They’re big. They’re hairy. They’re messy. Yet, to Old English Sheepdog fans, these lovable oafs are the best dogs on earth. Many people aren’t prepared for exactly how quickly their cuddly puppy turns into a boisterous teen. Nine or ten month old puppies are frequently dropped off at the pound or local shelter. This little (or should I say big?) guy got lucky – he was adopted by a couple who already have two older Old English Sheepdogs and knew exactly what they were in for when his overwhelmed first owner had to give him up.

If you think you want one of these dogs, just be aware that they are adorable puppies for only a few months and obnoxious teens for two to three long years. However, if you can just make it through that time of excess energy and boundary pushing, most Old English Sheepdogs are wonderful, loving family pets.

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If you are looking for an alternative to a purebred Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or Cocker Spaniel, you may be interested in the Cavalier King Charles Cocker Spaniel “designer” dog breed. This spaniel hybrid is usually smaller than a Cocker and a bit sparser in coat.

I have been hanging out recently with a King Charles/Cocker hybrid. She loves kids, prefers to be with her people over playing with other dogs and tries extremely hard to please. Her owners say she was a bit mouthy as a puppy, but outgrew it pretty fast. Despite her desire to make her family happy, she is a tad stubborn and potty training was a bit of an effort – if it rained, she was more concerned about melting than about having accidents in the house. It did finally take, though and she is very quick to learn other things.

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If you are a fan of Saint Bernards, you’ve probably seen enough of the Beethoven movies to get a pretty good idea of what this breed is like. They really are big, messy, goofy dogs. However, not all St. Bernards will cover the house with slobber. Many of these massive dogs are dry mouth, which means they don’t have a drooling problem.

Since the St. Bernard is a big dog, be prepared to buy a lot of food and do a lot of yard clean up. You should start training your puppy early and often, so you are in control of your dog when it starts to outweigh you. We’ve noticed that as this breed reaches 6 t0 9 months, many puppies really attempt to challenge their owner’s authority. Be prepared to stand by any command you give and stay firm or your dog may grow up to become a very big, very bad bully instead of the marshmallow hearted sweetie you should have.

Before buying a Saint Bernard, be sure to ask the breeder if the parents have been screened for hip dysplasia. Having a dog this big that can’t walk turns an already terrible defect into a nightmare.

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