Hello, I am interested in getting an Old English Sheepdog puppy. I would like to know how much it would cost monthly on average to maintain such a dog in WA (USA). Including foods, vitamins, etc etc.... I am an international student and live with a host family who gave me permission to keep one. Do you have any tips on how to choose a good puppy? My budget would be about 1500 USD. Thank You!!
2006-06-15 19:48:08 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Man, I hope you've got a LOT of time to brush one and LOTS of money to spend at the groomers! If you don't keep them clipped short, then everytime they get wet, you're going to have to blow them dry. They are usually sweet but they can be very aggressive, stubborn and hard to train. Wouldn't recommend them. Are you going to be able to take the dog home with you when your time is up? Many countries have quarantine laws about importing dogs. If you stay in the US, it's often difficult and expensive to find an apartment where you can keep a big dog.
Before you get any dog, I'd suggest reading some really good books on training. Try not to do it randomly - there are a lot of bad books out there also! These are some of my favorites and you can get them on Amazon.com
What All Good Dogs Should Know - Volhard
Good Owners, Great Dogs - Brian Kilcommins
Dog Tricks : Eighty-Eight Challenging Activities for Your Dog from World-Class Trainers by Haggerty and Benjamin
Don't Shoot the Dog - Pryor
Training Your Dog: The Step by Step Method - Volhard
Dog Problems - Benjamin
Cesar's Way - Cesar Millan
Also, watch the Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel. Cesar Millan is the best trainer I've ever seen on TV.
Whatever breed of puppy you decide on DON'T go to a pet shop or buy one off the internet!!!! You'll pay top dollar for what is usually a poor quality puppy mill dog. And you'll be supporting one of the cruelest industries in the country. The breeding animals are kept in deplorable conditions. They probably haven't been vaccinated against contagious diseases or tested for any health or temperament problems or genetic diseases - that costs money and cuts into their profits. A female is often bred every time she comes into heat. When her poor little body can't take it any more, she is often clubbed in the head and tossed into a dumpster or an open ditch. Most puppy mills ship their pups to pet stores at wholesale prices and many pups die before they even get there. These "breeders" have figured out that they can use the internet to ship a dog directly to the customer and thus make more money by cutting out the middleman. If you buy a dog from out of state, good luck getting your money back if there's something wrong with the pup. These people count on you becoming instantly attached to the poor little guy and being willing to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars at the vet to treat whatever is wrong with him.
Find a good breeder by going to www.akc.org or talking to people at dog shows. You can also find info about the Old English breed club on the akc site - they probably have a rescue group where you can get an older dog for less money.
2006-06-16 07:43:28 · answer #1 · answered by Danger, Will Robinson! 7 · 14⤊ 3⤋
That's a huge request for a host family. An English Sheepdog requires daily extensive grooming. They are large dogs who would eat alot. Also are you in a position to take on a 12-15 year commitment? At least maybe consider a bearded collie, they look kinda similar but on a much smaller scale.
2006-06-16 02:53:27 · answer #2 · answered by Marge Simpson 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Doesn't sound like a smart idea to me...OES are BIG dogs w/TONS of coat! You up the grooming,training,other daily maintence involved for the next 15 yrs.? Are you planning on taking this dog home w/you? Do you know what's involved w/that process? Or will you just dump it somewhere?
Go to an AKC show & meet dogs "in the flesh" before you even think of taking on this big responsibilty.
2006-06-16 00:26:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here are my results: I taught my 2yo boston terrier Dexter to stop digging up the back yard in just 7 days. Just like that. All we had to use was the Dog discipline magic system that i found on google.
2015-12-30 17:06:11 · answer #4 · answered by Moto 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hard to find dog thats pretty much what i know
2006-06-15 19:59:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋