Breed guide
Old English Sheepdog
The shaggy dog. Gentle, adaptable, grooming-intensive to an extreme. Most owners keep them in short cuts for sanity.
AKC Rank
#67
Size
large (60-100 lbs)
Life Expectancy
10-12 yrs
Activity
moderate
Feeding a Old English Sheepdog
Shaggy sheepdog. ~1,400-1,800 kcal/day. Joint and coat health are the primary concerns.
Key nutrients
- •omega-3
- •biotin
- •glucosamine
Portion notes: Two meals daily. Coat quality reflects diet quality.
Fresh food picks for Old English Sheepdogs
Our recommended fresh-food subscriptions for large dogs.
The Farmer's Dog
Fresh, human-grade food portioned for your dog
- •Human-grade fresh food
- •Portioned per dog
- •Vet-developed recipes
- •50% off first box
Ollie
Fresh food with both cooked and baked recipes
- •Fresh and baked recipes
- •Turkey, beef, lamb, chicken proteins
- •Custom portions
- •60% off first box
Nom Nom
Restaurant-quality fresh food with microbiome testing
- •Pre-portioned pouches
- •Vet-formulated
- •Microbiome testing available
- •50% off first order
Spot & Tango
Fresh or UnKibble — whole-food nutrition, your choice
- •Fresh or UnKibble options
- •Human-grade ingredients
- •Shelf-stable storage option
- •50% off first order
First-year cost
What a Old English Sheepdog actually costs year one
Breed-specific estimate based on size, health concerns, and grooming needs. Excludes purchase/adoption fees (highly variable).
First-year total
$4,280-$8,380
Ongoing years run $3,460-$6,730 (no gear + training one-times).
Food (year one)
Fresh food subscription
$2,400-$3,650
Gear (one-time)
Crate, bed, harness, bowls, toys
$420-$600
Vet care
Wellness + breed-specific
$660-$1,400
Grooming
high grooming needs
$400-$1,200
Training
Puppy class + supplies
$150-$500
Supplements
Breed-matched, optional
$0-$480
Other first-year
Vaccines, neuter, DNA test
$250-$550
Pet insurance (estimate)
Not included above — shown for planning. Breed-risk adjusted.
$799-$1,399/yr
Estimates based on US market averages for large dogs. Your costs will vary with lifestyle and region.
Supplements for Old English Sheepdogs
Matched to this breed's common health concerns. All NASC-sealed.
Cosequin (Nutramax)
The #1 vet-recommended joint supplement
- •#1 vet-recommended
- •NASC Quality Seal
- •Glucosamine + chondroitin
- •Clinically studied
Supplements support — they don't treat or cure disease. Talk to your vet for anything clinical.
Health concerns to watch
Grooming commitment is EXTREME — daily brushing or professional grooming every 4-6 weeks.
Many owners keep them in a 'puppy cut' for manageability.
Signature shaggy coat covers eyes — keep clear for hygiene and sight.
Known for 'bobtail' — many born with naturally short tails.
Gear for Old English Sheepdogs
Breed-size-appropriate picks. Links go to Amazon.
Crate
for Old English Sheepdogs
Harness
for Old English Sheepdogs
Bed
for Old English Sheepdogs
Collar
for Old English Sheepdogs
Leash
for Old English Sheepdogs
Slow feeder bowl
for Old English Sheepdogs
Chew toy
for Old English Sheepdogs
As an Amazon Associate, Barkly earns from qualifying purchases.
Training for Old English Sheepdogs
Matched to Old English Sheepdog temperament (adaptable, gentle, smart).
GoodPup
1-on-1 virtual dog training with certified trainers
- •1-on-1 live video sessions
- •Certified trainers
- •Custom per-dog plan
- •Weekly structure
BAXTER & Bella
Online puppy training program, lifetime access
- •Lifetime membership
- •Self-paced video lessons
- •Puppy + adult content
- •Behavior troubleshooting
Dogo
App-based training with daily structure
- •App-based daily plans
- •AI-guided feedback
- •Affordable monthly cost
- •Trick training library
GPS trackers for Old English Sheepdogs
Size-appropriate picks for tracking, activity monitoring, and escape alerts.
Fi
Smart collar with GPS + activity tracking
- •Real-time GPS
- •Activity + sleep tracking
- •Escape alerts
- •3-month battery
Tractive
Affordable GPS tracker with unlimited range
- •Attaches to any collar
- •Worldwide GPS coverage
- •Activity monitoring
- •Budget-friendly
Curious about their DNA?
Confirm breed mix, check for genetic health risks, and get actionable insights.
Embark
The most comprehensive dog DNA test
- •350+ breeds identified
- •250+ health conditions screened
- •Cornell-partnered science
- •Relatives finder
Wisdom Panel
Breed identification + health screening
- •350+ breeds
- •Genetic health insights
- •Budget-friendly option
- •Fast results
Old English Sheepdog questions, answered
How long do Old English Sheepdogs live?▾
How big do Old English Sheepdogs get?▾
How much exercise does a Old English Sheepdog need?▾
What health problems do Old English Sheepdogs commonly have?▾
Are Old English Sheepdogs hard to groom?▾
What should I feed a Old English Sheepdog?▾
Are Old English Sheepdogs good for first-time owners?▾
Ask Barkly about your Old English Sheepdog
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