Old English Sheepdog

The Old English Sheepdog is a strong, muscular dog that was bred to herd and protect sheep in Southwestern England. Once known as fierce, the sheepdog has mellowed into a gentle, loving companion. Dog Breed Info: Old English Sheepdog It's desirable for the coat to be profuse, but not overly, shaggy but free curl free. The coat is blue, gray, blue-gray or blue merle with white markings. Any show of brown is highly undesirable when [[pedigree] is of concern. Sheepdog are either born with no tails, giving them the nickname "bobtail", or their tails are sometimes amputated. This process has become illegal in some places.

The square and muscular sheepdog is agile and has a loud bark. Known as a good watch dog, their body is proportionate and their head is square. With their strong teeth, they have a well defined bite and strong jaw. Their eyes are either brown or blue, and while they can barely be seen underneath their hair, they have good eyesight. American Kennel Club: Old English Sheepdog

The Old English OES does require a considerable amount of grooming time. Their long hair will pick up a great deal of debris. These do not make good breeds for people who suffer from outdoor allergies. However, they do make better pets for people who suffer from pet dander allergies. This breed doesn't produce a large amount of dander in comparison to many breeds.http://www.vetinfo.com/best-allergy-dogs.html They do make good pets because of their friendly, clownish personalities, but they do have an entirely large amount of energy. The "bobtail" requires at least 2 hours of exercise a day. Sheepdogs can be stubborn, even though they are extremely intelligent dogs. They do not do well alone, and get along well with other pets. Because of their large size and high energy level, they can unintentionally hurt small children.

The Old English Sheepdog is prone to some health issues. These include hip dysplasia, autoimmune disorders, epilepsy, ataxia, obsessive compulsive disorder and eye problems.http://puppydogweb.com/caninebreeds/oldenglishsheepdog.htm

This breed of canine is also at risk for heatstroke since their coat is so long and thick. People who live in hot and humid climates should refrain from getting a sheepdog. Their coat requires weekly, thorough brushing that can take up to 3 or 4 hours to complete. If the coat is not maintain, it can cause matting that becomes painful. Matting between the toes can even limit the dog's mobility. Many people kept their sheepdog's coat trimmed and cut to keep maintenance to a minimum and to help the dog stay cooler.

• Old English Sheepdogs: Old English Sheepdog Rescue Contacts

• Sheepieshop.com: Old English Sheepdog Gifts and Merchandise

• K9Gifts.com: Old English Sheepdog Trivets, Coasters and Mouse Pads

• DogGiftShop.com: All Old English Sheepdog Merchandise

• • This page was created by Kerryann B, a Part Time Guide in the Mahalo_Greenhouse (see the original), and curated by Ray Manukay.

• If you'd like to help us create the best spam free search results on the Internet, apply to be a Part Time Guide!</em>