Do you think an Old English Sheepdog will be ideal for us?
LOL I just typed the best intro plus all the info i wanted to ask and had to retype it all... I am looking at getting an Old English Sheepdog. We live in Switzerland and live in a medium size apartment across the road from a park and a large lake. Im 29, married and no children, we have a cat who is about 4 years old that we got from the RSPCA here in Switzerland 2 years ago. I dont work and spend my days alone, i get very bored and lonley. I have been around large dogs since a baby and when i was living in Australia i had a German Shepherd who i trained when he was a puppy and then when a bit older we did a few tricks together. As for excercise I walk a lot and on weekend my husband and i go up on the mountains for a walk and a picnic. We dont have an active social life so do spend a lot of time home on the weekend, only occassionaly we go out for dinner, but in most places in Switzerland you can take your dog to restaurants. We entertain a lot at home and with that sometimes have children. As for me, i am looking for a dog for companionship, a loyal dog, family dog (as in a few years we would like to start a family but not at present maybe in 2 years) and thought a puppy might be best so our cat can understand he has a new buddie in the house to share with. I am also looking at a dog that i can put a lot of time into training and a bit of grooming. Because we live in an apartment with no yard a dog that doesnt have a high pitch bark would be ideal and that can spend some time on their own without feeling neglected or scared. I was told that the Old English sheepdog would be perfect for me by a friend who is a vet nurse. She said they are great with other animals incl cats, they are loyal and very loving. I was also told they make great apartment dogs, they like some time alone, low pitch bark, love children and being in a family environment. Is this true? Do you think an Old English Sheepdog will be ideal for us? |
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Welcome to the forum! 
Wow, Switzerland...lol.... I hope you post lots of pics!
As to whether this breed is for you.... that's a personal decision.... different for everyone. They are family oriented, they love to be with their family, and if you crate train, spending a bit of time alone shouldn't be a problem but you'd have to get the pup used to being alone in the apartment for bits of time at first. Mine are fine on their own while I'm at work, and don't bark while I'm gone, but when they do bark, it's not low pitched. LOL The oes is supposed to have a "pot casse" bark.... but not all do, so there's no guarantee there. There is a LOT of grooming involved if you want to keep an oes in full coat, however it can be a very relaxing experience, bonding time with your dog, if you get the pup used to it from the first. You do have the option of course to keep the dog in a shorter coat with periodical trimming. Many oes end up in rescue because of issues with children. If you want to have children later, I would certainly read up on how to make the transition go smoothly. The dog would need to adapt from being your baby, to accepting a baby, as well as you having less time for the dog. OES can be big clumsy oafs, so supervision with children is key. A gated off area when a baby begins to crawl and walk is essential. Regarding exercise, oes can do fine in just about any environment I think, but in an apartment you would just need to make sure there are areas to take the dog for a run or walk. They don't have high exercise needs in my opinion. my two are pretty lazy. LOL Again, this depends on the dog. My first oes was very hyper and needed a LOT of work to keep everyone sane. She was a rescue though and who knows what kind of breeding she came from. Anyway... there is tons of info available here on the forum, I hope it helps you make the right decision for you and your family |
| Thank you so much for your quick reply and for the welcome.
i had to laugh with what you put down re the bark!!! lol Its hard as i am so used to German Shepherds, but i feel pretty confident with the OES and i am sure it will fit in nicely. Yes Switzerland, its a great Country but i miss home (Australia) esp when its winter. Today has been shocking. I will def post some pics. I just need to work out where in Switzerland i can find a breeder..... |
| It sounds like you have a lot of time to dedicate an OES, which is great! Even better, I love how in Europe you can bring your dog everywhere with you. That is so good for socializing not to mention you never have to worry about leaving him alone.
Like Willowsprite said in her post, grooming is definitely one of the biggest care issues with the OES. It is like no other grooming you have ever done before-- no joke. My dog is a little over a year old and, though I strip a lot of his undercoat, his topcoat is between 10 and 12 inches. Matting is a daily occurence. He can go to sleep at night matt free and wake up with 3 or 4. It still amazes me how the matt fairies sneak in. I'm not sharing this to discourage you, because, honestly, the love I get from Clyde is worth anytime I have to spend on him but it is a tremendous amount of work. But, it sounds like you have the time to spend on it, which is great. I think a lot of people think it won't be as much as everyone says and that a simple brush out once a week will be fine. No way! That being said, I would say, for me, that's the only negative. Clyde does have high energy levels but nothing extreme. After a romp around the dog park, he'll relax quietly all day. He's just so great to have around and the love we get from him is uncomparable. I don't find that he needs that much space in the house because he sticks to me like glue! He loves all people and dogs. I couldn't ask for a better companion. My only complaint is that we haave an older dog too that finds him a bit too rambunctiou at times but even she's learned to accept him! Jill |
| I think the two biggest commitments with our OES are grooming and exercise. We groom him every other day (and keep him much shorter than most of the dogs you'll see here), but to me that's much more enjoyable than cleaning up after a shedding dog. Bailey is 1 and definitely has a lot of energy so getting him exercise has been important, but we cover that with long walks and trips to the dog park, which are good for me too because it gets me out of the house more. Since you have time to walk and groom a dog, you'd be fine.
As for the bark, Bailey has that deep, big dog bark. (Maybe the boys have deeper barks?) He doesn't bark very often, only when someone comes to the door or he hears something outside, or when we're playing with him. I can't comment on small children, but I will say that Bailey is big and goofy and has nearly knocked down a few adults in his enthusiasm. I'm hoping that more training will help with that! But that's just another great activity that you'll be able to enjoy with your dog. Good luck with your decision! |
| Hi!
Welcome to the forum. Please take some time (since you have plenty!  ) to read a lot about the OES, from other people who have had behavior issues. Take a look at what is involved in grroming an OES. If you want to keep an OES with more than 3 inches ( 8 cm) of hair, there is a lot of work involved.
If you have any other questions, PLEASE ASK! We're happy to help. Again, Welcome! |
| Hi Jas, Welcome to the forum from an Aussie in Melbourne.
I think the breed is pretty adaptable, mine have grown up with my children since newborn and had them prior to children. Like other breeds, research, study and investigate the temperments & qualities of both mum and dad before purchasing a puppy, there is good and bad in every breed but put the time in and you will end up with a wonderful family member in an OES. Apartment living should be fine as you have plenty of places to excercise the dog. They can be active and also LARGE lap dogs, they like to participate in everything, are curious and socialable. I adore the breed, but make sure you put the homework in before deciding this is the breed for you. They are late maturing and can be quite destructive as youngsters but grow into wonderful family members. There is huge information on this board and I suggest you read as much as you can, the good and the problems people come across with this breed. Good luck with your search and keep us all posted as to what you decide on  |
| Welcome,
A friend of mine and forum member shares the name Jas for her sheepie. It stands for (Just Another Sheepie)....anyways.. I agree with the other, grooming is very time consuming if you choose to keep a full coat. If you shave them then it's like having any other short hair breed. The bark is high pitched and very loud, and can be very annoying. exercise....they love to run off leash, it's the best way to release all that energy. Or you are looking at a good long walk or a short run. Otherwise mine is lazy around the house, but don't let that fool you...they want exercise, and they love to have something to do. If left alone outside (if you have a small yard or deck/balcony) you may find destructive chewing. They are as big as a Shepherd, but in full coat twice as wide. Mine loves kids, and is pretty good around them...that comes with lots of supervision tho. And good children. Good with other dogs, if socialized well from a puppy stage. Mine wants to play with other dogs and she wants to chase/herd, most don't mind her way of play... but some don't like her and if they show aggression to her she will defend herself....she is a strong dog, and you have to be a strong, confident owner. She is a huge part of our family, and we are very proud to have her, I have never owned a dog that I have loved more than her. My husband as well does not like dogs....likes her....she has found a way to win him over like none of the others before her has. As well as my two young kids....they adore her and she watches over them...perhaps to get the left overs.... 
Our two cats...well she likes to chase them, and trys to entice them to run by scaring them. but if they ignore her she gives up and ignores them...they have a good balance. Good luck....and may I say wow to come from Australia and then to live in Switzerland...2 places I've always wanted to visit. |
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