Famous for the Looney Tunes cartoons in 1953 to 1964, ‘Sam Sheepdog’ would diligently punch in a time clock for work and was always outwitting ‘Ralf Woolf’.
Sam’s eyes were obscured by long fur and one could think he doesn’t see much, but he sees everything.
The Old English sheep dog is a large shaggy herding and watch dog known for his distinctive look and temperament.
The breed was developed in the early 18th century from a mix of European, Scottish and Russian herding dogs, used for guarding sheep and cattle and also as droving dogs, driving livestock to markets.
They are large and muscular with a compact with a deep-chested body and bearlike gait.
A hard-working breed valued for its strength and ability to work long hours in the countryside unsupervised.
The coat is double with a water-resistant undercoat which provides protection and insulation from the elements which can be harsh.
Coat colours come in a mixture of cream, grey, grizzle (patterns of dark and light), blue, blue merle and whitish.
Temperament – their intelligence and eagerness make this dog a quick learner, although they do have a strong-willed nature which is essential for them to work well alone.
Consistent, positive but firm training pays off, this breed is not suitable for people who want a highly obedient sheep dog.
They are protective yet gentle and playful, making them excellent family pets, except for very young children because of their size.
They also seem to get along with other pets and retain a puppy like demeanour throughout their lives.
Grooming – although the old English sheepdog does not shed excessively their coat requires regular maintenance to prevent matting and keep it healthy.
Brushing is required at least three or four times a week with regular trimming of fur around the face and paws and the occasional bath.
This breed is not ideal for people who do not have the time for regular grooming.
Health – generally healthy, but like all large dog breeds they may suffer with hip dysplasia.
They may be prone to progressive retinal atrophy, hypothyroidism and skin issues.
While life expectancy is around 10 to 12 years.
Always check with breeders about breeding from a disease free, sound temperament sire and dam when looking for a purebred puppy.
