GetBuddy Logo

Old English Sheepdog Dogs for Adoption in San Antonio, TX

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

An Old English Sheepdog does best in San Antonio with a fenced yard and a good air conditioner. In a Stone Oak subdivision, a backyard gives a Sheepdog room to patter around and herd the kids, and Panther Springs Park has an off-leash dog park at the neighborhood's northern edge. The thick coat is the catch, because summer afternoons here are long and hot. Plan walks for dawn and dusk, and expect a big, shaggy dog that wants to be wherever you are.

32 Old English Sheepdogs available in San Antonio and nationwide

Bring home an Old English Sheepdog

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

Old English Sheepdogs Available for Adoption Near San Antonio

About the Old English Sheepdog breed

The Old English Sheepdog is a sturdy herding dog from the west of England, where farmers used it to drive cattle and sheep to market. The shaggy gray-and-white double coat, hair-covered eyes and bear-like shuffle make it easy to spot, and the traditional docked tail earned the nickname Bobtail. Many are cheerful, gentle and a little clownish, with a loud bark and a habit of nudging people along.

In San Antonio, the coat shapes daily life more than anything else. It needs brushing down to the skin every week, or regular professional grooming, to keep mats from forming, and mud, burrs and moisture cling to all that hair. Picture your routine honestly: a dog this size wants company, daily activity and a cool spot indoors through the long hot season.

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 San Antonio

Having an Old English Sheepdog in San Antonio

Sheepdogs pair a sociable, playful nature with a coat that demands steady upkeep. In San Antonio, heat management and grooming matter as much as personality, so weigh your schedule, yard and air conditioning before bringing one home.

Temperament

Many Old English Sheepdogs are affectionate, patient and fond of company, though young dogs can be bouncy and may herd by bumping or nudging. A loud bark announces visitors, which matters in close-quarters apartment buildings. Dogs vary, so watch how a dog handles noise, strangers and time alone before deciding.

Exercise Needs

Plan on a daily walk plus active play. San Antonio's off-leash dog parks, greenway trails and mission grounds offer variety, while training games and puzzle feeders give a clever dog mental work. In summer, move hard exercise to early morning or late evening, since the thick coat traps warmth.

Health Considerations

Hip dysplasia, eye conditions, thyroid problems, deafness, heart disease and bloat can affect the breed, and many carry the MDR1 mutation that makes some common drugs risky, so tell every veterinarian. In San Antonio, heat stress is a real risk for a heavy-coated dog. Have a vet check the hips and eyes early.

Living Space

A house with a fenced yard suits most Sheepdogs, and suburban areas like Stone Oak offer plenty of those. Calm adults can manage a roomy apartment with steady exercise, but a 60 to 100 pound dog with a loud bark needs an understanding building. Shade and air conditioning are essential, and grooming takes floor space.

What it costs to own an Old English Sheepdog in San Antonio

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*$925 to $2,350 per year$925 to $2,350
Estimated yearly total (after year one)$2,615 to $5,730

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

* Flea, tick and heartworm prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys and bedding, and professional grooming every six to eight weeks for the long shaggy coat.

Adopt an Old English Sheepdog in San Antonio.

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 San Antonio with Old English Sheepdogs Available

San Antonio has a busy network of shelters and rescues helping dogs of every size and coat find homes. Here are the rescues & shelters in the San Antonio area where you can find Old English Sheepdogs and other dogs available for adoption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, with planning. San Antonio averages about 122 days a year at 90°F or higher, which is hard on a thick double coat. Keep walks to early morning or late evening, give the dog cool indoor space and shade, and never leave it in a parked car. Heavy panting, drooling or vomiting calls for gradual cooling and a vet visit.

Yes. San Antonio has no breed bans, and Texas law only lets cities add dangerous-dog rules that aren't breed-specific. A residence can have up to five dogs without an excess animal permit. Loose dogs bring fines starting at $100, and any dog kept outdoors must have shade at all times.

Not realistically. San Antonio has no rail, and VIA buses allow pets only in an enclosed carrier, which a 60 to 100 pound Old English Sheepdog won't fit in. Service animals are the exception. Plan on a car for vet visits and outings, and save walking routes for exercise.

Phil Hardberger Park is a strong pick, with about 7.5 miles of trails and two off-leash dog parks. The Howard W. Peak Greenway Trails add roughly 103 miles along Leon Creek, Salado Creek and the Medina River, open sunrise to sunset, though creek trails can be muddy after rain. Mission grounds allow dogs on a leash of six feet or less.

Some can, but a house with a yard is easier. A calm adult with steady daily exercise can manage a roomy unit, yet the size and loud bark don't suit every building. Since summer heat limits time outside, strong air conditioning and a cool floor matter. Confirm weight limits before you apply.

Plan on brushing down to the skin at least weekly, plus a professional groom every six to eight weeks. Mud after storms and tangled burrs make mats more likely here, and a damp coat needs full drying. Grooming is the biggest piece of the Other cost line, roughly $450 to $1,200 a year.

Only to patios, and only where the restaurant allows it. Texas law lets restaurants permit leashed dogs in outdoor dining areas, but never indoors, and the dog must enter directly from outside and stay off furniture. Many River Walk patios welcome dogs, though each business sets its own policy. Choose a spot with room for a large dog.

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: Animal Care Services Division City of San Antonio. 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 San Antonio.

Expect roughly $2,600 to $5,700 a year for an Old English Sheepdog in San Antonio, counting food, insurance, routine vet care and other costs. Professional grooming is the biggest variable. The microchip is free for city residents and there's no annual license fee, so the cost table below reflects neither.

Find Old English Sheepdogs in Nearby Cities

Expand your search to find Old English Sheepdogs available for adoption near San Antonio.

Explore Other Breeds in San Antonio

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