advice
 if you would be so kind as to give me some ideas  on some good points in the breed of sheepdogs then i would be very happy please reply |
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| Oh, I remember being in your position when I was a teenager!! My Mom didn't give in.........and I'm glad...........now.
If you've never had a dog before, this is not the breed to start with. Sorry, I have to be honest. Their grooming is huge. You need to know how to brush a dog, especially a long haired dog. It's very specialized. All that hair takes hours a week to maintain. No 15 minute brushouts, some dedicated brushing and trimming. Trimming? yes, their rear ends. Poop gets caught there and the hair must be drimmed to allow free passage. Moms don't like dingleberries. Speaking of which........who gets to pick up the poop outside and scrub the carpet inside when the puppy has accidents? Don't forget toothbrushing, ear cleaning, bathing.....vet visits. Second is their nature. This is a herding/drover dog and needs to be handled by someone who understands why the dog does certain things. Nipping, bumping are parts of the herding instinct. This is not a quiet dog, it is loud (huge bark), opinionated. They need plenty of exercise, runs/walks daily.......even twice a day. Training is mandatory. Since this is such a boisterous breed, they need to attend training classes. Do you have the time and money for this? Getting a sheepdog needs to be a family decision with all in agreement. The dog will be indoors............sheepdogs need to be indoors, they are not outdoor lawn ornaments. As one who had done rescue, dogs condemned to live outside all the time are horrible both in appearance and temperament. Our sickest dogs were those kept outside. If the whole family agrees, this is a great dog, entertaining, loyal, good natured........and with training......good around other people including kids. It's been many, many years since I was where you are now. Let me assure you, there will be sheepdogs in your future, but maybe not right now. In the mean time volunteer to work with dogs such as pet walker at the animal shelter. Learn how to bathe and groom dogs........some groomers may be willing to teach you. Sorry, I know it wasn't the answer you wanted. I know several people who had sheepdogs in college once they no longer lived on campus. Maybe this will be the time for you. |
thank you for your reply and i will take it in mind we met a breeder today and went to look at some pups and decided we were getting one we have many hands of which to care for this dog and we have a family of 5 members and 3 eager teenagers one being over 18 to care for the dog and groom it  as soon as we saw the pups we knew it was the right dog for us |
| I would have to (not disagree, because I agree with the points you make) give a different opinion on getting a sheepdog than sheepieboss did.
My family has had many OES, 2 bouvier de flandres (devil dogs!)(just ours, I'm sure they are a lovely breed  ), and a bearded collie. We started out with the OES and they currently have one now. I think that an OES is a great starter dog, if you know what you are getting into. The grooming doesn't have to be an issue if you want to keep them in a shorter coat. And Barney right now is in a longer than not coat and the grooming doesn't take hours upon hours to do. Just a few (20 or so) minutes of maintenance. Of course he wouldn't be ready to go into the show ring at all times, but he is mostly mat free at all times with that amount of care.
The dingleberries are less frequent with a shorter coat. Yes, they have to be exercised, but so does any dog, and they can be better for some people because they aren't running partners, so people can go for nice walks with them. Yes, their bark is loud, but all my OES have not been big barkers. They'll bark on occasion, but usually don't sit there and bark their heads off for no reason. They are herding dogs and you'll have to train it not to nip or herd you places, but, especially if you are getting a puppy, you can instill these methods into them from the beginning. All puppies and dogs have the occasional accident in the house, and any dog poops out in the yard, so deciding who or who doesn't do that duty would be necessary with any kind of dog. And, I'm sorry, I might be a horrible owner, but I've never brushed my dog's teeth. The vet does it on occasion, and I provide teeth cleaning chew treats, but all the dogs I've had have had healthy teeth. Since this sounds like a family project, I think an OES would be a great choice, with many people around to care for it. Good luck! |
| As long as all your family members are in agreement and eager to care for a puppy, then you will be happy about your decision. This would go for any type of dog that you choose. It is important to compare all the pros and cons of getting a dog before making a final decision. The grooming is what can take additional time and money. However, you will also save in the amount of time you would vacuum dog hair from other types of dogs. You can take your pup to the groomer or groom him/her yourselves. It is much easier to keep your sheepie in a puppy cut; easier to comb and less long hairs found around the house and on yourself. My parents' first dog was a sheepie and he was taken care of like another child. He was my protector and friend as I grew up. Sheepdogs are wonderful!!! |
| I go have to take back much of what I said as I didn't realize there were others to help raise the dog. (I missed the word "family.") Perhaps my own situation colored my response since it was basically me and my mother back then.
Now that you've seen the litter, your mother is probably out numbered. Sheepdogs are great clowns, keeping the entire family entertained. They bond well to all members of the family and most love to have people to visit. (I know one sheepie who is just horrid around houseguests). I prefer short coats too because my guys would just as soon swim in the irrigation canals than lounge on the sofa, chase birds throught the brush than sit quietly watching their uprights fix their dinner. With training they do well in obedience, were made to be therapy dogs as they brighten everyone's day, and even do well in agility as well as herding. I hope you have researched this litter's medical background, not just the breeders say so. Have you seed documents on hip and eye health? If you are fortunate and get the puppy, it is up to all members of the family to care for the dog.........not your mother. Make the dog's rearing as stressless on her and you'll find she becomes one of the dog's biggest supporters. sheepieboss |
| If this is a dog "for the kids" then I have some strong feelings, on the "no" side.
I'm glad you have so many people to take care of the dog. However, based on my "extensive" experience in this regard, Mother and Father (probably mostly mother) will be caring for the dog within a month or two. This experience includes my own brother and his children. I told them the same thing. My brother now walks his dog twice a day, and has fights with the kids to get them to walk the dog once when they get home from school. Also, the dog hangs around for more than a year or two. who will be caring for the older 10 or 12 year old dog, when your 18 year-old sibling is 30 and living with his/her family somewhere else? How old will you be when your dog is 10? Where will you be living then? If this dog is really for Mom and/or Dad, then fine! Enjoy! 
Either way, Good Luck. |
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