Mixed Breed Icon
  • Activity Level: moderate
    starstarstarno starno star
  • Grooming Level: high
    starstarstarstarstar
  • Trainability: high
    starstarstarstarstar
  • Adaptability: high
    starstarstarstarno star
  • Kid/Pet Friendly: often
    starstarstarstarstar
  • Prey Drive: moderate
    starstarstarstarno star
  • Watchdog: very alert
    starstarstarno starno star
  • Average Size: Large
  • Average Lifespan: 10-12 Years

Old English Sheepdog Mix Dog Breed Information

Overview

Temperament

Adaptability

Health

Owner Experience

Grooming

Activity Level

Size

Life Span

An Old English Sheepdog Mix is a cross between an Old English Sheepdog and another dog breed. Because a mix can take on any combination of characteristics from their parents, it’s important to talk to the breeder about the other parent breed in the mix.

If an Old English Sheepdog Mix takes after their Sheepdog parent, they will be a large, fluffy, and playful dog that loves their family and is affectionate with them.

Old English Sheepdogs are known for being intelligent and focused working dogs with playful and energetic personalities. They’re often an affectionate and sweet clown at home and serious and hardworking when on a job.

OE Sheepdogs tend to be lovable and affable. They get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. They even tend to be open and friendly with strangers once they have been introduced as long as they are well-socialized.

If the other parent breed has similar traits and temperament, then you can expect a similar temperament from an Old English Sheepdog Mix. You can also meet the mother in person to see what her temperament is like and to see what behavior she is modeling for her puppies.

Old English Sheepdogs are highly adaptable dogs. They need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation every day. As long as their daily needs are met, they adapt well to apartments as well as larger homes. They do well in the cold, but can overheat easily. And, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time.

As long as the other parent breed is similar when it comes to adaptability, you can expect an Old English Sheepdog Mix to be highly adaptable as well. The other parent breed will introduce their own potential quirks, so you do still want to have a discussion with the breeder about them.

Although mixed-breed dogs can sometimes be healthier than purebred dogs, it’s not a guarantee. A mix can inherit none, some, or all of the conditions common to their parents, so good breeding practices are essential.

From the Sheepdog side, potential health concerns to be aware of in an Old English Sheepdog Mix include hip dysplasia, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, and deafness. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing issues to puppies, so make sure you are asking about the health and genetic history of both of the parents.

Old English Sheepdogs are highly intelligent and eager to please, which makes them a highly trainable dog breed. They also tend to be a good fit for owners of all experience levels.

If the other parent breed is also highly trainable, then you can expect the same from an Old English Sheepdog Mix. If they tend to be more difficult to train, then you will want to be prepared to enroll in puppy training classes.

An Old English Sheepdog Mix can inherit a coat similar to one of their parents or a coat that is a mix of both. If they inherit the sheepdog coat, they will shed year-round with heavier shedding as the seasons change. They will also require daily brushing to remove tangles and prevent mats. Bathing is recommended at least every 6-8 weeks.

OE Sheepdogs also tend to drool, so you may need to have a drool cloth handy for your Old English Sheepdog mix. In addition to coat care, you also need to take care of your Old English Sheepdog Mix’s nails, ears, and teeth.

Cutting nails once or twice a month is usually enough to keep them from growing too long. Weekly ear checks with careful cleaning as needed can help prevent ear infections. Daily dental care like brushing teeth with dog-friendly toothpaste or using enzyme toothpaste can help prevent painful dental diseases later in life.

Although they are working dogs that require daily exercise and a job to do, Old English Sheepdogs can also be couch potatoes at home when they are not working. This tends to put them in a low to moderate activity range. But, they also tend to match the activity range of their families, so if you’re more active, an OE Sheepdog usually likes to keep up.

If the other parent breed is similar, then you can expect a similar activity level from an Old English Sheepdog Mix. If the other parent breed is a high-energy dog breed, then you will need to be prepared for the potential of a high-energy dog in an Old English Sheepdog Mix.

Fully-grown OE Sheepdogs usually stand 21-22 inches tall and weigh 60-100 pounds. The other parent breed can have a big effect on this, especially if they are the mother, so you want to ask the breeder about them.

Although it’s not a guarantee, you can also meet the parents in person. The size of the mother can give you some idea of what size to expect in a fully-grown Old English Sheepdog Mix.

Old English Sheepdogs generally live for 10-12 years. The other parent breed may affect this slightly, but you should be able to expect a similar average life span from an Old English Sheepdog Mix.