Can Old English Sheepdogs Be Guard Dogs?

Wanting to get an Old English Sheepdog puppy and wondering whether an Old English Sheepdog can be a good guard dog or if Old English Sheepdogs are protective of their owners?

According to dog trainers, Old English Sheepdogs score 4 star out of 5 in the scale of breeds that are considered the best watch dogs.


Can Old English Sheepdogs Be Guard Dogs?

Can Old English Sheepdogs Be A Watch Dog?

    This dog is not recommended to be a watchdog.

    Training an Old English Sheepdog To Be a Watch Dog

    A lot of people get a pet dog because they want more safety and security around their houses. A guard dog, or a pet dog that will really stop an intruder, generally takes unique breeding and training, but there are many dogs that are superb watch dogs.

    A watch dog merely notifies their owner to someone coming close to their property. Even if your pet dog isn't a police canine, most barking dogs will deter an intruder even if they aren't large. Most guard dogs also make terrific watch dogs, but not all watch dogs make great guard dogs.

    Top 5 Best Guard Dogs

    1. Doberman Pinscher - The Doberman Pinscher is German breed initially used for safeguarding, police and military work. They are big, strong dogs that will alert their owners to suspicious activity and can make good guard dogs as well.

    2. Cairn Terrier - Although small, the Cairn Terrier is intense. They are strong-willed, fiery little terriers that are very observant of their settings and will notify their owners to any novel activity in no time. Because of this, they make excellent watch dogs.

    3. Rottweiler - The Rottweiler is a big German guard dog breed that is greatly loyal to its family but wary of strangers. However, they are not a great choice for novice canine owners.

    4. German Shepherd - They are superb guard dogs that will inform their owners of any strangers just a little too close to their homes.

    5. Akita - They will quickly alarm their owners to any unusual activity. They are powerful dogs that are not well-suited for the newbie owner, but are almost unparalleled in their loyalty to their owners.

Can Old English Sheepdogs Be Guard Dogs

Old English Sheepdog Information

This is a square-proportioned, thick-set dog, combining agility with strength. Its compact body is broader at the rump than shoulders. A distinguishing characteristic is the top-line, which is lower at the withers than the loin. Its gait is free, powerful and ground-covering, yet gives the appearance of being effortless. This breed may pace or amble at slower speeds. Its ambling gait is sometimes described as a "bearlike" roll or shuffle. The coat is profuse, but not excessive. It consists of a waterproof undercoat and a hard, shaggy outer coat that is neither straight nor curly. The expression is intelligent. The bobtail's bark should be loud, with a "pot-casse" ring to it.

The breed standards describe the ideal Old English Sheepdog as never being nervous or aggressive. The New Zealand Kennel Club adds that "they are sometimes couch potatoes" and "may even try to herd children by gently bumping them." This breed's temperament can be described as intelligent, social and adaptable. The American Kennel Club adds that the breed has "a clownish energy" and "may try to herd people or other objects." With wide open spaces being the ideal setting for an Old English Sheepdog, the breed is a natural fit in a rural setting, such as working on a farm; although, with proper exercise and training, they are perfectly comfortable with a suburban or urban lifestyle. Their remarkable, inherent herding instincts, sense of duty, and sense of property boundaries may be nurtured and encouraged accordingly, or subdued by their owners. Old English Sheepdogs should not be deprived of the company and the warmth of people.

What to do if you lose your Old English Sheepdog

If your Old English Sheepdog or any other pet has gone missing and it does not have an identification tag with a phone number, you can:

1. Register your missing pet details at Pet Reunite website here.

2. Report the missing pet on the Local Lost Pets Facebook Groups Here.

3. Telephone the nearby vets to see if anyone has handed in your missing pet.

4. Call the RSPCA or Visit the RSPCA Lost Pets website and complete a Lost Pet Report.

5. Visit Lost Pets Pages of Animal Shelters.

What to do if you find a lost Old English Sheepdog

If you find a Old English Sheepdog or any other pet and it does not have an identification tag with a phone number, you can:

1. Report the found pet details at Pet Reunite website here.

2. Report the missing pet on the Local Facebook Lost Pets Groups.

3. Contact the Local Council to collect the lost animal.

4. Take the animal to the local Animal Shelter near to your area.

5. Take the animal to the local Vet Clinic who can scan the animal’s microchip and contact the registered pet owner.

Laws Regarding Missing Pets

1. It is against the law to keep any animal that you find.

2. Pets are generally considered property and it is illegal to take and keep someone else’s property.

3. You must contact your local animal control unit and file a FOUND AN ANIMAL report for any dog or cat you find.

4. To reclaim your lost dog, cat or other pet from the animal shelter you must pay a release fee.

5. If your dog or cat is unregistered, you will have to register your pet before you can take it home.