Just a general question, regarding Old English Sheepdogs... I've seen them at shows and have always had a soft spot for them. I've done some research about them but would love to hear what they're actually like to live with from people who have them?

Look forward to reading all about them :-)

Glorious - but then I am biased!  I grew up with them, and have them myself now.  They were great playmates when we were children, and my current lot often come into school with me and spend time with my class.  As long as you are prepared to care for the coat, even if you are going to keep them clipped it will still need regular grooming, and can put in the time for (gentle reward based) training they are delightful.  They need to learn from a young age to accept grooming, and preferably to lie still on a table (mine go to sleep).  They have a lovely sense of humour and (in my experience) are very human orientated and keen to please. They don't do well left alone for long periods and do need quite a considerable amount of stimulation and exercise to remain fit and happy.   Even our more stubborn ones would do as they were told, even if they answered you back under their breath as they were doing it!  They are a large and strong dog, and can be exhuberant and boisterous if left to their own devices and are protective of their family and property, but ours have never been barky - and if you do hear that 'distinctive toned bark' you know there is something there!  Thinking back although always sociable with everyone, all of ours have always been one-woman/man dogs at heart, and clearly had a favourite.  With our family dogs it was usually our Mum and luckily for me, my current brood all love me most!  For me there are few other breeds that hit the mark,and I will always have OES as long as I am physically fit enough to manage them.

I've known a couple very well though never owned one (I do own a similarly heavy long coated breed though).

I cannot emphasise enough the need to get a pup used to being stood on a grooming table, brushed, combed, showered, dried etc from day 1. It is likely to be a two person job to start with, one feeding treats in one end whilst you brush the other end, and expect to spend a small fortune on grooming equipment and shampoo and conditioner!

I honestly would  NOT suggest anyone get a breed like this if they are not prepared to do much of the grooming themselves, even if after six months or a year you decide you willa ctually take him to a groomers to do the really big jobs, the benefits of having done all that groundwork yourself will make a huge huge difference.

It is extremely hard work if you have a dog  you haven't really the facitilities to groom yourself AND hes muckied his copybook with every groomer in the district (as my friend with a St Bernard found out, though not her fault, he was aggressive and hated being groomed way before she got him!).

Personality/behaviour wise - these are a big dog, the coat is big but believe me, the dog under it is a solid chap too. Lots of socialisation and although I'd say this with any dog, never EVER teach a dog like this not to growl, because particularly when they are full coated, their facial language is incredibly hard to read and if they have had their growl removed by punishment training, they really CAN 'turn without warning' (in inverted commas because obviously its THERE you just can't see it so well).

They are clowns and they are funny with little foibles of their own. They like to herd and keep everyone in a group so do beware of this when out and about as they can decide that a group of peopel MUST stay together... even if they actually are all strangers! More usually they will try and keep the family together and won't like it if you split up and wander off!

Brought well they are a lovely dog and I would love to have one one day, but if not given enough to do they WILL figure out their own games and that can easily turn into learning that barking is FUN - with sufficient mental and physical stimulation that won't happen but if you slip there and accidentally they hit on shouting as a way to get attention, believe meits a BIG noise and a pain in the bum to sort out. One of the ones I knew had learned to throw his ball down places hard to reach th en shout at his Mum to get it... and then when she tried hed dash off and get the ball and repeat the process. He would also shout constantly the minute the car turned for the park (and the park ha da LONG access road, you could hear them coming half a mile off he made so much noise!). However to counter that, this was a dog left for long periods on his own and somewhat misunderstood and not given nearly enough things to do!

as I have beardies.. I agree with all of the above... you have got to be prepared to groom.. beautiful breed bigger than my own chosen breed but definitely a close second for me..

Thank you so much for your stories! Old English Sheepdogs sound just how I imagine them to be, and reading your experiences make me want one all the more!! Unfortunately I'm not in a position to have one yet, but hopefully one day, maybe! I'm in a groomed breed so I'm aware of the grooming aspect. They just sound like jumpy bundles of fun :-)

they are fantastic breed ,,but not for the faint harted,,,dedication must be 100% but the reward is double ,ive been owned by them all my life and will have as long as I can x

i love the breed been the proud owner of 2 i lost my first girl at 14 yrs old and my second at 16 yrs old. They are hard work in keeping their coats in tip top condition.Although i kept their coats groomed both my girls still went off the the groomers every month until they become too old to stand comfortably to have their coats stripped. When that time came i had their coats clipped. They are incredibly loyal dogs intelligent and protective and they are full of fun and a joy to have around. I would have another in a heartbeat but my circumstances will not allow that at this time .

Aww they sound like such characters! Definitely on the top of my wish list :-)