Old English Sheepdog - Dulux Dog

Old English Sheepdog

The Old English Sheepdog is a big, shaggy, lovable dog. Famously and affectionately known in the UK as the "Dulux Dog", they are very intelligent and loyal. They love attention and lots of fuss from their families. They do love their home comforts; even if you have a large tract of land they won't roam too far, prefering to stay close to home.

Old English Sheepdogs are very good with children. They are playful, gentle and are very watchful of their families. They have a very big bark and can be effective watchdogs. They need to keep busy and active to maintain a healthy body and mind. They are large dogs and need space to roam and play.

Their long rough coats need regular brushing to prevent matting. They don't shed much and some people choose to have their sheepdog's coat trimmed in the summer time to make their dogs more comfortable in the heat. A healthly sheepdog can live as long as 12 years.

No one is quite sure exactly how this breed was developed. It is believed they originated in western England as a cross between the Bearded Collie and various other breeds. Others claim they are descended from the Russian Owtchar. No matter where they came from they were used mainly as herding dogs.

They have large, square, compact frames that are covered in a shaggy coat. They have large square heads covered in hair and large black noses. Their eyes can be brown, blue or one of each. Their tails are often docked and usually their coats are blue, gray, blue gray or blue merle and can have white patches. They are big cuddly and friendly dogs that make great companions.

To make sure your dog stays healthy and will enjoy a long life, you might want to consider getting pet insurance in case there will be unforeseen medical expenses in the years to come. You have health insurance on the rest of your family and for peace of mind you might want to buy pet insurance on your Old English Sheepdog.