Coat Care for the Old English Sheepdog

A beautiful Bobtail coat requires attention

The Old English Sheepdog has a distinctive double coat: a soft, woolly undercoat and a firm, thick outer coat. This coat changes twice during their life: from puppy coat to junior coat, and from junior coat to adult coat. Tangling can occur quickly during these transitional periods, even with regular brushing. You may think the coat is tangle-free, and a short while later, new tangles appear. This can be frustrating, but with the right approach you can prevent problems and keep the coat healthy.

Why regular brushing is indispensable

A healthy, tangle-free coat starts with a good brushing routine. Regular brushing not only removes dead hair but also keeps the coat light and well maintained. Do tangles still form? Remove them immediately. The longer you wait, the harder they are to treat. Tangles can arise from various causes, such as:

1. Using unsuitable brushes.
2. Hormonal changes, for example after a heat cycle.
3. Itching due to allergies or parasites.
4. Saliva tangles caused by playing with other dogs.
5. A damp coat from swimming, rain, or after surgery.

Prevention is better than cure

With a good routine, the right brushes, and timely action, you can keep your Old English Sheepdog’s coat healthy and free of tangles. Pay extra attention to problem areas such as the armpits, belly, and hind legs.

Good grooming starts in puppyhood

An Old English Sheepdog puppy needs to get used to brushing step by step. A good breeder often introduces this process carefully. As the new owner, it’s essential to continue this routine consistently. This lays the foundation for stress-free and effective grooming later in life.

5 simple steps to get your puppy accustomed

These five steps form a solid basis for a smooth and successful brushing routine in the future.

1. Start with short sessions, with your puppy calmly lying on its side. This will eventually be the goal for every brushing session.
2. Make it a daily habit to brush briefly.
3. Let your puppy sniff the brush first and reward positive behavior.
4. Begin with a few strokes over the back and immediately give a reward.
5. Gradually expand this to the legs and other parts of the body.

Why consistency is crucial

Once your puppy is used to lying still, brushing becomes much easier. Consistency is key here. You decide when the brushing session is over, not your dog. A clear command, such as “stay,” helps your puppy understand what is expected.

If your dog tries to stand up, stay calm. Gently place him back on his side and patiently repeat. It’s not cruel to have longer brushing sessions. As long as you remain calm and patient, your puppy will accept it as normal.

With trust and positive experiences, brushing becomes a natural part of grooming. Once your puppy is used to it, you can reduce brushing to once a week. However, keep in mind that a full brushing session, especially at first, can take several hours.

The right brushes for puppies

A puppy’s coat is still soft and delicate. Heavy brushes or tools are unsuitable and can damage the soft puppy coat. Whether it’s an adult dog or a puppy, the Maxi Pin and ActiVet brushes are indispensable. With these tools and a positive approach, you lay a strong foundation for caring for your Old English Sheepdog’s coat.

From puppy coat to adult grooming

Around the age of six months, the puppy coat gradually changes into a junior coat. Not only the color but also the texture changes. The black coat becomes (light) gray, and the soft puppy hair is replaced by a somewhat coarser outer coat and a woolly undercoat. This process brings extra challenges.

The typical silver-gray junior coat of a 9-month-old Old English Sheepdog puppy

The junior coat needs more attention and regular care. Tangles can form faster, so consistent brushing is crucial. During this phase, you benefit from a thorough routine that includes not just brushing but also washing and regular checks to keep the coat healthy and free of tangles.

Getting started with coat care

A healthy, well-groomed coat starts with a clean foundation. While brushing is essential, it doesn’t remove all the dirt that accumulates in the coat. By regularly washing and conditioning the coat, brushing becomes easier and the coat stays tangle-free. Also, a clean, slightly damp coat is less prone to hair breakage and easier to maintain.

Three steps to a beautiful coat

You can divide the care of your Old English Sheepdog into three main parts:

1. Washing and conditioning
2. The brushing routine
3. Inspection and additional care

Step 1: Washing and conditioning for a fresh start

The first step in an effective grooming routine is thoroughly washing the coat. The quality of the products you choose is very important. Avoid shampoos intended for people; they often have the wrong pH and can irritate your dog’s skin. Instead, opt for specialized products like Bio-Groom, which deeply clean the coat while protecting the skin’s natural balance.

For dogs that are brushed regularly (for instance, every two weeks), it’s useful to first wash the feet, legs, and beard, especially the white parts of the coat. This removes stubborn dirt and prepares the coat optimally for brushing.

Applying and rinsing out the shampoo

With these three easy steps, you can give the white coat of your Old English Sheepdog a proper wash.

1. Dilute the Bio Groom Super White Shampoo in a 1:4 ratio (1 part shampoo to 4 parts water).
2. Massage the shampoo thoroughly, especially on dirty areas like the beard, feet, and around the penis and legs for males.
3. Rinse the coat completely with lukewarm water to remove all shampoo.

Conditioning for a hydrated coat

Using a quality conditioner is essential to keep the coat healthy.

1. Use Bio Groom Conditioner, also diluted in a 1:4 ratio.
2. Distribute the conditioner evenly over the coat, paying extra attention to areas prone to tangling.
3. Rinse out the conditioner thoroughly to prevent any skin irritation or dryness.

Drying without damage

After washing, the right drying technique is crucial to avoid tangles and hair breakage.

1. Gently squeeze out excess water with a soft towel. Avoid rubbing to prevent tangles.
2. Allow the coat to dry about 70% before you start brushing.
3. Use a dog dryer or blaster for even drying and to avoid tangles. In warmer temperatures, your dog can also dry outside without problems.

The importance of a blaster

A blaster is an indispensable tool for grooming an Old English Sheepdog. This device removes dust, loose hair, and moisture from the coat. By focusing on one section at a time and blowing the coat open, you work more efficiently and prevent tangles.

Step 2: The ideal brushing routine for a tangle-free coat

Brushing becomes much more efficient—and less stressful—with a structured approach. By following a fixed order, you thoroughly treat every part of the coat and ensure you don’t skip any spots. This predictable routine helps your Old English Sheepdog get used to brushing sessions, turning it into a positive experience.

A step-by-step plan for effective brushing

1. Start at the chest area and work your way to the neck.
2. Continue with the head, back, rear end, and tail.
3. Next, handle the hind legs, the space between the legs, the belly, and the front legs.
4. Finish with the area between the front legs.

By following this structure, you work systematically and don’t leave tangles behind. Randomly brushing, for example the head and then the rear end, increases the likelihood of missing tangles. A methodical approach prevents this issue and makes the routine more efficient.

Preparation for easy brushing

Lightly spray the coat with a mixture of 50 ml Bio Groom Super Cream and half a liter of warm water (ratio 1:10). This softens the coat, reduces friction during brushing, and prevents damage. Don’t use too much spray; a small amount is sufficient.

Brushing step by step

You can now start the “real” work. By using this systematic approach, the Old English Sheepdog’s coat remains healthy, comfortable, and free of tangles. A good routine not only keeps your dog looking great but also makes brushing a positive experience.

Chest and neck

Have your Bobtail lie on its side and use a Maxi Pin Brush to loosen the chest and neck area. Work deeply down to the skin to remove tangles at the hair roots. Then use an ActiVet Brush to brush the coat completely and leave no tangles. If you want to preserve the undercoat, use the Green ActiVet; more volume is desired for show dogs. For the neck and chest, the V Rake is particularly effective for stubborn tangles or for thinning.

The dog lies on its side during neck brushing.

Head, back, rear end, and tail

Divide the coat on the back into sections. First loosen each section with the Maxi Pin Brush, then carefully remove tangles with the ActiVet. For the ears, you can use the metal comb, but avoid using it on the rest of the coat or you’ll lose the undercoat.

Divided into sections, the top and bottom layers of the coat are clearly visible.

Hind legs, space between the legs, belly, and front legs

Continue with the hind legs and work towards the belly and front legs. Use an ActiVet Brush and avoid a metal comb on the legs to prevent damage. Pay special attention to the insides of the legs and the belly, where dirt and tangles often accumulate.

The area between the front legs

Finish by brushing the front legs. Check the hair between the toes and carefully trim away any excess hair with a foot grooming scissor. Leave a thin layer of hair to prevent irritation to the paw pads.

Treating the other side

When one side is completely done, gently place the dog on its other side. Avoid rolling the dog to prevent the risk of gastric torsion. Repeat the same process on the other side with the same fixed order and focus.

Step 3: Inspection and additional care

After a thorough brushing session, it’s time for the final checks. This step focuses on hygiene and extra care. With these guidelines, you ensure your Old English Sheepdog not only looks great but also stays healthy and comfortable.

Maintaining the anus and tail

Check the area around the anus for excess hair that can trap dirt or cause irritation. Trim it neatly to prevent hygiene issues. Also inspect the tail and remove any tangles. Keep this area clean for optimal comfort.

Regular nail trimming

Overgrown nails can cause your dog discomfort and even lead to painful feet or abnormal stances. Check the nails regularly and trim if needed. Don’t forget to inspect the dewclaw, as it’s often overlooked.

A healthy mouth and fresh teeth

Inspect the teeth, especially the molars, for tartar and plaque. Use a tartar scraper to remove it gently, but limit this to once every four weeks to protect the tooth enamel. Then brush the teeth with special dog toothpaste. Regular oral care helps prevent issues like bad breath and gum inflammation.

Keeping the beard clean and fresh

Your Old English Sheepdog’s beard collects dirt, especially after eating or drinking. Wash the beard weekly with a mild shampoo like Bio Groom Super White Shampoo and dry it with a towel after each drink. This prevents unpleasant odors and keeps it looking fresh.

Thorough ear cleaning

Clean your dog’s ears every 4 to 6 weeks. Remove excess hair from the ear canal with an ear forceps or Kocher, and use a suitable ear cleaner, such as Bio Groom Ear Cleaner, to remove earwax. For ear infections, THORNIT Ear Powder is effective. Regular ear care prevents discomfort and costly vet visits.

Invest in a stable grooming table

A good grooming table makes caring for your Old English Sheepdog much easier. Choose a table measuring 110×60 cm and use a non-slip mat for extra safety. If you don’t have a grooming table, a sturdy garden table with a non-slip mat is a fine alternative. However, investing in a real grooming table will help prevent back pain and make the care more comfortable for both you and your dog.

Shaving or trimming: why it’s better to keep the coat unshaved

Shaving an Old English Sheepdog is strongly discouraged unless there is a medical need. The natural coat protects and insulates the dog optimally. By removing the guard hairs, you not only change the structure but also the quality of the coat. This can have negative consequences for your dog’s health and appearance. With regular grooming and the right techniques, you can keep the coat in top condition without the need for shaving. Below are the three main reasons to avoid shaving:

1. Loss of insulation and temperature regulation

The strong guard hairs of an Old English Sheepdog naturally insulate the dog. They trap air between the hairs, allowing your dog to protect itself from both heat and cold.

When you shave these guard hairs, they are replaced by soft, woolly hairs that can’t perform this function. This makes your dog more vulnerable to extreme temperatures, negatively affecting its well-being.

2. Higher risk of tangles and dirt

A shaved coat tangles faster because woolly hair twists together more easily. This means more maintenance and a greater chance of matting. Moreover, a shaved coat repels dirt less effectively, causing your dog to become dirty more quickly and need more frequent baths.

3. Reduced shine and color

The natural guard hairs have a protective layer that provides a beautiful shine and rich color. Shaving removes this layer, leaving the coat dull and robbing it of its original quality. Over time, both the color and texture can change permanently.

With love and consistency to a beautiful coat

Caring for an Old English Sheepdog’s coat takes time and dedication, but it’s a rewarding process in its own right. With regular brushing sessions, high-quality products, and attention to details like nails, teeth, and ears, your dog stays healthy and happy—and will always look its best.

Patience and consistency are essential. By lovingly caring for the coat, you not only strengthen the bond with your dog but also make grooming an enjoyable experience for both of you. A radiant dog starts with your commitment!