Where did you get your love for sheepdogs?
For me, it was my giant sheepie plushie that I got as a kid that started it all. From then on, all I wanted was a sheepdog. I would practice brushing it all the time to show my mom how responsible I was, and I read books about them from the library, so she would let me get one. She never did, so nine years later I got my Eevee!  So what brought you to sheepdogs? |
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Simple:  |
| I was a child of the late 50's. A big movie then was The Shaggy Dog, which was my first introduction to the breed, even if it was just thru a movie screen. I never had a dog growing up (older siblings had a dog that destroyed a lot in the house, so that put an end to dogs in our house), but everyone knew I loved the breed. When my husband and I were young homeowners, my sister said a co-worker had a sheepie they wanted to get rid of, and were we interested? I couldn't say yes fast enough! Buford was my first sheepie, coming to us at 11 mos. old. What trying times! Being new to dogs in general, I knew basically nothing. It was all trial by fire - no internet to turn to for advice or information. Just had whatever advice our vet gave us, which was based on his experience with the breed (limited). Buey was a challenge, but looking back on it now and knowing what I've learned, I understand why. We got thru it just fine, and he was the love of my life for the next 15 years. When our kids came along, he adored them and was their protector, and they adored him. To this day, 18 years after I lost him, I still miss my boy. |
Married the man with the sheepie way back, a 4 year old at the time called Monty, who was I most attracted too, well if DH reads this BOTH   |
| Basically... my husband said I couldn't do another toy dog. I said it had to be non shedding. He said it had to be large and NOT end with doodle... I was pretty sad because I didn't like what was left and I had spent years researching (but without his criteria since I did this all before meeting him) ...then he said why haven't you looked at OES' ....and that he grew up loving his neighbors. The second I googled one, I knew I was in love. I immediately found this forum and unfortunately for the members ...never left |
| I worked for a groomer as the dog bather in the late 1970's. There were several OES that came there and that's when I fell in love with these big goofy dogs. I got my first OES in 1980 and this has been the breed for me ever since. Teddy is my 4th OES. Cindy |
| I said to my mom everyday "Can i have a dog?" She always said "Only if you save up and buy your own" SO I DID! I saved all my money over 4 years from bdays and xmas etc.... So my nan agreed to look after it during the day and my mom finally said yes! So net was search for a breed... I personally wanted a rough collie, or a newfoundland or a bermese mountain dog. But my mom wanted a dog that was good around other pets and children and trainable, but have a cheeky side too.. Basically...I have no ide why we got an OES We just thought the breed would suit our lifestyles.... And to be honest i never even knew what they were besides off the adverts!  But im so glad we chose the breed. Life wouldnt be the same without bloo. |
I had never met an OES until I met Violet. I had decided I wanted a dog and started to do research on different breeds. I finally decided i wanted an OES and was lucky enough to find a rescue with a puppy...Violet was 9 mts old. That was almost 10 yrs ago.  |
| Growing up, my mom had this thing about having pure bred dogs. We had GDS, then a boxer and an Irish Setter with a spattering of mutts in between. I recall she always saying that she wanted an OES but could never find one when she went looking for the next dog. When Jen and I were planning on getting married, we agreed to get a dog as we were both from dog families. I said I wanted either a Sheepie of a Cocker. Sheepie puppies were way out of our newlywed budget. And as luck would have it, the vet that she used for our son's 4H bunnies had a Cocker up for adoption. We got the Cocker. After tens years of fun and spastic dog, old age caught up with Sean, the Cocker. The same day we put him down, Jen came in the room and told me, 'you always wanted a Sheepdog, find one. We need a dog in the house.' So I did. That night. ...and the rest is history. We'll NEVER not have a Sheepie!!! Vance |
| From my father. Were it up to me we never would have gotten this breed. When he suggested it I went to the library, found Mandeville's book, read his description of the breed and thought: "OMG, I don't want to live with THAT!"  Sure, whatever.  Truth be told my first OES, backyard bred, was a nightmare. I loved her, but life with her was not easy. It wasn't until I got my first show dog that I realized how truly special and talented the breed is. So perhaps I should instead credit Belle. Kristine |
| Can't explain why I wanted one. I just wanted one ever since I was little....must have been pictures with all the hair in their eyes that hooked me and that was it for me! My son and wife surprised me with Pooh Bear and I was a goner! When we lost him, there was such a big hole in my heart and now Angus has crept into our lives a year ago. |
| I grew up with GSD and to this day still love them when we got married we wonted a dog i liked the spaniels hubby didnt said if we are to get a dog it has to be a big dog ,at the time the Dulux addverts were on TV all the time we had fallen in love with  so off i went to serch in those days it was by Phone 1st call the vets who came me breeders phone no, find who was haveing puppies soon and went on there puppy listsDuke came in to our lives at 6 weeks old we had picked him out at 3 weeks,he was just wonderful ,when Mel came along he was 2 1/2 he would sleep by her pram/cot to look after her she used to climb all over him, to see them child and dog was a joy to see, sadly rainbow bridge called him he was 12 yrs ,12 wonderful years , next came Sebby(Eynhallow noble king) who his breeders needed to rehome, he came to us at 3 yrs,we was advised to try showing him we had a lot of fun and wins with him everyone just loved Sebby,from then and to this day we have many friends in the showing world , sadly rainbow bridge called him at 10 years then came Cubby Roo (Eynhallow Cubby Roo) 8 week old puppy we picked out at 4/5 weeks old a little poppit her and sebby loved each other, at 2 1/2 we had puppies the sire (CH Eynhallow fatal atraction) 8 lovley puppies.we kept a girl ,sadly rainbow bridge called at 12 yrs Reba (Meldale Time after Time ) was the puppy we kept and a wonderful dog and wins at showing. rainbow bridge called her at 13 1/2 yrs Chester (Millwinke gift of love) a big teddy of a dog loved by all, we was not able to show as at the time I had ill heath,sadly he took ill at 7 yrs when Rainbow bridge called, then we had Jade an 8 year old ish who was a rescue and needed a home she had been Abused, she was our 1st OES with a TAIL!!!! I had to keep touching it and brushing , rainbow bridge called her at 12yrs ish Now on to our 3 we have now Tia (kentcot linnet for Meldale) we got at 7/8 weeks a lovly spoiled OES who climbs on my lap to watch TV. Lincoln (Millwinkle Magic Moon at Meldale) well what can I say about our Lincoln he is another who is loved by everyone and one big teddy bear who loves his teddies and cuddles. Esher (Meldale Moon Dance Magic ) now she is a Daddies baby and is spoiled rotten by my Husband i wont tell you the things he does for her cus you would be laughing all day  But The one thing I would like to say is ........... WE have ALL come here for the love of our breed "The Old English Sheep Dog" lets all try and learn from each other  And all this came about, to do with a paint pot "DULUX" Love to All and Sheepies |
| A bit like Mrs J in a way. My Mom had a mini poodle who I would always brush when I was home. Mum suggested I get one of my own. I thought no toy dogs for me and did some internet research looking at big, hairy dogs. I loved them straight away from my online research but the reality if soooo much better than I imagined. |
| WE were a young newly married couple who had both grown up with various dogs. We went to a local kenel on a Sunday to see what they had and came home with "Shep" our first O.E.S. He wasn't a baby pup and no one wanted him-he was a poor thing. We paid for him and I cuddled him all the way home-he was so nervous and scared-I can still remember it well. He was my faithful foller from that day on,through 3 child births,he was the best nan a child could hope for. The children all learnt to walk with his help. He guarded and herded them. So we have had Shep.Sweep,Fred and now Sprocket.xx |
| When I was little, I vaguely remember one of my cousins having an OES. But I never interacted with it. I just thought it was a cool dog, and went on with life. I had many dogs as a child, all of them dear to me - a blue tick pointer, irish setter mix, boston terrier, various other mutts... Fast forward to my adult married life... and my job. I work at a real estate firm, and we acquired a new broker, a feisty lady whom I loved immediately, from Florida. She had photos on her desk of THE most awesome dog I'd ever seen! I was so curious! So I asked her about her dog, and she (like most sheepie owners) gave me the whole spiel about how great they are. I really wanted to meet the dog, so she called her husband and had her bring Ali up to the office! I was in love. Coolest dog ever. I told her I really really wanted to consider one for our family. I did a lot of research, found this site, and got my first OES. I couldn't be happier with Ava, she's the best! |
| Brian had owned a sheepie with his previous wife...Callie...when he and julie divorced they had to give Callie to a friend of theirs because they sold the house etc.... When Brian and I got married, he begged me not to have anymore children (he had 2 with julie)...so i said, buy me a house and a dog and we're good! I grew up with 2 golden retrievers, so i just assumed that was the breed we were going to get... I was at work and Brian called and said he had a surprise for me and wanted to come to the showroom..In he came with this bundle of black and white fur with BIG blue eyes...Panda....i never looked back just looked ALL over the internet on how to care for this breed...and found oes.org... Panda was my soul dog...but Lola is my much loved second dog-child...she has filled me with peace and puncture wounds... Ahhh, this breed is not only beautiful to look at but a wonderful heartfilling madness that you live and breathe for .. |
| Young couple moved in next door and had one. It was love at first sight and a perfect relationship. I was 11. They worked during the day, so I had her all to myself for about 4 hours everyday. I spent my time brushing and styling her hair, teaching her tricks and walking her. As we both aged, I started to lobby my parents for her "sister". And so the journey began. An OES from a good breeder was $350. |
| My stepmom always had them since i can remember. When she met my dad she had a beast of a boy named chewie. He was the sweetest. (I was 8-9) I never had an intrest in owning one myself. Then an accident happened and i had to put down my first dog indo, on my birthday. It killed me. I loved her. In oct my stepmom asked if i wanted an oes, i wasnt sure but i was tired of being sad and without a girl. End of nov i brought lily home. Shes a yr 1/2 now. i will never be without one now. |
lisaoes wrote: Married the man with the sheepie way back, a 4 year old at the time called Monty, who was I most attracted too, well if DH reads this BOTH I did that too! But my husband and our families all know it. |
| I was commissioned to do a portrait of 3 Sheepies, and fell deeply in love while looking at the customers photos! Amazingly, she turned out to have an OES foster in need of a new home. One look into Abby's huge brown eyes and I was a goner. That same art customer later married my uncle, joining our family and eventually adopting a second rescue sheepie (Spencer) out to Scott and I . After we lost Spence, she helped us find a breeder and we got Eggbert. Thanks Jann!  Like others have said...we'll probably never be without a sheepie again. |
| Growing up we always had a dog and I remember them all and loved them all to pieces! My parents were true animal lovers and allowed us to have all types of animals except anything that was classified as a rodent. I fell in love with sheepdogs watching the Doris Day show. (that really dates me I know ) but could never convince my parents to take the plunge and get me one.When I married and moved into student housing (no pets allowed) I was miserable without any furry babies around me. One day I was reading the newspaper and looking at ads to find a part time job. And there it was--an ad for sheepdog puppies for sale. I knew we were broke and could not afford an expensive dog and besides we lived in a place that did NOT allow pets of any kind. But I could not help myself--but go look--just go look and see what you might be able to have someday-I told myself. Long story short--when I arrived there were two puppies left. The family that had them had just been informed that there was a family emergency in Atlanta and they needed to leave immediately. The man told me if I would take the puppy that I could pay him later and make payments if necessary. Well---I went home with a little 8 week old male sheepdog puppy! In fact that puppy's sire WAS Doris Day's dog! (there is a story there too--as to how that happened with a family in Tennessee) What are the odds??? David fell in love too within an hour and although we were broke--lived in a place that did not allow pets and the last thing we needed at that time was a puppy--we never looked back! Duffy was absolutely my heart dog--my first 'child'. We moved 13 times in the next seven years. We moved to my parents farm and lived in a guest house when we had to leave student housing--he loved loved the farm. But when he was about a year old my husband had to 'pay back' his ROTC education and we were military. Many times living in small apartments or temporary housing on a base. Duffy was totally happy as long as he was with us. When he was 3 the breeder we got him from bred him and we were given one of his sons and we named him Sherman. We lost Duffy one month after my daughter was born--he was 10 years old. Sherman lived until he was 12 so both my daughter and son had the early childhood experience of loving a sheepie from the moment they were born. Our next sheepdog was a rescue- his name was Dudley, he was 7 when we got him and he lived another 6 years. He was a sweetheart and followed the children everywhere and wanted to be a part of all of their activities. After we lost him there were a number of years that with the children's schedules and both our jobs that required travel we did not have a sheepie due to the time necessary to properly care for them. During that time we had a Lab and a Cairn Terrier. The Lab ended up living on my parent's farm with them as he was a wild man and needed space. Max--the Cairn Terrier was a love but--neither of them filled the hole in my heart for a sheepie. When my daughter went off to college I got Baley and four years later when Justin went to college I got Baxter. Now Murphy's a new member of our family and I don't ever intend to be without a sheepie again. I really am just a 'one breed' girl--and that breed is OES! My Duffy--the one who started it all!   |
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