HerdingEngland

Old English Sheepdog

The original shaggy dog.

Weight: 60–100 lbs
Height: 21–25 in
Lifespan: 10–12 yrs

In short

The Old English Sheepdog is a herding breed from England, developed in the 1800s to drive cattle and sheep to market. Adults weigh 60–100 lbs and live 10–12 years. Playful and gentle, they come with one of the most demanding coats of any breed: plan on hours of brushing every week or regular professional grooming.

Is it right for you?

A great match if you…

want a playful, clownish family dog
enjoy grooming or can budget for a groomer
live in a cool climate

Think twice if you…

don't have hours a week for the coat
live somewhere hot
want a quiet dog

The daily plan

Exercise: 60–90 min
Training: 2–3 × 5–10 min
Treat limit: 135–195 kcal

At a glance

TrainabilityQuick study8.0/10

EnergyActive6.5/10

Calm at homeCalm indoors9.0/10

SheddingLight shedder3.0/10

What sets it apart

01
Profuse double coat
Thick and shaggy; it mats quickly without frequent brushing and holds dirt and debris.
02
Bobtail look
Many are born with short tails, others are docked where legal; it gave the breed its 'bobtail' nickname.
03
Bear-like gait
A rolling, ambling movement that is part of the breed standard.

Size & coat

Specification	Male	Female
Weight	70–100 lbs	60–85 lbs
Height	22–25 in	21–24 in
Lifespan	10–12 yrs
Coat	Profuse, shaggy double coat

Side profile 21–25 in at the shoulder

Back in stock soon

Personality

OES are clownish, gentle and family-focused. They are playful well into adulthood and sometimes bossy. Their loud bark makes them good alarm dogs.

With kids

Good with kids, though some try to herd them, and their size can knock toddlers over.

With other pets

Usually fine with other dogs and cats they're raised with.

With strangers

Friendly once introduced; they bark to announce visitors.

Alone time

Can handle time alone when adult and exercised; bored dogs bark.

Training

OES are smart but can be stubborn and independent. Keep training fun and varied.

How often

2–3 short sessions a day of 5–10 minutes each.
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)

From 8–16 weeks, focus on grooming, handling and the sound of dryers. An OES that accepts grooming young will be much easier to care for as an adult.
Self-control

Teach a calm stand for grooming and a polite greeting without jumping. Redirect herding nips to a toy.
What it works for

Food, play and praise all work. Use small, high-value pieces such as freeze-dried liver, kept within 10% of daily calories.

Exercise

OES need daily walks and play, plus some running. They enjoy herding games and agility.

Exercise a day 60–90 min

CouchModerateAthlete

Good outlets

Long walks
Herding lessons
Fetch in a fenced yard

Brain work

Trick training
Food puzzles
Rally obedience

Best home

Best in a house with a yard; struggles in hot climates.

Watch for Watch for overheating in a heavy coat, and avoid exercise in summer heat.

Feeding

Adult maintenance for a typical Old English Sheepdog (60–100 lbs) lands around 1,325–1,950 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.

Puppy (to 12 mo)

Daily calories: 1,675–2,450 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 16–20%
Treat limit, all treats: 170–245 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 8–12 pieces a day

Adult Maintenance

Daily calories: 1,325–1,950 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 14–18%
Treat limit, all treats: 135–195 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 7–10 pieces a day

Active / Working

Daily calories: 1,825–2,700 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 18–22%
Treat limit, all treats: 185–270 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 9–14 pieces a day

Senior

Daily calories: 1,175–1,725 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 12–16%
Treat limit, all treats: 120–175 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 6–9 pieces a day

Compare every life stage

Life stage	Daily calories	Protein	Fat	Treat limit (all treats)	Saylor's liver, suggested / day
Puppy (to 12 mo)	1,675–2,450 kcal	26–30%	16–20%	170–245 kcal	8–12 pieces
Adult Maintenance	1,325–1,950 kcal	24–28%	14–18%	135–195 kcal	7–10 pieces
Active / Working	1,825–2,700 kcal	26–30%	18–22%	185–270 kcal	9–14 pieces
Senior	1,175–1,725 kcal	24–28%	12–16%	120–175 kcal	6–9 pieces

The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.

Health & grooming

Hip dysplasia, eye problems, thyroid issues and the MDR1 drug sensitivity are known in the breed. Choose a breeder who screens, and keep up with grooming to prevent skin issues.

Watch for	Ask the breeder or vet for	When
Hip dysplasia	OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Inherited eye disease	Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER)	Yearly in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Hypothyroidism	OFA thyroid panel	In breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
MDR1 drug sensitivity	MDR1 DNA test	Once; tell your vet the result before any medication
Exercise-induced collapse (EIC)	DNA test (results registered with the OFA)	Once (a DNA result does not change)

Official health tests for breeding dogs

The OFA's CHIC program asks Old English Sheepdog breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.

Hip evaluation
Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
Thyroid panel
EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
Multiple Drug Sensitivity

Also recommended

Heart exam
Hearing test (BAER)
Cerebellar Degeneration
Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD)

See the full list on OFA.org

Grooming Moderate to heavy; mats without frequent brushing

Brush to the skin several times a week (a full coat can take hours weekly), or keep a short cut with a groom every 6–8 weeks. Clean around the eyes and rear, check ears weekly and trim nails monthly.

History

Early 1800s

Drover's dog

Farmers in the West of England developed large, shaggy dogs to drive cattle and sheep to market.
Late 1800s

Show ring and society

The breed entered the show ring in the 1870s and was recognized by the AKC in 1888; wealthy American families kept them.
1900s

Pop culture

The OES became a familiar face in films and advertising, which boosted its popularity.

Questions owners ask

Are Old English Sheepdogs easy to train?

Moderately. They are smart but can be stubborn and independent. Keep training fun and varied.

Are Old English Sheepdogs good with kids and other pets?

Usually. They are gentle and playful with kids, but some herd them and their size can knock over toddlers. Most get along with pets they grow up with.

How much exercise does an Old English Sheepdog need?

About 60–90 minutes a day of walks, play and some running. Avoid exercise in summer heat.

Do Old English Sheepdogs shed?

Yes, and the coat mats quickly. Expect hours of brushing every week or a short cut with a professional groom every 6–8 weeks.

What health problems do Old English Sheepdogs have, and how long do they live?

OES live 10–12 years. Watch for hip dysplasia, eye disease, hypothyroidism and MDR1 drug sensitivity. Ask for hip, eye, thyroid and MDR1 results.

Is an Old English Sheepdog good for apartments or first-time owners?

Not usually. Their size, energy and coat suit a house with a yard. A first-timer can succeed with grooming help and training.

Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats

Back in stock soon

We're restocking. When it's back, a Old English Sheepdog needs only 7–10 pieces a day, well inside the 135–195 kcal treat limit.

See the product

Where the Old English Sheepdog ranks

Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.