- Dog breeds
- Large breed
- Herding group
- Origin: United Kingdom (England)
The Old English Sheepdog is a large, shaggy herding dog known for its profuse coat and rolling, bear-like gait. The AKC breed standard sets heights of 22 in and upward for males and 21 in and upward for females, and Purina lists adults at 60–100 lb. As a large breed on our scale, the Old English Sheepdog usually reaches adult weight at around 15–18 months. This page includes an Old English Sheepdog growth chart by age, a size calculator preset for the breed, and sourced guidance on lifespan, health, grooming and feeding.
How big do Old English Sheepdogs get?
According to the AKC standard (height) and Purina (weight), adult Old English Sheepdogs weigh 60–100 lb (27.2–45.4 kg). Males stand at least 22 in (at least 56 cm) at the shoulder and females at least 21 in (at least 53 cm). That makes the Old English Sheepdog a Large breed on our size scale.| Old English Sheepdog | Weight | Height |
|---|
The AKC standard gives minimum heights (22 in and upward for males, 21 in and upward for females) and no weight; type and soundness matter more than size.
Many healthy pets fall outside the show standard, especially from working or pet lines. Use body condition, not the scale alone, to judge a healthy weight.
Old English Sheepdog growth chart: weight by age
| Age | Typical weight |
|---|---|
| 8 weeks | 15 lb6.9 kg |
| 3 months | 26 lb12 kg |
| 4 months | 36 lb16.2 kg |
| 6 months | 50 lb22.5 kg |
| 9 months | 64 lb28.9 kg |
| 12 months | 72 lb32.8 kg |
| Adult (15–18 months) | 80 lb36.3 kg |
When is an Old English Sheepdog full grown?
Large breeds like the Old English Sheepdog reach their adult weight at about 15–18 months. Most of the growth happens early: by 6 months a typical Old English Sheepdog is around 50 lb, after which weight gain slows down as the dog fills out.How we calculate this: each figure is the midpoint of the breed’s adult weight range multiplied by the share of adult weight a large-size puppy typically reaches at that age (WALTHAM growth standards, Salt et al., 2017). It is the same model used by our Dog Size Calculator.
Old English Sheepdog puppy size calculator
Enter your puppy’s current age and weight to estimate how big your Old English Sheepdog will be as an adult. The calculator is preset for the breed.Dog Size Calculator
Predict how big your puppy will get — estimated adult weight from its current age and weight.
Best from ~8 weeks on; very young pups are less predictable.
Weigh on a flat scale, ideally before a meal.
Not sure? Use the size of the parents, or the larger parent for a mixed breed.
Males often finish a little heavier than females.
| Age milestone | Projected weight |
|---|
Dog breed weight chart (lb & kg) by size
| Size | Adult weight | Full-grown | Example breeds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toy | 2–12 lb / 1–5.5 kg | ~8–10 mo | Chihuahua, Maltese, Toy Poodle, Pomeranian, Yorkie |
| Small | 12–25 lb / 5.5–11 kg | ~10–12 mo | Shih Tzu, French Bulldog, Mini Schnauzer, Mini Aussiedoodle |
| Medium | 25–50 lb / 11–23 kg | ~12–14 mo | Beagle, Border Collie, Cocker Spaniel, Std. Aussiedoodle* |
| Large | 50–100 lb / 23–45 kg | ~15–18 mo | Labrador, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Boxer |
| Giant | 100 lb+ / 45 kg+ | ~18–24 mo | Great Dane, Mastiff, St Bernard, Newfoundland |
*Standard Aussiedoodles span medium–large (≈40–70 lb / 18–32 kg); Mini Aussiedoodles are small (≈15–35 lb / 7–16 kg).
How it works: puppies of a given size reach a predictable share of their adult weight at each age. The tool divides your puppy's current weight by that share to estimate the adult figure, shown as a range.
Disclaimer: estimates for planning only — not veterinary advice. Growth varies with genetics, sex, nutrition and neuter status, especially for mixed and giant breeds. Keep records and consult your vet.
Sources: Salt et al., PLOS ONE 2017 (WALTHAM growth standards) · AKC — when puppies finish growing
Old English Sheepdog temperament and personality
Old English Sheepdogs are gentle, playful and adaptable, with a clownish sense of humor. They are affectionate with children and often try to herd them. They are intelligent but can be independent, so training should be consistent and positive. They need daily exercise and company to stay happy.-
Energy level4/5
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Trainability4/5
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Good with children5/5
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Shedding3/5
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Barking3/5
Ratings are BarnCalc’s own 1–5 scale, based on the breed standard and the sources cited below. Individual dogs vary.
History and origin
The Old English Sheepdog was developed in the west of England, probably in the early 1800s, to drive cattle and sheep to market. A popular story says drovers’ dogs were exempt from a dog tax and had their tails docked as proof, which led to the nickname ‘Bobtail’. The breed became a show favorite in the late 1800s, and the AKC recognized it in 1888.Old English Sheepdog lifespan and health
Most Old English Sheepdogs live 10–12 years. Want to know how old that is in human terms? Try our dog years calculator, or estimate an individual dog’s outlook with the dog life expectancy calculator.Health conditions documented in the breed
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Eye disease such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy
- Hypothyroidism
- Deafness
- Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
- Exercise-induced collapse
Health tests to ask a breeder for
The breed’s parent club recommends these screenings for breeding dogs (ask to see the results for both parents):- Hip evaluation
- Eye exam by a board-certified ophthalmologist
- Thyroid evaluation
- Exercise-induced collapse (EIC) DNA test
This is general information, not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own dog.
Exercise and grooming
| Exercise | 1 hour of walks and play a day; herding and agility suit them |
| Grooming | Full coat: thorough brushing several hours a week. Pet clip: brush weekly and clip every 6–8 weeks |
| Coat | Profuse, shaggy, hard-textured outer coat over a waterproof undercoat |
| Low shedding | No – moderate to heavy shedder |
| Apartment living | Not ideal |
How much should an Old English Sheepdog eat?
A healthy, neutered adult Old English Sheepdog weighing 60–100 lb needs roughly 1,330–1,960 kcal a day. With a typical dry food of about 375 kcal per cup, that is about 3.5–5.2 cups a day, split into two meals. Active or intact dogs need more, while older or less active dogs need less. Always check the feeding guide on your food’s label.Breeding and pregnancy
Like all dogs, a pregnant Old English Sheepdog carries her puppies for about 63 days from ovulation. Most females come into heat about every 6–12 months.Is an Old English Sheepdog right for you?
A great fit for
Families with children, people who enjoy grooming, and homes with a yard in a cool climate.Think twice if
Hot climates, small apartments, or owners without the time or budget for regular grooming.Old English Sheepdog FAQ
When is an Old English Sheepdog full grown?
How big will my Old English Sheepdog puppy get?
How much should a 6-month-old Old English Sheepdog weigh?
How long do Old English Sheepdogs live?
How much grooming does an Old English Sheepdog need?
Can Old English Sheepdogs see through their hair?
More dog calculators
- Dog size calculatorHow big will my puppy get?
- Dog years calculatorDog age in human years
- Life expectancyLifespan by breed and size
- Gestation calculatorDue date and whelping window
- Heat cycle calculatorNext heat and fertile days
- Raw dog food calculatorDaily portions by weight
Sources
- AKC official breed standard
- FCI breed standard
- Purina breed profile
- AKC: breed club recommended health tests
- Salt C. et al. (2017), growth standard charts for monitoring bodyweight in dogs of different sizes, PLOS ONE
Main photo: AKS.9955, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Reviewed by grupo barncalc.com on November 9, 2026. Estimates are for planning only and are not veterinary advice.