Have you ever owned an OES cross?
I'm very curious, friends have a litter of pups coming and they are not sure what the dad is? I could get a dog for free, but I am a little worried. Any thoughts? |
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Hi, I am not sure what medical concerns might arise from crossbreeding. Kristen or someone else, who is knowledgable in this can give you a better answer. I know that Josh has a cross, OES and a lab. He is all black and seems to have the sheepie coat, lab coloring. We are all still waiting to see how big he is going to get. LOL He seemed like a healthy, happy puppy. Its too early to tell, for I think he is about 10 or so weeks old. I would do a goodle search, and see what turns up. Goodluck and keep us posted. What is going to happen to the pups if your friend can't give them all away? I would suggest to her to place them with an OES rescue in your area. She really should of been careful with her gal, there are too many dogs and puppies who can't find homes as is, just check petfinder.com! I was also wondering is she going to fix her dog after the pups are born. It is good of you to consider these puppies. Maybe you can get two!? LOL  |
Marley, I love your new avatar!  She looks great, and what a cute pose, typical sheepie! LOL |
haaa ha ha! Thanks! She is full of piss and vinegar today! Oy!  |
| once the dogs are born, would you have the heart to get rid of a dog for not being perfect? if so, i recommend getting a betta.
if not, then what difference does it make? |
| I currently have an OES cross.....Lord knows what the second half is......Irish Wolfhound is one guess due to coarse hair and length. He's sheepie markings, long legs.......yes, I know, picture, picture.
Variables in genetics would make predicting what turns out would be hard. Petfinder.com (or org?) has an OESxGreat Pyrenees. Body shape OES, tail Pyr, coat some horrible mess inbetween. I don't remember face. I'd be curious about the coat since Pyrs shed so heavily and sheepies don't. I'd be concerned about hips if the cross were larger, like the Pyr. If the sheepie had bad hips, having the extra weight may be a problem (My cross may be a case in point...he has a terrible gait). In plant science, these big crosses result in "hybrid vigor" where the hybrid is stronger than either of the parents. Perhaps the same would hold true for the hybrid doggie. |
| Hybrid vigor actually holds true for all living creatures. |
| I can only say GREAT things about my OES cross so far! As far as specifics on the mix, he's a Lab mix and according to the vet, and our own observations, he's going to be huge. Recent vet exam, though, he said that because both breeds are large, there should not be any issues from that--most accidental mixes be it large/small, large/small, still end up ok.
Mine has hair, like an OES, not fur, and so far no shedding, but he is just a puppy so we (and many people on this forum) are curious to see if he'll go grey like an OES or stay jet black like a lab....only time will tell, but at 10 weeks, he's 19 pounds... 
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| Thanks jsmarcus, those pictures are great. I will also check out Petfinder. |
| Daisie,
Any health issues would depend on the sire & dam of the litter. If you breed a healthy OES with a healthy Black Lab - you will most likely have health OES/Lab mix puppies. Any large breed dog - there's a chance of hip dysplasia - however - this would hold true regardless of being a mix breed or not. There are health issues / concerns relative to each breed - so you would have to know what the father of the litter was - in order to determine other health related concerns. I don't think there is any more of a risk of being a mix than there would be of pure bred - in fact - often times the risks are less. If you aren't planning on showing, breeding or performing in AKC activities - a mix breed will be just fine! Actually, I love the "Mostlies" - and think Josh's Pooh Bear is one of the cutest puppies I've ever seen! You may want to wait until you can get a better idea of what they are mixed with - and what the puppies are like - each puppy from a litter can be very different and if there are certain traits that you would not like in a dog - you may want to select the puppy that best fits your lifestyle (as much as you can tell when they're that age). Good Luck and if you decide to get one - please share the pictures with us! Thanks Kristen |
| Marley,
Speaking of being big - sure looks like Mopsey is becoming a big girl too! She's adorable! Kristen |
ed wrote: once the dogs are born, would you have the heart to get rid of a dog for not being perfect? if so, i recommend getting a betta.
if not, then what difference does it make? The person breeding the litter hopefully would not get rid of the dog for not being perfect (Daisie isn't responsible for the litter) - but for someone who is considering one of the puppies - it is a good idea to know what you are getting into (or might be getting into). Not everyone can take on the responsibility (both financially and emotionally) of having a dog with a health problem. In addition, no matter whether or not you are getting a pure bred - or a mix breed - it's best to do your research and make sure the dog is right for your family. "Daisie" is asking questions before she makes her decision - which is nice to see for a change! Kristen |
| sometimes mutts are the best dogs. my friends and family swear so, but i've liked my purebreds much better. But I'm in the minority. In my house right now are two mixed breeds and one pure. My roommate swears his dog is the best dog ever, while I swear my OES is the best one so far. The poor other dog, LOL!
you're getting the mixed breed as a puppy too, that makes a HUGE difference! |
| I have friends too that swear mix is better...pure is better. Myself as long as it has a great temperment I can love any dog.
I guess knowing that the OES is taller in the back end than any other dog, I was wondering if getting a cross could results in a higher chance of problems in those hips. Verses getting a pure where this is a genetic occurance and normal. I haven't said I'd take one, I am waiting to see. Hopefully there is a clue in these pups, before I see it mature into a 200lb dog. That would be very bad for us. Thanks, it helps knowing that you can mix an OES, this is very rare. When you see one, you see a pure one. |
Daisie wrote: Thanks, it helps knowing that you can mix an OES, this is very rare. When you see one, you see a pure one.
Daisie, You should look on www.petfinder.org - you will see alot of OES MIXES listed - and will get an idea of what some of them may look like (depending on what they are mixed with of course). Keep us posted on the puppies! Kristen |
Quote: Speaking of being big - sure looks like Mopsey is becoming a big girl too! She's adorable!
Thanks! She is a good girl! Thanks to everyone for their advice, by the way, 'cause she was a handful! GA was great! She is around 40 lb now, I think that is normal for a girl her age! Although I am reading that the boys at 5 months are pushing 50lb! WOW! |
| Jack was a big boy and was 50 lbs at 5 months. He gained 10 lbs every month until he was 9 months and 90 lbs. He stayed there until we switched their food and he is now at a perfect 80 lbs. Or at least that is what the vet thought. I think for the most part the boys will weigh more than the girls.
Stormi and co. |
| Bella turned 6m on 9/11 and monday when she was spayed she was 51 lbs. they grow sooo fast |
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