wanting an 8 month old

Hey all, I have been searching for a dog for sometime now. I found an old english sheepdog up for adoption that is only 8 months old, houstrained and has a little obediance training, and caught up on his shots and all of that. I just have some general questions about this breed. How much do these dogs eat a day? What would be the best food for them? How much excercise do they need a day? Since it is pretty much summer is the pup going to get really hot with all of his fur? Could I shave the fur some of the fur off to make him cooler? I am just considering this dog I do not know if I am going to get him. Is there anything else that I should know?
Thanks
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First off...Thanks for considering adoption :D

Depending on the size of the dog....food intake can vary...My Panda is 56 lbs and I feed her 3 cups of food a day...1 cup am 2 cups pm....

I also shave her down to 1/4'' during the hot summer months...its a ''look'' to be sure, but I know she is much more comfortable....

these are great family dogs and will love you with all that they can....I will never have another breed again!
Thank you for that info. If it is ok I will tell you a little about my lifestyle, to see if an OES could be the right dog. Most of the time I could give exercise to the dog everyday. Probably between 30 minutes-an hour. Mixing in backyard play with toys,walks, and stimulation indoors. Saturdays and Sundays I will be home all day pretty much. Mondays I leave the house at about 7:00 and get back around 3:40 in the afternoon. Tuesdays- fridays it will be the same thing, but at least one person will be home, but will leave for only about an hour or 2 then come back. I have had dogs a long time ago germen shepherds, but it has been a long time. But I am around dogs all the time usually. I dont really have a shedding preference, but it would be nice if the dog didnt shed too much. While I am gone I was planning on putting the pup in a crate, but since it is summer I will be at my house with the dog all day everyday for the most part. At least this way I can give him time to get used to me, work on training, and all of that. Also my backyard would be considered by most to be medium-large size Does this help?
We have a small to medium size yard....its just perfect for Panda...we play frisbee and throw toys...we walk about 45 min every night...and re: work...my husband is a fireman and is gone for 24 hours at a time...I work the normal 9-5...panda is inside during the day with no crate..she is just a perfect angel.....Im lucky! Crating is great and it sounds like you have an ideal schedule.....It sounds like one lucky dog!
Hi!

I have a 4 month old puppy right now- he eats about 4 cups a day (he was on 3 cups but was not maintaing a proper weight at that amount) He's growing like a weed and gets fed 3x daily. I think most people feed adults 2x daily. I feed Pippin Eagle Pak brand, but you'll have to find the best food for your individual dog, they can have sensitive tummies, so you may find that some foods work better then others. If you check the "POLLS" area there is a big poll on who feeds what brand :)

As far as exercise... well I have a puppy, so he exercises himself pretty well, chasing cats around the house, running after balls and toys, generally being a goofball. We do try to take him for a walk daily... which is good for all of us :) Hopefully some of the other members will chime in on the exercise requirements of their older dogs.

You'll probably find that his adult coat will be starting to come in, which can make grooming very difficult, as a lot of shedding and matting can occur. lots of people clip at that age, just to keep the grooming issues down... They are a grooming intensive dog, so keep that in mind. I would suggest taking a look at the behavior forum, to get an idea of what behaviorally this breed is like.. But they love to be with you, they WILL follow family members around the house all day long... this is NOT a stick it in the yard and forget about it kind of breed
Ok great thanks. I will be doing more research on this breed. Oh haha and I just need to figure out how to cut her with the clippers the correct way.
Well,

She wouldn't be the first sheepdog with a less then perfect haircut! :lol: Thank goodness hair grows back :)
Iriskmj wrote:
Well,

She wouldn't be the first sheepdog with a less then perfect haircut! :lol: Thank goodness hair grows back :)

Haha I guess I will have to learn over time, or take him to the groomer and sit and watch then try to copy that. Also here is a list I have of things the pup will need, please tell me what you think, if I need something else or if I should take something off:
food of of course
food and water bowls
crate
leash
collar
nail clippers
brush
comb
hair clipper
shampoo
bones
toys
and training treats
Check out the grooming forum for specific recommendation for brushes and combs. There are certain types that will work better on OES fur then others.

Oh and a personal recommendation from me, even though it costs more, invest in a rolled leather collar and leather lead- the rolled leather helps keep matts at bay, and the leather leash will give you better control during walks! There's a world of difference between the nylon and leather leashes, I'll never be without a leather leash again!!!
Welcome!! Sheepies are really easy dogs to learn to cut, especially if your aren't REAL paticular (and they are very forgiving if you happen to make a mistake :oops: ). Tasker is considerably bigger than Darcy's Panda but he satill only eats 3 cups of food a day. People are always supriased at how little thses big guys eat.

They do need exercise but not the rough'n tumble can't keep up with them exercise that labs often need, a good long walk will keep them happy.

I LOVE my retractable leash, but I'm walking out in the country where Tasker can easily go out to the end of the 20 feet without bothering anyone or anything. I also use a nylon web collar but my collars come off them minute we come in the house and stay off so matting isn't a problem.

Don't forget balls... balls..... and more balls....... Tasker LOVES balls. Just be sure that they aren't small enough to choke one.

Welcome again and be sure to post pictures :lol:
Is it Domino? What a hunkie baby boy that sheepie is.
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/dis ... id=6387267

Just know that this breed generally loves their humans and has a need to be with them. Most make fantastic companions... 2 1/2 years later I'm still in awe over this breed. They require a lot of grooming if left in full coat... mine took about an 1 1/2 hours to brush out when in full coat and required it once a week (more if the little heathens got rough housing in the bushes! :roll: ). My 4 are all kept short now because I just don't have that kind of time.

You should probably add an I.D. tag to the list that includes your contact number. You might also consider having him microchipped (if he's coming from a rescue, he may already be). And remember to make an appointment to have him vet checked within in few days of arrival so he can get his monthly heartworm meds.

Please keep us posted! :D
Hi,
In regards to shedding, they really don't shed at all.
They have hair instead of fur and like a human they will lose some hair here and there.
With regular brushing I have never seen either of mine shed. Versus my German Shepherd who left hair everywhere he went. When my Shepherd was stil alive I could vaccum twice a day and still pick up dog hair. I hardly even see hair in the vaccum and most likely it's mine :roll:

I feed my dogs approx 4 cups a day. 2 cups in the am and 2 cups in the pm. As for as food goes Sheepies are prone to having sensitive tummys.
I feed my Authority Lamb and Rice (Petsmarts Brand) Whatever you decide to use I would suggest the first ingredient be some kind of meat.
The food I use has no filler...like corn (which can cause allergies)

As for shaving them down... It's very easy. Shave from the neck to the butt then down the legs. That's it. :D

My dogs LOVE frisbees!
Wow thanks for all of this great info. This sounds like a great breed to get into. Tasker's Mom its funny ou mentioned labs, because that was the other breed I was looking at to rescue :D . 6Girls yes it is Domino :D !! I know he looks stunning. Pepsi's Mommy I was looking at that brand of food I just didnt know how it would be, thanks. Now clipping doesnt sound that bad, how often do you all clip your dogs?
You have asked some good questions - and gotten lots of good advice.

The OES shed much less than most breeds - it is like hair-as mentioned. They will shed a lot during coat transitions - but that actually doesn't fall out on your furniture etc. It is more likely to stay on the dog and cause mats. That is where the need for frquent grooming comes in. We did try to clip our previous OES, but did end up taking him to be groomed. The first time I scissored him, and felt like I needed carpal tunnel surgery afterwards! Then we tried a small electric clipper - no good. We raise sheep, so my husband "sheared" him - not the prettiest look. And Ollie was not happy with him. At that point he said - pay to have him clipped, I don't want my dog mad at me for 2 days afterwards!

The OES personality is intense. They are different than any other breed. They need to be right with you, or at least nearby. When we lost Ollie, that was the thing my husband missed the most - just having the company. He didn't whine or be annoying, he was just there. We live on a farm, and Ollie always tagged along whatever we were doing. We did pursue herding training, and he had 2 herding certificates, and also was a good helper with our sheep. These dogs need a job, or something similar to occupy them physically and mentally. They are active, but not hyper.

Bart, our newest OES, is almost 3 and a sweetie. We adopted him a little less than a month ago. He has fit in like he was always here. I strongly recommend going the adoption route if there is a dog that seems like it is a good fit for you.
I clip Tasker twice a year, once in the spring and then again around August. You MUST invest in a good quality pair of clippers, most likely the initial investment will be $100-200. But believe me it is well worth it. If you purchase an inexpensive set of clippers you will get frustrated and give up. A good pair of quality clippers with a well maintained blade will cut through the hair like butter and it will only take you an hour or so to clip a matt free dog. Each time you do it you will get better. The first time I cut Tasker hair I think it took me THREE DAYS (remember guys :oops: ), this last time it took just a little over an hour.

Domino is adorable, I hope you scoop him up!!!
Congrats on thinking about Domino! He's just beautiful!!! Here's a friendly warning though - if you think you'd ever want another breed, don't get a sheepie, because you'll never want another breed again!! :lol: They are addictive!

How often you clip them down is personal preference and how much your dog minds the heat. I cut Drez down about 3x/year, never let her coat get much longer than 4". She just minds the heat too much, even in the dead of winter.

I've been owned by sheepies since 1979, and I wouldn't want it any other way! Can't wait to hear more about Domino.
Congratulations on having a dog again. Being he's a rescue, I would invest in some books to help understand what he's trying to say. Dog Whisper by Jan Fennel seems popular.

Altho he may be housebroken where he's at, you may need to retrain him for your home. A good quality urine remover, petzyme kinda thing.

I have fed Authority as well, I think she liked it. Also Nutro, and now I am on a more organic type, Precise I think. Keep it by product free, and have meat as your #1 ingredient, and it is a better quality.

Yes the hair is a challenge, and before you know it you feel those lumps. Just make sure you are brushing them out BEFORE a bath, or the will be like cement. Our Remy doesn't shed either, and we don't shave, but just scissor cut. Works for me.

keep us posted if you decided on Domino.
your hooked LOL you can get just 1 either. Good luck, I had my first rescue who had weird hair cuts to start. You will learn and laugh alot.
When you said "8 month old boy" I thought it must be this sheepie-boy :D What a doll!

I completely agree with Ginny... I used a cheap set of Osters years ago on my sheepie-mix and it took forever (but I do like them for fannies and feet!). So I use an Oster A5 with the comb attachments to get from 1/4" to 1 1/4" lengths depending upon the time of the year. It takes longer to clip them with the attachment but you leave a pretty even length of longer hair with them. (IF the sheepie sits still for you! Panda can be a challenge sometimes :roll: ) Just be careful if you don't use an attachment... the cutter blades get real hot. They have a spray out there that you use to cool the blades while you clip.

Quote:
if you think you'd ever want another breed, don't get a sheepie, because you'll never want another breed again!! They are addictive!

Ain't that the truth! :lol:

My Border Collie-mix and Schipperke-mix both shed like the dickens. The sheepies don't contribute much at all. And we feed 5 out of 6 Purina ProPlan Extra Care for Sensative Skin and Stomachs. It agrees with my herd.
I hope you get Domino! He appears to be a sweetie pie.

I grew up with OES and knew there was no other breed for me when I became an adult. My husband never had a dog and thought he was allergic...not to our OES. He also says that this is the perfect dog for us and our lifestyle and would never consider anything else. They are the BEST as long as you can maintain the grooming requirements.

Our Annie (9 yrs) goes to the groomer about once a month (approx $60). She is in a puppy cut and kept a bit longer in the winter months. Fozzie (4 months) still has his own puppy cut. He will also go to the groomer once he gets bigger.
Keep us posted!
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