Old English Sheepdog Care

Old English Sheepdogs are really great dogs. There are several things you need to consider when you have an Old English Sheepdog. Most Old English Sheepdogs are friendly, couch potatoes. You will also find they have the herding instincts of most sheepdogs. While they are very protective of family and territory you will not find them the best watchdog because they tend to be more affectionate. It may not seem like this dog is very active, however they do require quite a bit of exercise and are full of life.

First you should realize that an Old English sheepdog requires both physical and mental exercise. You will need to take them for walks daily as well as provide toys that will be useful and involve their mental capacity. Old English Sheepdogs are also great rescue dogs because of their high intelligence. An Old English Sheepdog will have very long hair, often covering their eyes. Most of these dogs are going to be white and grey in colour. You will also find that they grow to be quite large and need a lot of room to play. The male dogs grow to be 70- 90 pounds and a height of 22 inches. The female dog grows to around 21 inches and 60- 80 pounds.

The herding instinct usually causes the dog to bump into their owners, trying to herd them where they want to go. They also like having the contact between master and themselves. You will find the training for this breed is quite possible. They do need a firm hand as they are strong willed, and often stubborn as a herding dog should be. However you can be successful in training due to their temperament as they are alert. As mentioned they do make great rescue dogs because they tend to herd and listen to commands due to their intelligence.

An Old English Sheepdog is usually friendly and very social, until they feel their territory invaded or feel they need to protect. In most cases you can train the dog to ignore these feelings and have a wonderful companion. There have been some cases where an Old English Sheepdog is very dangerous to young children. When the dog has been brought into a two person family and a baby is introduced they can become very jealous of the new arrival. This can make them dangerous or at least give you the feeling of danger. It may be possible to train this behaviour out of them, but in some severe cases you may have to give the dog up for adoption. Keep in mind that this is rare and depends on the training they have already had. Most psychosis can be trained out when you take the time and really that is what you can consider a dog's jealousy.

The last caution I would throw in if you are considering this breed is their medical problems. Most breeders and vets will tell you that they need to have their tail clipped. Old English sheepdogs suffer from hip dysplasia, and the breeders feel clipping the tail will keep them from having difficulties. The tail needs to be clipped to a certain length as clipping to far can harm them. Care can also be extensive when you consider the grooming they will need with their long coats.

When you choose the Old English Sheepdog breed you will find a wonderful companion that loves to protect you and herd you. You will also find that they can be trained, and though there are minor concerns you will be happy with this choice.

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Keeshond Dog Breed: Everything You Need To Know

The Keeshond dog breed originated in the Arctic around the 18th century. They are part of the Spitz family dog breed. You will find that they are wonderful family pets with a compact, muscular body type that offers companionship to all. They are most often used for watchdogs or show dogs depending on the owner.

Physical Characteristics:

Male- 45 pounds and 17-19 inches in height
Female- 35 pounds and 16- 18 inches in height
The Keeshond dog has a mix of furs from grey, black and cream. They have two coats- the undercoat and the outer coat, which is generally black in color. You will also find their muzzle, ears, and tail are black.
The coat provides them with the warmth they have needed to survive in the arctic with a long, straight, harsh top- coat, and a soft, downy under coat. The neck, shoulders and chest have some of the thickest parts of their coat to protect the more sensitive areas. They tend to shed their coat twice a year based on the climate and temperature changes.
Personality:
The Keeshond breed of dog is one of the most interesting with the dog species. They are extremely extroverted. You will find that they can curl their lip into a smile and will do so for people they love.
The Keeshond is also on of the most intelligent dogs.
Around other people you will find them affectionate, friendly and playful.
They are also very social dogs with other dogs.
You should not be surprised to learn that they make wonderful companions for children as well as for those who need therapy dogs. They tend to be very empathetic towards those who need extra affection.

Mentioned previously is their abilities as watchdogs. They have a loud, warning bark to alert you of problems whether it is predators or trouble. Despite being a wonderful watchdog they don't tend to be aggressive. Their personality and physical characteristics help a great deal when you are training them. They can be a little difficult, however they are obedient and agile. With their temperament being playful they tend to be a little mischievous and wish to have their own routine. Training them takes a firm, but caring hand. Being fair, having structure, and being consistent are the best methods for training you will find for the Keeshond dog. Repetition is not their favorite activity.

While the Keeshond dog breed does make a wonderful pet their care can be burdensome. They tend to suffer from hip dysplasia, slipped stifles, hypothyroidism, and epilepsy. For general care you will find they are in need of daily brushing to avoid matting and tangles in their beautiful coats and that they often groom themselves. You don't want to give them too many baths; in fact every once in a great while is good to avoid causing skin irritation. They don't do well in hot climates due to their thick coats.

The Keeshond dog breed is one of the most playful and yet obedient dogs you will find. They don't bark a great deal, only when they feel you need to be warned. They love exercise and to play with the entire family. Most often you will find your dog playing with a ball, Frisbee, or other dog toy that requires interaction. One downside is boredom. They love to have activities and can begin to tear up a yard when they become bored. You may need to go home during your lunch break, play with them before you leave, and make sure they have plenty of toys during the day to avoid problems when they are left alone.

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