4. The Old English Sheepdog
The “OES” is a large, lovable herding dog famous for its profuse, shaggy double coat. This coat served to insulate the dog from cold, wet weather on English farms. While undeniably charming, the sheer volume of hair makes grooming a formidable task for the unprepared owner.
The Coat and Its Challenges
The Old English Sheepdog has a dense, insulating undercoat and a long, textured, and water-resistant outercoat. The combination is a perfect recipe for matting, especially if the dog gets wet. Like the Poodle, shed hair from the undercoat gets trapped by the outercoat, leading to tangles that can quickly evolve into large, painful mats if not removed. The hair also grows over their eyes, requiring regular trimming for vision, and around their paws, where it can pick up mud and debris.
The Required Grooming Regimen
An Old English Sheepdog requires a thorough, down-to-the-skin brushing at least three to four times a week, with many owners opting for a daily routine. This can take 30 to 60 minutes per session. The right tools are non-negotiable: a slicker brush, an undercoat rake, and a sturdy metal comb. Line brushing is the only effective method to ensure the dense undercoat is fully detangled.
Many pet owners choose to keep their Old English Sheepdog in a shorter “puppy cut” to make dog care more manageable. This requires a trip to a professional groomer every 6 to 8 weeks. Even with a shorter clip, regular brushing is still necessary to prevent mats from forming as the hair grows out. Owners must also pay close attention to hygiene, cleaning around the dog’s rear end and mouth to prevent staining and infections.
Preventive Care Mini-Example: A proactive OES owner might follow a weekly plan:
Monday: 30-minute brush-out, focusing on legs and belly.
Wednesday: 30-minute brush-out, focusing on the back, neck, and behind the ears.
Friday: 45-minute full-body deep brushing and combing. Check and clean ears. Brush teeth.
Sunday: Check nails for trimming and trim hair around paws and eyes if needed.
This consistent schedule helps break a massive job into manageable tasks.
