a good match?
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| Hi, and welcome to our community!
I am so glad that you've stopped by to find out more about the breed. The OES is a loving dog, but isn't for everyone! They require a TREMENDOUS amount of maintenance. If you are looking for a sheepdog in a full coat, big and fluffy you see in pictures and in dog shows, be prepared for a LOT of work! A good rule of thumb is every inch of hair adds about 1 hour of brushing per week. A show dog has about 12 inches of hair, so that's 12 hours of brushing per week. 
Hair grows everywhere, in the ears, around the eyes, between to pads on the paw, and all need a little attention each week. Some can have a wet mouth, and if they've had a drink of water and have more than an inch of hair, be prepared for them to use your lap as a napkin! You'll be drenched. That said, once they reach adulthood they don't shed their coats, so there won't be huge clumps of fur to deal with. However they do have a lot of hair (like I used to) so it does break off and a few fall out here and there. Wearing black is not a great idea! 
They are generally quite boisterous and many are strong willed. They generally need lots of exercise, or some may start to get some cabin fever. Most are "velcro dogs" and will follow you from room to room, not wanting to be away from your side. In a nutshell, they're my favorite! 
Have you owned dogs before? |
| thx for the input...I have owned many dogs ...no OES...my last two were Cocker Spaniels..had to euthanise last one Thanksgiving on his fifth birthday....sudden blindness,,painful glaucoma,,,etc.....vowed I wouldn't go thru that again.........but I am more of a mess without a dog....
If I dont adopt this fella...maybe there is a way I can help get him into a foster home...or notify a rescue group....he is in Sacramento...they say he is a mix....and is smaller than OES....black and white...may be even a sheepadoodle........??? |
rt1 wrote: thx for the input...I have owned many dogs ...no OES...my last two were Cocker Spaniels..had to euthanise last one Thanksgiving on his fifth birthday....sudden blindness,,painful glaucoma,,,etc.....vowed I wouldn't go thru that again.........but I am more of a mess without a dog....
If I dont adopt this fella...maybe there is a way I can help get him into a foster home...or notify a rescue group....he is in Sacramento...they say he is a mix....and is smaller than OES....black and white...may be even a sheepadoodle........??? Rescues vary on whether or not they will take a mix. We do so mostly on a "do-we-have-capacity" basis, or something that is identifiably an OES mix shows up at a a high kill shelter and if we don't pull him.... That said, an OES mix is not an OES and that can be a blessing. As noted, OES are high maintenance and many of the ones rehomed were given up for behavioral issues (at least that's what happens most frequently in this area). I've noticed, both here and when I worked with rescue in NY, that many of the mixes actually had better temperaments, or at least were easier to live with. Can you spend more time with the dog and hopefully get a better feel for him? We placed a five month old mix not too long ago who is easy as pie to live with and few people, even those most devoted to our breed, will make that claim about a five month old OES 
Additionally, there are some times allbreed rescues or rescues that specialize in shaggy mixes who may be able to help him if his owners don't claim him, you choose not to adopt and you feel he is at risk. Best, Kristine |
| OES are great comapanions and will match your energy level........if you are willing to exercise them daily. Give them time to let off the energy and the rest of the day they can be great companions.
As for grooming, I have friends who have two girls and really don't groom them that much.......they have regular grooming dates with a groomer. The girls are always in puppy cuts and are quite beautiful. I must admit I've met more "OES mix" at the shelters that have no OES in them. In fact my own boy Harry is just such a case. Little Lady was another, nary a drop of OES, probably mostly Shih Tzu and.......??Yorkie. How they could call something that small OES is beyond me. So without seeing your potential best buddy, it's hard to say what the dog contains. All we can advise is, if its hairy, find a good groomer and get some good tools. I already know your heart is big enough to take in a new member of the family. Realize, rescues can come with emotional baggage that must be unpacked and dealt with. It takes time, but nearly every one works through it and becomes a wonderful dog. |
| The grooming requirements are completely dependent on you. You can brush every day, or you can do like I do with my three and keep them in a "puppy" coat (clipped to about 2-3" all over) and only rake out any mats (collar/ears mostly) once a week. I have them shaped up by a groomer every other month.
I've kept them in full coat and spent the time brushing every other day. It's a lot of work and I just rather make life easier on myself.  |
| When I was contemplating adopting my first sheepie from our humane society I went and sat with him in the lobby of the humane society to see how he reacted to people and being still with me. I also walked him and went back with my kids to have them interact with him. He was languishing in the shelter cause he liked to pull on the lead. We fixed that after he came home with some training. For all we can tell you about the "breed" the only thing that really matters is the two personalities. IF you and the dog meash the coat can be dealt with as you have seen (I keep one in a short coat year round - he hates the heat and doens't enjoy grooming, although he behaves fine with it.) Max was a wonderful dog and never really exhibited the need for exercise my two do now. |
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