Greetings fro Ireland
I'm a new member on your forum but ive been reading your posts and admiring  you pics for weeks. As a family we've always had dogs, German Shepards, Labradors and St.Bernards but Ive always wanted an OES but I was put of because of the matinance and the grooming but between stalking you all on this site for weeks and talking to an OES breeder Ive decided to go ahead. So fingers crossed it wont be long...  I was told in regards to the OES shedding that its not as bad as people expect, and to be honest it cant be any worse than my pug, his hair gets everywhere and its like needles it just sticks to everything. Ive just got one question for you guys, for now. Docked or not docked? I know in most of Europe it's illegal to dock dogs tails here in Ireland OES and other working dog breeds are exempted from this. I prefer the look of docked but Im not sure what to do and which is best for the dog. If there is any other Irish members on here it would be good to hear from them too. Cheers folks.... |
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| Welcome from Washington state!!! Lily is usa and she isn't docked. Sometimes I worry she will end up with happy tail sometimes. (It never stops!!!! and sheepies aren't the most graceful dogs to begin with.......) Labs and saints do not compare to the intelligence of a sheepie. As for shedding, we also have a hound and a wolf hybrid, Lily sheds less in full coat than those two combined or single. OES are an addictive breed. They are like potato chips, you can't just have one! |
| I think that they look wonderful docked or not docked. As for shedding, i have more issues with dirty falling out of their coats from playing at the park than I do with hair, but if you can get in the habit of giving then a quick brush in addition to the proper line grooming (if you are keeping a long coat) much of the hair will end up in the brush. They don't shed like a pug, or a lab. Please post pictures when you do get your puppy!! |
| Welcome from West Virginia, USA!!! Our Charm is docked, and like someone mentioned, an excited tail in the house might be a hazard  Just my personal thought. I don't know if a tail would interfere with the sheepie bum wiggle or not? Some of us really enjoy the Sheepie butt strut, but a tail might even add more to it. Someone will chime in. And they have such a beautiful tail As for shedding, you will be so pleased  Really not much to speak of in the way of hair. As Kim said though, excessive grass, mulch, mud and water is a problem. We just brush or towel at the door. Or, sweep and mop often when I'm lazy  Do you have a timeframe for getting your pup???  |
| I like the look of docked.........tradition......and the rolling gait seems to be emphasized by not having that rudder back there. And the tail is something more to brush........ But I too have had big tailed dogs: Newf, St.B, Great Pyrs, Irish Wolf and enjoy the tails. I don't have low tables though....nothing to be cleared by a tail wag. Ditto on the shedding. There is no "blowing coat" season. The hair comes out in your brush, not as clumps during the shed. As a result you need regular brushing least the loose stuff gets caught up and starts forming a mat. Of all the breeds, to the dog the OES have been the most fun. It is their mission to make you laugh if you give them a chance. They do not want to be left alone in the yard, they want to be beside you (Velcro Dog) enjoying your life. |
| Hi, We are in England and you cannot dock. Therefore Bloo has a lovely wagging tail which makes me smile  As for it being a hazard a sheepie tail isnt half as bad as some other breeds! Its the big feet youve got to look out for  Bloo doesnt shed at all, we have cream carpet and laminate and its spotless for hair. Hope you get your puppy! Have fun!  |
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| A quick story of my experience. My first OES was undocked (which was sometimes hard on my shins), and he was almost 14 years old. He was walking, and another dog attacked him (over an ice cube), my boy fell backward, snapping off his tail (I found out later). He had no pain, no sensitivity when touched, and his tail appeared normal. I mistakenly thought he didn't have a serious injury. Over the next week to two weeks, he developed gangrene in his broken tail, poisoning his system. He tried to chew off his own tail because it itched (the night before his vet visit). My vet quoted over $1000 for amputation with 50/50 chance of his survival of that surgery (at 14) . . . and a 25% chance of him living a year, if he did live thru the surgery . . . due to the damage done by the poison spread thru his system from the gangrene and his advanced age. The only symptom was, that his tail was cold. I thank God for the time I had with him, and was sure not expecting him to never come home with me that day or ever again. |
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