Old English Sheepdog vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison

Old English Sheepdog vs Boston Terrier - Breed ComparisonOld English Sheepdog is originated from United Kingdom but Boston Terrier is originated from United States. Old English Sheepdog may grow 17 cm / 7 inches higher than Boston Terrier. Old English Sheepdog may weigh 34 kg / 75 pounds more than Boston Terrier. Both Old English Sheepdog and Boston Terrier has almost same life span. Old English Sheepdog may have more litter size than Boston Terrier. Old English Sheepdog requires Moderate maintenance. But Boston Terrier requires Low maintenance

History

old english sheepdog - historyThe origin of the Old English Sheepdog is unclear as records weren’t kept. However there are some aspects that suggest the dog originated in the 19th century and that the Scottish Bearded Collie had a significant part in the development of this dog which hails from England.

It is also believed that the Russian Owtchar was involved in the development of the Old English Sheepdog. The dog was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1888. In 1904, the Old English Sheepdog Club of America was also founded.

The shape of the dog has changed very little over the years and it was in the 1880s that the dog was exported to the United States.

boston terrier - historyNicknamed the American Gentleman, the Boston Terrier is the result of crossing the British Bulldog with the white English Terrier. At first the Boston Terrier was bred to be a fighting dog, but since then, undesirable characteristics have been bred out and today the Boston Terrier is regarded as an indoor dog that doesn’t tolerate extreme weather conditions.

The breed emerged in the 1870s when Robert Hooper from Boston bought a dog thought to be a mix of a Terrier and Bull type lineage. A specialist breed club was formed in 1891 and in 1979 the commonwealth of Massachusetts named the Boston Terrier the Official State Dog. By the 20th century, the breed’s color and patterns were standard and an essential feature.

Description

old english sheepdog puppy - descriptionThe Old English Sheepdog is a large dog standing at between 50 and 60cm and weighing between 27 and 45kg.

He is muscular with a broad bottom and hip area. The head is also large and the small ears are carried flat. The tail has always been docked, giving the dog a large panda-bear look to him, but these days the tail is often left long, and the dog loses that square compact look.

When the tail is left long it is well feathered. The coat can become fairly long and is quite harsh and wavy to straight. The coat is essentially grey with white hair over the head area. The puppies are born with their hair being black and white, and later on the traditional grey coloring comes in.

What is quite interesting with this dog is that it stands lower at the shoulder than at the loins, so just like a Panda bear, he also lopes or walks in a bear-like fashion.

Temperament:

The Old English Sheepdog isn’t an aggressive dog. He is social, intelligent and entertaining for his human family, whom he loves to spend time with.

He is an energetic dog too and he would prefer a country setting where there are large fields to run in as opposed to living on a tiny property in the city. He is an adaptable dog though, and will slot into life in the city or suburbs, so long as he is well exercised.

Train him and socialize him and he will become an obedient, amicable pet to have around.

boston terrier puppy - descriptionThe Boston Terrier is a lively, strong-willed breed with an alert expression and fairly large, erect ears. He is a small to medium sized dog and his square muzzle puts him among the Bull breeds. The dog is compact in build and varies quite significantly in size. Weight with the dog is actually divided into 3 categories – lightweight (under 6.8kg), middleweight (up to 9kg) and the heavyweights being between 9.1kg and up to 11.4kg. The Boston has a short head and a naturally short, low-set tail. The coat is short and smooth, and the colour can be brindle with white markings, brown and white or black and white.

It’s the energetic liveliness of the Boston Terrier that makes him such a lovable and popular pet. He has an affectionate, gentle nature that makes him a fantastic family pet and he gets on well with children and pets in the home. He can adapt to city or country life. One or two interesting facts of this breed are -

with his short nose, he is prone to drool and snore

he is prone to corneal ulcers because of his large, somewhat protruding eyes

with a small pelvis, the females often battle with the birthing process and may require a caesarean section.

Characteristics

old english sheepdog dog - characteristicsThe Old English Sheepdog is the ideal dog for a family pet. They love spending time with their human family and are affectionate and loyal, getting on well with children as well as other pets.

From the time he is a puppy, you can see that he is fun-loving and easy going while also being intelligent. He is also a guardian and wants to protect his human family.

Provide him with the opportunity to get out into the country sometimes if you don’t live on a farm because he is essentially a farm dog. He used to be a herding dog and likes to be busy. Treat him well and have him trained and socialized and he’ll make you a superb pet.

boston terrier dog - characteristicsThe Boston Terrier is such a sweet little dog, but you can’t really say what your puppy’s personality will be as personality varies quite a bit between individual Boston’s. Remember that just like with a human child, your puppy will turn out with characteristics that can be attributed to the way he was raised. The Boston just loves his human family and he wants to be part of all your activities, even though he may gravitate towards one favorite family member.

Your Boston can be your Best Friend

Your Boston is a Terrier and that means he is full of life and will require being exercised by you. He can’t just be left outdoors day after day because this is one particular breed that can’t adapt to changing weather conditions. He likes being inside where the temperature is more even. Look after your Boston, because if you do, you’ll be rewarded by having one of the best friends you’ve ever had.

Health Problems

old english sheepdog puppies - health problemsIt is estimated that the beautiful Old English Sheepdog can live to be about 10, 11 or 12 years of age if he is looked after well. Just like with other dog breeds though, this particular dog is also prone to some of the common dog diseases there are.

Some of these diseases include hip dysplasia, diabetes, eye diseases and deafness along with some skin problems.

Diabetes:

As a chronic disease, Diabetes can affect dogs as well as other animals and humans. Diabetes in dogs can’t be cured but it can be managed, with Diabetes Mellitus being the kind of diabetes most seen in dogs. Whatever kind of diabetes your pet has, the negative effects remain the same.

Cancer:

It can be devastating when your dog has been with you for about 10 years, to discover that he has cancer. Of course, cancer is the leading cause of death found in dogs older than the age of 10.

Many cancers are curable if you catch them early. Malignant lymphoma is a common cancer with dogs but there are other cancers too. The warning signs of cancer in dogs are much the same as what you get with humans. You’ll discover a lump or even an injury that won’t heal. There could also be abnormal bleeding.

Skin Problems:

There are many different kinds of skin problems seen in dogs, some of which are more common than others. You’ll notice your dog licking a part of the body so that the hair disappears and the skin becomes exposed.

There are skin problems started because of inadequate diet and lack of nutrition. There are plenty of commercially manufactured pet foods that don’t have the right amount of vitamins and minerals your pet needs. Always buy a good quality one to fight these very aggravating skin allergies. A vet may give hydrocortisone products but many dog owners these days try to treat their dogs with natural products.

boston terrier puppies - health problemsBoston Terriers are generally healthy, feisty little dogs but it is always wise to know that you may well come across some health conditions that can affect your pet.

Eye Problems

Your Boston may well have to contend with cataracts, and in the dog world, this isn’t only an ailment for old dogs. Juvenile cataracts can develop in young puppies already. Cherry Eye is another eye problem with a prolapse of the gland of the third eyelid. It is also an eye disease than can be found in young dog of less than a year old.

Deafness

Boston Terriers actually have a fairly high incidence of deafness in one or both ears. White Bostons tend to produce more puppies with deafness.

Brachycephalic Syndrome

The Boston Terrier is a brachycephalic dog and therefore more predisposed to Brachyphalic Syndrome where the dog battles to breathe because of too much soft tissue which forms in the airways.

To avoid many dog diseases with your Boston, buy your puppy from a reputable dog breeder who screens dogs used in a breeding program as this prevents puppies inheriting genetic disorders.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

old english sheepdog dogs - caringFood allergies are caused by your dog eating food with ‘bad’ ingredients which don’t agree with him. Make sure your pet has a wholesome diet.

Invest in the very best quality commercially manufactured food. Home-made food is always a wonderful treat for any dog but it needs to be kept simple. No exotic, spicy foods and no suddenly changing your pet’s diet.

Simple, nutritional boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and vegetables such as sweet potato, carrots and spinach added into his kibble as a treat will do wonders for your pet and he will thank you for keeping his meals tasty and simple. A little bit of raw meat added in occasionally can also do him the world of good. Fresh, cool water must always be available.

Grooming:

The Old English Sheepdog is quite a high maintenance dog, what with that long hair and all, and some owners of this dog prefer to take him to the parlor to have the hair sheared and wash, otherwise it could become a mammoth task for a dog owner.

If you opt to keep the hair long, you may end up having to be constantly brushing your pet’s coat to prevent it tangling. Not only that, if you live in a hot area, cutting the hair can help towards keeping the dog cool.

The ears of your dog should be checked regularly for infection as well as the eyes, and keep the nails clipped as well.

Exercise

boston terrier dogs - caringThe Boston Terrier is a lively dog, and even though he doesn't have any extreme exercise requirements, he will still require you exercising him by taking him on walks, or having ball games with him. As an essentially indoor dog, he can even enjoy some quieter indoor games.

Feeding

You’ll be able to gauge how much your pet requires in terms of high quality food, but by the time he is an adult, he usually has one or two bowls of food a day. Size and age play an important role in determining his eating habits. Home made foods made up of rice, meat and vegetables are always welcome for your pet and these can be added into his top quality commercially produced dog food. For a healthy dog who is free of skin problems include some raw meat in the diet from time to time. Always make sure that there is a bowl of fresh, cool water which is available 24/7.

Grooming

With his short coat, the Boston Terrier isn’t a heavy shedder and is low maintenance in terms of keeping his coat groomed. Brush him at least twice a week to remove loose hairs and to also prevent flea and tick infestations. Brush his teeth 2 or 3 times a week to ensure no plaque build-up which can damage the teeth. Never use human toothpaste, but invest in special toothpaste and -brush for dogs. If he is essentially an indoor dog, you may have to get the vet to trim his nails too.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Terrier dog
Origin:
United Kingdom
United States
Height Male:
50 - 60 cm
19 - 24 inches
38 - 43 cm
14 - 17 inches
Height Female:
50 - 60 cm
19 - 24 inches
36 - 41 cm
14 - 17 inches
Weight Male:
27 - 45 kg
59 - 100 pounds
7 - 11 kg
15 - 25 pounds
Weight Female:
27 - 45 kg
59 - 100 pounds
5 - 11 kg
11 - 25 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
11 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 10
1 - 6
Size:
Large dog
Small dog
Other Names:
The Shepherd's Dog, Bobtail
Boston Bull, Boston Bull Terrier, American Gentlemen
Colors Available:
Grey and white
Brindle with white markings, Brown and white or black and white.
Coat:
Long and fluffy
Short and smooth
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Boston Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  2. Boston Terrier vs Border Terrier - Breed Comparison
  3. Boston Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  4. Boston Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  5. Jack Russell Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Miniature Schnauzer vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  7. Cairn Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  8. Rat Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Scottish Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  10. Patterdale Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  11. Bull Terrier Miniature vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  12. Norwich Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  13. Norfolk Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  14. English White Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  15. Parson Russell Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  16. Russell Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  17. Feist vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  18. Manchester Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  19. Dandie Dinmont Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  20. Miniature Fox Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Cesky Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  22. Glen of Imaal Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  23. Schnorkie vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  24. Sealyham Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  25. Chilean Fox Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Old English Sheepdog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  27. Old English Sheepdog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  28. Old English Sheepdog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  29. Old English Sheepdog vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  30. Old English Sheepdog vs Bouvier des Flandres - Breed Comparison
  31. Old English Sheepdog vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  32. Old English Sheepdog vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  33. Old English Sheepdog vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  34. Old English Sheepdog vs Czechoslovakian Wolfdog - Breed Comparison
  35. Old English Sheepdog vs Mioritic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  36. Rough Collie vs Old English Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  37. Saarlooswolfhond vs Old English Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  38. Perro de Pastor Mallorquin vs Old English Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  39. South Russian Ovcharka vs Old English Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  40. Samoyed vs Old English Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  41. Old English Sheepdog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  42. Old English Sheepdog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  43. Old English Sheepdog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  44. Old English Sheepdog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  45. Old English Sheepdog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  46. Old English Sheepdog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  47. Old English Sheepdog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  48. Old English Sheepdog vs Labradoodle - Breed Comparison
  49. Old English Sheepdog vs Cane Corso - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds