Old English Sheepdog vs English Setter
Compare Old English Sheepdog and English Setter side by side and get a clear picture of what sets the breeds apart. Explore differences in size, weight, temperament, activity level, and other key traits to more easily decide which breed best fits your lifestyle and circumstances.
Characteristic
Old English Sheepdog
English Setter
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
56 – 70 cm
52 – 68 cm
Weight
25 – 50 kg
16 – 25 kg
Life expectancy
10 – 12 years
9 – 15 years
Child friendly
5/5
5/5
Energy level
5/5
4/5
Intelligence
3/5
4/5
Trainability
4/5
4/5
Health
3/5
5/5
Grooming needs
5/5
1/5
Shedding
1/5
3/5
Barking level
4/5
3/5
Aggressiveness
2/5
1/5
Characteristics
Old English Sheepdog
Great with kids
High energy
Easy to train
Giant
English Setter
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Low grooming
Easy to train
Medium
Summary
About Old English Sheepdog
The Old English Sheepdog is a large, shaggy, athletic herding breed with a dense double coat needing regular grooming or a shorter pet clip. Affectionate, clownish, and people focused, it’s intelligent but sometimes stubborn, thriving with consistent training and daily mental and physical exercise.
About English Setter
Elegant, medium‑large gundog with a silky belton coat and feathered tail. Gentle, devoted and people‑oriented, it suits active families who enjoy long daily walks. Sensitive to harsh handling, it responds best to kind, consistent training and regular grooming.
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