An Old English Sheepdog is all coat: shaggy, thick, and impossible to ignore. It is also a coat that looks cheerful on the surface and hides tangles underneath. At Brooklyn Pet Spa, a full Old English Sheepdog groom starts at $108, and this guide explains how the coat works, how to choose between a full coat and a shorter clip, and how to prevent the mats that cause most problems.
Understanding the Old English Sheepdog Coat
The coat has two layers: a profuse, shaggy outer coat and a soft, dense undercoat. Unlike many double-coated breeds, the Old English Sheepdog does not just drop its hair onto the floor. Loose hair tends to stay trapped in the coat, where it knots with the live hair around it. That is why mats are the main grooming challenge for this breed, not the shedding itself.
Mats form fastest where hair rubs or stays damp: behind the ears, under the collar, in the armpits, along the backs of the legs, and around the beard. Our guide to preventing mats in Brooklyn explains the daily triggers that make this worse in city life.
Full Coat or Shorter Clip?
There are two practical choices for a pet Old English Sheepdog.
A full, long coat looks impressive, but it asks for serious time. It needs thorough line brushing several times a week, plus regular professional work to keep the undercoat from compacting.
A shorter all-over clip, often called a puppy cut, keeps the dog comfortable and much easier to maintain. Many owners in apartments choose this once they see how much daily brushing a full coat requires. Neither option is wrong. The right choice depends on your lifestyle, your schedule, and how much brushing time you can realistically keep up.
Tell your groomer how the dog lives, whether you walk through parks daily, whether there is a big dog bed at home, and how often you can brush. Our team will recommend a length that suits both the dog and your routine.
How to Brush an Old English Sheepdog
Surface brushing does not work on this coat. The hair has to be brushed down to the skin, one section at a time, otherwise the top layer looks smooth while the undercoat knots beneath it. This method is called line brushing.
- Lightly mist the coat with water or a conditioning spray to reduce static and breakage.
- Part the hair in a line, brush the hair below the part, then move the line upward.
- Finish each section with a wide-tooth comb. If the comb catches, you have missed a tangle.
- Do the legs, belly, behind the ears, and under the tail every time. These spots mat first.
For a full coat, aim for three to four sessions a week. For a shorter clip, once or twice a week is usually enough. See which brushes suit each coat type if you are choosing tools.
What Happens When a Coat Is Badly Matted
Severe mats pull on the skin and can hide irritation, so dematting a very tangled coat can be uncomfortable for the dog. When mats are tight against the skin, the kindest and safest option is often a short clip. Our groomers will explain what can be saved and what cannot before they start. Our post on managing matted coats in apartments covers this decision in more depth.
Bathing and Drying
An Old English Sheepdog should be brushed out completely before every bath. Water tightens mats, so a tangled coat that gets wet becomes much harder to fix. A bath every four to six weeks suits most dogs.
Drying is the step owners most often underestimate. The thick coat holds water for a long time, and damp hair against the skin invites irritation. Our full groom includes shampoo and conditioning, a blow dry, nail clipping and filing, ear cleaning, and a dental inspection.
Face, Beard and Ears
The beard gets wet and dirty every time the dog drinks or eats. Wipe it with a clean damp cloth after meals and dry it well. Hair around the eyes can irritate them, so ask your groomer to keep the face tidy enough for clear vision. For ears, check for odor, redness, or head shaking, and see our ear cleaning guide for what to look for.
How Often Does an Old English Sheepdog Need Professional Grooming?
Every four to six weeks is the usual range. A full coat benefits from the shorter end of that range, while a neat all-over clip can stretch toward six weeks. For general advice on timing, see how often to take your dog to the groomer.
Old English Sheepdog Grooming Cost in Brooklyn
These are Brooklyn Pet Spa starting prices from our breed rate chart. Final pricing depends on size, coat condition, matting, and temperament, and service tax applies.
| Service | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Grooming haircut + bath package | $108+ |
| Groomer’s bath | $68+ |
| Wash N Go | $53+ |
Useful add-ons for this coat include brushing ($15), a deep conditioner ($22-$50), and an antioxidant whitening treatment ($10-$20). Appointments typically take 2 to 4 hours, even if online booking shows a shorter slot. Heavily matted coats take longer and can affect the price.
At-Home Old English Sheepdog Grooming Checklist
- Line brush to the skin: three to four times a week for a full coat, once or twice for a short clip.
- Check behind the ears, under the collar, in the armpits, and on the back legs.
- Always brush out tangles before a bath.
- Wipe the beard after meals and drinking.
- Dry the coat completely after baths, rain, and swimming.
- Book professional grooming every four to six weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Old English Sheepdogs shed?
They do lose hair, but much of it stays trapped in the coat instead of falling out. That is why regular brushing matters more than vacuuming.
Can you keep an Old English Sheepdog in a short clip?
Yes. A shorter all-over clip is a popular and practical choice for city dogs and is much easier to maintain than a full coat.
How often should an Old English Sheepdog be groomed?
Every four to six weeks suits most dogs, with regular brushing at home between visits.
How much does Old English Sheepdog grooming cost in Brooklyn?
At Brooklyn Pet Spa, a full groom starts at $108, a groomer’s bath at $68, and a Wash N Go at $53. Matted or very large coats may cost more.
Why does my Old English Sheepdog mat so easily?
The dense coat traps loose hair and moisture, and friction behind the ears, under the collar, and on the legs makes tangles form quickly.
Is Brooklyn Pet Spa cage-free?
Yes. We have been a cage-free grooming spa in Brooklyn since 2008, so dogs stay relaxed during their visit.
Want an easier coat and a happier dog? Book a grooming appointment or explore our grooming services in Brooklyn.
