Old English Sheepdog vs English Shepherd - Breed Comparison

Old English Sheepdog vs English Shepherd - Breed ComparisonOld English Sheepdog is originated from United Kingdom but English Shepherd is originated from United States. Both Old English Sheepdog and English Shepherd are having almost same height. Old English Sheepdog may weigh 17 kg / 38 pounds more than English Shepherd. Old English Sheepdog may live 3 years less than English Shepherd. Both Old English Sheepdog and English Shepherd has almost same litter size. Old English Sheepdog requires Moderate maintenance. But English Shepherd 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.

english shepherd - historyThe English Shepherd is another dog with an English name that was developed in the United States. They developed from British farm dogs that were brought to the United States in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries by the Scottish and English as they settled in the New World. Tracing their line through working dogs and collies in Scotland and northern England, the settlers bred them with local dogs and each other. These working farm dogs were called English Shepherds, Scotch Collies, barnyard collie, farm shepherd, the cow dog, and the old fashioned shepherd.

The English Shepherd was appreciated by the settlers and farmers because he was a versatile dog that could herd their flocks and protect their homes as well. They appreciated his intelligence and ability to hunt vermin and be a companion for their children. English Shepherds were bred to work with a variety of livestock such as pigs, cattle, goats, sheep and fowl. They were used to hunt as well and were known to track racoons and squirrels and tree them. There wasn’t a more popular dog in the American Midwest and East in the 1800’s and 1900’s.

The breed is trustworthy, alert and independent. As the small family farms were replaced by large agricultural enterprises the English Shepherd’s numbers dwindled as well until he fell into the category of a rare breed. There were no clubs to support it and not AKC recognition. The UKC had a different dog registered as a farm shepherd.

Today’s English Shepherd is still a farm dog, but he also hunts, is a therapy dog, competes in AKC trials, and performs search and rescue duties. As a farm dog, they are still the most desirable due to their versatility in working with different livestock, guarding the home and caring for the children. They do these things in a gentle way if possible but can be tough if needed. They have great empathy for the livestock and for their human family. This makes him a great dog for the family. The English Shepherd has remained a farm dog, working dog more than a show dog, over all these years.

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.

english shepherd puppy - descriptionThe American bred English Shepherd is a medium sized dog that looks somewhat like an Australian Shepherd or Border Collie. They have tails, never come in merle coloring and their head is not as rounded as the Australian Shepherd. A working dog, its proportionally very well balanced. Because the English Shepherd is so popular across the country, doing a wide variety of jobs, there is some regional differences in the dogs.

The coat can be curly or straight with feathering around the tail, ears and legs. Their heads are slightly rounded but broad and the muzzle is also broad with a solid black nose except for the clear sable dogs whose nose is brown. The eyes show you how intelligent and strong this breed is, and they should be round, brown and oblique. The ears are close to the head and wide apart.

With a strong, muscular back and shoulders the English Shepherd can do almost anything you ask him to. His legs are strong and straight, and his hind legs are muscular. His feet are compact, oval and well padded.

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.

english shepherd dog - characteristicsIt may seem strange to talk about kindness in a working dog, but it is one of the defining traits of the English Shepherd, along with intelligence. The breed is extremely kind to everyone he lives with animals and people. Once he is secure in his job and takes in his children or his herd, he is one of the best caretakers around. He is an independent thinker, is easily trained, and highly affectionate. However, he does see himself as the boss and unless you establish yourself in that alpha role you could have problems.

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.

english shepherd puppies - health problemsLike many other herding breeds, it has been found that about 15% of English Shepherds had a gene mutation called MDR1. This means they have adverse reaction and high sensitivity to many common drugs for dogs. This condition could be life-threatening so test your dog for it and know what you are up against.

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.

Feeding

english shepherd dogs - caringRemember the English Shepherd is a hard working dog. But if you don’t work him don’t overfeed him. Twice a day, he needs about one half cup of a good quality dry food made with an active, medium sized dog in mind.

Health issues

In addition to the health concern listed above, the English Shepherd is also prone to:

Dysplasia

Both elbow and hip dysplasia can plaque the English Shepherd as it does almost any active breed. Have your puppy tested as it can cause lameness and arthritis.

Exercise and games

This is a herding breed and they need exercise. They need a job. They are intelligent and work oriented so make sure they have something to do. Take them to herding trails and have their herding instinct tested. Put them to work in flyball, agility, frisbee, tracking, obedience, rally, herding and showmanship events. Just make sure your English Shepherd has enough to keep his mind and body stimulated at a high rate every day.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Herding dogs
Origin:
United Kingdom
United States
Height Male:
50 - 60 cm
19 - 24 inches
46 - 58 cm
18 - 23 inches
Height Female:
50 - 60 cm
19 - 24 inches
44 - 54 cm
17 - 22 inches
Weight Male:
27 - 45 kg
59 - 100 pounds
21 - 28 kg
46 - 62 pounds
Weight Female:
27 - 45 kg
59 - 100 pounds
18 - 23 kg
39 - 51 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
13 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 10
5 - 8
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
The Shepherd's Dog, Bobtail
old fashioed collie, old fashioned shepherd, Scotch Collie, old time collie, farm collie
Colors Available:
Grey and white
black and white, sable and white, and tri-color. , black and tan
Coat:
Long and fluffy
double, silky
Shedding:
Moderate
Constant
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Protective, Social, Stubborn, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Old English Sheepdog vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  2. Old English Sheepdog vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  3. Old English Sheepdog vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  4. Old English Sheepdog vs Briard - Breed Comparison
  5. Old English Sheepdog vs Bouvier des Flandres - Breed Comparison
  6. Old English Sheepdog vs East German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  7. Old English Sheepdog vs Estrela Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  8. Old English Sheepdog vs Huntaway - Breed Comparison
  9. Old English Sheepdog vs Czechoslovakian Wolfdog - Breed Comparison
  10. Old English Sheepdog vs Mioritic Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  11. Rough Collie vs Old English Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  12. Saarlooswolfhond vs Old English Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  13. Perro de Pastor Mallorquin vs Old English Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  14. South Russian Ovcharka vs Old English Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  15. Samoyed vs Old English Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  16. Old English Sheepdog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  17. Old English Sheepdog vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  18. Old English Sheepdog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  19. Old English Sheepdog vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  20. Old English Sheepdog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  21. Old English Sheepdog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  22. Old English Sheepdog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  23. Old English Sheepdog vs Labradoodle - Breed Comparison
  24. Old English Sheepdog vs Cane Corso - Breed Comparison
  25. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs English Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  26. English Shepherd vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  27. English Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  28. English Shepherd vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  29. English Shepherd vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  30. English Shepherd vs Collie - Breed Comparison
  31. English Shepherd vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  32. English Shepherd vs Dutch Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  33. English Shepherd vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  34. English Shepherd vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  35. English Shepherd vs Catahoula Cur - Breed Comparison
  36. English Shepherd vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  37. English Shepherd vs Catalan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  38. English Shepherd vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  39. English Shepherd vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  40. English Shepherd vs Appenzell Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  41. English Shepherd vs Bohemian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  42. English Shepherd vs Croatian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  43. English Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  44. English Shepherd vs Blue Lacy - Breed Comparison
  45. English Shepherd vs Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  46. English Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Laekenois) - Breed Comparison
  47. English Shepherd vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  48. English Shepherd vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  49. Pyrenean Shepherd vs English Shepherd - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds