Old English Sheepdog Grooming

Old English Sheepdogs have long, hanging coats that will develop mats very easily, especially if the dog is very active, as dirt/debris will become trapped in the fur. An OES, therefore, will require a great deal of grooming. Below are details on how to care for this breed's coat, tips on proper brushing techniques, and ideas about various OES hairstyles.

An Old English Sheepdog's most recognizable feature is its thick, double-layered coat--but that signature coat needs a great deal of care keep it in good shape. Potential owners need to know that Old English Sheepdog grooming, in regards to its coat at least, will be a daily task. Because they shed a lot, these dogs will need daily brushing (described in more detail in the "Brushing" section) to remove dead hair, and to keep the coat mat- and tangle free.

Special attention will also need to be paid to an OES's face and anal area, which have abundant hair and can get quite dirty. These dogs drool a good bit and are messy eaters, so their facial hair will need cleaning at least once per day; likewise, the hair around the dog's anus can become dirty after it relieves itself, and will need regular cleaning as well.

Bathing an OES, owners say, is quite an involved task. Many owners take their dogs to a professional groomer for baths (which are needed every 4-6 weeks); others do it themselves--but in any case, it might be good to have an OES bathed by a groomer at least once to learn how it's done. (The groomer can also provide other tips on how to groom an Old English Sheepdog while you're there.) To bathe an OES yourself, you'll need a large bathtub (or perhaps a kiddie pool); brush the dog first, then use canine shampoo and lukewarm water to clean the dog section by section. Towel- or blow-dry the coat, then finish with another quick brush-through.

An OES's long-haired, hanging coat is very susceptible to matting and tangling, so brushing needs to be a daily undertaking. The best brush for Old English Sheepdogs is a medium or large pin brush; having a grooming comb (used to de-tangle stubborn mats) is a good idea too. Brush the dog daily. The most stubborn mats will need to be cut out with scissors. To brush:

• Spray the dog with mist from a spray bottle. (Add a leave-in conditioner--available from pet stores--if desired.)
• Beginning at the shoulders, use a line brushing method to brush the dog with the pin brush.
• Pay special attention to hair on the face, ears, legs, and tail, as these areas tend to mat frequently.
• Try to work through any mats with the greyhound comb. If a mat is too stubborn, cut it out with scissors.
• After brushing, spray the coat with a de-tangling solution (also available at pet stores).

Because this breed's coat tends to mat so easily, many owners have their Old English Sheepdogs shaved into one of the below-detailed styles. Many owners find they can give their Old English Sheepdog a haircut at home--but it helps to make at least one visit to a professional groomer, who can instruct you on how to give the cut yourself.

• Puppy Cut: In this cut an Old English Sheepdog is clipped (or scissored) fairly short all over--usually 1.5-2 inches--but the hair on the face is left a bit longer. This cut is great for those who don't want to spend a lot of time de-tangling and de-matting the coat.
• Teddy Bear Cut: The fur is cut to equal length over the body, usually about 3 inches; the hair on the face, legs, and tail are rounded to give the dog a "teddy bear" look.
• Sport Clip: Similar to a Puppy Cut, except that the leg and tail hair are left somewhat longer to give the dog a "sporty" look.