Which Breed Should I Get-Dalmation or Old English Sheepdog?

Personally I'd not want to deal with the shorter hair. It seems to weave into fabrics. Sheepdog hair does not fall in great clumps like in other breeds, but mostly comes out in regular grooming....controlled removal.

Dal is indeed higher strung as they need more exercise.....they are coach dogs, running with the coaches. If you are into jogging, it would be an ideal dog. But like an Aussie or other higher "strung" strong, they need their exercise to calm their minds. The few I've met were more barkers but I think they needed their runs. First one I met was extremely aggressive.

Generally they are a big smaller but not small at all.

Where is Mim? She could answer this question easily.

I'm pretty sure they shed a lot, which is something we really don't need here considering I've already got two cats shedding all over everything.
I always liked the OES for their personalities, they're silly dogs. Mine is very laid-back (though she'll bark at everything) compared to my Aussie, Eevee (the oes) spends a lot of time laying around, even as a puppy, and Bailey (the aussie) constantly wants to play or go for walks or chase squirrels. Of course Eevee also has times when she is active, she zooms around the house now and then, but her energy level is nowhere near as high as Bailey's.

Hi Mim here.
Here's the answer to your question about why I can help:


Why not do what I have and have one of each??

On a more serious note. All dogs are different is what needs to be said first!
However pure breeds from a reputable breeder who is concerned with temperament should have many similiar traits.

Rastus is our second dalmatian and he is a slightly more serious man than our last boy who had a mischievious streak. Hair is a big issue. Some dalmo breeders joke that dalmo's moult only twice a year ............ for 6 months each time. Seriously you would be amazed how much hair one dog can shed and it's spikey and weaves its way into everything. Dalmos are also prone to dermatitis and there is deafness in the breed so you should know that the puppy has been BAER tested for deafness.

They are energetic dogs and can be a little aloof with others. To combat that we were at the off lead park every morning at 7am from as soon as Rastus had his vaccinations until he was two years old and he is very social (of course that may be just him, but I like to take the credit). In my experience they are quite sooky dogs who love their creature comforts (what do you mean I have to sleep in a dog bed? I'll be up on your bed thanks). They are also quite soft and do better with positive training as they get scared and confused if you tell them 'no' all the time and can have a little melt down if you really reprimand them.

I've only owned the one OES. She is particularly energetic and quite a dominant young lady and despite being 5 years younger than Rastus she bosses him around a lot. I believe as a general rule male OES are a bit more laid back but I can think of exceptions to the rule even here on the forum. Hips are a bigger health issue in OES. Discounting the minimum two hours grooming per week I find the OES hair much better. Just little balls of hair collect in the corners and I can pick them up and bin them. Tiggy (OES) is much more playful and up for anything. Reprimanding her is like water off a duck's back. She will listen sometimes but doesn't take it to heart. Tiggy probably has more energy than Rastus did at the same age, and she has a huge chase instinct which can cause problems but the neurotic (not sure if that's the best way to describe it) energy is not there in her case.

I love them both but having had Tiggy in our lives for nearly 5 years if I could only have one dog it would be an OES. She is such a clown and I love the velcro nature. Often Rastus stays on his bed but Tiggy is always right behind me supervising everything I do.
PM me if you have specific questions.
MIM
Sorry just saw that you have owned dalmos ignore the health stuff