Is an OES right for my family?
The advise that I am looking for is with the info stated above what would be better a puppy or an adult or EVEN an OES? I am interested in listen to any and all advise, which I know I will get due to the advise already read that has been given out on other pages. Thanks in advance for the advise. |
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| THANK YOU for your service to our country. I appreciate all that you do and all the sacrifices that you and your family endure so that I can play with oes.org in peace and safety. Thank you.
I'm sorry for your losses of Baxter and Tipsy. As you have read, I am a big advocate of rescuing an adult OES from an experienced OES rescue for many reasons, so I am definitely not objective. The puppy stage in a sheepdog lasts a long long time and can be hard to deal with. I think I understand about the protection issue; just having a large dog around does tend to deter the bad guys (at least in my mind), even though an OES is more likely to lick their face while showing them the silverware drawer. You should know that they have different personalities; My first guy was fearless and would bark and bark and rush out the door to see who was invading his space (then he'd lick him). One I fostered would be interested in who was at the door, but from down the hall. My current dog is in between; he barks at the door, then would back up and hide behind mommy's skirt. Now this dog is quite trainable, so when we go to answer the door we tell him to go into his crate (which is in the entrance hallway near the door) and he does. That's wuuuuunderful. If you do decide to go the puppy route, many people here would be willing to give you lots of advice about that. Your first stop will be with OESCA's breeder referral list to find a breeder who has signed OESCA's Code of Ethics. There will be medical questions for you to ask and for the breeder to provide. It will be a long process as your breeder and you get to know each other, and it's gonna cost a lot of money, probably $1,500 to $2,000 for a good quality puppy. Either way, WELCOME to the community. I look forward to following your quest for your family's dog! |
| Excellent advice from Ron. One thing that caught my eye in favor of your family probably being able to deal with an OES is that you have herding dog experience. They ARE different. And no young children. Many OES are good with children, but they are so time/labor intensive that unless you truly understand what you're in for, you risk ending up exhausted and the dog usually gets the short end of the stick. A lot of OES are given up to rescue for that reason, which is why a number of rescue organizations won't consider placing a dog in a family with youngsters (that and the younger and/or zanier OES' propensity to herd children and send toddlers flying in their exhuberance). So your boys' ages are in you favor.
Here's something to consider though: grooming. This is part, most, really, of what makes them so labor intensive. You either develop a love of bathing and brushing and drying and learn how (along with procuring all of the necessary equipment) or you find a good groomer. That can get to be expensive, but a lot of people go the latter route. The advantages of getting a rescue dog is that the organization will find one with a personality that matches your life style. And since it will usually be an adult, you know what you've got. The disadvantage of getting a puppy is all of the time needed to civilize one and all of the items you will need to replace because even if you are the most diligent puppy proofing people in the world, these guys are BUSY. The advantages are, hm, having three juveniles of my own I can't think of any. Oh, wait! They're cute. Especially when they're asleep.... The nice thing about the OES is that they remain juveniles for so long that you're really not missing much if you don't get a small puppy. And, of course, reputable breeders will not "deliver" in time for Christmas (guessing from your post that you may already know that  )
Since you're deployed on and off and busy with the boys when home and since this is your wife's dream dog, make sure that she is in on the decision-making. Dogs as gifts and surprises are not always what they are cracked up to be. Ask my Mom who received a six mos old OES puppy, filthy, who had never been in a house before, just a week before Christmas (obviously not from a reputable breeder on any level, here ) from my Dad in 1986, just weeks before he went back overseas (job, not military).
Her name was Heidi and she is the reason I now have five of the buggers and spend way too much time involved in dog related activities. I have no regrets. My mom, on the other hand, is still waiting for my dad to fork over the $40,000, give or take, she claims he owes her for damages, including but not limited to, pain and suffering (hers, not the dog's). Kristine  |
| Welcome!
I definitely agree with all that Ron and Kristine have said. Perhaps it is time for you to have a family meeting (or at least you and your wife) and discuss getting a dog. I did notice that you have had dogs that are breeds that tend to have quirky personalities - so an OES sounds like a breed you would like. We have a basset and a bluetick coonhound here, as well as a sheepdog, so I can compare the breeds on a personal basis!
I have adopted dogs as adults, young adults and started with pups; and I have had equally wonderful results with each. You just need to decide what route is best for your family and start exploring your options. Our Chewie is our 3rd OES and we will never be without one. 
Good luck in your search. |
| Glad you found us! Thank you for you service to our country!
I would just like to add that I think it's best if all members of your family take part in the actual selection of your dog whether it's a puppy or an adult of any breed. I'm interested in the outcome. Keep us posted! |
| Listen to the advice in the above post is the only advice I can give. An OES requires a lot of attention. I don't mean petting and playing either. I meet people all the time who see my dog and say I would love to have one. Then I go into the time I have to spend on my dog grooming, playing, daily walks, wet mouths/beards and the list goes on and most change their minds. They are great dogs and I will always have one, you just have to make sure you and your family can devote the time and energy it takes to have an OES. There are dogs and then there is the OES totally different (in my opinion). |
| Thank you for the advice on everything. Don't worry my wife is very much part of this decision. I would never commit to something like this without her knowledge. We have decided with everything that we have read and the advice and many, many websites, books, articles we have decided to get an OES. Now for the hard part. Do we want a pup or rescue an OES? We will keep everyone posted on what happens as I am sure that I will be back many, many times for more awsome advice. Thanks again. |
| your welcome and good luck in your search. Forget to mention this a.m. thanks for supporting the country. |
| IMO, the biggest consideration that you and your family have to make is do you have the time, resources, and patience for a puppy. I have had both the OES from a pup (she still is wild at 1 1/2 yrs old) and adopting older rescued sheepies (much calmer and eternally loyal and grateful for love and attention).
Thank you and your family for the service and sacrifice that ya'll make for our country. God Bless You. |
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