Old English Sheepdog

Shaggy, bouncy family clown

Big, profuse double coat and a goofy, affectionate personality. Typically great with kids but the grooming bill is real.

largemedium energyapartment challengingexperienced ownershigh shedding

Size

large

Energy

medium

Shedding

high

Barking

medium

Grooming

very high

Trainability

medium

Apartment

challenging

First-time owner

experienced

Kid-friendly

high

Pet-friendly

high

Alone tolerance

medium

Monthly cost

very high

Best for

Intensive coat care, heat sensitivity, and hip/eye issues to screen for.

60 minutes of walks and play; loves cool weather.

Grooming: very high. Shedding: high. Plan your brushing routine — and budget — around this.

Barking is typically medium. Trainability is medium. Early socialization and consistent training go a long way.

Apartment fit: challenging. Possible in apartments, but expect real effort around barking, energy, or grooming. Kid-friendliness is generally high.

Cost level: very high. Costs typically scale with size, grooming, and likelihood of vet visits.

Heat tolerance is typically low and cold tolerance is typically high. Avoid midday walks in summer and watch for overheating.

Intensive coat care, heat sensitivity, and hip/eye issues to screen for.

Educational matching content — not veterinary advice.

• Can I realistically meet the exercise and grooming demands every week, not just on weekends?
• Have I met adult dogs of this breed — not just puppies?
• If buying from a breeder, can they show health screening for the parents?
• Is there a breed-specific rescue near me? Adult dogs can be a great fit.
• What does my monthly budget look like for food, grooming, and routine vet care?
• Who handles the dog if I'm away or my schedule changes?