GROUP 5 - WORKING DOGS

Brief History
As the name suggests, the OES was bred to guard, herd and drove. Like all sheepdogs, they are highly intelligent and were relied upon by the shepherds to protect sheep, keep the sheep together in unfenced fields, and drive them to market.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime.
The average life span is 10 to 12 years.

Temperament
The OES is a delightful dog who could be described as the canine version of Peter Pan – they never grow up! They have a very even temperament, and are an excellent watchdog, but should never be aggressive.

General Breed Description
The OES is a large, heavily coated dog, so a commitment to coat maintenance is essential. He is strong and compact looking, being muscular and possessing a most intelligent expression. His coat colour is any shade of grey, grizzle, blue or blue merle - with or without white markings. Eye colour can be dark or blue.

Coat and Care Requirements
The OES coat is dense and profuse. They do not shed. Grooming on a regular basis is essential, probably 2 to 3 hours per week, but some choose to clip the coat to a shorter length. The OES can be a natural bobtail, or have a long, well coated tail.

Size
Height: Males 56cms (22ins) or more, Females slightly less.

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about breed’s health and what health testing the breeder does. The OES is generally a healthy breed, however health conditions do occur occasionally. These may include Hip Dysplasia (HD), Elbow Dysplasia (ED) and eyes health testing.

Suitability
The breed is an ideal pet for someone prepared to spend time with him. The OES is completely adaptable to active people, or homebodies. They love their families, but as with all breeds of dog, should never be left unsupervised with young children. Obedience training and socialisation from an early age is highly recommended.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard: https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/12