Best Food for Old English Sheepdog (2026 Guide)

A breed-specific food guide for Old English Sheepdog owners — what to look for, what to avoid, and our top picks based on this breed's size, energy and known health profile.

Photo: Flickr / Pexels

The Old English Sheepdog is iconic shaggy "dulux dog" sheepdog. affectionate, family-friendly, high-grooming. Their nutritional needs reflect their 27–45 kg body weight, 10–12 years lifespan, and the breed-specific health considerations covered below.

Why feeding a Old English Sheepdog is different

The Old English Sheepdog is genetically vulnerable to hip + elbow issues. Your single biggest dietary lever to protect those joints is keeping them lean — every extra kilo of body weight increases joint load by 3–4× during walking. Diet matters here far more than supplements.

The Old English Sheepdog's coat needs omega-3 + omega-6 in roughly a 5:1 ratio for skin + coat condition. Fish-oil supplementation or a salmon-first food are the cheapest ways to get this right.

Below: a specific list of what to look for, what to avoid, plus our daily-calorie estimate for an average Old English Sheepdog.

What to look for in food for a Old English Sheepdog

A complete-and-balanced food labelled for dogs that meets FEDIAF or AAFCO nutritional standards.
Named animal protein as the first ingredient (e.g. "chicken", "salmon"), not "meat derivatives" or "animal by-product".
Added glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support — especially important from puppyhood.

What to avoid

Anything containing onion, garlic, raisins, xylitol or chocolate flavouring (common kitchen toxins for pets).

For an exact daily portion based on your dog's weight and activity, use our food portion calculator. To check current weight is healthy, use the body condition score.

Feeding a Old English Sheepdog: common questions

How much should I feed a Old English Sheepdog?

A Old English Sheepdog typically weighs 27–45 kg, but the right daily amount depends on age, exact weight and activity — not the breed average. Start from the feeding guide on your chosen food (or our food portion calculator), weigh the portion rather than eyeballing it, and adjust to keep your dog lean enough that you can easily feel the ribs.

How many meals a day should a Old English Sheepdog have?

Two meals a day suits an adult Old English Sheepdog; puppies need three to four smaller meals until around six months, then settle to two.

Do Old English Sheepdogs need a special diet for their joints?

The biggest dietary lever for a joint-prone breed like the Old English Sheepdog is keeping them lean — every extra kilo multiplies the load on the hips and elbows. A complete food with added omega-3s (or a fish-oil top-up) supports the joints; ask your vet about glucosamine.