brookcove
Posted : 6/6/2006 10:50:37 AM
These are neat dogs. Definitely talk to someone in the breed - find a board specifically oriented on this breed if you can. There are some unique challenges to raising an OES. One of them I know is that they can be either highly dominant or "sharp/shy" - definitely you will want to plan to start some kind of formal training with your dog from day one - sign up for obedience or agility class - you'll have a blast and also defuse the energy this breed can build up! [
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DO NOT yield to the temptation to shave your dog. It will come back thicker and more uncomfortable for your dog in the future. There's some new tools for those of us with heavy coated breeds, who lead active lives. The Mars Coat King and similiar tools will cut out a lot of the undercoat and make your dog more comfortable, leaving the guard hairs to protect from the sun and insulate against hot air temps. There's a new one called the Furminator that operates similiarly, though I haven't been able to figure out whether there's a real difference that makes it worth the extra $10 they charge for the large sized tool.[
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This is a very real concern. I have a friend who recently adopted am Aussie and the dog had a huge heavy coat which matted during shedding season in the spring. They were out out doign frisbee - it wasn't even very hot and the dog suffered heat stroke and almost died. $1000 in veterinary costs made the $25 Coat King tool seem rather cheap to her, subsequently. [&:]