The Old English Sheepdog, or Bobtail, is a big, shaggy, good-natured herding dog developed in the west of England to drive sheep and cattle. Usually around 27 to 45 kilos under all that coat, the OES is affectionate, easy-going and playful, famous for its rolling gait, its profuse grey-and-white double coat and its gentle, clownish family nature. This is a large dog with a very large grooming commitment, and understanding that coat is the single most important part of owning one.
OES reach Sydney and NSW rescue most often when the grooming commitment overwhelms an owner, when the size and exercise needs were underestimated, or when a family's circumstances change. Purebred OES appear alongside OES crosses, and the coat and temperament of a cross vary, so the foster carer or shelter assessment of the individual dog with children, other animals and daily life matters more than the breed label.
An Old English Sheepdog suits an owner or family who love a big, affectionate, shaggy companion and can commit to serious regular coat care or a professional pet clip, plus daily exercise and space. In the right home it is a devoted, gentle and endearing family dog. Browse the Old English Sheepdogs and OES crosses currently listed from rescues and shelters across Sydney and New South Wales.
Showing 0 dogs
No dogs found matching your search.
Get notified when an Old English Sheepdog is listed
We will email you when an Old English Sheepdog or Old English Sheepdog cross becomes available for adoption in Sydney, from a rescue or an owner rehoming.
Need to rehome an Old English Sheepdog?
If you can no longer keep your Old English Sheepdog, listing it for rehoming on LocalPetFinder connects it directly with adopters across Sydney and NSW, and keeps it out of a shelter. It is free.
List your dog for rehoming →Old English Sheepdog Adoption Guides
The pre-adoption reading list specific to Old English Sheepdogs in Sydney and NSW.
Old English Sheepdog Adoption in Sydney
Where to adopt an Old English Sheepdog or OES cross in Sydney, the real costs, and the enormous coat commitment to plan for.
Old English Sheepdog Health Issues to Plan For
Hip dysplasia, the MDR1 drug-sensitivity gene, hypothyroidism and the checks every OES owner should plan for.
Old English Sheepdog Grooming & Coat Care in Sydney
The huge shaggy double coat, the hours it demands, the practical pet clip, and keeping an OES cool in Sydney.
Old English Sheepdog Adoption FAQ
Where can I adopt an Old English Sheepdog near me in Sydney?
LocalPetFinder lists Old English Sheepdogs available for adoption from rescues across Sydney and New South Wales, including the Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, Northern Beaches, Western Sydney and the Sutherland Shire. Rescues that regularly take in dogs of this type include RSPCA NSW at Yagoona and Animal Welfare League NSW at Kemps Creek, alongside foster-based groups. Listings update regularly, so browse the Old English Sheepdogs above and apply directly through the rescue.
Are there Old English Sheepdog rescues near Sydney?
Yes. Several Sydney and NSW rescues regularly have Old English Sheepdogs and Old English Sheepdog crosses, including RSPCA NSW, Animal Welfare League NSW, Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, Monika's Doggie Rescue and Maggie's Rescue, plus breed-focused foster networks. A dedicated single-breed rescue is not always active, so the fastest path is to set an alert here and watch the general rescues. Use LocalPetFinder to see which rescues currently have Old English Sheepdogs available near you.
Are these Old English Sheepdogs for sale in Sydney?
Not for sale, for adoption, which is usually the better deal. Every Old English Sheepdog here comes from a Sydney or NSW rescue, not a breeder or classified seller, and the adoption fee already includes desexing, vaccination and microchipping. That fee is typically a few hundred dollars, against often several thousand from a breeder with none of the vet work done. If you searched "old english sheepdog for sale sydney", adopting gets you a vetted dog for a fraction of the price.
Where can I buy an Old English Sheepdog in Sydney, and should I?
You can buy from a registered breeder, but it is worth weighing against adoption first. A reputable breeder often charges several thousand dollars and may have a waitlist, while a rescue Old English Sheepdog costs a few hundred dollars fully vetted and may be available now. Be cautious of cheap "for sale" ads on classified sites and marketplaces, which are a known hotspot for scams and backyard breeding. The ACCC Scamwatch has documented deposit scams for pets that do not exist. For most Sydney families, adopting a rescue Old English Sheepdog is cheaper, faster and gives a dog in need a home.
What health problems do Old English Sheepdogs have?
As a large breed the OES has a few things to plan for. Hip dysplasia can occur, as can hypothyroidism (which affects coat and energy) and some eye conditions such as cataracts. Like other herding breeds the OES can carry the MDR1 gene, which makes some dogs sensitive to certain common medications, so tell your vet the dog is an OES and ask about a DNA test. As a deep-chested dog it can also be at risk of bloat. A rescue OES arrives desexed, vaccinated, microchipped and vet-checked, and any known issue is noted. Ask your vet about hip, thyroid and MDR1 checks.
How much grooming does an Old English Sheepdog need?
A great deal, and this is the number one thing to understand before adopting one. The profuse double coat mats very easily and needs thorough brushing right down to the skin several times a week, taking real time, or it quickly turns into painful mats. Many pet owners very sensibly keep their OES in a shorter professional pet clip, which is far more practical, especially in the Sydney climate, and there is no shame in it. Whichever you choose, keep the eyes, feet, ears and rear tidy, and never let the coat felt.
Are Old English Sheepdogs good family dogs?
Yes, they are famously gentle, affectionate and playful family dogs that bond closely and are usually good with children and other animals when well socialised. The things to plan for are the size, so young children can be knocked over in play, and the herding instinct, which can show up as gentle gathering. They thrive on being part of the family and do not suit being left alone for long. Each rescue notes how the individual dog has gone with children and other pets in foster or shelter care.
How much exercise does an Old English Sheepdog need?
A moderate amount for a big dog: a good daily walk plus play and some training usually keeps an OES happy, as they are companionable rather than tireless. Watch the joints in a growing dog and keep an adult at a healthy weight to protect the hips. Because of the heavy coat, heat is a real risk, so in a Sydney summer exercise only in the cool of the early morning or evening, provide shade and water, and keep year-round paralysis tick prevention up, checking by hand through the dense coat if you walk in bushland or coastal areas.