I am new to this site
I have always wanted an OES, there hasn;t been a time that i can remember that i havn't wanted one. Right now i am planning a wedding and trying to find a suitable home for atleast five large dogs. I already have a Cheasapeake Bay Retriiever and a mixed hunting dog who thinks of herself as a cat! I am soooo excited just thinking about finally being able to aford and care for a few OES's. I am not sure if i will breed them, or just have them as pets but i do know there is al ot of people in my are(Abilene TX) who are interested. There aren't many who sell them or have rescue homes around here so it's an option. And boy oh boy wouldn't that be the best job in the world. I do understand that i have never had an OES, so the whole breeding thing will be much more in the distant furture. Well i have rambled enough Bye Shannon |
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| Hi Shannon! Welcome to the forum!
If you are intersted in becoming a "professional" in the OES world, may I suggest you first visit a local confirmation show, make some friends with the breeders and trainers that are active in the confirmation and agility world. They can give you a lot of insight, advice, and help with the wonderful and heartbreaking world that is responsible dog ownership, breeding and showing. Obviously, you will want to take a lot of time to find a good quality, reputable breeder, please contact OESCA (the national breed club for OES in America) for a breeder referral. Your local dog show is also a great place to get in touch with a good breeder. Again welcome to the forum, and good luck with your oes search (and congratulations on your upcoming nuptuials! It's delightful being a newly wed!!! It's the wedding planning that's a killer) Karen  |
| Welcome!
Wow!  You have a lot of dogs!  I can barely handle one much less 5! I can't tell you too much - since I just got one myself - but welcome to the forum - I hope you find everything you need. I sure did. |
| 1 suggestion: Start with 1 OES. While it sounds like there will be no problem based on your doggie resume you should get yourself good and used to the breed before plunging in an having "a few" at once. 1 can be a handful! |
| Shannon,
Just to add a bit to my response to your post in Rescuing a Sheepdog. Josh is right - start with one. The grooming alone is time consuming and tedious. Sheepies are also very intelligent and very headstrong. If they agree with what you want them to do, they'll do it. Otherwise, they won't! Takes a lot of patience to get them through the "teen-age" stage. Once you get past all that, this is the only breed to have, in my humble opinion. Like you, I had always wanted a sheepie from the time I was a child. We've now had sheepies for 26 years, and what I didn't know when we adopted our first rescue was enough to fill 10 books! It's a continual learning experience, much like parenthood (don't get me started on THAT subject!). Anyway, good luck in your search, and keep us posted! Chris |
Drezzie's Mom wrote: It's a continual learning experience, much like parenthood (don't get me started on THAT subject!).
Lol. At least you can put a diaper on a kid and you don't have to brush him an hour a day I wouldn't trade Clyde for anything but it's true! |
| May not have to brush them, but if you get colicky ones (like my two boys were), you have to walk them 24 hours a day to keep them quiet, lol
Welcome to the forum! I'm pretty new to sheepies, have only had Jasper for about 3 months, but it's been an adventure! I wouldn't trade it for anything. I'd say start with one also, but I have 2 & 3 year old sons too, so our house is constantly busy now. We stayed BUSY before Jasper. LOL Jasper is a lot like a new baby in a lot of ways though! Enjoy your sheepie(s) when you get it(them). |
| Before you talk about breeding, please do ALOT of research!!! There are so many physical problems your breeding could add to the gene pool. This is especially true when sheepdogs are in limited supply in an area. You need to know what makes a healthy, structurally sound dog.
Also, as a breeder are you willing to take back any dog? No matter what?? Do some research on the responsiblities of the breeder. There is a major sheepdog rescuer in Clyde Texas. Go see what she has to contend with from irresponsible breeders. You can find her through Heart to Heart OES Rescue. www.heart2heartoesrescue.com Anyway, I'm sure you could get some practice grooming sheepies at her place. It would be a great way to learn about the breed. Who knows your heart may change and you'll end up caring for sheepies in need.......it is extremely rewarding to give a new start to abused and neglected dogs. Both dogs in my avatar are rescues......gee, every dog in my house is a rescue...6 of 'em. |
I looked forever for anything even remotley around Abilene TX, and i just can't beleive that there is a rescue in Clyde that's only about 20 to 30 min. My Fiance grandparents live there!!! I think that going and helping out will give me great experience and knida quelch the impulse urge to buy one. If i do breed OES's it would be in like 3-5 years down the road. I would definatly know all i could know before starting life, responsibilty is key. I just don't want to be laughed  at b/c i don't even own one yet and i m already talking about breeding. It probably won't happen i just get a tad nit excited when it come to OES's. Thanks again for all the good advice and im on my way to check out that rescue place in Clyde!!!
Shannon |
| Shannon,
It's OK. I was exactly the same way......I wanted to breed and play with all the puppies. Well, that never happened. Breeding our Siberian and placing two litters was enough, thank you. Plus I was learning about sheepdogs (by then I had one) and dysplasia, structure, eye problems, etc etc. Litters are not easy, the bitch can die or complications arrise which requires immediate vet attention and a bill starting around $700. No thanks. Instead, by getting involved in rescue, I meet many new sheepdogs, can love them and snuggle them and tearfully send them off to their new homes. Much easier, more rewarding and most come housetrained. |
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