Overview
Big shaggy bear-of-a-herder — playful and famously goofy.
The Old English Sheepdog is a large breed in the Herding group, typically standing 21+ in and weighing 60–100 lbs. Expect a lifespan of 10–12 years with good preventive care. Personality is best described as adaptable, smart, gentle.
Breed history & origin
The Old English Sheepdog traces its origins to Multiple regions historically. Its original purpose — move and protect livestock — shaped almost every physical and temperamental trait still visible in the breed today.
As a large member of the Herding group, the Old English Sheepdog was selectively bred for biddability and quick learning, steady temperament and an even pace. Modern owners describe them as adaptable, smart, gentle — qualities deeply rooted in that working heritage.
The breed is recognised by all major kennel clubs in the Herding group, with a written standard codifying its silhouette, gait, and temperament.
Today the Old English Sheepdog thrives as a active companion and dog-sport athlete. It remains one of the more recognisable breeds at North American dog shows and in homes across Canada and the United States, where its combination of adaptable and family-suitability continues to draw new owners every year.
Like every purebred, the Old English Sheepdog carries genetic risks tied to its small founding gene pool. Conscientious modern breeders screen for the conditions listed in the health section below and breed for longevity, structural soundness, and stable temperament — the three pillars of a responsibly preserved breed.
- Country of origin
- Multiple regions historically
- Era
- Historic
- Original purpose
- Move and protect livestock
- Modern purpose
- Active companion and dog-sport athlete
Breed timeline
- HistoricOld English Sheepdog develops in Multiple regions historically
- 20th centuryFormal kennel club recognition in the Herding group
- TodayEstablished as a active companion and dog-sport athlete
Appearance
- Coat length
- Long
- Coat texture
- Dense double coat
- Undercoat
- Yes — heavy seasonal blow-out
- Body
- Powerful, balanced build with deep chest
Temperament
Old English Sheepdogs are adaptable, smart, gentle. With early socialization and positive-reinforcement training in the critical 8–16 week window, they grow into well-adjusted adults that fit a wide range of households.
Exercise & activity
Adult Old English Sheepdogs need 30–60 minutes/day, split between leashed walks and off-leash play. Under-exercised dogs of this breed are the #1 source of behaviour complaints — chewing, barking, and pulling.
Grooming & shedding
Old English Sheepdogs are high-maintenance coats. Plan on daily brushing and a professional groom every 4–6 weeks.
Heavy shedder. Expect hair on furniture and clothes year-round, with two heavy blow-outs per year.
Nutrition guide
Feed a high-quality large-breed puppy formula with controlled calcium and slow growth. Old English Sheepdog puppies thrive on 3 measured meals per day until 6 months, then 2 meals. Look for AAFCO statements naming "growth" or "all life stages," and skip filler-heavy grocery brands.
Feed an AAFCO-approved large-breed puppy formula. 3 meals/day until 6 months, then 2/day.
Adult Old English Sheepdogs do well on a high-quality kibble (≥ 25% protein, ≤ 15% fat) split into two meals. Free-feeding is the #1 cause of obesity in this breed.
From age 6, transition to a senior formula with glucosamine/chondroitin and reduced calories.
1,200–1,700 kcal/day
Common allergies: Most common triggers in this breed: chicken, beef, dairy, wheat. A novel-protein diet (duck, salmon, venison) helps if itching or GI issues persist.
- • Grapes & raisins
- • Chocolate
- • Onions & garlic
- • Xylitol (peanut butter labels!)
- • Cooked bones
- • Macadamia nuts
Training guide
Crate-train from day 1. Old English Sheepdog puppies can hold their bladder roughly (age in months) hours — set a timer and take them out after every nap, meal, and play session.
Use a crate just large enough to stand and turn around. Never use it as punishment. Most Old English Sheepdogs accept the crate within 2 weeks with kong-and-meal pairing.
Old English Sheepdogs are eager learners — start sit, down, place, and recall in week 1. Aim for 5-minute training reps, 3–5x per day.
Critical window is 8–16 weeks. Aim for 100 new people, 50 new dogs, and 25 new environments before 4 months — vaccinated, controlled, positive exposures only.
Ready for AKC Canine Good Citizen by 12 months, then trick titles, agility, rally, or scent-work.
- ×Skipping puppy class because the dog ‘seems fine’
- ×Using punishment for fear-based behaviour (escalates it)
- ×Repeating the cue word — say it once, then enforce
- ×Free-feeding (kills food motivation for training)
Health database
Lifespan: 10–12 years. Below are the conditions vets most commonly screen for in this breed — for education only, always consult your veterinarian.
Elevated — screen parents
Moderate — screen parents
Standard screening recommended
Above-average lifetime risk for large breeds
Average
$700–$1,200 CAD
Common health concerns
- ▸Dental disease
- ▸Obesity (over-feeding)
- ▸Hip and elbow dysplasia
Recommended screening
- ▸OFA hip & elbow evaluation
- ▸CERF / OFA eye exam
- ▸Cardiac auscultation
- ▸Skin & coat dermatology check
Educational only — always consult your veterinarian.
Living requirements
- Apartment
- Not ideal
- House
- Yes — ideal
- Urban
- Challenging
- Rural / farm
- Strong
- Cold weather
- Excellent — built for cold
- Hot weather
- Sensitive — limit midday activity in summer
- Barking level
- Average
- Separation anxiety
- Above average — bred for human company
- Escape risk
- Average
- Space
- Large home or yard preferred
Cost of ownership (Canada)
Reputable Canadian breeders typically charge $2,200–$4,500 for a Old English Sheepdog puppy. Plan for $2,500–$4,200 in annual cost of ownership covering food, vet visits, insurance, training, and grooming.
$2,200–$4,500
$2,500–$4,200
$80–$140 / month CAD
Pros & cons
- +Excellent with children and other family pets
- +Quick to learn — fast progress on obedience and tricks
- −Heavy year-round shedding
- −High grooming costs — professional groom every 4–6 weeks
- −Not well-suited to apartment living without a yard
- −Large size = higher food, vet, and boarding costs
Ideal owner profile
Fun facts
- 1.Old English Sheepdogs live 10–12 years on average with good preventive care.
- 2.Adults stand 21+ in and weigh 60–100 lbs.
- 3.Daily exercise needs: 30–60 minutes/day.
- 4.Classified in the Herding group.
Old English Sheepdog vs popular breeds
| Trait | Old English Sheepdog | Labrador Retriever | Golden Retriever | German Shepherd | French Bulldog | Poodle (Standard) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Large | Large | Large | Large | Small | Large |
| Lifespan | 10–12 years | 11–13 years | 10–12 years | 9–13 years | 10–12 years | 10–18 years |
| Energy | 3/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Trainability | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Family-friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Apartment | 2/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Shedding | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Exercise | 30–60 minutes/day | 60–90 minutes/day | 60–90 minutes/day | 60–90 minutes/day | 20–40 minutes/day | 60–90 minutes/day |
