A dog is the best pet you can get. Dogs are loyal, friendly, and highly protective of their hoomans. All dog breeds are gorgeous, but there’s something quite attractive about an Old English Sheepdog.
An Old English Sheepdog is a beautiful dog breed known for its shaggy coat and sweet smile. Old English Sheepdogs are famous for their looks, but their charming personality makes the experience of having one far better.
When people look at an Old English Sheepdog, they immediately want to adopt it. But adoption of any dog, let alone an Old English Sheepdog is a careful and thorough process, and you must not rush it.
Adopting a dog can be expensive for people getting a dog for the first time, and even experienced pupper parents can find it challenging. This is why you must do all your research before adopting an Old English Sheepdog.
Old English Sheep Dog
Are Old English Sheepdogs expensive? Yes. Depending on the age, Old English sheepdogs can be costly for some people. However, the cost of an Old English Sheepdog is high for the first year, so the upcoming years are much easier to handle.
We will have to break down the costs and experience of an Old English Sheepdog’s adoption, so let’s get right to it.
Things to Know Before Adopting an Old English Sheepdog
Before discussing the cost, let’s talk about the experiences and expectations of adopting and keeping an Old English Sheepdog.
Inexperienced dog parents and first-timers don’t know what to expect and adopt dogs without giving it much thought. However, dog parents who adopt on a whim later learn that handling a dog is much more challenging than expected.
An Old English Sheepdog is a lovely dog breed, but you should know a thing or two about it before adopting.
History
Have you ever wondered from where the cute Old English Sheepdog came?
Turns out that Old English Sheepdogs hail from England; many believe that the Old English Sheepdog is a descendant of pastoral dogs that used to roam the farms of England. Because of their appearance, many people estimate that Old English Sheepdogs are related to Bearded Collies.
Although not confirmed, most people think these dogs began to breed in the 19th century and were exported to other countries in the late 1800s.
Variations
You can recognize an Old English Sheepdog from the color of its coat. Although the grey and white Old English Sheepdog is more common, there are different variations of coat color among the Old English Sheepdog:
● Blue Old English Sheepdog
Don’t think a Blue Old English Sheepdog will have a stark blue coat; Blue Old English Sheepdogs have light, crisp blue coats that run down to their paws. Their faces and paws are white.
● Grey Old English Sheepdog
A Grey Old English Sheepdog has a complete grey or dark grey coat that extends to its paws.
● Grizzle Old English Sheepdog
Grizzle Old English Sheepdogs come in blue, white, and grey coats, but the coats don’t separate from the paws. The coat of a Grizzle Old English Sheepdog has no apparent pattern but consists of mixed colors.
● Blue Merle OSED
A Blue Merle Old English Sheepdog has a mottled and speckled colored coat; the coat divides into patches of hair colors.
Temperament
Old English Sheepdogs are gentle, calm, and patient. For people who want calm dogs, Old English Sheepdogs are perfect.
An Old English Sheepdog is not aggressive but has a strong protecc instinct and can knock a house down with its barking if provoked. Since Old English sheepdogs descend from herding and pastoral dogs, they have a strong herding instinct and will protect and guard their humans.
Old English Sheepdogs are also highly intelligent and can recognize threats from friends. They love a little challenge and appreciate unique and playful commands; an Old English Sheepdog might get bored from the same old routine, which is why they appear calmer than other dogs.
Health
Old English Sheepdogs have a great life expectancy, but there are a couple of health problems that they can get:
● Eye Diseases
Old English Sheepdogs are prone to eye diseases like cataracts, blindness, and glaucoma. In some cases, the long coats of the Old English Sheepdogs can come in contact with the eye, causing irritation and redness.
If untreated, eye diseases can cause permanent blindness in Old English Sheepdogs.
● Deafness
Many Old English Sheepdogs become deaf soon after birth due to nerve compression. Even the healthiest births can lead to deafness in Old English Sheepdog puppies, so you might have to keep an eye out for a healthy pupper.
However, the deafness of an Old English Sheepdog does not affect its intelligence and sharp canine abilities; in fact, deaf Old English Sheepdogs are often more agile and protective than Old English Sheepdogs that can hear.
● Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a common medical condition in dogs. Dogs with hip dysplasia have a dispositioned hip joint that can rub against the bone and cause severe discomfort. Old English Sheepdogs are prone to hip dysplasia, but depending on the severity, you can treat the condition using exercise and surgery.
● Heart Problems
Old English Sheepdogs tend to have heart problems; the heart of many Old English Sheepdogs weakens in old age and becomes prone to heart diseases.
Lifespan
An Old English Sheepdog has a great lifespan; a healthy Old English Sheepdog will live up to 10 to 12 years, even with health issues.
Fun Facts About the Old English Sheepdog
Here are some fun facts about the Old English Sheepdog:
● Cute Nicknames
We call them Old English Sheepdogs now, but back in the olden times, people would call this dog breeds Shepherd’s Dog and Bob-tailed Sheepdogs.
People called them Shepherd’s dogs because of their ancestors, but the reason for calling an Old English Sheepdog a bob-tailed Sheepdog is quite amusing. When Old English Sheepdogs were not that popular, people would dock their tails off, making them stand out sharp and straight but highly fluffy.
● They Don’t Shed
Dogs shed a lot; you’ll find fur and hair on the furniture, floor, carpet, etc., etc. But an Old English Sheepdog does not shed unless you brush its coat, which means its coat can get extremely long!
● Grooming is Compulsory
There are a lot of dog breeds that don’t require breeding, but Old English Sheepdogs are not one of them. An Old English Sheepdog grows its coat quickly and heavily, which can cause problems in movement and visibility.
Old English Sheepdog owners can’t skip grooming because of their dog’s shed-less quality.
● Herding Instinct
Old English Sheepdogs are gentle, but they have a strong herding instinct. Because of their herding instinct, they can quickly gather a crowd and will be firm where necessary.
● Show Dogs
A glance at an Old English Sheepdog, and you realize why they’re so popular. But did you know that Old English Sheepdogs are one of the most common dog breeds for dog shows?
● The Coat Isn’t There for Fun
Grooming an Old English Sheepdog can be challenging, but one thing about its particular long coat that most people don’t know: it has a purpose. An Old English Sheepdog’s coat has thick double layers of hair that keep the water out. That’s right, an Old English Sheepdog’s coat is waterproof.
But that is not the only function of an Old English Sheepdog’s coat; the coat is highly insulating, so it keeps them warm during chilly months.
Old English Sheepdog Adoption: Cost and Experience
Now that you know a little about the breed let’s talk about an Old English Sheepdog’s adoption. An Old English Sheepdog adoption is costly initially, but as the months go by, the cost rapidly decreases.
Many factors affect the price and cost of an Old English Sheepdog; depending on the mix, age, health kennel, and breeder, it can cost you around $1300-$1500.
Price of an Old English Sheepdog
You can get an Old English Sheepdog from a reputable kennel for $400-1500. The price of an Old English Sheepdog varies according to its health, age, mix, and breeder.
Most kennels will let you adopt an Old English Sheepdog for $500. However, if you’re buying a puppy, the price may be higher and can cost you $1000-1300.
Average Cost of an Old English Sheepdog
The average cost of owning an Old English Sheepdog is around $2500-4500. This estimate includes the adoption process, vet visits, pet supplies, grooming, training, and food.
Of course, for many, $2500-4000 is a lot. However, the price goes down after the first year, and with the annual care and maintenance of an Old English Sheepdog, the price drops annually.
The cost of owning an Old English Sheepdog also depends on whether you have a puppy or an adult dog. Since puppies need training and general care, they cost more to maintain than an adult dog. However, an adult dog can also cost the same, especially if the dog is rescued.
Adult Old English Sheepdog Adoption
An adult Old English Sheepdog adoption costs around $1300-1500 for the initial purchase and annual maintenance costs around $2000-2500.
● Initial Purchase Cost
Adult Old English Sheepdogs are slightly expensive at the initial purchase because most adult dogs are trained and won’t have trouble adjusting to their new homes. The demand for adult OSED is high because many prefer a trained dog.
Getting your adult dog from a high-end kennel/breeder can cost you around $1500. However, getting a rescued Old English Sheepdog mature dog will cost about $500.
● Training
Usually, owners of an adult Old English Sheepdog don’t have to chip in for training because adult dogs are already trained.
However, in some cases, adult Old English Sheepdogs rescued from traumatic households may need a little training to open up to their new owners. For adult Old English Sheepdogs, training sessions can cost $90-400, depending on the trainer and the training location.
● Grooming
We all know how long an Old English Sheepdog coat can get. The coat of an Old English Sheepdog consistently grows, which is why grooming is a must. For many Old English Sheepdog owners, grooming an Old English Sheepdog at home is difficult, which is why they’ll look toward a professional groomer.
The grooming costs of an Old English Sheepdog vary from groomer to groomer. Most groomers charge $25-30 per grooming session, but fancier grooming parlors charge up to $50 per session.
Luckily for Old English Sheepdog owners, grooming is compulsory but not too frequently. The coat of an Old English Sheepdog is thick and requires trimming, but it protects the dog too.
Additionally, most Old English Sheepdogs keep their coats clean, so you won’t have to bother bathing them daily. Grooming sessions that include baths cost around $100–150 per session, but your Old English Sheepdog can go without a bath for up to 3-4 weeks or when necessary.
● Quality Breeder
Where you get your adult, Old English Sheepdog affects the price. Dog mills and overcrowded kennels charge $300-500 per adult Old English Sheepdog, while a qualified breeder will charge $1000-1300 per dog.
Most people can rescue an adult Old English Sheepdog for $500. High-quality breeders will charge more for an adult Old English Sheepdog because they train their dogs, keep up with medical check-ups and regularly groom their Old English Sheepdogs.
● Mix/Breed
The dog mix affects the purchasing cost; the purer the breeder, the higher the price. A purebred adult Old English Sheepdog can cost at least $1300, while a mixed breed costs $1000-1200.
● Yearly Maintenance
The annual maintenance of an adult Old English Sheepdog can cost around $2500-3700; here is a rough breakdown:
| Expense | First Year Expenditure | Yearly Expenditure |
| Food | $600-800 | $500-700 |
| Exercise | $400-500 | $300-400 |
| Grooming | $150-200 | $50-150 |
| Toys | $20-200 | $20-200 |
| Pet Insurance | $1200-1500 | $1200-1500 |
| Essential Supplies | $150-500 | $150 |
| Medical Checkups & Visits | $450-650 | $450-500 |
| Total | $2970-4350 | $2670-3600 |
Food
Food for an adult Old English Sheepdog can cost around $50-70 per month. Some owners prefer to feed their dogs organic pet food, which is costly and can cost about $70-100 per month.
Food expenses are relatively high for the first year because dog owners are still learning about their dog’s likes and dislikes. However, many owners stick to their preferred dog food for the following years, considerably reducing costs.
Additionally, some dog owners don’t buy dog food and feed their adult Old English Sheepdogs homemade food. In this case, groceries cover the cost of food.
Exercise
All dogs need exercise to stay healthy. The most straightforward exercise you can give your dog is a walk, which can cost up to $5-10 weekly.
If you walk your dog, you’re saving a lot of money. However, if you can’t walk your dog and hire a dog walker, you’re looking at an annual expenditure of $400-500 for the first year.
It can be costly for first-time dog owners to hire a dog walker for the first year because they aren’t sure of the cost and may circulate hires. However, for the following year, dog owners either walk the dog themselves or hire a dog walker with a fixed income.
Grooming
Grooming sessions from a professional groomer cost $150-200 yearly. A single grooming session costs around $15.
The grooming costs for an adult for the first year are higher than the rest because owners tend to rely on a professional groomer. However, most doggo parents prefer grooming their dogs themselves as the years go by, which is why grooming costs drop low.
● Professional Grooming
Professional grooming costs at least $150 per year.
Some dog owners call groomers to their houses, which can cost 20-30 bucks per visit.
● Self-grooming
Self-grooming dogs at home costs around $50 per year, including grooming supplies and kits.
Toys
All doggies need toys, which you can buy for under $50. Some dog parents like to spend their money on fancy or smart toys, which can cost about $100-200.
Pet Insurance
It is best to get pet insurance, especially if you’re getting an adult Old English Sheepdog. Adult Old English Sheepdogs are prone to several health problems, which can be costly, but pet insurance helps with the bill.
Pet insurance can cost around $1200-1500 per year, with a payment of at least $100 per month. While pet insurance is costly, it saves a lot, too; pet insurance can save you around $300-400 per year on medical bills.
Essentials
There are some essentials you’ll need when getting an adult Old English Sheepdog:
● Crate
Dog crates can cost around $50-75. You can get a comfortable dog crate like this for your dog.
● Bedding
Bedding costs around $10-50. Hypoallergenic beddings can cost $20-30 more than simple bed sets.
● Hygiene Kits and Grooming Supplies
A hygiene kit includes dental and grooming tools. They can cost up to $30 collectively.
● Food and Water Bowls
Basic dog food and a water bowl can cost around $7. You can also get high-quality dog bowls for under $20.
Medical Checkups
Medical check-ups cost around $450-650 per year.
● Vaccines
You must vaccinate your dog. Dog vaccines cost up to $120 yearly.
● Flea and Tick Removal
Old English Sheepdogs can easily catch fleas and ticks because of their long and thick coat. Picking out fleas and ticks from an Old English Sheepdog is difficult, which is why flea and tick removal costs up to $300 yearly.
● Wormer
Dogs get worms quickly, so owners might have to invest in a deworming session at the vet. Deworming costs around $70.
● Regular Check-ups
Regular medical check-ups cost anywhere between $70-150.
Adopting an Old English Sheepdog Puppy
Adopting an Old English Sheepdog puppy costs more than an adult Old English Sheepdog because you need to train puppies. Adopting an Old English Sheepdog puppy can cost around $300-1500 for the initial purchase and overall maintenance of $2550-5300.
Initial Purchase Cost
Old English Sheepdog puppies cost less than adult Old English Sheepdogs; you can get a puppy for $300. If you buy from a higher-end breeder, getting a puppy can cost you up to $1500.
Training
Puppies need more training than adults. The training of an Old English Sheepdog puppy includes behavioral adjustment, learning tricks, bathroom training, and responding to the owner’s commands.
Training an Old English Sheepdog puppy costs around $100-600 yearly.
Grooming
Grooming an Old English Sheepdog puppy costs $150-200 yearly.
Quality Breeder
You can get an Old English Sheepdog puppy from a rescue kennel or a puppy mill for $300. However, buying from a chic and exclusive kennel will cost you around $1000–1500.
Mix/Breed
The price of a purebred Old English Sheepdog puppy is higher than a mixed breed puppy. Purebred Old English Sheepdog puppies cost up to $1500, whereas mixed puppies cost up to $1000.
Yearly Maintenance
The annual maintenance of an Old English Sheepdog puppy can cost around $2800-3500; here is a rough breakdown:
| Expense | First Year Expenditure | Yearly Expenditure |
| Food | $600-900 | $500-700 |
| Exercise | $400-500 | $200-300 |
| Grooming | $200-300 | $150-200 |
| Toys | $20-200 | $20-200 |
| Pet Insurance | $1000-1500 | $1000-1500 |
| Essential Supplies | $150-600 | $150 |
| Medical Checkups & Visits | $500-700 | $450-500 |
| Total | $2870-4800 | $2470-3550 |
Food
A puppy’s diet is heavier than an adult dog’s because it needs many nutrients to grow. Food for an Old English Sheepdog puppy can cost around $50-70 per month.
Exercise
Puppies need a lot of exercises to support their growing body. You must exercise an Old English Sheepdog puppy at least once a week. A weekly exercise session for a puppy can include walks, dog sports, and even hiking.
Hiring a dog walker can cost you around $30 per month ($7-8 per week) for weekly walks. However, since puppies have a more exciting temperament than adult dogs, some dog walkers charge up to $10-15 weekly.
Grooming
A puppy’s grooming can cost up to $200-300 for the first year. The price drops by $50 for the subsequent years.
● Professional Grooming
Groomers charge extra for puppies because of their hyper nature. A professional groomer will charge around $200-300 per year.
● Self-grooming
Self-grooming, an Old English Sheepdog, costs around $100, including grooming and hygiene kits.
Toys
You can get your Old English Sheepdog puppy unique toys for under $30. Some fancy and innovative toys cost up to $200.
You can get interactive toys for your puppy for less than $10.
Pet Insurance
Pet insurance for an Old English Sheepdog puppy costs around $1000-1500 yearly.
Essentials
Puppy essentials include:
● Crate
Crates and playpens for puppies can cost anywhere between $20-100.
● Bedding
Bedding for puppies costs around $20-40.
● Hygiene Kits & Grooming Supplies
Dental and oral hygiene kits cost around $10. Grooming supplies cost about $15.
● Food and Water Bowls
Food and water bowls cost around $10. However, most puppies require hand feeding; nursing bottles cost about $3-10. You can also get a syringe feeder.
Medical Checkups
Medical check-ups for puppies cost more than adult dogs because puppies require thorough vaccination and frequent follow-ups.
● Vaccines
Vaccines for puppies can cost up to $150-200.
● Flea and Tick Removal
Removing ticks and fleas from an Old English Sheepdog puppy is more manageable because its coat is still growing, but vets charge around $250-300 for the procedure.
● Wormer
Deworming costs up to $70-90.
● Regular Check-ups
Medical check-ups for puppies cost around $500-700 yearly. Because puppies need frequent follow-ups, it can cost up to $50 per month.
Conclusion | Old English Sheep Dog
Old English Sheepdogs are beautiful doggos loyal, friendly, smart, and protective. Adopting an Old English Sheepdog can be costly since they have high demand, but you can get an Old English Sheepdog for up to $1500.
Old English Sheepdog puppies cost around $300-1500, and annual maintenance of an Old English Sheepdog puppy is around $2800-4000. Adult Old English Sheepdogs cost about $1000-1500, with yearly maintenance of up to $2500-3000.
The cost of an Old English Sheepdog depends on the mix of the dog, the location, and the breeder. Professional breeders will charge more; rescues or puppy mill dogs will cost less. Moreover, trained adult Old English Sheepdogs cost $200-500 more than untrained Old English Sheepdogs.
