| The Old English Sheepdog is a big dog, with a height | | | | playing, as they do get fully involved and may get a |
| of 20-24 inches and weigh over 60 pounds, with | | | | hint over zealous. Given their size, weight and |
| some weighing up to 100 pounds. They have a | | | | strength, it is a good idea to supervise play when |
| shaggy coat, which is thicker around the hind legs, | | | | small children are involved. Should the dog happen to |
| with a waterproof, almost downy, underside. Their | | | | injure a member of the family it would be very |
| head hair often covers, or shields, their eyes, like a | | | | unhappy, so it is only fair on both the family and the |
| natural pair of sunglasses. They are grey to blue in | | | | dog to ensure a safe playtime. One thing to be |
| colour mixed with copious amounts of white, they | | | | aware of is, as they were bred originally as herding |
| can also be brown but this is not the norm. They are | | | | dogs and their instincts run deep, there is a possibility |
| a strong dog, with great stamina, and their general | | | | they will try to round up the children. If nothing else it |
| muscle shows that. Some have docked tails but the | | | | would be fun to watch. |
| ones that don't have a feathered abundant look to | | | | Health issues. Generally, the Old English Sheepdog do |
| them. The main body is quite short, wide, and | | | | not have any serious genetic problems; they have |
| muscular. They have the look of a dog you could | | | | the common thoroughbred issue of hip displasia. Their |
| instantly fall in love with. | | | | minor problems are. Cataracts and Entropion. |
| History. As its name suggests the Old English | | | | Entropian is when the eyelid curls into the eye; this |
| Sheepdog was originally bred in the 18th century as a | | | | can of course cause severe irritation to the eye, and |
| sheep herding dog that could also protect the flock | | | | needs to be rectified by a vet. |
| from predator attacks, most commonly fox's. The | | | | Grooming. Are you ready for this? Only joking. Apart |
| shepherds used to have the tails docked to prevent | | | | from needing better, and slightly different, tools, the |
| entanglement, stop any predator from being able to | | | | grooming of the Old English Sheepdog is quite similar |
| attach, and general cleanliness. Some puppies of the | | | | to other dogs. They need to be groomed 1-3 times a |
| breed are actually born with no, or very short, tails, | | | | week, starting with a comb like tool; either a |
| which also encouraged the docking of the ones that | | | | dematting comb or a rake (a dog grooming rake, not |
| had tails. It was also common for farmers to sheer | | | | a garden rake). Once the dogs' hair is unmated and |
| the dog along with the sheep and use their copious | | | | knots removed then a normal brushing will suffice, as |
| hair for making, blankets, clothing, cushions, and similar | | | | a rule of thumb. Cutting the hair is probably going to |
| items. Fame came to this breed in the 1980s when a | | | | mean a trip to the salon, as it is nearly as bad as |
| company used one in their advertising campaign | | | | shearing sheep. |
| thereby earning the nickname Dulux dog. | | | | Living conditions. Although the Old English Sheepdog |
| Temperament. The Old English sheepdog has a | | | | breed has a thick luxurious coat, they can not be |
| temperament that is somewhat typical of many | | | | kept outdoors in cold climates. They enjoy the |
| sheep dogs. It is sociable, friendly, playful, intelligent, | | | | normal warm home, and bed, as do we all. Some |
| faithful and protective, to name but a few of its | | | | care should be given though as you do not want to |
| character traits. They love being with the family and | | | | cover them to get too hot, although they should |
| play well with children. Care should be taken when | | | | throw off items if too warm. |