GetBuddy Logo

Old English Sheepdog Dogs for Adoption in Pocatello, ID

Your guide to finding and caring for an Old English Sheepdog in Pocatello

Old English Sheepdogs suit Pocatello's foothill neighborhoods, where a big, shaggy dog has room to move. Walks toward the City Creek trails give a herding breed plenty to do, and a fenced yard on the east bench makes the rest of the day easier. The coat is the real commitment: it needs brushing down to the skin every week, and July afternoons in the 90s are rough on it. Save longer outings for cool mornings.

36 Old English Sheepdogs available in Pocatello and nationwide

Bring home an Old English Sheepdog

While we don't have enough dogs near Pocatello, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.

Old English Sheepdogs Available for Adoption Near Pocatello

About the Old English Sheepdog breed

The Old English Sheepdog is a strong, compact dog from the west of England, where farmers used it to drive cattle and sheep along country roads to market. The traditional docked tail earned it the nickname Bobtail, though some are born with natural bobtails. The shaggy double coat comes in shades of gray, grizzle or blue, usually with white, and the breed moves with a bear-like shuffle.

Many are cheerful, gentle and a little clownish, with a loud, ringing bark and a habit of nudging people where they want them. That herding streak pairs well with a Pocatello household that likes trail time. Expect to groom thoroughly each week or pay a groomer, and expect mud and sagebrush debris to cling to all that hair.

Weight
60–100 lbs
Height
21–25 in
Lifespan
10–13 yrs
Temperament
Gentle, Playful, Affectionate
Group
Herding
Shedding
Moderate

Owning an Old English Sheepdog in Pocatello

Having an Old English Sheepdog in Pocatello

Sweet and sociable, but the coat and herding background shape daily life as much as personality. In Pocatello, plan for weekly grooming, steady exercise, a cool summer spot and a veterinarian who knows the breed's health risks before you adopt.

Temperament

Old English Sheepdogs are often affectionate, even-tempered and patient with children, though young dogs can be bouncy and may herd by bumping or nudging. Many give a loud alert bark before greeting visitors, which matters in close neighborhoods where Pocatello treats persistent barking as a nuisance. Socialization and training shape each dog as much as breed does.

Exercise Needs

Plan on daily walks plus active play, though energy varies from dog to dog and many settle calmly indoors once exercised. The Portneuf Greenway and City Creek trails suit leashed outings. Go early in summer, since the thick coat traps heat, and check the coat for grass seeds and burrs after foothill hikes.

Health Considerations

Hip dysplasia, eye problems such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy, hypothyroidism, deafness, heart disease and bloat can affect the breed. Many carry the MDR1 mutation, which makes some common drugs dangerous, so every veterinarian should know about it. A vet can check hips and eyes early, and regular checkups help catch problems sooner.

Living Space

A house with a fenced yard usually suits an Old English Sheepdog best, given its size and loud bark. Calm adults can adapt to roomy apartments if daily exercise is dependable. Expect mud and snowmelt carried in on the coat, and leave space to brush. A cool indoor spot matters in July and August.

What it costs to own an Old English Sheepdog in Pocatello

ExpenseTypical costPer year
Food$55 to $110 per month$660 to $1,320
Pet insurance$65 to $130 per month$780 to $1,560
Routine vet care$250 to $500 per year$250 to $500
Other*$940 to $2,375 per year$940 to $2,375
Estimated yearly total (after year one)$2,630 to $5,755

Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.

* The $15 to $25 Pocatello dog license, flea, tick and heartworm prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys and bedding, and professional grooming every six to eight weeks.

Adopt an Old English Sheepdog in Pocatello.

Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below currently have Old English Sheepdogs available.

Rescues in Pocatello with Old English Sheepdogs Available

Pocatello's shelter and rescue community cares for dogs of every size and breed, so listings change often. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Pocatello area where you can find Old English Sheepdogs and other dogs available for adoption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, with planning. Pocatello reaches 90°F or higher about 46 days a year, mostly in July and August, which is hard on a thick coat. Nights stay cool, so walk at dawn or after sunset, provide shade and water, and keep the dog in cool indoor air during afternoons. Never leave the dog in a parked car.

Katie's Dog Park, a fenced half-acre in Upper Ross Park, has separate areas for large and small dogs, and Bannock Bark Park in Old Town is fenced too. For longer outings, the Portneuf Greenway and City Creek trails allow leashed dogs. Keep the leash to 10 feet, and skip ballfields and cemeteries.

Yes. No breed ban is known in Pocatello, and its dangerous-dog rules are based on a dog's behavior, not its breed. Dogs over three months need a city license, and a third dog requires a multiple-animal license with neighbor signatures. Keep the leash to 10 feet outside dog parks, and keep rabies shots current.

Yes, if the dog is a calm adult with dependable daily exercise, though a house with a fenced yard usually suits better. The loud bark matters in shared buildings, and Pocatello treats persistent barking as a nuisance. Idaho doesn't cap deposits, so get size limits and any pet deposit in writing before signing a lease.

Generally no. Pocatello Regional Transit says only service animals are welcome on its buses, and the city has no rail or subway. A 60 to 100 pound Sheepdog will need car travel for vet and grooming trips, so get the dog used to riding with a secure harness or crate.

Generally no. Idaho's food code bars animals from food-establishment premises except service animals, so dining rooms are off limits, and patio policies vary by business. Don't count on a patio table, and never leave a dog tied outside or in a hot car while you eat. Dog parks and trail walks make better outings.

Plan on brushing down to the skin about once a week, plus a professional groom every six to eight weeks, which is the biggest part of the $940 to $2,375 yearly Other costs. Pocatello's snow, spring mud and sagebrush debris tangle the coat quickly, so brush after muddy or snowy outings.

Yes, Old English Sheepdogs shed, though much of the loose undercoat stays trapped in the long outer coat instead of falling on the floor. That trapped hair forms mats unless the dog is brushed thoroughly down to the skin every week. Seasonal shedding increases the work, and a shorter pet clip makes the coat easier to manage.

We have 1 rescue with Old English Sheepdogs available: Pocatello Animal Shelter. You can see every rescue with Old English Sheepdogs available in the list above these questions, or scroll to the top to see the Old English Sheepdogs near Pocatello.

Expect roughly $2,600 to $5,750 a year. Food runs $55 to $110 a month, insurance $65 to $130 a month, routine vet care $250 to $500 a year, and other costs $940 to $2,375 a year, with professional grooming the largest piece. Figures vary with the dog's size, age and health.

Explore Other Breeds in Pocatello

Looking for a different breed? Browse other dogs available for adoption in Pocatello.