How long does a Old English Sheepdog live?

The listed lifespan for a Old English Sheepdog is 10–12 years.

How tall is a Old English Sheepdog?

The listed height for a Old English Sheepdog is 22 in and up (male), 21 in and up (female).

Is a Old English Sheepdog good with children?

The AKC good-with-children score for a Old English Sheepdog is 5 out of 5.

When is a Old English Sheepdog full grown?

The growth size band for a Old English Sheepdog is up to 24 months.

Herding Group

Old English Sheepdog

Old English Sheepdog is a large dog in the Herding Group. Adult weight is 60–100 lb, height is 22 in and up (male), 21 in and up (female), and the listed lifespan is 10–12 years. AKC describes the temperament as Smart, Gentle, Adaptable.

Last reviewed November 1, 2026.

Old English Sheepdog dog — Photo: Andrea Arden · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Lifespan10–12 years

Weight60–100 lb

SizeLarge GroupHerding Group

Height

22 in and up (male), 21 in and up (female)

Energy

3 / 5

Shedding

3 / 5

Grooming

4 / 5

Trainability

4 / 5

Good with kids

5 / 5

The breed record

Across 119 single-size large breeds, a lifespan midpoint of 11 years is about 1.6 years shorter than the 12.6-year average. A midpoint adult weight of 80 lb is about 20.8 lb heavier than the 59.2 lb average for those large breeds.

The listed origin is England. The coat is described as double, long. The AKC energy score is 3 out of 5, 1.1 points below the group average of 4.1 for the Herding Group. Shedding scores 3 out of 5. Grooming scores 4 out of 5, so a professional schedule is realistic. Trainability scores 4 out of 5, which is a biddable score. Good with children scores 5 out of 5. Good with other dogs scores 3 out of 5. AKC ranked this breed number 87 in 2025.

Adult size is usually reached in up to 24 months (size-band statement (Salt et al. 2017): larger breeds require up to 24 months). AKC parent-club recommended health screenings: Hip Evaluation, Ophthalmologist Evaluation, Thyroid Evaluation, and Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC) - DNA Test. These are screening tests, not a list of diseases the breed is guaranteed to develop.

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