Friday, December 29, 2017

What New Pet Parents Need To Know Before Getting An Old English Sheepdog

By Virginia Bailey


Picking the breed of dog that you will add to your family is an exciting task. There are many things you will need to consider. You will need to factor in things such as personality, size, health and how energetic they will be to tell if a breed is the right one for your needs. If you have been thinking about getting an old English sheepdog but don't know much about the breed here are a few things that you need to know about the breed.

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.

Of course, these dogs do have a lot of fur. Their distinctive shaggy coats were developed by breeders to give them shelter from cold, wet weather while they were out tending flocks. You may need to groom them a lot and if you are someone who doesn't like shed hair around their home this may not be the right dog breed for you.

If you are someone who cannot handle a dog that barks and barks then a sheepdog may be a good choice for you. They tend to be more on the quiet side than some other breeds are. This makes them a great choice for someone who may live in an apartment or condominium. You can always work on training your dog to bark when it detects a threat but you may find your dog to be quieter than other breeds may be.

A good breeder will do their best to make sure that they are producing healthy puppies but there are some conditions that these dogs are prone to getting. Like many large breeds they may have bad hips and if this is the case it may cost thousands of dollars to ensure your dog is comfortable and able to be active.

Good food can go a long way to helping your dog stay healthy. A large breed puppy food will help make sure that your dog grows at a safe rate and stays at a healthy weight. A healthy pup often goes on to become a healthy dog that lives as long a life as possible.

It is also a good idea to attend puppy classes or obedience classes when your dog is young. Puppy classes will help socialize them and obedience lessons will help stave off unwanted behaviors like pulling on the leash or jumping up on people. These are two things that can be especially problematic when a large dog does them. That way your dog can be a fun and valued member of your family.




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