A post from dog world
First introduced in 1961, an OES in the company’s advertisement became a permanent fixture on TV screens for more than 30 years, during which time 14 dogs played the role. When a new advertisement hit the nation’s TVs in April the popularity of the OES soared, with breeders reporting a huge increase in enquiries from people looking for ‘a Dulux dog’. And the OES jumped from 55th most-searched-for-breed on the Kennel Club’s website to 31st in only four weeks. The trend is also reflected on Google, with searches for ‘Dulux dogs’ leaping 87 per cent and those for OES up 50 per cent compared to the previous month. A spokesman for Dulux said it was delighted the breed was ‘getting the attention it deserves’. But people who have devoted their lives to the breed do not share the company’s enthusiasm. Pauline Barnes, secretary of the Old English Sheepdog Club and breeder of OES for more than 30 years, said she was greatly concerned about the new advertisement and its affect on the public. “Back in the 1980s and ‘90s when a Dulux advert was on TV, we placed an average of 100 OES in rescue each month,” she said. “Yes, 100 a month. “Over the last two years we have had only about five to ten OES a month placed in rescue. My fear is that within 18 months we will once again see these large numbers returning. “Over the last five years I have averaged around one phone call per month, with those wishing to buy an OES usually those who have had the breed before. But since the advertisement I have received around 15 calls per week, with nearly all asking for ‘Dulux Dogs’ and many not realising that they are in fact called Old English Sheepdogs. They don’t realise how long they take to groom, how big they get or the health implications of such a large dog. “I admit that the advertisement is excellent and the dogs shown are all looking absolutely gorgeous, but let’s not kid ourselves: these dogs were most likely groomed for at least ten hours prior to being filmed. “I would ask those who wish to own an OES to think carefully before buying one of these dogs. Go and see a reputable breeder and spend time talking to them about the care of the dog and make sure that this is the correct dog for you. Don’t just buy a puppy on a whim after seeing this advert. “I would ask breeders to make sure that prospective purchasers are aware of the work needed to keep this dog looking good.” Brian Anderson, secretary of the South Eastern OES Club, also voiced concerns. “The advertisement shows a beautifully-groomed dog running free, but it does nothing to emphasise the time and care and commitment it takes to reach this standard,” he said. “It is up to reputable breeders to make sure that puppies are placed in responsible homes, with follow-up calls to ensure the puppy is doing well. The breed doesn’t need an explosion in puppy numbers as seen in the past decades. It does nothing but harm to the breed, let alone the rescue services. I noted that during one January in the 1980s we rehomed 34 dogs aged from eight weeks to ten years old, so breeders please think of the puppies and not the profit.” Veronica Burns, secretary of the East Anglian OES Club, said the advertisement would cause puppy buyers to seek out less reputable breeders. “Most people will not be looking for a quality puppy with all the health checks behind it but will go to the more unscrupulous breeders who do not carry out the health checks because the puppies are cheaper,” she said. “It is up to reputable breeders to place their puppies carefully into new homes. Ray Wilkinson, secretary of the Lancastrian OES Club, said it appeared the ‘dark days’ were returning when OES were referred to as Dulux dogs. Action needed “This resulted in an explosion of litters, which became a real worry with all the breed clubs and resulted in the rescue scheme having to try to find homes for 1,000 dogs,” he said. “That is not a scenario we would wish upon this lovely breed. The KC really needs to act on this, as disreputable breeders will be popping up everywhere and will try to get onto the accredited breeders’ list. It will once again become a real problem with health and quality becoming real issues.” Kennel Club spokesman Caroline Kisko said that while the KC was keen to promote pedigree dog breeds it was also ‘well aware’ of the problems faced by breeds which come under the spotlight with resulting over-popularity. “Our advice will always be that people should research any breed fully before deciding if it is the breed for them,” Mrs Kisko said. “Research into the suitability of a prospective owner is something all responsible breeders will do as a matter of course.” Dulux has issued a word of warning to those who have been attracted to the breed because of its advertisement. “We’ve worked with OES for 50 years now and we know from their owners that they are faithful pets and intelligent working dogs,” said the spokesman. “But anyone thinking of taking on one of these loveable creatures should be aware they require lots of walks, as well as an awful lot of grooming – sometimes up to three hours (a day).” To conclude Dulux’s 50th anniversary celebrations, 50 OES gathered at the recent West of England Ladies Kennel Society ch show for ‘the largest group photo of the breed ever organised in the UK’, she said. “Taking centre stage were three of the current Dulux dogs – Spud a seven-year-old from Ashford in Kent, Don from Oldham and Lewis from Coleshill in Birmingham who stars in the new Dulux advert,” she said. “Saffi from Banbury in Oxfordshire, and Gair from Lanarkshire in Scotland who also star in the new advert were unable to be present.” A spokesman for Dulux was not available for further comment at the time of going to press. |
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| Ahh, Pauline is Ru's breeder, lovely lady. I get comments every time I go out now about my 'dulux dog' whereas before it was only occasionally. I hope people find oes.org when they Google for dulux dog so they can learn how much time, money & effort goes into caring for an oes. |
| I agree with that article. Remember Marley and Me? EVERONE in the world went out and got a Lab...and 101 Dalmations? I'm sure when Lassie was on it was the same thing. People see these dogs on TV or in ads and want one without researching what they are like...Too bad for the breed I agree. What can be done to help though? |
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