are old english sheepdogs good family dogs? Do they shed alot?what about collies? do they make a better family pet?

-- (doglvr56@maine.rr.com), November 28, 2001

Answers

Have you seen the amount of hair on an Old English Sheepdog? All dogs shed (even Chihoohas). But with an OES - well!

Collies - they are marvellous dogs. Working collies or farm collies, that is - not those long-nosed half-borzoi things. However, they are VERY intelligent - more so than most of their owners, in their own opinions. You give them an order, and they'll consider your suggestion - if you're lucky. They are working dogs, and they need a real job, and they'll take one on. If it's not one you've given them, then it may not be one you like, but nevertheless they'll make it their life's work.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), November 28, 2001.

Collies also shed a LOT -- had a friend with collies, vacuuming up their hair killed several vacuum cleaners (she said). Also, German shepherds shed a lot too, constantly in fact. Plus they "blow" their coats twice yearly, for instance shed all their summer coat while growing their winter coat. My GSD seems to have shed most her summer coat now, and her winter coat is getting thicker.

-- Joy F (S.Central Wisc) (CatFlunky@excite.com), November 28, 2001.

Collies are great family farm dogs. Highly intelligent, loyal, fantastic with children. Chickens have slept on top of our sleeping collie several times. We comb in the spring and fall, usually clip in the spring too. It only looks bad for awhile but don't cut to close they will sunburn!! I have my fifth collie now, got my first one on my 13th birthday [afew years back now!] I have no complaints.....

-- Suzanne (weir@frontiernet.net), November 28, 2001.

I think all of the herding dogs are great family dogs. Yes, dogs shed, but if you sweep your floors on a regular schedule it isn't really a big problem. I've had German Shepherds and Border Collies and various Collie/GSD crosses most of my life. Wouldn't have traded any of them away. :)

-- Jennifer L. (Northern NYS) (jlance@nospammail.com), November 29, 2001.

If I could put in what might be an unusual breed idea; I raise horses and also have chickens and cats etc. and have the best dog for my farm. He is an Old English Mastiff. He is excellent with children and all animals and has never chased or hurt an animal. They are known for being very home oriented and mine has never roamed off my property even when he was younger, and I am at work all day and he is not penned up. The one thing that they are not is herders. This is great if you have horses and don't want them chased, but not if you need sheep moved. Now, mine will stand in the gap in the gate to help me pen up the chickens but the chicken pushing part is my job. But, if protection is important to you you cannot do better. My dog will act like he is a gentle family dog, until there is a problem, then he changes into a very efficient very intelligent 200 lb. Marine. He has never bitten anyone because he has never had to, but he would if it is necessary. Usually he just gets REALLY serious and gives the person a look and they stop whatever negative thing they are doing and go away. Yet a toddler can sleep on him. Good luck in

-- Leslie (leslie@nospameethr.com), November 29, 2001.

I have three dogs.

We have two male rough Collies which are great companions and guard dogs to my two children. They are the Lassie type of Collie (rough) and they are very smart, loveable and very good at herding/guarding livestock. They do need alot of room to play around and they enjoy walking the land with the family.

I believe this is the best combination for a family/farm dog with children and livestock.

But if you have predators like I do, too really protect livestock from predators as coyotes, we have the Kuvasz, our main farm guard dog.

He is very overly protective and aggresive. He watches the overall farm for predators or visitors, I kind of think he doesn't distinguish a predator from a visitor, he is suspicious of all. And coyotes have not returned since he has made his presence felt by killing a coyote leader.

Whereas the Collies would bark and snarl at coyotes, the Kuvasz goes for the kill, making him a welcome companion on my night walks.

Be advised thou, our Kuvasz was purchased as a puppy and trained by a local trainer for farm duties. He needs more obedience training and socialization, than a Collie, as a young dog to be a well-behaved member of a family. Once this dog knows you, he tolerates you unless you try something menacing towards him or the family, which I wouldn't advised. He is VERY protective of my children, to the point that he doesn't let them very far from his sight. And my children prefer playing with the Collies because the Kuvaz doesn't play with them he just turns his back and watches and guards.

My three dogs all grew up together, so the Kuvasz tolerates the Collies and the Collies consider the Kuvasz the leader...

To give you an idea of the character of the Kuvasz, here is an example, where my Collies will go out running after a deer or something, a Kuvasz will hold his ground, he wont chase, he continues guarding and watching...

David SunDance Farm

-- David (CNY) (sundance@midtel.net), November 29, 2001.

We have collies, and they are the best. Smokey is 1/2 collie, 1/2 bearded collie, and looks very much like an Old English. The finest dog, from all aspects, I have ever had. Two problems: First, he understands everything after the 2nd use. One of his jobs is to keep barn cats out of the house, and he goes to red alert if you use the term "barn cat". So, when we wanted to mention them, we began to just say "BC". That became a hot button word. So we spelled out "b- a-r-n c-a-t" Took about 3 days before he had that scoped as well. 2nd is that they do shed. About every 3 weeks, I have enough fur to build another dog. For us, that is a small price to pay, but then we have a "country home" and fastidious is not an important word in our vocabulary. GL!

-- Brad (homefixer@SacoRiver.net), November 29, 2001.

My friends had a old english[ she passed away 6 months ago] she was great! Good with the kids. They lived in town so dont know about herding.Becky was a special dog and I [ and them] still miss her.I made a beautifull belt out of her hair when they cliped her once.

-- kathy h (ckhart55@earthlink.net), November 29, 2001.

I had a great OES once. He had a great temperament and fit into the family well. But, it was toooooo hot for him in the summertime here, so I had to adopt him out. It just about broke my heart. So, think about the heat for any long-haired dog. I wish I had before getting attached.

-- Iris (WatchingWideEyed@peaceful.com), November 30, 2001.

As far as the shedding goes, You can clip or shear the dog in the spring when shedding is a problem. One of my friends shears her dog every spring and I spin and weave the hair into various items, (belts and pillows). This helps keep the dog cooler for the summer. Collies and sheepdogs are both good choices for the country. Good luck!

-- cowgirlone (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), December 01, 2001.