Old English Sheep dog as a pet?

Old English Sheep dog as a pet?

Author
Discussion

pikeyboy

Original Poster:

2,349 posts

213 months

Thursday 9th April 2009
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As the title suggests really, i'm looking for a dog as a family pet, does any one in the piston head comunity have any experience of a old english sheep dog?

esselte

14,626 posts

266 months

Thursday 9th April 2009
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pikeyboy said:
As the title suggests really, i'm looking for a dog as a family pet, does any one in the piston head comunity have any experience of a old english sheep dog?
We used to have one,smart dog,easily trained,a bit big and took a lot of grooming to stop it looking a mess.It ate like food was going out of fashion.Seriously though you need to devote quite a bit of time to keeping it looking it's best....

Dupont666

21,604 posts

191 months

Thursday 9th April 2009
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knew someone who had one and they got past the matted hair look by giving it a good trim.... dog was mad as fk tho... dont know if that is a trait of the old english sheep dog.

Phugoid

521 posts

248 months

Thursday 9th April 2009
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Also consider Bearded Collies. Very similar but not quite as big as the Old English Sheepdog, hence relatively light appetites. Perfect with children, non-aggressive and intelligent but generally completely bonkers!

davido140

9,614 posts

225 months

Thursday 9th April 2009
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I think the madness is a trait of the dog, I've "known" several, and they were all utterly loopy! smile

My friend has one now and she finds Giving him a good trim is the way forward, otherwise you'll be spending every evening combing the bugger,



Blib

43,791 posts

196 months

Thursday 9th April 2009
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My parents had one. She was wonderful. Great with kids, friendly, gentle, not overpowering as some big dogs can be. She was intelligent too.

A real softee. We miss her still.

gareth_r

5,712 posts

236 months

Thursday 9th April 2009
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Phugoid said:
Also consider Bearded Collies.
Show Beardies also have ludicrous coats, although at least there are "working" strains of Bearded Collies with proper coats.

Edited by gareth_r on Thursday 9th April 11:15

Asterix

24,438 posts

227 months

Thursday 9th April 2009
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davido140 said:
I think the madness is a trait of the dog, I've "known" several, and they were all utterly loopy! smile
I've had the same experince - quite bonkers!

Mrs Grumpy

863 posts

188 months

Thursday 9th April 2009
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Perhaps turn the question on its head? What experience do you have of dogs and what sort of a lifestyle will you be offering?

How long will the dog be left each day?
Are there children or other animals in the house?
How much exercise will you be able to provide?
Are you able to train the dog and / or will you be taking it to training classes?
Etc

A suitable dog could then be suggested, although I know of an OES in rescue at present looking for a home.

gumball

21 posts

264 months

Thursday 9th April 2009
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My parents have had a few over the years and they are in my opinion absolutely wonderful dogs, and i will definitely have one of my own when my life settles down a bit. Unfortunately, in our (limited) experience they don't tend to live as long as some other (smaller) types of dogs.

They are all different but it is true that the puppy stage doesn't really seem to wear off until they are at least 5. They love to play, love kids, are very obedient and very intelligent.

Our current one is 4 and is completely obsessed by toys and if she doesn't get at least 10 mins running around twice a day she will drive you nuts.

They do need a lot of grooming though and a quick wash of the legs if they get muddy or the hair gets matted. You will also need to tie up the hair over their eyes or they'll bump into stuff.

There's a rescue centre for them in Grimsby i think, or there are plenty of pedigree breeders around.

esselte

14,626 posts

266 months

Thursday 9th April 2009
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gumball said:
Unfortunately, in our (limited) experience they don't tend to live as long as some other (smaller) types of dogs.
I think that's common for most large breeds......not just specific to Old English...

Hammerwerfer

3,234 posts

239 months

Thursday 9th April 2009
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Great dog if you like looking after Klingons.

Don

28,377 posts

283 months

Thursday 9th April 2009
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Get a proper sheepdog. yes A truly wonderful, lovely, practical hound.

But be warned:- they are very, very, very smart. Which means they bore very, very, very easily. Which means you need to keep them thoroughly occupied, accompanied and entertained.

Because if you don't find stuff for them to do? They'll make up their own stuff.

And you won't like it. yeshehe

But if they're kept busy? Fab.

Andy Zarse

10,868 posts

246 months

Thursday 9th April 2009
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They are not the best characters or house dogs IMO> The hair gets in their eyes and they blunder into things. They can suffer vision problems too. And you'll soon be sick to death of cleaning thir long greasy hair off your clothes and furniture. Question; when did you last see someone out walking with one? Yeah, me neither...

gumball

21 posts

264 months

Thursday 9th April 2009
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Yes, you're right, it's not specific to them.

We have just been unlucky with the last who died when she was 9 (heart problems) and one who died in the 70s who was 6 (stomach problems)cry

Still, they pack a lot of fun into the time they're around.

esselte

14,626 posts

266 months

Thursday 9th April 2009
quotequote all
Andy Zarse said:
They are not the best characters or house dogs IMO> The hair gets in their eyes and they blunder into things. They can suffer vision problems too. And you'll soon be sick to death of cleaning thir long greasy hair off your clothes and furniture. Question; when did you last see someone out walking with one? Yeah, me neither...
Out of interest have you ever had one?

Andy Zarse

10,868 posts

246 months

Thursday 9th April 2009
quotequote all
esselte said:
Andy Zarse said:
They are not the best characters or house dogs IMO> The hair gets in their eyes and they blunder into things. They can suffer vision problems too. And you'll soon be sick to death of cleaning thir long greasy hair off your clothes and furniture. Question; when did you last see someone out walking with one? Yeah, me neither...
Out of interest have you ever had one?
Yes, it was rubbish.

parakitaMol.

11,876 posts

250 months

Thursday 9th April 2009
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They smell.

Really smell.

People who own them smell the same and so do their cars.

This might not matter but might be a consideration.

Personally I like shaved dogs.

That are also dead.

And buried.

That's the best kind.


Los Palmas 7

29,908 posts

229 months

Thursday 9th April 2009
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parakitaMol. said:
They smell.

Really smell.

People who own them smell the same and so do their cars.

This might not matter but might be a consideration.

Personally I like shaved dogs.

That are also dead.

And buried.

That's the best kind.
More of a cat person then?

parakitaMol.

11,876 posts

250 months

Thursday 9th April 2009
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I own cats.

Dogs are logistically inappropriate for my lifestyle. Grew up with dogs, retrievers as it happens.

My best friend had Old English Sheepdogs. She smelled bad. Her car stank. Her house stank. Her clothes stank. Of dog. Damp dog. They were utterly revolting. Very sweet dogs but utterly revolting.

Like I say that might not be a consideration - for some it does not matter but I think it's an important factor.... you might just want to smell nice that's all.