As a teenager a had one of these dogs he was the best dog...... Just a thought though
..I never see any of these about anymore... Why????  Are people not breeding these as much any more

Simple large dog with a coat needing a  lot of care/professional grooming = Expensive dog to maintain.

Fashion driven ownership fuelled by advertising/films etc sadly ahs moved to other breeds, hence the huge welfare issue with sled dog breeds and their crosses, designer crossbreeds (due to celeb ownership) and now French bulldogs..

It's such a shame there lovely dogs....

That they are! But then I would say that as my lounge floor is currently covered in OES all snoozing! I do agree that their size and grooming needs put a lot of people off, and they can be boisterous youngsters who need a firm but kind hand, HOWEVER I also think that once a breed declines in popularity it becomes a vicious circle. I couldn't count the amount of times that I say 'ooh why did you choose to have a lab/cocker/whatever etc (no offence to lovers of these breeds!)?' to be met with the answer 'my neighbour/friend etc has one'
Now I'm not saying people shouldn't choose a breed because they know a lovely example of one,and it may indeed be the perfect type of dog for them, but I also think that a little open mindedness might lead people to find a less popular breed that they've never seen in the flesh before that might suit them perfectly, once they look into it. A friend of mine was recently looking to buy their first ever dog, and was going to have a very popular breed which was totally unsuitable for them but a breed they had met a lot of,however after being encouraged to go to discover dogs,then spend time visiting breeders and a breed show is now the proud owner of a Tibetan spaniel puppy.  Lots of people who meet my dogs realise that an adult oes coat is not necessarily a DAILY commitment,even if kept in full show coat, as well as seeing what great family dogs they are.

When me and my partner decided on a dog I looked around for an oes puppy and was really struggling.... We would have continued looking but we rehomed a lab that was going to the shelter... We now have 2 labs but always admire the oes and would still love one

There's two in my village. Lovely, gentle dogs.

They are gorgeous, but even though I am a groomer I couldn't manage that sort of coat on such a big dog! Happy to have a coated breed (I have an American cocker as well as my Cavs, and a secret lust for a Maltese), but couldn't manage that size of dog!