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Old English Sheepdog Dogs for Adoption in Dallas, TX

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

An Old English Sheepdog fits well in Dallas neighborhoods like Lakewood, where the walks are long and the lake is close. The trail around White Rock Lake gives a Bobtail room to shuffle along at its own pace, and the 1920s bungalows and Tudor-style homes nearby give it somewhere to flop afterward. Dallas summers are tough on that thick coat, so plan walks for dawn or after dark. Expect plenty of brushing and a bark the whole street will hear.

34 Old English Sheepdogs available in Dallas and nationwide

Bring home an Old English Sheepdog

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

Old English Sheepdogs Available for Adoption Near Dallas

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. Adults typically weigh 60 to 100 pounds and carry a profuse, shaggy double coat in gray, grizzle or blue with white. Puppies are born black and white and turn gray over the first year or two. The traditional docked tail earned the nickname Bobtail, though some dogs are born with natural bobtails.

Many are cheerful, patient and a little clownish, with a ringing bark and a habit of nudging people where they want them. In Dallas, the coat is the main thing to plan around. Brushing down to the skin every week, or regular professional grooming, keeps it from matting, and heat, humidity, burrs and mud all cling to it. Temperament varies from dog to dog, so spend time with the dog you're considering.

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 Dallas

Having an Old English Sheepdog in Dallas

Old English Sheepdogs are big, shaggy and sociable. In Dallas, the coat and the heat shape daily life as much as personality does, so think through grooming, exercise timing, health screening and space before you adopt.

Temperament

Many Old English Sheepdogs are gentle, playful and affectionate, and they're often patient with children. Young dogs can be bouncy and may herd by nudging. Expect an alert, loud bark that carries through shared apartment walls. A dog's history and socialization count for more than breed reputation.

Exercise Needs

Plan on daily walks plus active play, though energy varies between dogs. In Dallas, the White Rock Lake trail or a fenced off-leash park gives room to roam. Go early or after sunset in warm months, since the thick coat holds heat, and use puzzle feeders and training games on days that are too hot to stay out.

Health Considerations

The breed can face hip dysplasia, eye conditions, hypothyroidism, deafness, heart disease and bloat. Many carry the MDR1 mutation, which makes some common drugs dangerous, so tell every veterinarian. Dallas heat adds heatstroke risk for a heavy-coated dog. A veterinarian can check the hips, eyes and heart soon after adoption.

Living Space

A home with a fenced yard usually suits an Old English Sheepdog best, though a calm adult can manage a roomy apartment with dependable exercise. Dallas has plenty of both. Whatever the building, you'll need cool, air-conditioned indoor space for summer, floor room for grooming, and a plan for mud and leaves carried in on the coat.

What it costs to own an Old English Sheepdog in Dallas

ExpenseTypical costPer year
Adoption fee$350, one time$350 in year one
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
First-year total (with adoption fee)$2,965 to $6,080

Adoption fee is the fee on Old English Sheepdog listings in Dallas on GetBuddy today. Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.

* Professional grooming every six to eight weeks, flea, tick and heartworm prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, and toys and bedding.

Adopt an Old English Sheepdog in Dallas.

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 Dallas with Old English Sheepdogs Available

Dallas has a city-run animal shelter and nonprofit rescues, including foster-based groups, working to place dogs of all breeds and mixes. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Dallas area where you can find Old English Sheepdogs and other dogs available for adoption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Dallas has no breed-specific rules, and Texas law only lets cities add dangerous-dog rules that aren't tied to any breed. You'll need rabies vaccination by four months, a registered microchip for dogs four months and older, and spay or neuter after six months unless exempt. Landlords can still set their own pet rules, so confirm yours first.

They can with careful planning, but summer is the hardest season. Dallas has more than 100 days a year at 90°F or higher, plus warm nights, so walk at dawn or after dark and keep the dog in air conditioning during the day. Humidity limits panting and pavement can burn paws, so test it with your hand.

A calm adult can, if the apartment is roomy and the dog gets reliable daily exercise. About 58% of Dallas households rent, and Texas doesn't cap pet deposits or pet rent, so get fees and any size limits in writing. The loud bark carries through shared walls, and a ground-floor unit makes quick potty trips easier.

The trail around White Rock Lake and the nearby Mockingbird Point dog park suit a shaggy walker well, and NorthBark Dog Park offers 22 acres with a pond for cooling off. Wagging Tail Dog Park has a loop trail in North Dallas. Dogs at city dog parks must be spayed or neutered and rabies-tagged. Go early, before the heat.

Generally no, unless the dog is a service animal. DART allows non-service animals on buses and trains only in a securely latched cage or container, and an Old English Sheepdog weighing 60 to 100 pounds won't fit in one. Plan on driving to parks and appointments, and never leave the dog in a parked car in summer.

Plan on thorough brushing down to the skin at least weekly, or professional grooming every six to eight weeks. In Dallas heat, many owners choose a shorter pet trim, and humidity, mud and burrs can mat a long coat quickly. Professional grooming is the biggest part of the $925 to $2,350 yearly Other costs listed on this page.

Sometimes, but patio access is up to each restaurant, so don't assume it. Deep Ellum, near Barry Annino Bark Park, is a good area to look for dog-friendly spots. A big, shaggy dog needs room under the table, and summer patios get hot, so stick to early evenings or shaded seating.

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 2 rescues with Old English Sheepdogs available: Cody's Friends Rescue and Ava’s Rescue . 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 Dallas.

Expect roughly $2,600 to $5,700 a year for an Old English Sheepdog in Dallas. Food runs $55 to $110 a month, insurance $65 to $130 a month, and routine vet care $250 to $500 a year. Other costs, mostly professional grooming plus parasite prevention and dental care, add $925 to $2,350 a year. Dallas has no city dog license fee.

Explore Other Breeds in Dallas

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