Breeds / Large
Old English Sheepdog puppies
A biddable dog of even disposition, bold, faithful and trustworthy, with no suggestion of nervousness or unprovoked aggression. The profuse coat needs daily attention to stay free of mats.
The facts
- Size class Large
- Adult weight 27.2 to 40.8 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 60 to 90 lb
- Adult height 56 to 61 cm
- Energy level Very high
- Grooming High
- Typical lifespan 10 to 12 years
Source: https://www.royalkennelclub.com/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/pastoral/old-english-sheepdog/
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Old English Sheepdog puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A large breed puppy at eight weeks looks deceptively normal sized and will roughly double every few weeks for a while. Keep exercise short and low impact, the growth plates are wide open. This is a very high energy breed. The mistake owners make is trying to tire it out physically. Training, scentwork and puzzles will do more than distance ever will. Grooming needs are high. Start daily brushing and short, positive handling sessions at eight weeks, well before the adult coat arrives, or the first professional groom will be traumatic. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything it meets calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of its life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Primary ciliary dyskinesia, detectable by DNA test
- Multiocular defect (MOD), detectable by DNA test
- MDR1 drug sensitivity, detectable by DNA test, which affects safe dosing of several common drugs
- Hip dysplasia, screened under the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme, and elbow dysplasia under the BVA/KC Elbow Dysplasia Scheme
- Hereditary eye disease, screened under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme
- Congenital deafness, detectable by BAER hearing testing
From Old English Sheepdog breed information at https://www.royalkennelclub.com/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/pastoral/old-english-sheepdog/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Your Old English Sheepdog puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Large for a Old English Sheepdog.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 27.2 to 40.8 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Other large breeds
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.