Old English Sheepdogs, a dying breed??

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proctor

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My Grandparents used to have one called Cleo, and as I was 7 years old when she died, I remember her quite well, I spent alot of time playing with her, she was so gentle and had such a lovely nature. I thought the other day, that since Cleo passed away all of those 23 years ago, I have hardly seen any Old English Sheepdogs around. Is the breed dying out or not popular or what? I'm very curious!
 
My friend breeds them, I'm well used to them!
There is a small breed fraternity (I have met most of them!!!) but they are out there.

I can understand why they aren't too popular for people looking for an easy pet, they can be incredibly energetic and either have to be clipped regularly or have their coat really well looked after.

I really like them, it's mad to see how wiry they actually are when they're clipped down, under all that hair!
 
Funny you should ask that, as I was having this discussion with my OH yeterday. And the really scary thing was, as we were just saying about not seeing any for like, years probably, one was being walked down the road!
A lot smaller than we remember though???
 
suzyqet said:
Funny you should ask that, as I was having this discussion with my OH yeterday. And the really scary thing was, as we were just saying about not seeing any for like, years probably, one was being walked down the road!
A lot smaller than we remember though???
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How funny!! I know everything seems huge when your a kid but I remember Cleo being a huge shaggy softie who used to "herd" me by gently bumping into me, that was about as rough as she ever got! I've only caught glimpes of them since, and they do seem a bit smaller!
 
I think their scarcity is to do with the reduction in advertising of a certain brand of paint :p
There was a boy in my class who thought O had 'Durex Dogs'!!!!

Breed standard says Height: dogs: 61 cms (24 ins) and upwards; bitches: 56 cms (22 ins) and upwards. Type and symmetry of greatest importance, and on no account to be sacrificed to size alone.

So not that different to a GSD :p

Bear in mind the hair makes a difference, a dog with a full coat would look taller than a clipped-out one.
 
I think I'm right in saying the breed suffered when they were super popular too, due to indiscriminate breeding for people who wanted the latest fashionable dog:(
 
I can't say that was my friend's experience (they wouldn't sell to just anyone and the coat maintenance does put your average lazy chav off them) but I don't doubt it, and like many larger herding breeds, people were a bit to blase about hip dysplasia in the past ('just one of those things, if it happens, it happens') and it is an issue with the breed.
 
I met two out walking a few weeks ago, and I must admit my jaw did drop a little... it's so rare to see them! I wouldn't have said these two were small, although they certainly weren't competing for the 'giant' category they were a good size- though they also looked rather young, perhaps have a little filling out to do? I wanted to stop and ask about them, but the pair walking them scurried past Loki looking rather worried. Maybe next time :)
 
My boyf used to have one until word got around I was moving in, and then is pyscho ex took him one day while boyf was at work; oh and she smashed the garden and some of the house up in the process (she had been gone for 14 months and with another fella). Police not interested and it got really messy trying to get the dog back so have left it now. Just hope she is looking after him, his coat was so high maintenence. But he was a lovely dog and sooooo soppy.
 
Hadn't really thought about it but now you mention it there don't seem too many about, although plenty if you go to all breed shows on pastoral day. I remember they did go through a stage when they were very popular due to the ads, and some did end up in the wrong homes. There were also some temperament problems, heard of quite a few aggressive bobtails.:( I suspect responsible breeders are quite glad they stopped screening the adverts.
 
My mums ex had one who completly put me off dogs for a while, he wasnt intentionally nasty just too big to be flinging himself round kids like he did! He stunk too, but hated being clipped so was a difficult situation.
Nice enough dog but intimidating as i was only 10! :o
 
We had one when I was growing up. The only dog my family ever had. I'm surprised she didn't put me off dogs for life (I now have 2 labs). She was possessive over my mother to the point where my father could barely give my mother a hug, and she snapped at me a few times (and I was very careful to avoid her most of the time). I think only now that my mother has seen my labs has she realised that our OES was not great, but she adored her at the time. Sadly one experience can put you off a breed for life. (Other than her temperament, I still feel ill at the smell of wet dog - can you imagine what they are like after a winter country walk, and crammed in a small hatch back with Mum, Dad and 2 kids!)
 
I have only ever seen two full breed ones and one of them is the dad of my old English cross german shepherd but he looks like he has no german shepherd in him til you lift his tail and the underneath is tan... Odd dog! He's only 8 months but is 45kg, and apparntly is abit skinny! How much more do you think he'll grow?! Sorry to butt in :)
 
That's a very diplomatic cross, the two national herding breeds of former enemy countries :D don't suppose either parent was hip scored? With that in mind I would be careful of his exercise levels until he is about a year old just to protect his joints, no mad uncurtailed running or repetitive jumping.

My fella was 40kg at about a year but is very skinny, my friend's OES who is the same age has the biggest front and bone I have ever seen on any dog of that type, he is a very muscular boy so it would be hard to know! Your dog is going to be a big one either way!
 
His mum the german shepherd was as they were going to breed her etc properly. But the old English from
next door got out and had his way with her...

No I've been really careful with excercise and he's so dopey bless him he's so easy and lovely to train. But yeh I thinK size will be quite large...! But I don't mind he's such a teddy bear :)
 
Very high maintenance coat,plus tail nowadays of course;seeing the dreadful state the ones I groomed got into ..not one client ever combed them out,it is probably a natural decline without the advert to push them.Once clipped off they are quite angular and very far removed from the big round cuddly bear image. Not a choice of dog for the average owner at all.
 
I always wanted one as a kid, couldn't be doing with that coat now!

I assume they would be undocked now? Don't think I've seen one with a tail...
 
People who are saying that they are not as big as they remember, could it have been a bearded Collie that you saw?
I only say this as my friend has one and they always get asked if its an old english.
 
I know hes a cross breed but Murphy has the biggest / longest tail ive ever seen in my life!! Looks really peculiar and everyone always comments on it!

He still has a puppy coat so so far its been no problem *touchwood* stays matt free and soft and pretty, just gets scruffy sometimes!

I have tried to put pics up but wont let me upload i will try again...
He went beating for a while at the weekend all the "proper" farmers were amazed at how well behaved he is and how perfect his recall was but were shocked at his size / age! he is lovely :)
 
Having looked at your pics on the other thread, I would say his tail is probably the most GSD bit of him.:D Evie's is so long it has a bit of a hook in it to stop it dragging along the ground.:o
 
ChristmasBee said:
I always wanted one as a kid, couldn't be doing with that coat now!

I assume they would be undocked now? Don't think I've seen one with a tail...
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I think they're like Corgis, you can get naturally bobbed tails as they call them - but I could be wrong!

Next door has one called Sasha she's an old girl but she's lovely
 
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