Old English Sheepdog - Breed Information

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Breed Information:The Old English Sheepdog is a large, square dog with an unusual topline – the rump is higher than the shoulder. This is a very distinct characteristic and is very important to the breed’s look. The Old English Sheepdog has a plentiful, shaggy coat that is hard and shaggy, but not curly. The head is large and square and ends in a black nose – the English Sheepdog may have brown or blue eyes, or one of each color. This breed has straight legs ending in small feet that point forward. This dog is born without a tail, though occasionally puppies are born with tails which are later completely amputated – be sure to check kennel club regulations on tail docking before international competition.The Old English Sheepdog’s coat can be any shade of grey or blue with or without white markings. 

Size:Dogs – Height: 22-24 inches/Weight: Over 65 poundsBitches – Height: 20-22 inches/ Weight: Over 60 pounds 

Breed Specific Health Issues:This breed is generally very healthy although Hip Dysplasia does affect some dogs, as do cataracts. 

Life Expectancy:The Old English Sheepdog lives, on average, 10-12 years. 

Grooming Requirements:This dog can be difficult to groom, as you must groom through the long, coarse outer layer to reach the soft, dense undercoat. This undercoat must be brushed frequently, three to four times per week, so it remains tangle-free – if this layer gets matted it can cause much pain to the dog. Another option is for the dog’s coat to be clipped short, thus eliminating the need to brush through a long overcoat, although even this length coat should still be brushed frequently. This should be done every few months to keep the coat at a manageable length.This breed of dog usually sheds their coat heavily once a year, usually in the Spring to get rid of its heavy winter coat.