Old English Sheepdog Dog Breed Guide
📍 Origin: England
The Old English Sheepdog is a large, athletic herding breed originating in western England, instantly recognized by its abundant shaggy coat and ambling bear-like gait. It is an affectionate and playful companion that thrives in active households willing to commit to its substantial grooming demands.
| Breed | Old English Sheepdog |
| Size | Large (60–100 lbs) |
| Height | 22–24 inches |
| Lifespan | 10–12 years |
| Temperament | Adaptable, Gentle, Intelligent |
| Energy Level | Moderate●●●○○ |
| Good With Kids | ✅ Yes |
| Grooming | Very High |
| Training | Good |
| Shedding | Heavy |
| Best For | Experienced Owners |
🐕 Old English Sheepdog Overview
The Old English Sheepdog is a large, sturdy herding dog with a distinctive profuse double coat that covers its entire body, including the eyes. Despite its working heritage, it has become a beloved family companion prized for its gentle nature, playful spirit, and strong bond with children. Prospective owners should be prepared for a significant grooming commitment, as the coat requires thorough brushing several times per week to prevent painful matting.
📜 History & Origin
The Old English Sheepdog developed in western England during the early 19th century, likely from crosses between the Bearded Collie and continental herding breeds such as the Bergamasco or Russian Owtcharka brought to Britain by traders. It was primarily used by farmers to drive cattle and sheep to market, and working dogs were identified by a docked tail, which also exempted their owners from paying a tax on non-working dogs. The breed was first shown at the Birmingham Dog Show in 1873 and gained international popularity in the 20th century after featuring in numerous films and advertisements.
👀 Size & Appearance
🐶 Male
- Weight: 60–100 lbs (27–45 kg)
- Height: 22–24 inches (56–61 cm)
🐕 Female
- Weight: 60–85 lbs
- Height: 21–22 inches
Coat type: Double coat with a profuse, shaggy, hard-textured outer coat and a soft, waterproof undercoat
🧠 Temperament & Behaviour
With Children
Old English Sheepdogs are generally excellent with children. Their patient, gentle nature makes them reliable family companions. Always supervise interactions with very young children.
With Other Dogs & Pets
Generally sociable with other dogs and pets when properly socialised from puppyhood. Early introductions are recommended.
🏃 Exercise Needs
Old English Sheepdogs have moderate exercise requirements — around 60 minutes of daily activity is sufficient. Two daily walks plus some playtime keeps most individuals happy and healthy.
⚠️ Apartment living: Not ideal. A house with a garden is strongly preferred.
🍗 Food & Diet Guide
🐶 Puppy (8 weeks – 12 months)
- Feed a large/medium breed puppy formula
- 3–4 small meals per day up to 6 months
- Reduce to 2–3 meals from 6 months onward
- Look for AAFCO "complete and balanced for growth" statement
- Avoid overfeeding — controlled growth prevents joint issues
🐕 Adult (Old English Sheepdog)
- Daily amount: 3 to 4 cups of high-quality dry food, split into two meals of quality dry kibble
- Split into 2 meals per day
- Choose AAFCO-compliant food for adult maintenance
- Monitor weight monthly — adjust portions as needed
- ⚠️ High obesity risk — measure portions carefully
Always consult your veterinarian for a feeding plan specific to your dog's age, weight, and health status.
🏅 Training Guide
Basic Commands
Start sit, stay, come, and leave it from day one. Positive reinforcement with treats works best. Keep sessions to 5–10 minutes.
Toilet Training
Take puppy outside every 2 hours and immediately after meals, play, and sleep. Reward immediately after they go outside.
Leash Training
Start with a flat collar and short sessions. Reward loose-leash walking. A front-clip harness helps dogs that pull.
Socialisation
Expose to different people, sounds, and environments between 8–16 weeks. This is the critical window for confident adult behaviour.
✂️ Grooming
Brushing
Daily brushing required to prevent matting and tangles.
Bathing
Bath every 4–6 weeks or when dirty. Over-bathing strips natural coat oils.
Nail Trimming
Trim nails every 3–4 weeks. If you hear clicking on hard floors, they are too long.
Ear Cleaning
Check ears weekly for redness, odour, or discharge. Clean gently with a vet-approved ear cleaner.
🩺 Health Problems
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Preventive Health Tips
- Annual vet checkups (twice yearly for dogs over 7)
- Keep vaccinations and deworming up to date
- Maintain a healthy weight — obesity worsens most conditions
- Ask your breeder for OFA/PennHIP health clearances on parents
⏱ Lifespan
The average Old English Sheepdog lifespan is 10–12 years. Larger breeds tend to have shorter lifespans than smaller breeds. Individual lifespan depends heavily on genetics, diet, exercise, and veterinary care.
Tips for a Longer, Healthier Life
- Feed a balanced, high-quality diet appropriate for age and size
- Maintain a healthy weight throughout life
- Regular exercise matched to age and health status
- Annual vet visits for early detection of health issues
- Dental care — dental disease affects overall health significantly
💷 Puppy Price
United States
Pedigree AKC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Europe
Pedigree FCI-registered puppy from health-tested parents
United Kingdom
Pedigree KC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Estimated Monthly Cost (UK)
Prices vary by breeder, location, and pedigree quality. Always buy from a health-tested, reputable breeder — never from puppy farms.
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Active families with children
- Owners with time for regular grooming
- Suburban or rural households with a yard
- Excellent with children
❌ Cons
- First-time dog owners
- People in small apartments
- Those with limited time for grooming and exercise
- Heavy shedding — regular vacuuming needed
- High grooming maintenance and cost
- Prone to obesity — portion control essential
🆚 Old English Sheepdog vs Other Breeds
✅ Old English Sheepdog wins at
The Old English Sheepdog is calmer indoors and better suited to relaxed family life.
✅ Bearded Collie wins at
The Bearded Collie is more agile, easier to groom, and better suited for active dog sports.
✅ Old English Sheepdog wins at
The Old English Sheepdog is gentler with small children and has a more predictably mellow temperament.
✅ Briard wins at
The Briard is more trainable, more protective, and excels in obedience and protection work.
🏠 Who Should Own a Old English Sheepdog?
✅ Great Choice If You Are:
- Active families with children
- Owners with time for regular grooming
- Suburban or rural households with a yard
- A family with children
❌ Consider Another Breed If:
- First-time dog owners
- People in small apartments
- Those with limited time for grooming and exercise
- You live in a small apartment without outdoor access
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Old English Sheepdog good for families?
Yes, the Old English Sheepdog is widely regarded as an excellent family dog thanks to its gentle, patient, and playful nature with children of all ages. It forms strong bonds with all members of the household and generally gets along well with other pets when properly socialized from puppyhood. However, its large size and enthusiastic play style mean young toddlers should always be supervised around the dog to avoid accidental knockdowns.
How much does a Old English Sheepdog puppy cost?
In the United Kingdom, a well-bred Old English Sheepdog puppy from a health-tested litter typically costs between 1,500 and 3,000 GBP depending on lineage and breeder reputation. In Pakistan, prices generally range from 150,000 to 350,000 PKR, as the breed is relatively rare and must often be imported. In India, expect to pay between 60,000 and 150,000 INR from reputable breeders, though availability is limited outside major cities.
Is Old English Sheepdog easy to train?
The Old English Sheepdog is intelligent but can be independent and stubborn, which makes training a moderate challenge best suited to patient and consistent owners. It responds well to positive reinforcement methods using treats and praise, and early socialization and puppy classes are strongly recommended. Because of its herding instinct and tendency to test boundaries, it is not the easiest breed for first-time dog owners without prior experience.
What food is best for a Old English Sheepdog?
An adult Old English Sheepdog does best on a high-quality dry kibble formulated for large breeds, providing balanced protein and fat levels to support its muscle mass without promoting excessive weight gain. Feeding should be split into two measured meals per day totaling roughly 3 to 4 cups depending on the dog's activity level, age, and the specific caloric density of the food. Because the breed carries an obesity risk, treats should be used sparingly and free-feeding avoided entirely.
Does Old English Sheepdog bark a lot?
The Old English Sheepdog is an alert, vocal breed that will bark to announce strangers or unusual sounds around the home, reflecting its herding background. With consistent training and adequate daily exercise, excessive barking can be managed, but the breed is not considered a quiet dog by nature.
Can a Old English Sheepdog live in an apartment?
An Old English Sheepdog can technically survive in an apartment but it is genuinely not well suited to that lifestyle given its large size, energy level, and need for daily outdoor exercise of at least 60 minutes. A home with a securely fenced yard where the dog can move freely is a much better fit for this breed's physical and mental wellbeing.
🏆 Final Verdict
The Old English Sheepdog is best suited to experienced dog owners who understand the breed's specific needs. With a lifespan of 10–12 years, moderate activity needs, and very high grooming requirements, the Old English Sheepdog is a wonderful family dog.
If you can meet their exercise, training, and care needs, the Old English Sheepdog will reward you with years of loyal companionship.