Animal register · DogIn the app
Old English Sheepdog
Bobtail, Bob-tail, OES, Shepherd's Dog
The Old English Sheepdog is a large, strong, square-looking sheepdog from Great Britain with a profuse, harsh, shaggy coat: any shade of grey, grizzle or blue on the body, with a white head, neck and forequarters (FCI breed standard). The FCI standard gives a height of 61 cm and upwards for males and 56 cm and upwards for females; PDSA gives an average height of 56–61 cm and an average weight of 27–30 kg. A dog of this size is fully grown at about 15–18 months (PetMD); PDSA gives a lifespan of over 10 years and PetMD 10–12 years.
PDSA writes that the breed needs at least two hours of exercise a day, split into several walks, and that the long coat needs a daily brush and a trim at a professional groomer every six weeks or so. It describes easy-going family pets that are better suited to families with older children, can suffer from separation anxiety when left alone, have a strong herding and prey drive, and advises leaving a gap between eating and exercise.
Available in the 12-week PetPrep Challenge (paid breed).
Updated:
At a glance
- Size
- large — PDSA S705
- Adult weight
- males 27–30 kg, females 27–30 kg — PDSA S705
- Daily exercise
- at least 2 hours a day — PDSA S705
- Brushing
- every day — PDSA S705
Key facts from the sources at the bottom of the page. Where sources differ, each value is listed.
Who it suits
The same tags as in the app. Each tag is backed by the sources listed at the bottom of the page.
What it needs
From breed standards, kennel clubs, veterinary charities and studies. Where sources differ, each one is shown.
Questions and answers
Answered only from the sourced facts on this page; every answer names its sources.
How much exercise does an Old English Sheepdog need?
According to our sources, the Old English Sheepdog needs this much exercise: at least 2 hours a day — PDSA S705.
How long does an Old English Sheepdog live?
According to our sources, the lifespan of the Old English Sheepdog is: more than 10 years — PDSA S705; 10–12 years — PetMD S706. The sources give different values, so each one is listed.
How big does an Old English Sheepdog get and how much does it weigh?
Size and adult weight of the Old English Sheepdog, according to our sources: Size: large — PDSA S705; Adult weight: males 27–30 kg, females 27–30 kg — PDSA S705.
How much grooming does an Old English Sheepdog need?
Coat and grooming of the Old English Sheepdog, according to our sources: Brushing: every day — PDSA S705; Coat: long — PDSA S705.
Who is the Old English Sheepdog a good fit for?
Our sources describe the Old English Sheepdog as a good fit for: an active family — PDSA S705; family life — PDSA S705. Keep in mind: needs lots of exercise every day — PDSA S705; large dog — not for homes with small children — PDSA S705; loves company — best with someone home most of the day — PDSA S705; needs brushing several times a week — PDSA, PetMD S705S706; strong prey drive — may chase small pets — PDSA S705.
Game rules, not veterinary advice
How PetPrep simulates it
In PetPrep one real week is one month of the pet's life. These are the rules the game uses for this breed. PetPrep chose them from the sources on this page; they are not care instructions for a real animal.
| Life stage | Starts | Meals a day | Daily step goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy | arrives at 2 months | 4; from month 3: 3; from month 6: 2 | 1,000 steps per month of age (2,000 on arrival), up to 12,000 from month 12 |
| Young dog | month 9 | 2 | 9,000 → 12,000 steps |
| Adult | month 36 (3 years) | 2 | 12,000 steps |
| Senior | month 90 (7.5 years) | 2 | 9,000 steps |
- Step goal = minutes of daily exercise × 100 steps: an adult gets 2 hours, so 12,000 steps a day.
- Learns commands more slowly than the mixed breed of the free plan (0.7× its speed).
- Becomes a senior in month 90 (7.5 years) — the last quarter of the breed's expected lifespan.
- Walks count real steps from Apple Health or Health Connect (with permission, read-only) and the phone's motion sensor — no GPS.
- Combing 7 times a week.
- Care: a visit to the groomer every 6 weeks — a reminder for the parent.
Each game number is a PetPrep decision recorded with its sources. — PetMD, AAHA, Dogs Trust, ASPCA, VCA Animal Hospitals, The Royal Kennel Club, Purdue University Canine Welfare Science, Wikipedia, British Journal of Sports Medicine, PDSA S10S11S14S18S19S21S24S35S45S705
Common Old English Sheepdog owner mistakes
Small habits that cause bigger problems — each point comes from the sources of this breed.
- Too little daily exerciseExercise needed: at least 2 hours a day. Plan it into every day, not only at weekends. — PDSA S705
- Skipping coat careBrushing: every day. — PDSA S705
- Forgetting that the puppy is still growingAdult size reached at: about 15–18 months (guidance for its size class). Until then, plan exercise and food for a young animal that is still growing, and ask your vet what suits yours. — PetMD S10
- Overlooking the breed's known health issuesHip dysplasia, a poorly developed hip joint that can lead to arthritis, occurs in the breed; breeders are advised to have the parents' hips scored. Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), where the stomach twists, can occur in the breed — it is an emergency that needs a vet straight away. Deafness in one or both ears occurs in the breed; puppies' hearing can be checked with a BAER test. Cataracts, which cloud the lens of the eye and can lead to vision loss, can occur in the breed. — PDSA S705
In PetPrep a child practises exactly these habits — steps, meals, care — before the real pet comes home.
Health
For information only, not vet-reviewed. Ask your vet about your own animal.
- Hip dysplasia, a poorly developed hip joint that can lead to arthritis, occurs in the breed; breeders are advised to have the parents' hips scored. — PDSA S705
- Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), where the stomach twists, can occur in the breed — it is an emergency that needs a vet straight away. — PDSA S705
- Deafness in one or both ears occurs in the breed; puppies' hearing can be checked with a BAER test. — PDSA S705
- Cataracts, which cloud the lens of the eye and can lead to vision loss, can occur in the breed. — PDSA S705
Before you buy: what to check with the breeder
Questions to settle before you take a puppy home. The points are advice from vets, welfare charities and kennel clubs; each cites its source.
For every breed
- See the puppy with its mother, where it was born. — PDSA, RSPCA K1K2
- The puppy should not leave its mother before 8 weeks of age. — PDSA K1
- Ask for the pedigree. Under FCI rules a pedigree may be issued for correct parentage only. — FCI K7
- Ask to see the health-test results of both parents. Which tests matter depends on the breed. — PDSA, British Veterinary Association, FOUR PAWS UK K1K9K10
- National kennel clubs can set breeding rules that go beyond the FCI's — ask the breed club which tests the parents need. — FCI K7
- Ask for a written sale contract that records the puppy's background and health. — British Veterinary Association, FOUR PAWS UK K9K10
Laws on the minimum age, microchipping and vaccination differ by country — check the rules where you live.
Health tests of the parents for this breed
Other screening schemes for this breed
- Hip X-ray screening for hip dysplasia (UK: BVA/KC scheme) — American Kennel Club K41
- Eye examination by a veterinary eye specialist (UK: BVA/KC/ISDS scheme; for some breeds with gonioscopy) — American Kennel Club K41
- Thyroid testing of the parents — American Kennel Club K41
- DNA test for exercise-induced collapse (EIC) — American Kennel Club K41
These lists come from the UK's Royal Kennel Club and are an orientation; national kennel clubs can set their own, stricter rules. Ask the breed club and the breeder which tests the parents have done.
Similar breeds
Other dogs in the register with similar needs — each with sourced facts.
Sources
Every fact on this page cites one of these sources.
- S10PetMD — S. C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVP, 2025-05-20 — When Do Dogs Stop Growing?https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/when-do-dogs-stop-growing
- S11AAHA — 2019 AAHA Canine Life Stage Guidelines — Canine life stage definitionshttps://www.aaha.org/resources/life-stage-canine-2019/canine-life-stage-definitions/
- S14Dogs Trust (UK) — Caring for an older doghttps://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/life-with-your-dog/at-home/looking-after-an-older-dog
- S18ASPCA — General Dog Carehttps://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/general-dog-care
- S19VCA Animal Hospitals (2025-02-21) — Feeding Times and Frequency for Your Doghttps://vcahospitals.com/pets-first/know-your-pet/feeding-times-and-frequency-for-your-dog
- S21The Royal Kennel Club (UK) — Puppy feeding tipshttps://www.royalkennelclub.com/health-and-dog-care/health-dog-care/health/health-and-care/a-z-of-health-and-care-issues/puppy-feeding-tips
- S24Purdue University Canine Welfare Science (content: Pet Leadership Council 2019, bedogsmart.com) — Dog Fitness and Exercise (PDF)https://caninewelfare.centers.purdue.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Dog-Fitness-and-Exercise.pdf
- S35Wikipedia — The Intelligence of Dogshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Intelligence_of_Dogs
- S45British Journal of Sports Medicine (2018) — Tudor-Locke C. et al. How fast is fast enough? Walking cadence (steps/min) as a practical estimate of intensity in adults. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2017-097628https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6029645
- S704FCI — Breeds nomenclature — Old English Sheepdog (16)https://fci.be/en/nomenclature/OLD-ENGLISH-SHEEPDOG-16.html
- S705PDSA — Old English Sheepdog breed informationhttps://pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/large-dogs/old-english-sheepdog
- S706PetMD — Sarah Mouton Dowdy, MA, reviewed by Barri J. Morrison, DVM (updated 2023-07-24) — Old English Sheepdoghttps://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/c_dg_old_english_sheepdog
- K1PDSA — Getting a puppyhttps://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/getting-a-puppy
- K2RSPCA — Buying a puppyhttps://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/puppy
- K7FCI (copy hosted by Norsk Kennel Klub) — International Breeding Rules of the FCIhttps://nkk2023.stage22.coretrek.no/getfile.php/131987377-1520848467/Dokumenter/Registrering/FCIs%20avlsregler%202013.pdf
- K9British Veterinary Association — What should you consider when buying a puppy?https://www.bva.co.uk/news-and-blog/blog-article/what-should-you-consider-when-buying-a-puppy/
- K10FOUR PAWS UK — Questions to ask when buying a puppyhttps://www.four-paws.org.uk/our-stories/publications-guides/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-puppy
- K41American Kennel Club — Herding Group Health Testing Requirements (breeder programs)https://www.akc.org/breeder-programs/breed-health-testing-requirements/herding-group-health-testing-requirements/
PetPrep is a simulation for families. This page is not veterinary advice — for a real animal, ask a vet or the breed club.
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