PUPPY BUYER'S GUIDE
So you are interested in purchasing an Old English Sheepdog puppy. The aim of this information is to let you know what to expect if you decide to purchase one of these lovable puppies.
We want you to know that O.E.S. are wonderful dogs to own, making excellent family pets who love to be indoors with their family, but are also good watchdogs. You should however be aware that they do involve a lot of work, grooming taking over an hour each week for a grown dog, require plenty of exercise and must have some obedience training.
The O.E.S. is a large dog. Fully grown males will stand at least 22-26 inches (55-65 cm) at the shoulder and will weigh 34-45 kg (80-100 lbs.). Females are slightly smaller. The O.E.S. have a profuse coat consisting of a woolly undercoat and a coarse long top coat which needs considerable care and thorough grooming on a regular basis (at least weekly).
These comments are not intended to discourage but make you aware of what you could let yourself in for if you purchase an Old English Sheepdog.
We recommend that you buy from a reputable breeder who is registered with the Australian National Kennel club through their State Association (which controls pure bred dog breeding in Australia) and from a breeder who is a member of an affiliated breed club. The clubs maintain a list of puppies for sale from such breeders and whilst the clubs cannot guarantee the quality of the puppy you will purchase, this service helps point the prospective purchaser in the right direction.
A reputable breeder will be proud of their adult dogs and puppies and will need to be satisfied that you will provide the puppy with all the care and attention the dog requires before selling the puppy to you. The breeder should be able to provide you with sufficient knowledge and advice on the breed to answer your questions. If you are interested in a puppy for a family pet you should only be concerned with the temperament, personality and health of the puppy. If you require a puppy for show, these are more difficult to select. All dogs make good pets, but not all dogs make good show dogs. Breeders sometimes have puppies who are not suitable for showing and may sell these at a reduced cost.
By nature sheepdog puppies are extroverts, very friendly and lovable. Beware the puppy which snaps. A healthy dog is a must. Never be tempted to buy a sick or weak puppy in sympathy. Look for a puppy which has bright clear eyes, a healthy glossy coat, good strong legs and an obvious interest in life. check to see that the puppy responds to noise as deaf puppies are occasionally born and are extremely difficult to cope with even as a pet. Remember there is no such thing as a cheap puppy.
If you are interested in a show dog, it is recommended that you contact a number of breeders before making a choice. If you intend to show, trial or breed from your dog it is essential that you receive from the breeder all the necessary registration papers when you take your puppy home. Another good idea is to look at the dogs in the show ring at the present time.
If after reading this information you have decided to purchase a puppy, you should not take it home till at least eight weeks of age. The breeder will advise you on what to feed your puppy and will provide you with a dietary sheet. You should also ask the breeder for a copy of the PUPPY CARE MANUAL produced by the clubs specifically for new puppy owners. The breeder must also provide you with an immunisation certificate and history of worming.
You may feel that you would prefer to purchase an older dog. If this is the case you may wish to discuss with the clubs’ welfare officers as there are some advantages in getting a house-trained dog. Occasionally the clubs are asked to find loving homes for such dogs. We also find homes for dogs that have been in the pound or roaming and are in a neglected state. The club looks after these dogs, grooms, worms and in some cases neuters the dogs.
