Old English Sheepdog
Height53–61 cm (21–24 in)
Weight27–45 kg (60–99 lbs)
TypeHerding
Life Expectancy10–12 yrs
OriginEngland
A shaggy, bear-like herding dog with a distinctive shuffling gait and a booming bark. Old English Sheepdogs are gentle, playful clowns that adore children and family life.
Breed Ratings
Personality
Intelligence
4/5
Trainability
3/5
Playfulness
5/5
Energy Level
4/5
Social
Good with Kids
5/5
Good with Dogs
4/5
Good with Strangers
4/5
Lifestyle
Apartment Friendly
2/5
Exercise Needs
4/5
Watchdog Ability
4/5
Barking Level
3/5
Care
Shedding
5/5
Grooming Needs
5/5
Health Robustness
3/5
Where Are Old English Sheepdogs From?
Old English Sheepdogs emerged in western England during the early 1800s as drovers’ dogs, moving cattle and sheep to market. Despite the name, they’re not particularly old compared to truly ancient breeds — their documented history spans roughly 200 years. Drovers docked their tails as proof the dogs were working animals exempt from pet taxes, earning them the nickname “Bobtail.” The breed became a pop culture icon through the Dulux paint advertisements starting in the 1960s, which both boosted popularity and created unrealistic expectations about what living with one actually involves.
What Is It Like Living With a Old English Sheepdog?
Old English Sheepdogs possess a gentle, clownish personality wrapped in an absurd amount of fur. They’re adaptable and easygoing with family members, great with children (they’ll instinctively herd kids away from perceived danger), and generally accepting of other pets. Their herding instinct manifests as bumping and leaning rather than nipping. An Old English Sheepdog has a distinctive low-pitched, resonant bark that carries surprisingly far, and they’ll use it freely when bored or when they feel something’s amiss.
How Much Exercise Does a Old English Sheepdog Need?
These dogs need 60–75 minutes of daily exercise. They’re more athletic than their shaggy appearance suggests and enjoy long walks, romping in open spaces, and herding activities. Mental stimulation matters equally — they’re intelligent dogs that become destructive when under-challenged. Hot weather is their enemy; that massive coat retains heat, so summer exercise should happen during cooler hours.
How Often Do You Need to Groom a Old English Sheepdog?
Grooming an Old English Sheepdog is a serious, time-consuming commitment that you cannot afford to underestimate. The long, shaggy double coat mats down to the skin within days without thorough brushing, and a full grooming session takes three to four hours. Professional grooming every four to six weeks is practically required. Many owners keep them in a shorter “puppy clip” for manageability, sacrificing the classic look for sanity. Health concerns include hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, hypothyroidism, cerebellar ataxia, and deafness. Autoimmune thyroiditis is more prevalent in this breed than in most.
Are Old English Sheepdogs Healthy?
Old English Sheepdogs suit families who genuinely love grooming, households with children who want a patient playmate, and owners with enough space for a large, active dog. They’re absolutely wrong for anyone who considers grooming a chore, lives in a small apartment, or spends long hours away from home. The fact that stops people in their tracks: Old English Sheepdog puppies are born black and white. The signature gray-and-white coat develops gradually as they mature, and the transformation can take up to three years to complete.
Our Honest Take on the Old English Sheepdog
The Old English Sheepdog from the Dulux paint commercials is a fantasy — the real breed is a 70-pound athletic herder with a coat that demands hours of grooming weekly. Most pet owners shave them down by year two.
Common Mistakes New Owners Make
- 1Believing the coat is manageable in full length. The corded/full coat requires 3–4 hours of brushing per week, plus full bathing and drying every 2–3 weeks. Most owners can't sustain it.
- 2Skipping puppy-cut maintenance grooming. Even shaved-down OES need professional grooming every 6–8 weeks at $100–$160 per session.
- 3Underestimating exercise needs. They're herding dogs — 60–90 minutes of activity daily is the floor, and bored OES become destructive within weeks.
- 4Ignoring MDR1 drug sensitivity testing. OES can carry the MDR1 mutation that makes common drugs (ivermectin, loperamide) lethal; a $50 cheek swab tells you for life.
Who Should Think Twice
Don't get an Old English Sheepdog if you're attached to the show-coat look but can't commit to 4+ hours of weekly grooming, live in a hot climate, or have a small home. Also avoid if you want a calm dog — adolescent OES (1–3 years) are bouncy, mouthy, and remarkably destructive. Allergic-to-fur households should pass; despite the marketing, they shed and dander significantly.
Real Costs in 2026
Old English Sheepdog puppies from health-tested breeders run $1,800–$3,500 in 2026 with OFA hips, eyes, and MDR1 testing. Annual costs are high: $3,000–$4,500/year all-in, with grooming ($800–$1,400/year even in puppy cut) and food ($70–$90/month) being the biggest factors. Pet insurance ($55–$75/month) covers hip dysplasia surgery ($4,000–$6,000 per hip) and the breed's elevated cancer risk.
Living With a Old English Sheepdog: Year by Year
Old English Sheepdog puppyhood is enormous, fluffy, and surprisingly clumsy — these are large herding dogs developed for English drovers, and the puppy phase combines rapid size growth with delayed coordination. By month 6 most puppies are 50+ pounds and tripping over their own feet. Adolescence (10-24 months) brings the breed's defining trait: a clownish exuberance combined with the herding drive (Old English Sheepdogs will herd children, other pets, and family members by bumping and circling). Prime adulthood (2-10) is what made the breed beloved as family dogs: gentle with children, devoted to family, calm in the house once exercised, and famously easygoing with strangers. The surprise for most owners is the herding behavior — the bumping is hardwired and surprisingly forceful in a 70-90 pound dog, and many families learn to redirect the instinct rather than train it away. Senior years are typically 10-12; hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, and cancer are the primary concerns.
The Training Reality
Moderately trainable — OES are biddable and food-motivated but slow to mature, and the realistic ceiling is reliable pet obedience plus recreational herding or therapy work. Coren rankings place them in the middle tier. Housetraining by month 5. Marker training works well; the breed responds to positive methods and shuts down briefly under harsh handling. The pitfall most owners hit is the size combined with adolescent bouncing — a 75-pound puppy that jumps on guests or pulls on leash is a serious management problem. The breakthrough is committing to leash manners and 'four on the floor' from month 4, before the size becomes unmanageable. The herding-bumping behavior requires its own management; many owners teach an 'off' or 'leave it' cue specifically for the bumping. Skip harsh corrections; OES are emotionally sensitive and remember corrections for days. Realistic timeline: solid obedience by month 14, advanced work by 24 months.
A Day in the Life
Morning is a 45-60 minute walk plus play; OES have moderate-to-high energy and need real exercise to settle indoors. Daytime they shadow family, herd children, and nap between patrols. The enormous double coat is the defining maintenance reality — daily brushing plus professional grooming every 6-8 weeks ($90-150 per session) is the only way to prevent catastrophic matting. Many pet owners opt for a 'puppy cut' (short clip) to manage maintenance, sacrificing the iconic look for sanity. Most OES sleep 11-13 hours. Evening is another 30-45 minute walk plus indoor play. The quirk owners discover: the bear-walk gait. OES move with a rolling, ambling stride that looks bear-like and is genuinely unique among breeds. The other reality is the heat sensitivity; the coat insulates poorly above 75F, and many OES refuse outdoor activity in summer.
How Old English Sheepdogs Compare to Similar Breeds
Compared to a Bearded Collie (a similar shaggy herding cousin), OES are larger and heavier-built; Beardies are leaner and slightly more biddable. Compared to a Bouvier des Flandres, OES are calmer and less protective; Bouviers are more guarding-oriented and require firmer leadership. Compared to a Briard (the French herding cousin), OES are more sociable with strangers; Briards are more reserved and protective. Compared to a Polish Lowland Sheepdog (a similar smaller alternative), OES are larger and slightly slower; PLS are more compact and energetic. If you want the iconic shaggy look without the size, a Bearded Collie or PLS is more practical; if you want the family-dog disposition with manageable grooming, a Goldendoodle or Bernedoodle has overtaken OES in pet popularity.
Great For
- Families with children
- Active, outdoorsy people
- Multi-pet households
- Home security
- Social, outgoing lifestyles
Think Twice If
- You have a sedentary lifestyle
- You dislike cleaning up fur
- You want low grooming effort
- You live in a small apartment
Are Old English Sheepdogs Prone to Health Issues?
Old English Sheepdogs are predisposed to: hip dysplasia, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, hypothyroidism. Regular vet visits and a healthy diet help prevent common issues.
Health Robustness
3/5
How Much Does a Old English Sheepdog Cost?
Purchase Price
$1,200–$3,000
Monthly Food
$70
Annual Vet
$600
Annual Grooming
$500
Est. First Year
~$4,040
Est. Annual
~$1,940
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Old English Sheepdog cost?
A Old English Sheepdog puppy typically costs $1,200–$3,000. The estimated first-year cost including food, vet visits, and grooming is around $4,040, with ongoing annual costs of approximately $1,940.
How long do Old English Sheepdogs live?
Old English Sheepdogs have an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years. Common health concerns include hip dysplasia, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, hypothyroidism.
Are Old English Sheepdogs good with kids?
Old English Sheepdogs score 5/5 for being good with children. They are generally excellent family dogs and get along well with children of all ages.
Do Old English Sheepdogs shed a lot?
Old English Sheepdogs have a shedding level of 5/5. They are heavy shedders and require regular brushing to manage loose fur.
Are Old English Sheepdogs good for apartments?
Old English Sheepdogs score 2/5 for apartment friendliness. They are better suited to homes with yards and ample space to move around.