Old English Sheepdog
About the Old English Sheepdog
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Large (50-100 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 21-22" |
| Weight | 60-100 lbs |
| Coat Type | Long |
| Coat Length | Long |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
High - Daily
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,500-$3,000 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $2,000/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Old English Sheepdogs may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Active Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- Apartment Living
- Long Work Hours Away
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Old English Sheepdog
The story behind the Old English Sheepdog
The Old English Sheepdog developed in western England during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries as a drover's dog, moving sheep and cattle to market rather than working flocks on hills as a collie would. The name Bobtail comes from the practice of docking tails, historically said to mark working dogs exempt from taxation, and dogs were sometimes shorn alongside the sheep with the wool used for spinning. Ancestry is uncertain, with continental herding dogs and British droving stock both suggested. The breed entered the show ring in the later nineteenth century, where coat became increasingly emphasised, and it reached North America where wealthy owners took it up. Twentieth-century advertising and film brought bursts of popularity. Numbers have since fallen considerably, and it is now listed among Britain's vulnerable native breeds.
Originally bred for: Sheep and cattle droving, Farm dog, Drover's companion. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Old English Sheepdog
A large, active herding dog suits a complete food of good quality served twice daily with rest around feeding. Coat volume conceals condition entirely, so weight must be judged by hand along the ribs. Puppies should grow steadily on large-breed appropriate food rather than quickly.
Watch for: No breed-specific ingredient allergy is established. Heavily coated dogs commonly develop skin irritation from matting and trapped moisture, which is a grooming problem rather than a dietary one. Persistent itching or digestive upset should be assessed by a vet before foods are excluded.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for large breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket, and a slow feeder bowl if your dog inhales dinner. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Old English Sheepdog
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse chew toys built for strong jaws and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.