There are hundreds of breeds of dogs and each one of them has their own personality and quirks. What makes a great canine companion for one family may not be the best choice for another. If you are considering an old English Sheepdog and are thinking about adding one to your family here are a few things that you need to think about before getting one.
If you want a small dog you may want to look for a different breed. These canines can weigh as much as one hundred pounds and males can reach up to twenty-two inches in height. Females are smaller but not by much. Surprisingly, though, they can do well in a small home or even an apartment. You will need to exercise them quite a bit but if they have a chance to be active with their family then they can handle living in a smaller home.
If you are looking for a dog that gets along well with people and is easy to socialize you will likely be in luck with an old English as these dogs tend to be quite outgoing and friendly. It is still important for you to introduce them to as many different people and situations as you can before they reach maturity. This way if you use positive reinforcement when they do meet new people you can help ensure that you have a friendly, non-aggressive canine companion.
One area where these dogs may be harder to deal with is their fur. They have a lot of it and it can be fluffy and hard to work with. If you don't care about having a dog with long hair you can keep your sheepdog clipped short but if you want it to be long you can expect to spend a lot of time clipping, brushing and washing your dog to keep mats and tangles from forming.
Because they are not primarily guard dogs you may find that they bark less than some other breeds. This may help to make them a great choice for apartment dwellers as they are less likely to annoy people in other units. Of course, any dog will make a certain amount of noise and there is no way to escape that but this dog can be a great choice if you do not want a noisy dog.
You do need to be aware that there are some health conditions that this breed is prone to. Like other large breed dogs, they can have problems with their hips. Hip dysplasia is a painful condition that results when hip joints do not form properly. A good breeder will work to make sure their dogs do not suffer from it but it can take time for this condition to become apparent and by that time the dog will likely have been taken into someone's home.
If you do get an old English it is important for you to make sure that you are feeding them properly. Because they are large breed dogs they need a food that will support rapid growth in their first year. A good quality large breed puppy food is essential and can ensure your puppy grows into a happy, healthy adult.
Once you have your pup there are a few ways that you can help make sure that your dog is happy and well-adjusted. Puppy classes can provide the opportunity to meet other people and dogs. Obedience classes can help you train your dog so that it does not jump up on people and so that it walks better on a leash.
If you want a small dog you may want to look for a different breed. These canines can weigh as much as one hundred pounds and males can reach up to twenty-two inches in height. Females are smaller but not by much. Surprisingly, though, they can do well in a small home or even an apartment. You will need to exercise them quite a bit but if they have a chance to be active with their family then they can handle living in a smaller home.
If you are looking for a dog that gets along well with people and is easy to socialize you will likely be in luck with an old English as these dogs tend to be quite outgoing and friendly. It is still important for you to introduce them to as many different people and situations as you can before they reach maturity. This way if you use positive reinforcement when they do meet new people you can help ensure that you have a friendly, non-aggressive canine companion.
One area where these dogs may be harder to deal with is their fur. They have a lot of it and it can be fluffy and hard to work with. If you don't care about having a dog with long hair you can keep your sheepdog clipped short but if you want it to be long you can expect to spend a lot of time clipping, brushing and washing your dog to keep mats and tangles from forming.
Because they are not primarily guard dogs you may find that they bark less than some other breeds. This may help to make them a great choice for apartment dwellers as they are less likely to annoy people in other units. Of course, any dog will make a certain amount of noise and there is no way to escape that but this dog can be a great choice if you do not want a noisy dog.
You do need to be aware that there are some health conditions that this breed is prone to. Like other large breed dogs, they can have problems with their hips. Hip dysplasia is a painful condition that results when hip joints do not form properly. A good breeder will work to make sure their dogs do not suffer from it but it can take time for this condition to become apparent and by that time the dog will likely have been taken into someone's home.
If you do get an old English it is important for you to make sure that you are feeding them properly. Because they are large breed dogs they need a food that will support rapid growth in their first year. A good quality large breed puppy food is essential and can ensure your puppy grows into a happy, healthy adult.
Once you have your pup there are a few ways that you can help make sure that your dog is happy and well-adjusted. Puppy classes can provide the opportunity to meet other people and dogs. Obedience classes can help you train your dog so that it does not jump up on people and so that it walks better on a leash.
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You can get a summary of the things to consider before choosing an Old English Sheepdog breeder at http://www.shaggeybarkoes.com right now.
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