Grooming
The Old English Sheepdog has a thick double-layered coat. The outer coat is rougher, while the inner layer is softer and more dense. This coat can hold its ground in the harshest weather conditions, which came in handy in the fields centuries ago. Now, it’s great for keeping cool and warm in the changing seasons.
Maintaining that marvelous coat is not for the faint of heart. Sit down with some Netflix and various grooming tools—you can expect to spend three to four hours a week tending to your furry pal. Perhaps you can take up knitting with all the fur you’ll brush out during each session. It’s safe to say that daily brushing is necessary to keep the mats at a minimum and their skin healthy. Keep a comb, a pin brush, or a slicker brush at hand, and possibly a de-matting rake for stubborn tangles. Old English Sheepdogs are heavy shedders year-round and are prone to hot spots or red, irritated patches if their fur gets matted. Even more important than keeping your wood floors clear, brushing prevents the undercoat from clumping and keeps good airflow getting to the skin.
Check your Old English Sheepdog’s eyes weekly (hiding under all that fur!) to make sure they look clear and bright, and keep the hair around their feet trimmed to prevent issues with traction on smoother surfaces and the dreaded matting. Check their ears for debris and any redness or swelling. If you notice anything, speak to your vet. If your vet recommends at-home cleaning, follow this step-by-step guide on how to clean dog ears.
Bathe your OES about every six to eight weeks. If your pup spends lots of time outdoors, you’ll want to give them extra long baths to really wash that coat. If they have sensitive skin or an allergy, make sure you’re using a mild shampoo.
Aim to brush their teeth daily. Your veterinarian can work with you on how to do it, and it’s best to start brushing when they’re puppies so they’ll get used to it faster. Like any dog, having good oral health habits is important to avoid problems down the road. You should also have an annual professional teeth cleaning by your vet (not your groomer).
Since long nails can be painful for dogs to walk on, plan on giving them a nail trim every four to six weeks. Listen out for the tell-tale signs of tapping on the floor, a clear signal that it’s time to get the clippers out.
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Training
When training an Old English Sheepdog puppy, it’s important to remember they have a natural herding instinct. If you happen to have a flock in your backyard that needs herding, great. Otherwise, games such as hide-and-seek or Treibball can fulfill that characteristic herding instinct and may even prevent your dog from trying to herd around family members.
Old English Sheepdogs are extremely intelligent, but they’re also independent. This combination can make it a little harder to train, depending on your experience levels and your Old English Sheepdog’s temperament. It takes them only a short time to learn commands like sit, stay and come, and then they’re on to the next one, so the time spent on training will be a fun and rewarding experience for both of you.
The Old English Sheepdog can be nervous around groups of strangers, so it’s a great idea to include some socialization training, including meeting and greeting people in and out of the home from a young age. They’ll learn there’s nothing to fear and only admiring glances and belly rubs to gain.
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Diet
Old English Sheepdogs typically do well on high-quality commercial dog food. Be sure to factor in your dog’s age and choose a formula that fits their stage in life (puppy, adult, senior). Dry dog food offers excellent nutrition and provides the necessary energy for such an active breed as the Old English Sheepdog.
And, of course, be mindful of those treats. They can add up to more calories than your pup needs in a day, leading to obesity and its related health risks, like heart disease and arthritis.
Chat with your vet if you have any questions about your pup’s meals or frequency. They’re in the best position to help you pick the right food for your dog based on their needs.
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Exercise
The Old English Sheepdog combines agility with strength. They may look bulky, but they can be fast on their feet. Speeding around a yard is great fun—and an open field is even better. Thankfully, these dogs can settle down after a vigorous workout and can make great couch potatoes after you’ve tired them out. It’s really the best of both worlds, at least for your Sheepdog.
Due to the Old English Sheepdog breed’s energy levels and exercise needs, walking or running up to 60 minutes a day is a must to keep them out of mischief. A tired Sheepdog is a happy dog.
Swimming can count as exercise, and these working dogs can swim. But whether they like it or not depends on if you introduce them to water at a young age. If you take them for a dip, make sure they are supervised and invest in a good quality dog life jacket.
Your OES can make a great show dog, competing in sports such as agility or herding, so if you have a large outdoor space, why not set up some obstacles and start priming your dog for competition? You may come home with some fancy winning ribbons to show off.
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Environment
The Old English Sheepdog thrives with an experienced pet parent and one who loves to live an active lifestyle.
Because this is a large dog with high energy levels, the Old English may not be happy living in an apartment or small home. The more space you can offer, the better for your dog, especially if you have a large fenced-in yard.
Old English Sheepdogs can be nervous in some situations, so the children in their lives should be taught to play with them gently and respectfully. Cats and other pets, including other dogs, can certainly live together in harmony with the OES as long as there is the proper introduction and plenty of socialization opportunities.
If you entertain in your home, make sure your pup is well-socialized. If they’re used to people, they tend to do great, but like any dog, suddenly immersing them in a crowded room when they aren’t used to it can cause them to be fearful.
The Old English Sheepdog breed favors cooler climates because of their long, thick coat. They can get overheated easily, causing excessive panting and disorientation. If you’re living in a place with warm weather, it may be time to build that covered porch or plunge pool.
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