Are Old English Sheepdogs easy to groom?

The grooming reality for Old English Sheepdogs

What the coat needs

Old English Sheepdogs carry a heavy, often double coat that sheds a lot. There is no clipping to book, but there is frequent brushing, several times a week and daily in moulting season to stay ahead of the hair, and moulting seasons ramp that up further.

Time and cost

Most of the work is done at home with a decent brush and the occasional bath. Costs stay low: nail clippers, shampoo, and a brush suited to the coat are about all you need, with a salon trip only if you fancy a tidy-up.

The bits every dog needs

Whatever the coat, the basics are the same. Trim or file nails every few weeks so they do not click on the floor or splay the toes, check and gently clean ears to catch infections early, and brush the teeth several times a week to head off the dental disease that is common and costly in dogs. Start all of this in puppyhood so handling becomes routine rather than a battle.

Personality and cooperation on the grooming table

The big fluffy mop from the Dulux adverts. Warm, loyal, and absolutely determined to cover your house in hair.

Adaptable dogs settle into a grooming routine without much resistance, coping with a new groomer or a changed appointment time better than a fixed-habit breed. Intelligent dogs learn the grooming routine quickly, associating the brush or the clippers with a predictable, low-stress process once it has been repeated a handful of times. Sociable dogs often enjoy the attention that comes with a grooming appointment, treating the groomer as a new person to engage with rather than someone to be wary of.

Training and temperament during grooming

Building tolerance for handling

Old English Sheepdogs pick up tolerance for grooming with a reasonable amount of consistent practice, particularly when sessions start short and build up gradually.

Vocal protest during grooming

Old English Sheepdogs bark a moderate amount generally, and an occasional grumble during a fiddly part of grooming, such as nail trimming, is not unusual.

Family involvement and other pets

Old English Sheepdogs are generally good with children, and older kids can often be taught to help with simple brushing under supervision, which is a useful way to build the dog's comfort with being handled by different people. A resident cat is unlikely to be bothered by grooming sessions, and shed hair from brushing is worth clearing up promptly in a multi-pet household either way.

Grooming costs across a dog's lifetime

Old English Sheepdogs typically live 10 to 12 years, and grooming needs tend to change with age: older dogs often have thinner, more sensitive skin and less patience for long sessions, so shorter, gentler grooming suits a senior old english sheepdog better than the routine that worked at two years old. Insurance for a Old English Sheepdog in the UK typically runs about £40 to £85 a month, and skin problems from neglected coat care, matting, hot spots, and infected ears among them, are a common reason that cover gets used. Starting handling and brushing early with a Old English Sheepdog puppy, which typically costs around £800 to £2000 in the UK, makes every grooming session for the rest of the dog's life considerably easier.