Old English Sheep dog as a pet?
Discussion
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....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.
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.
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.
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.
Get a proper sheepdog. 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.
But if they're kept busy? Fab.
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.
But if they're kept busy? Fab.
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...
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?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?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.
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.
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