Does anybody have an old english sheepdog?

[Feathered]

Hello!
If you have one . . . what are they like? How do you cope with their coat? Where did you get them from? Would you recommend an OES?
Thanks . . . I'm gathering info to persuade DH!

[mintchocchick]

I've got an 8 week old OES so early days for us. I grew up with one in the family though and can say they are fantastic family dogs. Great with kids, boisterous but very trainable so won't jump up if they're taught not to.

They also love walking, running etc but are also really lazy sofa dogs much of the time.

My photos haven't worked well but I'll try this evening as Zebo our puppy is adorable

[Feathered]

That would be fantastic mintchocchick. Did you do loads of research about breeders?

[Feathered]

That would be fantastic mintchocchick. Did you do loads of research about breeders?

[daftyburd]

I had one as a girl. Really protective dog. He took guarding his family and home very seriously. He was a playful dog and lived to be nearly 14 years old.
My mum took to do with the grooming. Quick brush every day then every Friday evening a serious groom for a couple of hours while he lay sleeping. Then he would get up and shake and look a big scruff again. We also had to comb and wash his bum after he had been to the loo. He had sensitive stomach so had the runs often.
My mum has pined to have another OES for 19 years. We have promised her one when she retires.

[mintchocchick]

I tried putting photos on my profile of Zebo but they're upside down! I think I need my iPad the other way round so will try that later.

I looked into breeders really carefully and did months of research. We visited one breeder who has 3 OES so the kids could get lots of cuddles with adult dogs to make sure no one was allergic ( a friend of mine had to rehome her dog after her daughter became allergic once adult coat came in, really upsetting so wanted to avoid this).

We then went on 3 breeders lists but the OES is an endangered breed so puppies are much sought after as there aren't many around. We missed out on 2 litters- not far enough up list - but managed with our breeder as someone else dropped out and the female had 10 pups so big litter.

It isn't easy to get an OES puppy but if you manage to convince your husband let me know and I can give you some names.

[Francagoestohollywood]

Oh Mint, your puppy is adorable! I've always loved OES, lovely, lovely creatures.

[Feathered]

Thanks daftyburd. Sounds like your dog was very loved!
Mintchocchick -
Husband is keen! It's a miracle. Would be great if you could send me your recommendations. Thanks!
Your photo is utterly gorgeous!

[digerd]

Gorgeous pup.
My Hermes delivery man has his OES in the front of his van with him on his rounds.

[mintchocchick]

Thanks for comments about Zebo - we feel so lucky to have him.

As a first place to look, feathered try the kennel club list of assured breeders. I printed that off and went through locations picking the 10 nearest to us. Most of these 10 were not near us at all, often 4hrs travel each way but they were the nearest.

I then emailed all of them to ask if they were thinking of having a litter, said a little bit about us and asked them to consider us if they were having a litter or knew someone who was. I was then planning to email the administrator/secretary of each OES club in the UK to ask if they knew of any litters.

But I got a good response from KC breeders so didn't contact clubs in the end. That gives you something to start with but I'll dig out names of people specifically if you want me to - PM me might be best.

[Feathered]

Thanks for that. We're moving in November so we'd be looking at getting a dog after then, probably next year. From what you say it would be good to start the ball rolling now though.
You are a LONG way away from me - we're in the Southeast, near Brighton so I'm guessing your breeders would be a long way from us. I'll do what you did and email the closest ones to us. Thanks very much for the advice and I'll try and contact you again when we're further along!

[mintchocchick]

I would get the ball rolling now as people often plan their makings in advance. We were in contact with breeders in Southampton - not that far from you but they were mating in summer/autumn so too soon for you.

Good luck with it all. We love having Zebo but he will be a huge amount of work as an adult in terms of grooming - I'm not phased by it but it has to be a regular weekly thing so their coats don't get matted.

[mintchocchick]

Plan their matings not makings!

[Hayleyh34]

That is the most gorgeous puppy I have ever seen

[IslaValargeone]

We had one when I was growing up, fabulous dog, very protective but soft as a brush.
He died nearly 20 years ago but we still talk about him and my dad gets a bit eye watery even now.

[mintchocchick]

Thanks Hayley - we are a bit smitten in this house!

Yes the adult OES are soft and daft and really loveable. I'm amazed that it's an endangered breed - less than 300 born a year compared to 20,000 lab/retriever puppies. I love labs and lots of other breeds & crosses but don't know why OES are falling so much in popularity.

I havent seen any other OES in the city in which we live.

[Aquelven]

I used to have six.
One of them actually came through OES rescue, the others were here from puppies. Very protective of their owners.
They are very boisterous, especially when they hit the teenage stage. Very loud ringing bark, quite unlike any other breed. You need to be willing to do a lot of grooming. It's a very thick coat that needs brushing every day if not to be one a matted mess & not just a quick, ten minute once over. They can get very mucky bums too which needs watching. I used to show so spent much of my life grooming!
They are very prone to stomach problems especially bloat, which is a nightmare for the dog, dreadfully painful, & very worrying for you. One of mine had it dreadfully & I was often at the vet in the middle of the night for emergency treatment as it's life threatening. He eventually was put to sleep at just five after the vet could no longer save him, heartbreaking.

I know it sounds like I'm trying to put you off. I'm not, they are lovely dogs, but you do need to be aware of the huge commitment having such a time consuming breed involves.

[Aquelven]

Just as an aside, one of the two breeds I have now really is one of the most endangered native breeds, just 27 born last year & that was an increase!

[Pagwatch]

Yes. PenisDog is an old English.
He is just gorgeous, a delight. He is incredibly gentle and easy going.
The grooming thing isn't a big deal for us. We get him groomed every 4-6 weeks. We allow him to get a longer coat in the winter but he is fairly shorthaired inthe summer because he gets too hot.
There are some pics of him on my profile.
I would get another old English in a heartbeat. Love him

[mintchocchick]

That might explain why people are put off.

We have the raised feeding bowls for when he's grown a bit to try and preent the bloat problem. Not sure what else we can do, but I was aware of that issue.

Which breeds do you have now Aquel?

[mintchocchick]

Your dog's lovely Pag, I'm looking forward to that stage (and being through the exhausting puppy stage!)

I've been warned about the boisterous adolescent phase in this breed - we have classes booked with a very formidable trainer, known locally for her no-nonsense approach to training, tells it like it is, can be harsh with owners but very experienced with dogs. We will need her help I'm sure!

[Aquelven]

I have Skye Terriers & a couple of little Yorkies.
The Skyes are the endangered breed, last few years top of the At Risk Native British Breeds list along with Glen of Imaals.

[Feathered]

Mintchoc - please can you send me the details of the southampton breeder?
I've also spotted that there's an OES dog show in October so we're going to go and see them and try and talk to some breeders.

[mintchocchick]

Yes I'll look them out.

The dog show is a really good idea.