Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Average Litter Size of Old English Sheepdog
- Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies Old English Sheepdog Will Have
- How Big Will a Old English Sheepdog Puppy Get?
- How Much is a Old English Sheepdog Puppy
- How Long is a Old English Sheepdog Pregnant?
- How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in Old English Sheepdog
- Conclusion on Old English Sheepdog Litter Size
Average Litter Size of Old English Sheepdog
Researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science did a study where they counted the numbers of puppies in 4 different Old English Sheepdog birth litters.
From this study, the researchers found that the average number of puppies that Old English Sheepdogs can have is 4 puppies. Also, the Old English Sheepdog can have as few as 2 puppies per litter and as many as 6 puppies per litter.
See how the litter size of the Old English Sheepdog compares to that of other dog breeds below:
Read this article to learn about how many puppies dogs have.
Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies Old English Sheepdog Will Have
Old English Sheepdog Litter Size Predictor
According to the result of the research carried out by researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, the number of puppies a Old English Sheepdog will have depends on the following main factors:
- The size of the breed (most important factor): Giant dog breeds tend to have a bigger litter size, while smaller breeds give birth to a smaller number of puppies
- The method of mating: Natural mating results in a larger litter size than artificial insemination.
- The age of the female dog: Check out the chart below to see how many puppies a female Old English Sheepdog is likely to have at different ages.
According to research, the following factors do not affect litter size:
- The time of the year of the litter was born (season of birth): Although, from the study, litters born in the Spring seem to be larger than litters from other seasons, however, the difference was not of significance.
- The number of times a female dog has given birth in the past (known as parity): The age of the female dog is more important to the extent that it makes parity insignificant.
Based on the important factors that affect litter size, the researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science developed formulas for predicting the litter size of dogs.
We have developed the Old English Sheepdog litter size calculator above based on their formulas. Use the calculator to predict how many puppies a Old English Sheepdog will have based on the age, and method of pregnancy for a Old English Sheepdog
The calculator tells you how many puppies your Old English Sheepdog will have if your Old English Sheepdog gets pregnant today. The calculator assumes that the length of pregnancy will be two months.
Note that we are NOT in any way encouraging you to breed your Old English Sheepdog. Dog breeding requires expertise. If you want to be breeding dogs, get the necessary training. Also, work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a dog.
The table below shows the average litter size to expect from a Old English Sheepdog at different ages. This table applies to a Old English Sheepdog that conceives through natural mating.
Age (Years) | Average Litter Size | Litter Size Range |
---|---|---|
2 | 6 puppies | 5 to 7 puppies |
3 | 6 puppies | 4 to 8 puppies |
4 | 6 puppies | 4 to 8 puppies |
5 | 6 puppies | 4 to 8 puppies |
6 | 6 puppies | 3 to 8 puppies |
7 | 5 puppies | 3 to 8 puppies |
8 | 5 puppies | 2 to 8 puppies |
9 | 5 puppies | 1 to 8 puppies |
How Big Will a Old English Sheepdog Puppy Get?
A Old English Sheepdog puppy will grow up to weigh around 60 pounds to 100 Pounds. Furthermore, a Old English Sheepdog puppy will grow up to be 20 inches to 24 Inches.
Learn more about Old English Sheepdog weight and how big Old English Sheepdogs grow here
How Much is a Old English Sheepdog Puppy
The average price of a Old English Sheepdog puppy is $2210. The price of a Old English Sheepdog puppy ranges from $1600 to $2500.
Since the Old English Sheepdog has an average litter size of 4, therefore a Old English Sheepdog litter birth is worth $8840.
To learn more about the price of Old English Sheepdog puppy, check our review on how much Old English Sheepdog puppy cost, and Old English Sheepdog buying advice.
How Long is a Old English Sheepdog Pregnant?
Old English Sheepdogs are pregnant for 63 days on average (2 months) after conception. However, this is an average value. The length of pregnancy in Old English Sheepdogs can range from 58-68 days.
However, note that it is difficult to know the exact day that your Old English Sheepdog conceives because conception may not happen at the same time that mating happens.
Sperm can live inside a female Old English Sheepdog for several days after mating before conception occurs.
How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in Old English Sheepdog
To ensure that your Old English Sheepdog successfully gets pregnant and deliver its puppies, here at the things you can do:
- Feed your Old English Sheepdog well: A good diet will ensure that your Old English Sheepdog has the nutrients and the energy it needs to get pregnant and maintain the pregnancy.
- Make sure your Old English Sheepdog is in good health: Ensure you take your Old English Sheepdog to the Vet care regularly for checkups, make sure your Old English Sheepdog gets regular exercise. Also, make sure that your is not overweight or underweight.
To learn how to check if your Old English Sheepdog is overweight or underweight, check out this resource.
Conclusion on Old English Sheepdog Litter Size
Old English Sheepdogs can have 4 puppies per litter birth on average. The number of puppies that a Old English Sheepdog will have depends on factors such as the age of the Old English Sheepdog and the method of pregnancy (natural or artificial insemination).
Breeding Old English Sheepdogs the right way requires expertise and should be done after sufficient training.
Also, you should work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a Old English Sheepdog. There are a lot of nuances involved in breeding a dog, which we do not have the time or the space to discuss here.
However, working with a veterinarian will ensure that your Old English Sheepdog gets the right treatment necessary to make healthy puppies.
The litter size research study that we used for this article was conducted on Old English Sheepdogs in Norway. However, the authors of the research believe that the results can be generalized to other countries that have similar dog management systems as Norway.