Researching Old English as possible next dog
I'm new here on the forum. I have been looking into several different dog breeds lately and am hoping to get some good information here. My main question is do you that own this breed think it would be a good fit for our household. My family has 4 dogs ( if/when I get the sheepdog it will be after my current shepherd passes away), they range in size from 18 pounds to 86 pounds. Two of them are mutts, one is a choc labrador and one is a german shepherd. I am a licensed wildlife rehabilitator so have lots of baby animals and older creatures coming and going. My shepherd was raised with this and will not harm the babies and thinks any older animals are his to keep safe ect. The labrador cannot be trusted around them as he is all hunter. THe other two are varing degrees in between. I also foster for a dog rescue. The foster dogs are usually small to medium size but can come with any number of issues. My sister and I breed and show a very small group of bunnies. My shepherd seems to think that the bunnies are his to protect. I can trust him with newborn baby bunnies (when I am holding them of course) and even our free range "retired" bunnies that run free in our bunny "barn"( fully inclosed/concrete floor with pads for them ect). My family also does have indoor cats. So in conclusion I am looking for a dog breed that will be comfortable in this kind of a home. I know that any puppy needs to be encouraged/taught to be gentle with small animals. But overall a breed that gets along well with other animals, is takes to training easily, loves to have fun, take walks, is cuddly. I would plan on keeping the dog trimmed down, and not with a full long coat:) To you that own the breed do you think that the Old english sheepdog could be a good fit? Thanks in advance for any advice  |
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| Old English are fun, cuddly clowns. They like to learn new things, but can be very stubborn. It takes them a little longer to learn tricks than other breeds, so patience is a must. They need a lot of excercise, and training and puppy socialising from an early age. My sheepie loves playing with other dogs, he "splats" them and romps with them. As for the bunnies and the cats, he/she will probably try and herd them up but onc they get used to them, they will calmer around them. As with any breed there can be unpredictable behaviour. When young they bite so teach them young to stop biting etc.... they will always nip, but thats the sheepdogg trait. All dogs whatever breed have different personalities, some shy, some nervous, some aggressive, some scared, some outgoing etc... Im only 16 that was my opinion...my mom said she thinks an old english would be a great dog for your household, most are laid back and easy going, as long as they have a "human" to stick to (Oes, are known to be velcro dogs) Good luck  Where are you in the world? Im in UK. Ive found the area you live as well as at home depends on what dog will suit you too |
| Welcome to the forum! I too have a bit of a zoo - not quite as many as you do, but a zoo nonetheless. I've got two cats, two ferrets, two sheepdogs, and four children. Both my my sheepies are puppies, so they are still "learning" about being gentle with small animals. They're big goofy dogs, and really they just want to play, but sometimes don't realize how rough they can be. As of right now, my two girls require supervision with other animals. It sounds like you're pretty used to that with your current dogs. My dogs do not like my cats - but then my cats are kind of jerks, and taunt them mercilessly. I think the girls will eventually grow out of it as they get older. Sheepies do fit in with your other requirements: They are easy to train, they are MADE of fun, love just about any activity you want to do with them, and as far as cuddliness, well, we refer to them as "velcro dogs" for a reason. They just want to BE with you. At least in my zoo of a household, I can't imagine being without a Sheepie (or two!) |
| Sheepies are herders. Our two are constantly chasing or following our seven cats. The cats that are smart enough to NOT run, don't get chased, they get licked I know for a fact that i don't have the patience to try to train a puppy to live in a household as yours, so I wouldn't. However, with your background, I don't see it being a problem. Sa Sam said, Sheepies can learn, you have to be willing to put the time into them. With a Sheepie, you will spend more time grooming it than the other three dogs combined, unless you keep the Sheepie trimmed short. I've owned or grown up with many breeds and I'm finally happiest with a Sheepie or two. No other breed brings the joy, laughter and happiness that these lovable clowns bring. Good luck and let us know what you decide. Posting photos of any prospective puppies would be a good idea. That way we can SEE what you're looking at too. Vance |
| thanks for all the replies everybody! I am in Indiana and have only found a couple of breeders listed online. If anybody knows of any that have websites I would love to get the info. I have contacted one just to get a bit more info on their dogs ect. They are called Feathers and Fleece. Their website is www.feathersandfleece.com. Has anyone here done business with them? I have been doing more reading on this breed and am really really liking them best of the all the ones considered. Our shepherd loved to chase the kitties,bunnies and any other thing that moved when he was a puppy but now is great with them all, if they are in the house. He will still chase the cats/wild rabbits outside but doesn't hurt them. He will herd squirrels away from trees, sneak up on wild bunnies and poke them in the bottom just to see them hop, and has caught a bird in his mouth and spit it out into my hand without hurting it at all. But it took a couple of years of training to get him where he is today and even now he gets lots of praise when he is gentle and reminded to be gentle if he gets a bit pushy with the creatures. So I know that a bouncy herding breed like the oes will need time, patience and training to be gentle with fuzzy "toys":) I think cats have a special gene that makes them pester dogs. Maybe they like hearing us tell the dogs no:) Most of our kitties are over 12 years old and just sit and give the dogs/puppies dirty looks. Again thanks so much for all the replies, I look forward to learning more about this breed. |
| Where in IN are you? I'm in the greater Dayton, OH area, so I could only be a thirty minute drive from you... Vance |
| We are in Central IN, about an hour east of the Ill state line. |
| We looked at feathers and fleece too, and when I asked about them here, I was shown that they are a backyard breeder! Their OES are not checked for hips and elbows like they claim. We are in southwest Michigan. It is difficult to find breeders in IN, i didn't find many in my search. I ended up going to Ann Arbor for my puppy. I believe she has another litter due soon. If you want, I can put you in contact with her. |
| This is the thread that showed me everything that was wrong with Feathers and Fleece: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=37059 |
| It looks like they may have updated their web site a bit recently. I'm in southeastern Indiana and would be happy to meet with you and we can talk sheepdogs for hours! Just drop me a PM. The best resource I know regarding the purchase of an OES was done by our own 6 Girls aka Jaci. You can find this information here: http://www.untilyoufindme.com/Buying-An ... -Puppy.htm |
| Wow, I am already really glad that I joined this forum:) I looked at all the link provided on the mentioned breeder. I would love to have the contact info for the breeder you used Snazzierella. I emailed some questions to the two Indiana breeders listed on the oesca website breeder referral list. I am trying to do all my homework now when I am not in a "hurry" for a puppy to love. I do not want to try to find a good breeder ect when the time comes to say goodbye to our shepherd. I can wait for a well bred puppy ( which we have learned the hard way is the only way to go) much easier if I know right were I can get one rather then try to wade through all the right questions, and cute puppy photos:), ect while grieving. Right now I can look at all those cute pictures and not be in a great hurry to buy one of those little furry teddy bears, well alright not in to great of a hurry anyway:)! They really should have a rule against all those puppy pictures! |
| I will send you a PM with her info! |
Snazzierella, is your new puppy from Beth? She sure is cute  |
| No, my breeder's name is Lynda. |
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