OES research, apprecitae the info
My new husband and I will be purchasing a home in the coming months, and after that is all finalized, we want to get a dog. (I've been living in an apartment for the past decade, and am tired of having to live dogless!!!) I'm passionately dedicated to the purebred animal in general (my parents raised shetland sheepdogs when I was a child) and I'm very careful about which animal I bring in to my home, as I want it to be a great match for our family and for the animal! (I spent months researching breeds and breeders both times when we bought our cats) So, in the interests of finding the right new family member, I'm doing some research, yet again! I'd appreciate any info on the following: Activity levels: How active are OESs? Do they need to be doing a "Job" all the time, are they more moderate ( a walk, some clowning around in the back yard, and a snooze on the kitchen floor), or are they sedentary (nap, nap, nap, eat, wag the tail, nap). Grooming: I've read about the fluffball hair loss, but is there a big seasonal coat change, as in shelties and collies where the winter coat is lost, and the summer coat comes in? Play well with others: We have two beloved cats (Iris and Bell) and lots of fish. Do OESs play well with kitties, or are kitties more like fuzzy lunch on 4 legs? Digging: Do OESs have a tendency to dig? Adaptability: a few years down the road, we will be having children. Do OESs adapt well to new additions in the family, or dio there tend to be behavioral issues when babies and toddlers are introduced to the mix? (I've read about people giving up their dogs when they were having children and was absolutely horrified! How could somebody do something like that?!! I grew up with a doggie guardian from the cradle, and would never think of depriving my child and our family of our beloved companions!!) Both my husband and I are used to herding dogs- I grew up with shelties, he grew up with German sheperds. So naturally, our choices ended up with all herding dogs (hmm.. what a surprise) I really appreciate any info you may be able to dole out! Thanks! |
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| I now have 2 OES, and i guess as far as activity goes, they are like people, each has his own personality. Lizzie is prety laid-back, Cooper has to have his nose in everything that's going on. Although everything I've read says that they tend to be pretty avctive and very much a clown!
Haven't seen much of a seasonal change in coat, and my neither of sheepies shed as much as a basset/beagle mix I once had. The cats, well, one ignores ours, the other chases it! Guess you'd have to teach your pup to play nice. Lizzie was raised with our cat, Cooper was not. Maybe this accounts for him thinking she's a toy! No holes in my yard from the sheepies-but that golden retriever left a few ankle-busters!!! As far as children, the only dog I would consider to be around them is a sheepie! (I run a home daycare). Lizzie was raised with my youngest, and would sleep either on the bottom shelf of his changing table or under his crib. Both dogs are very gentle around small children, but can be a bit rowdier with older ones. My female will bark at the older ones if she thinks they are playing too rough with the little ones. Every afternoon for the last 2 weeks, Cooper has herded one of little ones away from the stairs when I get her up from her nap. He won't let her near them unitl I get ahold of her hand. As far as I'm concerned, these are the best dogs to have around children! Hope this helps, I'm no expert, but these traits have been consitent in all the sheepies I've had (3 so far).  |
| Here is a quote from aa FAQ page I found on OES:
The Old English Sheepdog is a playful, affectionate, fun-loving "clown," who delights in frolicking with his family and neighborhood children. A properly bred OES will be good-natured and kind and this is what makes the OES an excellent children's companion and great family dog. An old description of the breed refers to the OES as a "Nanny." This term of endearment arose because of numerous stories surrounding the role of the OES in the family. Some have said that the OES will supervise a young child by insuring that the child will remain in a particular area by herding him into it. Others have described the OES who acts as a means of support to the toddler learning to walk. Although the OES is excellent with children, it is extremely important to note that children should never be left unsupervised with any dog, regardless of breed or temperament. |
| Hello,
First off, I want to say that it it great to see you doing all of your research first. That is the most important. We did that with every animal as well, it makes a huge difference. Lets see here, if I can answer you in order.....the activity level is moderate. Ours seems to take after us. If we are out and about....they are too, if we are lazy and tired....they are too. If we bounce around and sing.....LOL.....they do too. I think that they love training and mental work as much as free play, it seems the first year is probably more high maintence then the next ones. Just my opinion. The hair is nothing like a German shephard where it seems to be everywhere....in little bitty hairs....sheepies leave fluffs in a few spots on the carpet, you can choose to vacuum it up or just pick up the fluff in your hand. If you brush daily, most will come out in it and not on the floor. We have 4 Ragdolls and will be expecting babies in a couple of months....they all play and sleep together. We have never had a fight or growl, they will eat and drink together as well. 2 of the cats were there first and then 2 came in after the dogs. They dogs were very excited about the kittens and my only fear was of Jack wanting to sit and lay down on them. He likes to lay and sit on everything. If something is missing, look under Jack...LOL I had a lab that digged everything.....my sheepies never have, but they usually only go out unless we are outside too, they hate to be separated from us. They usually are bouncing around beside us when they are outside. I am not sure how a sheepie would act if they were there first and then you had children.....we did it the opposite way. Ashlan was 5, almost 6 and Joey was almost 3 when we got Jack and I think 6 weeks passed when Annabelle came to us. They were both 8 weeks old when we got them. I think it would be wise to socialize your dog as much as possible around children and babies, if you can, so the dog is used to a different activity level and impulsiveness of children. When our pups and kitties were little, I would pull the hair just a little and give a treat, so that they were used to little hands pulling and pushing on them. We have never had any boo-boo's made from our pets. LOL I have been around german shephards, and they didn't seem to herd the same way the sheepie does. Mine seem to want to gently bump everything and everyone. It usually isn't enough to take you off of your feet, but there is those times.   You might want to be extra careful if you ever decide to get pregnant. I had a cat that would try everything to trip me when I was pregnant with my first. LOL
Well, did I cover it all? LOL, there will lots of great advice from here. I wish you well in your search for a sheepie. Please, keep us updated. Stormi and co. |
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