Old English Sheepdog
The Old English Sheepdog has the biggest coat we handle. Dogs NSW says a dog in full coat needs three to four hours of grooming a week. Most Australian pet owners keep the coat shorter instead. Either way, plan on eight weeks.
- Coat type
- Long Double
- Groom every
- 8 weeks
- Brushing at home
- Line brush for half an hour, three times a week
- Shedding
- Held in the coat, so it knots instead
- Watch for
- Knots in the beard, armpits and thighs
- Time in the salon
- About 135 minutes for a Full Groom
The biggest coat we see
The coat is long, thick and double. A harsh top coat sits over a dense soft layer. It grows over the eyes and down the legs. Dogs NSW adds another couple of hours to wash and dry a full coat. That is a working schedule, not a pet one. The coat also picks up everything the dog walks through. Grass, sand and water all end up held against the skin.
Why eight weeks
Eight weeks is the shortest gap that works for this coat. Most owners here run a shorter pet trim. It is easier on the dog and easier on you. We bath, dry the coat right through and take the length you ask for. Drying is the long part, because the soft layer holds water. A study of NSW dogs found more heat deaths on hot days, with a double coat among the risks.
We do not shave an Old English Sheepdog. Shaving is not something we will do here. The coat shades the skin in summer, and it may come back thin.
Home care between grooms
- Line brush for half an hour, three times a week. Hold the coat back with one hand and work a thin band at a time, from the skin out. Then comb the same line to prove it is clear.
- Beard, ears, armpits and the back of the thighs knot first. Do those four every time, even on a short day.
- Dry the coat down to the skin after rain. A damp coat knots overnight.
Line brushing, shown by iGroomHub, our partner. This is how our groomers brush, and it is the way to do it at home.
What you need at home
- Undercoat rake
Pulls out the soft layer underneath. That is the hair that ends up on your floor.
- Slicker brush
This is the brush you line brush with. Follow it with the comb.
- Shampoo and conditioner
A proper wash loosens the dead hair so the dry can lift it out. Our range is made with chemists: 100% natural, vegan and palm oil free.
What we do for Old English Sheepdogs at WOOOF
Most Old English Sheepdogs book a Full Groom. That is a bath, a long dry, ears, nails and the coat set to the length you choose. It takes about 135 minutes. If you want the length kept, ask for Deshedding instead of a trim. We will tell you which one the coat needs.
What an Old English Sheepdog groom costs
Set to a large dog with a long double coat in a pet trim. A full length coat takes longer again, so tell us at booking.
Showing the lowest prices, for a large dog with a long double coat. Pick your dog’s weight and coat to see their price.
Add to any service
- Teeth Brush$30
- Nail Trim$25
- Nail filing$15
- DemattingFrom $34quoted on arrival
- DesheddingFrom $34quoted on arrival
Specialist grooming and programmes
Grooming that is priced after a conversation, a consultation, a coat assessment or a programme rather than a standard slot.
Happy Puppy Club
Short, positive sessions that teach a puppy the salon is a good place, so their whole grooming life is easier. Start any time from their first vaccinations.
See how the club works →
Spa treatments
Hydrospa and therapeutic treatments for coat, skin and muscular health, for itchy skin, dull coats, and older dogs who feel their walks the next day.
Browse treatments →
Hand stripping
Terriers and Spaniels whose coats are better hand stripped, or stripped and clipped. Duration and price depend on the coat.
Talk to our team →
Asian freestyle groom
Soft, sculpted, toy-like styling by an award-winning stylist: rounded faces, fuller legs, even braids. For smaller dense or curly coats groomed every 4 weeks.
Talk to our team →Cancellations and late arrivals
Please give us 24 hours if plans change. Arriving more than 15 minutes late may mean we cannot finish the groom booked.
Safe handling fee
A $30 safe handling fee applies where a dog needs two groomers or extra time to stay safe and comfortable. We always call you first.
Ready when you are
You’re 2 minutes away from happiness. Our booking portal helps you select the right services for your dog and shows you live calendar availability.
Book nowService prices are a starting point. The exact price is confirmed at drop-off, based on grooming time, coat condition, size and any extra handling. Add-on prices are exact.
Common questions
How often does a Old English Sheepdog need grooming?
Every eight weeks, and that assumes real brushing at home. Dogs NSW puts a full coat at three to four hours of grooming a week.
Can I keep an Old English Sheepdog in full coat?
You can, if you can give it three to four hours a week plus washing and drying time. Most owners we see choose a shorter pet trim instead.
Where this comes from
Dogs NSW, Old English Sheepdog. "A dog in full coat will require three to four hours of grooming each week, plus another couple of hours to wash and dry when necessary."
Tripovich and others, Feeling the heat, Australian Veterinary Journal, 2025. A study of NSW dogs from 1997 to 2017. Deaths rose about 0.6% for each degree above 25°C, and 9.5% on days over 32°C. A double coat and a body weight over 15 kg were listed among the things that raise the risk.
RSPCA Australia, Why and how should I groom my dog? Brush knots out before they turn into mats.
RSPCA South Australia, The complete guide to grooming your dog. Poodles, poodle crosses and wiry haired terriers need regular combing. Trapped hair can cause ear and eye infections.
WOOOF groomers are not vets. We tell you what we see on the table and send you to your vet. Nothing here is vet advice.