Old English Sheepdog

The Old English Sheepdog is a large dog of the livestock herding type developed in England. It is easily recognized by a profuse, shaggy coat that covers its entire body and face. Besides herding livestock, this dog was used for hauling and other farm work. Although traditionally a working dog, it is nowadays valued mostly as a loyal companion and house pet. The Old English Sheepdog can make a decent watchdog as well. It is an ever popular entrant in dog shows around the world. This breed stands at least 21 inches at the shoulder, and often the male is much bigger. The Old English Sheepdog is a bit taller at the croup than at the withers, and has a characteristic "rolling walk"� sometimes described as bear-like. The coat is double with a long harsh outer coat of guard hairs for repelling rain, and a dense woolly undercoat meant to insulate the dog from both warm and hot extremes of weather. The coat is any shade of gray, grizzle or blue merle, with or without white markings.The Old English Sheepdog has a deep chest and muscular build, and is thickset and compact. However, it is also athletic and very agile and light of movement, true to its history as a drover's dog. This breed has a very loud bark with a ringing tone to it. It is unknown how old the Old English Sheepdog has existed as a distinct breed. Documentation from various sources begins in the mid-19th century. Most canine experts believe that it was developed from the herding Bearded Collie of Scotland along with a few other breeds - which might include the Owtchar, a herding dog of Russia; the Briard, herding dog of France, or even the Deerhound. What is certain is that by the mid-19th century it was widely used on the farms of southwestern England, where it was used on cattle and sheep. Later in that century it was found on farms all over Great Britain and even in continental Europe. On some farms the Old English Sheepdog was shorn along with the sheep in the spring, and its hair spun and woven into blankets. It was first formally shown to the English public in 1873. A breed club was formed in America by 1904 to promote the breed, and the American Kennel Club recognized it in 1905. Despite its profusion, fanciers of the Old English Sheepdog say that the care of this breed's coat is no more difficult than that of any long-haired dog. The coat must be brushed regularly and thoroughly to remove dead hair, debris and any parasites, and to prevent matting. When allowed to form, mats will become a constant source of pain to the dog and can instigate skin infections. Although a moderate shedder for much of the year, the Old English Sheepdog sheds heavily at least a few times during the year. Brushing can keep inside shedding to a minimum. It is necessary to trim hair around feet that might pick up debris, and to trim under the tail, where feces can become entangled. With consistent, faithful care on a routine basis, the coat will stay healthy and clean. Puppies should be trained from a very early age to tolerate the brush, because it must necessarily become a part of life. Many owners of long-haired dogs see grooming sessions as opportunity to bond with the animal and ensure a strong relationship. Although the coat provides insulation from heat, this breed should not be allowed to become overheated, as heat stroke can easily occur. The Old English Sheepdog will enjoy being outdoors in cold weather. This is an energetic breed that requires regular daily exercise to remain fit both physically and mentally. At least one good walk a day is recommended. However, given adequate exercise and mental stimulation, this breed does very well as a housedog. The Old English Sheepdog bonds strongly with the family and needs to be with its people. This is not a breed that should be left alone for long periods of time every day, but needs to be included in activity. Boredom resulting from hours alone can result not only in destructive behavior, but can encourage the development of severe separation anxiety in the individual, leading to health problems and possible damage to the home. Old English Sheepdogs have become very popular in past decades and have been perhaps not as carefully bred as they should have been; sometimes aggressive temperament can be a problem in select individuals. Before bringing home an OES puppy, the prospective owner should be very thorough in checking out the temperaments of the parents directly if possible, and asking the breeder plenty of questions about the temperaments in the lines of his or her breeding stock. With good breeding, aggression is rare in the Old English Sheepdog.This breed can be prone to hip dysplasia, as can many large breeds. Responsible breeders will screen their lines for this disorder. Epilepsy and cataracts can occasionally show in the breed, as can Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia, a blood disorder that is often fatal.The Old English Sheepdog is not given to roaming and likes to stay close to home and the human pack. It does not bark excessively, although it will readily alert the household to a visitor. This breed generally gets along well with other dogs and smaller household pets. It may be a bit large and exuberant for small children. This dog possesses the alert, intelligent mind that most herding breeds have and needs plenty of outlets for physical and mental energy. The Old English Sheepdog is happiest when given a task to accomplish: this breed enjoys solving problems and performing challenging tasks. They can be strong-willed and stubborn, and do best when they are kept from boredom during training. Therefore, too much repetition may not be as successful as training that incorporates more challenge and variety. Old English Sheepdogs enjoy any kind of outdoor activity with their owners. They excel in herding competitions, obedience, and sledging.

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