disposition
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| Hi I am also a wild life rehaber in Kansas. Toby was the best dog EVER!!! He was very protective and at the same time he was great with all the animals I had to take care of. We had a mule deer that we got at birth and Toby appointed himself her guard. When Twiggie (Deer) would come back through the years to visit. Toby knew just who she was and they would sleep side by side together. We had a guy try and brake in I say try cause Toby nailed him and pretty much held him down until we were able to take over but he still stayed right in front of us and heaven help him if he moved. It was really kind of strange cause Toby normally would sleep inside at night. That night no matter what I did he was not coming inside. It was like he knew something was going to happen that he needed to be outside for.
Toby was great with People he had a great sence of who should be there and who should not and would react accordingly. Toby would and did give his life for us. We lost Toby a little over a year ago. A home down the road was on fire and My husband ran up there to make sure every one was out of the house. Everyone heard what sounded like a child and my husband went into the burning house Toby went in after my husband. My husband made it out but Toby didnt. That was so heart braking I cant even put into words how we felt. I can tell you OES is one of the smartest breeds you will ever come across. Good luck and I hope I was able to answer your question Laura |
| Ladybugs and Lunderwood, I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your dogs. I can't bear to think about that day with Sunny. I'm so sorry for your losses.
Ladybugs, I just finished writing an email to a friend who asked if I'd recommend an OES, and my response is YES YES YES!! They're amazing animals. Sunny isn't given many situations to be protective of us, but when she hears noise outside near our house, she runs to the door and lets out a few deep warning barks. Especially when it's dark out. When only one of us is home and the other comes home at night, she runs to the door doing her warning barks and is on guard until she sees it's one of us. (she's not yappy, just a few deep barks-took me a bit to get used to it, it intimidated me so much the first couple times that I held the door ajar to make sure she knew it was me before I opened it!). I don't know what she'd do if it was an intruder, but I suspect she'd at least keep barking as you can tell in her demeanor that she only relaxes her guard after she recognizes us. (although we joke that if she met a burglar, that she'd wag her bum and show them where the valuables are!). And their size is also intimidating. I had a lady on a walk today yank her little dog away from Sunny and say "careful fluffy, she'll eat you". lol. She looked genuinely terrified. Hilarious, because when I look at Sunny, I see a big fluffy clown! About getting along with other animals, Sunny is very social, very curious about other animals. She doesn't bark or growl at them, just wants to play and sniff. Never met an animal she didn't like. My only caution about OES's is that they're independent thinkers and require consistency and patience in training. But it's worth it. Good luck in your search for your new friend  |
| Welcome!
My boy loves other animals, but of course I wouldn't leave him alone with any. They are very very playful, mine is even now at 2 years old, even after hours of running while I cycle he still has energy to play. Be prepared for that!! I feel sure yours will be a busy dog with going to work with you, and will learn correct behavior very quickly. There is nothing worse (or more naughty) than an oes with energy. Training is an every day thing, they test you constantly and surprise you all the time with their antics. Mine is of a wonderful disposition, he has recently turned 2 and often has crowds of children around him asking for cuddles, ruffling his hair all over and he just sits there enjoying all the attention. My main advice is go to a reputable breeder. A dog that comes from a long line of show dogs will be much more easy-going in my opinion, it really is a good idea to research the breeders. It's in their blood to be fiddled about with. This breed CAN be anti-social, I've met a few poorly bred ones with not-so-friendly temprements in my local area. Important factors to take into consideration are the high energy levels and the grooming. Right from the beginning you need to get your pup used to being brushed, and continue on a regular basis as they grow. If you are wanting to keep your pup in full coat, it's a lot of grooming every week. I brush mine twice a week, and clean the ears, trim the hair on the pads & any other trimming regularly. It takes 2 hours each time so 4 hours a week is really what you want to allow for. My boy has a very thick coat, but others in his litter have thinner ones- you can't tell until they grow!! Once the adult coat comes through after 2 years or so, the grooming becomes easier (so I've heard) so less time is needed. Oes are a fantastic breed. Have a good read through lots of posts in all sections here & you will get a good idea about the breed and the things they get up to. They are hard work.. but you are clearly an animal lover and have had dogs before so I'm sure you are well prepared. I must admit, they are NOTHING like Labs or Collies or a lot of the common breeds, they demand constant attention and will follow you everywhere. I can't even go to the bathroom without mine  |
| Hi!
Like Cassie I'd suggest you find a reputable breeder who can tell you quite indepth about the temperaments in his or her line as disposition varies greatly. OES are supposed to be good with other critters. Not all are - I've had a number of fosters whom I can't trust with my cat and a few critter chases. I think it comes down to how they were raised (with critters or not) as I have several of my own whom are excellent lurecoursers (high prey drive presumably), yet respect my cat because they were raised with him. Most, except fearful and shy ones (again, as Cassie said, we do have some temperament problems in the breed) are at least moderately protective in that they will woof when necessary, and those that are of sound temperament tend to have a keen ability to quickly distinguish between genuine threats and simple changes in their environment. It really comes down to you want a temperamentally stable dog. Then again, don't we all? 
Best wishes, Kristine |
Hint of Mischief wrote: they demand constant attention and will follow you everywhere. I can't even go to the bathroom without mine
I completely agree! I call Sunny my bathroom buddy, you know us girls like to go in groups to the washroom! |
I can't help but laugh a some of the posts because most everything that everyone says on here is dead on Kody in one way or another. Yes, if you get an OES you will never again be able to go to the bathroom, or take a bath alone. My big guy follows me everywhere... I now make a game out of it, I will walk in circles through the house or yard just to see if he follows exactly the same route I just took, most times he is so close that he runs in to me if I stop in a hurry. As far as the grooming, it takes a lot of time especially if you have one with sensitive skin and they get itchy, because they can matte their coat in spots in just a matter of minutes. As far as being protective, Kody is protective of me and wants to make sure that he is close by to observe everyone around me. I have found that when I come home or my husband comes home unexpectedly he will walk slowly by the kitchen table (pub height) almost like he's hiding in case he doesn't know who it is...  My father-in-law did say that he came over one day when I was gone and my hubby was in bed due to a bad back that when he came in the back door Kody was growling and barring his teeth at him until he heard his voice. So I guess it would depend on the situation! Good Luck with your decision...but I highly recommend the big loveable pups!! |
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