They are huge, they have big hair, and they are not cheap in their upkeep. This is the Old English Sheepdog, and even if you are ready to spend a few hours a day every day performing upkeep on your Sheepie's grooming, you'll still have to deal with some things you can't stop. It's just par for the course that your OES will drool, shed, and make a mess. Ask any Sheepie owner, and they'll tell you that Old English Sheepdog care is best done as a bonding activity.
The Old English Sheepdog (OES) has moderate exercise needs but high activity needs. This means that she need not run (or hike, swim, etc.) long or hard, but that she needs plenty of space to move, explore, and play. She needs such space available for several hours a day. As this is a giant breed that develops slowly in every way, you should not do much more than careful walks at first.
When you exercise your OES outside a fenced area, you must restrain her. She's friendly and will want to play, but not everyone wants a 100-plus-pound dog leaping up and giving them slobbery kisses! She's also prone to nipping as she attempts to herd anything that moves such as leaves, kids, cars, etc. This can lead to unintended harm to herself and others. This breed has a very thick and shaggy coat, and they can easily overheat in hot weather.
Although they don't need strenuous exercise, they do need a lot of playful mental activity to match their puppy-like personality. If left to lie around, they will. Here are some activities you can do to help keep your OES fit:
You don't always have to be present for your Old English Sheepdog to exercise. As mentioned above, a big yard, with a tall border around it and an agility course inside will work wonders. A lot of toys for her put out in small groups or one at a time will help keep boredom at bay. When outside and walking, she'll do best with a prong-type collar and leash, but only once she is a fully developed adult
Anyone who knows something about dog breeds knows that all purebred Sheepdog breeds are big and wooly. This means lots and lots of hair on all things all the time. It means a great amount of grooming too, and that even with all this grooming, you'll still have hair most everywhere. And while many Old English Sheepdogs (OES) in particular drool, they slobber in various amounts and at different times. Because of these two factors, the OES is definitely not for people with dog allergies.
Along with the shedding is the Sheepie's drool potential. That slobbering can really get going when it's mealtime, or after a fair workout, and often when she's drinking water. Then again, you might get lucky and have an OES whose drooling is on the low side. Lucky you! Most of these dogs, however, are notorious for the amount of slobber they sling.
Anyway you "cut" it, you will need significant resources to deal with Old English Sheepdog shedding. These dogs shed all year round. There should be no coat blowout. You'll need more than one brush to maintain the massive coat of a typical Old English Sheepdog (OES), and you'll also need the proper combs, clippers, de-shedders, de-tanglers, shampoo and more. These heavy shedders require a small collection of good grooming tools, or regular visits from a professional groomer, or frequent visits to a pro grooming shop. You'll need a good slicker brush for daily maintenance, just to start. A recommended brush is the Wahl Large Slicker Brush. finally, if you are told you can get a non-shedding OES, then it's either a mixed breed or not a Sheepdog at all.
When it comes to Old English Sheepdog food, this is a breed that grows quickly during her first year. After those puppy stages, she has slower yet gradual growth for another year or two. During these first 2 to 3 years, however, there is a lot of change in the amount of dog food she needs to keep growing as well as to not overdo her weight. As such, the below chart is a very general guide. It's best to get periodic consultations on diet per her age, size, and activity. It's also best to measure her food in calories according to the kind of dog food she eats.
These dogs are notorious for obesity at any age. Because of this, a good Old English Sheepdog diet should be carefully monitored alongside the dog's weight, health, and activity. Exercise is good to keep a recommended weight range, but the type of food is just as important — if not more so — as the volume. Food high in fat is not good for a giant breed that struggles with obesity whereas a higher protein content is better for older dogs of all kinds. Making sure that fresh water is always available is a must too, as this helps keep obesity at bay. And just as the basic changes in dog food types from puppy to adolescent to adult must be observed, so should the nutritional needs be monitored later in the dog's life.
The best dog food for Old English Sheepdogs is a matter of both personal preference and some factors regarding your Sheepie: her age, her weight, and her health. As for the overall type of food, you'll probably hear all three basic arguments: kibble, wet and kibble, and raw food. There are even finer arguments such as homemade and store-bought raw food aka the BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food diet, or colloquially called Bones And Raw Food).
While all of this may seem confusing, your love for her will help you learn what is best for her. You should also consult, first and foremost, your vet and a canine nutritionist to help set the way for your research. Many well-versed Sheepie owners tend to say that the raw diet, which is close to how the OES has long been fed, is best. If you choose this path, you really should research how best to make or buy these meals.
The ideal living environment for these dogs is a rural area with mountains or at least hills. If you are curious if Old English Sheepdog apartment life is possible, it is — but it will mean a full-time job taking care of her. These dogs need a lot of space indoors and out. They are physically able to live outdoors, but their puppy-like temperament means they should be inside most the time with their humans. They are best suited to cold weather and climates. They have a low tolerance to hot weather, so they need to be kept calm, inside, and cool.
Due to their heavy double coat, these dogs are at risk of overheating in hot weather. Do not take them out for vigorous exercise when it is hot outside.
Read the grooming requirements for Old English Sheepdogs including coat care and other maintenance.
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