, but it must have daily exercise for proper health. A couple of good walks daily and a run in the backyard are fine. The Old English Sheepdog breed is very affectionate; they would prefer to follow you around the house or curl up with you in front of the television. Since this breed quickly grows to be a large dog, training is very important.
The Old English Sheepdog is a very happy-go-lucky type of dog, not too serious about anything. They take to training pretty well, but like children, they like to test us to see what they can get away with. The Old English Sheepdog needs an owner who desires to have a canine shadow; this is not a backyard dog or a dog to be ignored. The Old English Sheepdog breed is good with kids, although Old English Sheepdog puppies can be rough. Old English Sheepdogs are also good with other pets, although they will try to herd cats. Health concerns include hip dysplasia, eye problems, and epilepsy.