sheepie eyesight
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My OES has one blue eye and one brown eye as well as millions of others so don't think that has anything to do with his sight.  |
| But when I clipped the hair out of her eyes it made all the difference in the world. She can see a cat from inside our house to 6 houses down. Her hearing is awesome also.
Does your dog have a lot of eye buggers? If so, wipe them away with a tissue. If they are dried, use a clean wet rag or heavy duty paper towel. but be gentle. Their eyes are just as sensitive as your own. Make sure they are moist and easy to remove, then wipe them away. Don't ever clip their lashes because this will make it where they have no way of blinking out even their own hair, much less other debris. The only thing I have ever heard about eye color being related to is deafness. Do make sure the dog can hear out of both ears. They generally will turn their head toward noises, so make a loud noise on one side then the other and check out its daily reactions to noise. You do not have to clip their hair, you can use a rubber band or tie it up. That's what they do with show dogs. I prefer clipping it, but we live in a very hot and humid environment. You may want to go join the List. There's some experts there who may be able to point out why your dog isn't fetching too well. Mine fetched even when she couldn't see where I threw her ball by sound alone. Unless they actually see the ball bounce they cannot focus too well on things in the air. They do not see colors like we do --its more like shades of gray and brown I think. So things get mixed with the sky and earth when there's no movement or sound for them to focus on. So if the dog isn't hearing when and where the ball is hitting, they may not be able to find it. You can train them to find things laying around, but there's "training" invovled. Dogs focus more on movement--and use their smelling and hearing to actually find things. By all means talk to your vet about your concerns if you don't find an answer. You should never ignore your concerns. A dog cannot speak English or explain what is going on; so it is up to you to figure out if he has a problem and what it is. I am thinking that like a child, there's several ways you could check out if all his senses are all working and I would try those first. Enjoy your new addition! Every dog is special, but OES seem to have their own unique characters. |
| Sheepies are not natural retrievers, most need to be taught the game. On the other hand retrieving dogs usually aren't good herders. If your pup isn't playing the game you want them to play, are you teaching them or expecting them to "know?"
Also if your pup can't see well, is the hair too thick over the eyes? Pull it up and secure with a band or clip....or trim it away. Mine have always appreciated seeing unobstructed and I appreciate not being run into! The hearing is a concern. Deafness is found in sheepies, but it doesn't follow with the eye color or pigmentation around the eye. Dark eyed sheepies can be deaf too. I recently heard of a puppy mill using a deaf bitch as their primary breeder. Think of the gene pool contamination!! So if you suspect your sheepie might have a hearing or eye sight problem, have your vet examine your dog. Eye problems and deafness are a growing problem in the breed. |
| Thanks so much for your observations on your sheepies' eyesight. I realize his blue eye works as well as his brown one - just wanted reassurance, I guess. His hearing is fine and I know he can see things, just wondered if, as a breed they have bad eyesight (as someone told me recently) or if they have a tough time seeing because of all that hair! Bruce's hair hasn't grown out enough to secure with a rubber band or clip. I clipped it once, ove the bridge of the nose because I thought it must be driving him crazy. Unfortunately, it didn't really help him when we play fetch. He absolutely LOVES to play fetch, and will eventually find the thrown toy if his brother doesn't find it first. I should mention I also rescued a bearded collie puppy who runs circles around Bruce. I guess what I really want is someone to tell me whether Bruce will be happier if I have the hair clipped away from his eyes, or let it get long enough to secure in a pony tail or whatever. He'll be gorgeous either way. Thanks so much for your help - I sound like a real dummy. Maybe there is a book out there I should read! |
| I think the dog would love to have his hair trimmed, but make sure you don't trim his lashes.
Most breeders and show dogs are kept untrimmed because it is a major quality of the breed --they have this long fluffy hair. It seems to be the owners personal choice. I have been told by most of my neighbors that they prefer my dog untrimmed. It is sort of like when they aks if I have lost weight, I anm not always sure how to take it? For some reason the general population in my town seems to think that sheep dogs have a radar system or something. They actually believe the poor dears can see through all that hair. OES's cannot see any better through their hair than you could see through yours if you combed it all over your eyes and sprayed it in place with some hair spray. As far as reading books, there are a bunch out there. But check you library first. Some of the books I have bought turned out have been written 30 years ago. A lot of the advice counters what your vet is going to tel you. This is a forum. There are no dumb questions only free advice ... that should be taken for what its worth. Your pooch is adoable. And a bearded collie puppie too! Guess you are used to the Doggie 500 -- you know when they tear around in circles going about a million miles per hour. |
| Thank you so much for the affirmation. I figured it was impossible to see through that thick white hair. I'll find a groomer this week to smooth out the very unprofessional job I intend to do this evening. Funny you should mention the Doggie 500. I knew nothing of bearded collies before I adopted this one. Before Bruce and Rupie I had been involved only with golden retrievers. You talk about energy - Rupie does a terrific impression of the Indy 500; both inside and outside. He can leap on to my 4 ft planter like a cat. He is amazing. Bruce and I just sit and watch him whirl by us. Two opposite personalities - two wonderful buddies. Thanks again! I'm sure I'll have lots of questions. |
| Just read that some peolpe who own sheepies believe the dogs can see through their hair. And that it breaks of naturally at the correct length and the hair is courser as it grows over their eyes. Not sure that this is true with ALL sheepies. My dog's hair is fine, even as it grows over the face.
After seeing the difference it made with my sheepie, I will always keep her hair trimmed out of her eyes though. The dog just does not see things with the hair in her eyes. I've tried it at least 3 times. And everybody in the family is happier when it is trimmed out of her eyes. |
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