Old English Sheepdog: cost, insurance & feeding guide

Shaggy easygoing herder needing grooming and exercise; deep chest warrants bloat-aware feeding.

Typical adult weight

Old English Sheepdog · large dog

Male70–100 lbFemale60–85 lbUsed in our estimates79 lbPounds
Adult weight from breed-standard and veterinary references. The feeding and cost figures below are modeled from 79 lb, the midpoint of those ranges. The track spans every breed in our database (3–230 lb), so the bar also shows where Old English Sheepdog sits against the rest. How we estimate.
Cost to own$2,628/yr$3,683 first year
Insurance$32–$58/moModerate risk
Feeding1640 kcal~4.2 cups/day

Profile

Size
Large
Weight (M)
70–100 lb
Weight (F)
60–85 lb
Life span
10–12 yrs
Group
Herding
Activity
Moderate

True cost of ownership

Owning a Old English Sheepdog costs roughly $3,683 in year one (setup included) and about $2,628/year after that — an estimated $29,963 across a 11-year life. Here's where it goes for a representative adult, then dial it in for your situation.

First-year setup (one-time)
$1,055
Recurring per year
$2,628
Lifetime (modeled range)
$23,967–$46,436
Annual line itemEstimate
Food$1,127
Routine vet & wellness$400
Parasite prevention$191
Pet insurance$540
Grooming (low / DIY baseline)$40
Toys, treats & extras$330
Total per year$2,628

💡 Budget tip: set aside about $219/month, plus a separate $1,000–$3,000 emergency fund for the unexpected.

Modeled for an adopted, neutered adult in an average-cost area on standard food, with grooming at the low/DIY tier and insurance at this breed’s modeled mid premium. A coat that needs regular professional grooming can add $500–$1,200 a year that this baseline does not include — set your own tier in the calculator below. How we estimate.

A modeled planning estimate, not a bill — anchored to published 2024–2025 US ranges and scaled to your inputs. How we estimate.

Everything your pet needs

Ad · Fur Forecast may earn a commission from these links, at no cost to you.

Insurance outlook

Moderate risk

A typical accident-and-illness policy for a Old English Sheepdog is modeled at $32–$58/month for a young adult (1–4 yrs) on our baseline cover ($5,000 limit, $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement, national average) — roughly $5,940 over a 11-year life at that rate. Premiums rise with age: the same pet at 5–8 models about 25% higher, and 70% higher from 9. Large herder with orthopedic and some neurologic risk.

Conditions this breed is prone to

Get a real quote & fine-tune for your pet
Premiums shift with age, ZIP code, deductible, and reimbursement %. Use the estimator below or get quotes from the insurers.

These are modeled estimates for comparison, not quotes, adjusted for your state & coverage off a $5k limit / $500 deductible / 80% baseline — see how we estimate. Get real numbers from the insurers below.

Compare insurers for a Old English Sheepdog

The Old English Sheepdog is predisposed to specific hereditary conditions, so Embrace's genetic/breed-condition coverage is worth comparing against the lower base price of Lemonade.

InsurerAnnual limitReimburseDeductibleWaiting periodsStandout
Lemonade$5k–$100k70/80/90%$100–$5002-day accident · 14-day illnessLowest base price; app-based; multi-pet & bundle discounts
Healthy PawsUnlimited (no caps)70/80/90%$100–$50015-dayNo per-incident or lifetime payout caps — strong for big claims
Embrace ★ best fit$5k–$30k70/80/90%$100–$1,000 (diminishing)2-day accident · 14-day illnessCovers genetic & breed-specific conditions; deductible shrinks each claim-free year
Pets Best$5k–Unlimited70/80/90%$50–$1,0003-day accident · 14-day illnessDirect-to-vet pay option; low-deductible flexibility

Ad · Fur Forecast may earn a commission from these links, at no cost to you.

Get real quotes

Ad · Fur Forecast may earn a commission from these links, at no cost to you.

Feeding guide

A neutered adult Old English Sheepdog at about 79 lb with moderate activity needs roughly 1640 kcal/day. That’s about 4.2 cups of a typical 350-kcal/cup food across two meals, keeping ~164 kcal (10% of the total) for treats. Dial it in for your pet’s exact weight, age, and food below.

What your pet weighs today — for a puppy or kitten, not its adult size.
Puppies and kittens usually need 3–4.
On the bag, often “kcal ME/cup”.
Ribs easily felt + a visible waist = ideal (5).
Add it for a grams/day amount.

Estimates use the standard RER/MER veterinary formula. Every animal differs — confirm with your vet, especially for puppies, seniors, or weight-loss plans.

Top-rated food & fresh delivery

Ad · Fur Forecast may earn a commission from these links, at no cost to you.

Common questions

How much does it cost to own a Old English Sheepdog?
Budget about $3,683 the first year (one-time setup included) and roughly $2,628/year after that — around $29,963 over a typical 11-year life. That covers food, routine vet care, prevention, insurance, grooming and supplies; see the full breakdown above.
How much does a Old English Sheepdog cost per month?
About $219/month in recurring costs (food, vet, prevention, insurance, grooming and everyday extras), on top of roughly $1,055 of one-time setup in the first year. A good rule of thumb: set aside $219/month plus a separate $1,000–$3,000 emergency fund.
How much should I feed a Old English Sheepdog?
A neutered adult Old English Sheepdog (~79 lb) with moderate activity needs about 1640 kcal/day total — roughly 4.2 cups of a 350-kcal/cup food split across two meals, keeping ~164 kcal (10%) for treats. Adjust for age, activity, and your food's calories.
How long does a Old English Sheepdog live?
A Old English Sheepdog typically lives 10–12 yrs. Keeping them at a healthy weight (use the feeding guide above) and budgeting for routine care are the two biggest levers on a long, healthy life.
What health problems is a Old English Sheepdog prone to?
The conditions most associated with the breed are hip dysplasia, cerebellar ataxia, cataracts, hypothyroidism, bloat (GDV). Large herder with orthopedic and some neurologic risk. This is general breed-predisposition guidance, not a diagnosis — see your veterinarian.
Is pet insurance worth it for a Old English Sheepdog?
A Old English Sheepdog is moderate risk to insure (modeled $32–$58/month, about $384–$696/year for a young adult on our baseline cover). Large herder with orthopedic and some neurologic risk. Weigh that premium against the cost of treating the conditions it's prone to.
Which pet insurance is best for a Old English Sheepdog?
The Old English Sheepdog is predisposed to specific hereditary conditions, so Embrace's genetic/breed-condition coverage is worth comparing against the lower base price of Lemonade. Compare annual payout caps, deductibles and breed-condition coverage in the table above, then get real quotes — premiums also shift with your state, your pet's age, and the coverage you pick.

Related breeds