OES Temperments
Barbara |
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| Barbara,
Generally, they are NOT mean! The standard clearly states that they should show no signs of aggression. HOWEVER, with the increase in popularity (of any breed) - comes the increase in breeding by mills, back yard breeders, commercial breeders, etc. - who are NOT breeding to ensure that health and temperment are considered. This is why you see the increase in aggression in the OES. In addition, these breeders don't care who buys these pups - as long as they have a valid credit card - so there is NO screening process for families - that in many cases are unprepared to deal with a puppy - not to mention an OES puppy. Particularly with the internet - because now you can "order" a pup online - making them available to anyone and everyone. They aren't providing the training/socialization to these puppies who already have the underlying temperment issues from their breeding - compounding the problem. It's scary to see what is happening to this breed! I know people are probably sick of hearing me on my soap box about reputable / ethical breeders - but if you've seen what I have (young OES being euthanized because of aggression, families having to part with their OES because they can't handle them, OES being tied out in the backyard for years because they were too much work, etc.) - you'd know where I'm coming from! JMHO! Kristen |
| Just remember - they are DOGS not people; they have teeth and really powerful jaws, and they know how to use them! However just like people, some dogs are aggressive and some aren't, even raised the same way.
My two cents. |
| That is exactly what I'm talking about! That's why I'm waiting on mine to arrive when it would be so easy to just order it off the internet. I was just wanting to make sure that for the most part they are the good pets that I have seen in the dogs I have met.
Barbara |
| There is a lot of drooling, biting, barking, jumping, scratching, poop eating, and general mayhem described on this site!
But I for one wouldn't miss any of it for the world. I am on my second OES and I am comitted (or should be comitted!) to this breed. If you want a lot of love, constant companionship, and silly clownish behaviour, this is the animal for you. While not particularily 'regal', they are magnificent animals, and like all big dogs can be a little frightening just becuase of their sheer strength and power. However, that said, you will never find a gentler, sweeter dispositioned dog. I always tell people that having an OES is a little like having a child, they are all different, and they all have their special skills as well as their shortcomings, it's crucial to minimize the potential for problems by dealing with reputable breeders and trainers. It's also crucial to realize that training this animal is a long process that requires the whole family get involved and that everyone be consistent. Final thing I will say, is that, like children, if you indentify your animal's special needs and quirks as you go along - and deal with them- the dog will respond to you - they only want to please. I've read numerous books, gone to all kinds of training classes and ultimately figured out that not many folks out there understand the OES, except here on this forum. This is your best resource if you run into problems. What is more, you are your best resource, go with your instinct and the OES will respond. They are so keen to be a part of the family, to be included, to live in your home and tag along behind you or your kids with a big pink toungue peeking out of little black lips. They are not for everyone, but they are a dog lover's dream for a companion animal. Up. |
| Very eloquently put uppetybup!
I am not as familiar with the breed as everyone else, so I can only speak for the Pud Monster. I have seen nothing but a sweet loving animal who loves to counter surf. He has been wonderful with my 2 year old grandson and 4 year old almost granddaughter.  He loves to bark at my nephews across the street when they are waiting on the bus, not because he wants to harm them but wants to lick them to death. |
| Pirate is my second sheepie. My first was Cupcake who is now at the bridge waiting for all of us. When I had Cupcake, my kids were young, 3 and 5. He was so incredibly gentle with them. He was the quinessential "Nanny". If he felt they were swinging on the swing too high, he'd knock against their legs to slow them down. When my son would nudgy (Jewish mama here) him too much ( where almost any other dog would nip), Cupcake would take the flat part of his (Cupcake's) head, and push my son to the grown, and sit on him til I came and broke them up. Pirate only spends time around little kids when we are out walking, since my kids are now grown up. But I see the same gentleness in him. He lets the little girl down the block put barettes in his fur, and just sit there, with the exception of giving her a lick now and then. Don't get me wrong, Pirate has his moments of craziness. When he and Molly (JRT) are wrestling I sometimes worry because it seems to get serious and very rough. Remember, he's over 70 pounds and she's 15 pounds. But when I do step in, they break it up and never take their aggression out on me or any of the uprights in the house. Maybe I've been very fortunate, but the sheepies I've personally known are such loving, silly creatures. But as UP said, as with people, you have the good, bad and ugly. Choose your breeder wisely. |
| When my son was born everyone in the family was frightened this HUGE sheepdog was going to hurt the baby (I knew better), all the grandmas and aunties would shooo the dog away if the baby was on the floor (she just wanted to smell his diaper - a glorious scent in the dog world I am sure!) they would always hold their breath when this HUGE sheepdog would come running in from outside and would bound into the room where the baby was. I was constantly asked 'shouldn't Penny be restrianed around the baby?'.
What the aunties and grandmas didn't know is that when THEY weren't there and it was just me and the dog and the baby, she would lay down next to his punkin' seat and 'guard' him, he would grab handfuls of big soft OES fur and twist and tug (gently) at her head and ears cooing, and she would just sit there panting, occasionally licking his fingers and his arm, if he got too rough she would re-adjust herself so that she was just out of reach, but still right there on the floor guarding him like a big fuzzy sentry. Sometimes I think they are rough with their adult family members because they figure we can 'take it', they always seem to know better around the smaller and weaker memebers of the pack. Up |
| i think reading here gives you a biased look at the dog, people only ask for help on behaviors when they are undesirable behaviors.
nobody ever says "help me, my dog is super peaceful and loves belly rubs!" i myself have posted several misleading posts about jack. he's a doll and i'd get another one if i could. |
| Hey everyone I havent been around in a while,with summer,work,and i moved so im saying hey to everyone first. Now my OES is so wonderful.He is now 4months old,and he is huge!!!!BUT loving,cuddely,and so very cute  he definitly has changed in his personality.he is such a clown,i read some of your OES love their bellies rub...well Mickey when Im rubbing his belly he squirms all over makes this growl noise,and nibbles his legs,altho he looks goofy i think he is enjoying it???  he is in no way aggresive.the potty traing is going great he goes about 2weeks w/o any accidents,and then WHAM theres the pee.So he gets in trouble and goes outside,and thats that.I took him to work w/ me Wedensday I work in an Assisted Living w/ elderly,and handicapp people,and he was PERFECT! i was so proud of him.he didnt bark,he whined to go outside and he did his potty there.he would jump gently and put his paws on the laps of the people in wheel chairs,and let them pet him w/ no issues.I tell ya he was wonderful.He however is very mischevious,and him eating mud and plants is still his past time.He also is a vent hog.Anyone else have a OES who lies on the A/C vent on the floor??Mickey moves to whatever room im in and lays ontop of the A/C vent!!hehe!!I love him so much!! |
| LOL
Thanks for the update! Mickey sounds wonderful! |
| Mickey sounds perfectly normal, vent eating and all. Paige sleeps with hor nose over the floor vent.......usually in the bathroom where the cooler air stays in the smaller room. Hard for uprights to go pee...stepping over dog.
Mickey will go through many changes........and yes, will test you for years with regard to behavior. Greet each with humor but firmness, give lots of love inbetween. As far as his being with the assisted living people, keep that up. Therapy dogs are in great demand. Obedience classes, speicalized training are still needed, but he has a great start! |
ed wrote: i think reading here gives you a biased look at the dog, people only ask for help on behaviors when they are undesirable behaviors.
nobody ever says "help me, my dog is super peaceful and loves belly rubs!" i myself have posted several misleading posts about jack. he's a doll and i'd get another one if i could. I have to disagree Ed - I think there are plenty of wonderful stories and posts about our sheepies on this forum! Also - people aren't making up the stories of the aggression - it's out there and it's a very REAL problem with this breed. We're hearing only a few of the many stories and problems people are experiencing! No dog is perfect - but the increase in aggression in the OES is alarming! The OES Community needs to pull together to put an end to this - otherwise we're going to be finding our beloved breed on the list of "banned" dogs due to aggression. There are "Dangerous Dog Laws" being passed everyday in every town/city - I don't want to see the OES make it on this List. JMHO. Kristen |
| I agree with you completely Kristen, it is scary how many cases are popping up. I'm currently researching oes genetics, and hopefully by the time Dancer is ready to have puppies I will be able to pick a male who is genotypically as well as phenotypically wonderful. |
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