Herding Cats
My husband and I have done our research and are going to be looking for a puppy once we sell our house and get into a bigger one, hopefully very soon. My situation is this...we have three cats: one very laid back cat who is used to dogs (my pre-marriage cat); one who is still young and very playful and one who is older and pretty much crabby all the time. I'm wondering if the herding instinct in the OES will cause it to try to constantly keep the cats in one place...and how well the cats will tolerate this. 
Does anyone have a similar situation? Thanks! -Jennifer |
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Welcome to the forum! 
Congratulations on your decision to add an OES to your family. Tarja, who is the breeder referal contact for the Old English Sheepdog Club of America, is a member here. You can reach her through Private Message or through E-mail here at the forum. Her user name is "oes rule". I know she'll be happy to help you in your search for a puppy. As for their herding instincts and cats, I would say that Yes, most of them enjoy herding cats much more than the cats enjoy being herded. But, if you teach him while he's young not to chase them, he (or she) will learn that cats are off limits. Lots of folks here on the forum have successfully integrated sheepies into their all cat households.
Good luck in your puppy search and be sure to keep us up to date on your progress. |
| Hi:
I have two sheepdogs, Baxter and Cassiopia.....and 11 (yes that is correct) cats. The cats and the dogs co-exist relatively peacefully. When Cassiopia first joined us, she had never seen a cat before. Several of our cats took the opportunity to instruct her on the proper manners a dog should have when associating with a cat. She quickly learned which cats liked to play with her - yes, we do have cats that will instigate play with the dogs. And she also learned, through painful scratches on her nose, which cats it would be best to leave alone. I did set block off a couple of rooms with baby gates so the dogs couldn't get in them - just to give the cats a place of their own. Just cut a hole in the base of the gate so the cat can go through. Good luck. Jennifer, Baxter, Cassiopia and Sharkey |
| Thank you both for your tips! I had thought about ways to give the cats their own space, that's a really good idea with the gate. I'll contact Tarja when it's time to start the puppy search.
All three cats have all of their claws (I used to be a vet assistant and witnessed one too many declawings...yikes) so I'm sure they'll correct the puppy when necessary. 
Is there a good way to go about introducing the cats to a puppy that's not too stressful for either? Thanks, Jennifer |
I have two Sheepies, 6 and 3, who ignore our cat for the most part. We got Zoey as a kitten last year (already de-clawed  ).
Zoey has has her own bedroom, blocked off with a baby gate raised about 4 inches off the floor (for quick entry). This keeps the furries out of the food and litterbox "treats." After the initial introductions, they pretty much leave each alone. Zoey will walk up to the girl and bite their fur ocassionally - I guess it's a reminder who is boss. It doesn't bother the girls, but it does seem to make them mat a bit more (I keep them in a long coat). I put the dogs in their room when we leave (Ben, the Golden Retriever eats things that require surgery to remove). I never put Zoey in there, but she started climbing through the passthrough from the kitchen to the dog's room to join them. I keep her carrier on top of the dog's crate in there and there is our extra freezer, so she has high ground if needed. Now when I put the dogs in their room, Zoey is first in. She also drinks from their water bowl (I thought cats were picky?). I am bringing my son's rescued Blue Heeler pup (another herding dog) over daily during the week. Mainly to socialize her and keep her out of the crate all day (we planned this before he took her in). Zoey is also training her to respect cats. Remember the cartoon chase scene going in one door with A chasing B and coming out with B chasing A - that goes on at our house daily. Since Zoey seems to lay in wait for Scallywag to come by so she can hit her, I don't think she is too tramatized. |
| Welcome to the forum! |
| my oes wanted to bug the cats. One with front claws and one with out. The cats have put her in her place. The one with claws, Sammi does not bother with. The one with out claws and 26 lbs she wants him to play with her waves a toy at her he sits sits ahd hisses. |
| Hi Jennifer!
Welcome to the forum! I have absolutely no experience with cats and sheepies together, but noticed you live in Wonder Lake.....which is where I grew up! (....singing to the tune of "It's a Small World"....) 
Laurie and Oscar |
| I'm not a "cat person" so have no advice to offer but I did want to welcome you to the forum and tell you we can't wait to hear more aobut your new addition!! |
Thank you all so much for your warm welcomes! Speaking of a small world, Laurie, I grew up in Libertyville.  (seriously!!) In the Bull Creek neighborhood off of 137, in between 45 and Butterfield.
Well, I guess no matter how well they all get along, when you end up with 4 animals in one house, there's bound to be at least a bit of insanity.
I have another question...(you'll all find that I'm full of them, I like to know what I'm getting myself into...) How are Sheepdogs around water? We're boaters, and when we look at a new house it's either going to still be in Wonder Lake or on another lake or channel somewhere. Will I need to worry about the dog jumping in and trying to herd the fish, or are they pretty much landlubbers? (of course I would keep a close eye on it when we're by the lake...) |
| My Brother in Law lived in Libertyville for many years. |
| My lab mix was the one that taught me that cats can be hearded, it is just one at a time. |
| I think you'll find these dogs run the complete spectrum when it comes to water. Some of them love it and will swim for fun and others will avoid it at all costs.
Several members take their dogs boating or canoeing (with life preservers on them, of course) and judging from the pictures, they seem to really enjoy it. |
Welcome to the forum!!!! We have 2 dogs, an oes and a GSD. THey get along with our 4 cats just fine. We have two inside cats and two that spend the majority of their time outside. They only come in if its too cold or too hot or when they feel we are not below them :D:D Our dogs and cats get along very well. The two in the house are newly aquired kittens about 3 months old. They snuggle up to the dogs and even try looking for nipples  especially on the oes because they are the same color and all have long fur. As for herding them, the outside cats and their friends that visit really get herded the dogs dont let them out of the yard :D:D and the oes barks like crazy when one tries to get away!!!
As for water, as long as its standing still Beauford loves the water, hates the hose or anything like it but loves the lake we live near, and all other water thats not running. He hates creeks etc. Our GSD loves water of all types. |
| Thank you all so much for the welcomes, the great advice and the great stories! I'll definitely keep you all updated on my quest for the perfect sheepdog. (And of course, how the kitties handle it...) |
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