Help me!
I have never owned a dog before, tragically. I cherish the small moments I can babysit for my neighbors or when I visit my friend's dogs. My dad keeps saying he doesn't get along with animals, and there is the case of his rugs...and my mom who, lucky girl, owned dogs all through out her childhood and owned an OES in college. She pushes away the thought of a dog because she's afraid she'll be stuck with all the responsibilities. I think my parents may be softening...there is our cat, Twister, who my dad just loves (surprise surprise) and the hamster + her seven new babies my sister had and raised. Plus there has been BIG talk about getting a dog... To make a long story short over Thanksgiving my sister was watching some big national dog show and so my whole family turned it on to watch. The winner of the working-dog arena was called a "komondor". Well, my sister, my mom, and I spent time researching this dog only to find out it is mean and an extreme guard dog. My mom, not wanting to frighten people away from our house thought that maybe instead we should look into Old English Sheepdogs. So far we have been looking at adorable (!!!!!) pictures and some funny stories about the K-9s and their people but my mom and certainly my dad are not convinced we should get one or could even handle one. So, I was hoping some of you, roommates of OESs could help me in convincing my parents that an OES is the right addition to our family by posting messages about your own experiences and lifestyles with your OESs. Thank you so much! |
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| Hi,
I thought I would reply to owning an OES. I have owned 6 over the last 25 years and absolutely love this breed. I currently have "Bailey" a 20 month old, and am getting another one around the end of January. It is a dog that never seems to grow up with all the clown antics way into old age. It does however come with some issues such as grooming that should really become a priority when a dog has so much requirement. I do shave my OES in the summer time...she loves to swim and her long hair is hard to keep from sinking. I do however keep her in full coat the rest of the year. This requires at least 45 min a day to keep up with matts (before they become matts) especially when she is blowing a new coat. That dense undercoat needs lots of maintaining. YOu can always send your dog to a groomer...but you still have to do dailey maintence. Especially if you live in an area with snow or lots of rain. Do I think it is worth it? Absolutely. What my OES sheepdogs give back to me is immeasurable. I also own a Golden Retriever, although a great personality he sheds constantly. Bailey does not shed. Even with all that hair. That is a plus. Okay, so alittle about the owning an OES. They are a very family orientated dog. They are not particulary good at being some guard dog or watch dog. They would probably let a burglar in if they thought they might play with them. They are great with kids. All of mine have been raised with kids. They will herd small kids if they are in an area that the dog does not think is appropriate. They usually have a dominant person in the family that they "hang with". that means they choose to go every where with them. That means to the bathroom with you at in the middle of the night, on you feet while you type at the computer, or hanging out at a soccer game hoping for that ball to come their way. I do participate in agility training and obedience training with my dogs. OES need a job. In the days when they were herding sheep they were working dogs. SOme things just don't go away with time.If they are left alone they can become destructive. They will find a job out of boredom--like re-arrainging your trash, eating stuffed annimals etc. Bailey likes Agility over obedience and is beginning "Rally" Obedience which is pretty fun. So, if you get an OES--plan on some kind of dog classes to have a great pet. You will have fun participating as well. It is amaising what you can get a dog to do! Good luck and have fun! Wendy (and Bailey) |
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