Pastoral group · Breed guide
Old English Sheepdog: weight, routine and daily dose
The Royal Kennel Club calls the Old English Sheepdog the most substantial of sheepdogs, and is frank that its origins are debated: the Scottish or Bearded Collie may have played a part, and some historians suggest European sheepdogs, including the Ovtcharka. It was also seen as a drover’s dog for driving cattle — one reason even the breed’s name has been questioned.
Under the glamour of a crisp blue and white coat, the RKC says, there should be a dog still fit for working with the flocks. It lists the Old English as a vulnerable native breed and suggests more than two hours of exercise a day and daily grooming. At 27–45.5 kg on AKC figures, an Old English can fall either side of the 40 kg point in the feeding guide — and under that much coat, the only reliable way to know is to weigh.
At a glance
- Typical adult weight
- 27–45.5 kg
- DIGEST+ per day
- 3–4 tablets/day
- One bottle lasts
- 30–40 days
- Suggested refill
- Every 4 weeks
Weight: American Kennel Club, “Weight: 60-100 pounds” [source]
How many DIGEST+ tablets does a Old English Sheepdog need?
A typical adult Old English Sheepdog weighs 27–45.5 kg, which crosses 2 rows of the DIGEST+ feeding guide. Weigh your own dog and use the row for its current weight — the table shows each case.
| Your dog’s weight | Tablets per day | One bottle lasts | Suggested refill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25–40 kg | 3 tablets/day | 40 days | Every 4 weeks |
| Over 40 kg | 4 tablets/day | 30 days | Every 4 weeks — a bottle lasts 30 days, so consider 2 per delivery |
How long DIGEST+ lasts for a Old English Sheepdog
| Daily dose | 1 bottle | 2 bottles | 3 bottles | Cost per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 tablets/day | 40 days | 80 days | 120 days | from £0.50 |
| 4 tablets/day | 30 days | 60 days | 90 days | from £0.67 |
Days are for one dog. Each bottle holds 120 tablets; days are rounded down to whole days. Prices and cost per day by bottle count.
Feeding-routine notes for Old English Sheepdog owners
- The dense coat makes weight change almost impossible to judge by eye. Feel through to the ribs during the daily groom, and use scales for a real figure.
- The breed’s weight range crosses the 40 kg point where the feeding guide changes, so weigh your own dog to see which band applies.
- With more than two hours of exercise a day, plan the longer walks away from mealtimes and feed once your dog has settled.
- Give DIGEST+ at the same point in the day — with breakfast or dinner — so it becomes part of the routine. The tablets can be eaten directly or crushed into food.
- Weigh your dog every few months: the dose follows body weight, not breed.
- Introduce one new thing at a time. If you are also changing food, let that settle first so you know what is what.
The full feeding guide
| Body weight | Tablets per day | One bottle lasts |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 kg | 1 tablet/day | 120 days |
| 11–25 kg | 2 tablets/day | 60 days |
| 25–40 kg | 3 tablets/day | 40 days |
| Over 40 kg | 4 tablets/day | 30 days |
Work out your exact supply
The calculator on the product page takes your dog’s weight band and how many dogs you have, then shows the daily dose, how long a bottle lasts and a sensible refill rhythm.
Old English Sheepdog: common questions
How many DIGEST+ tablets should a Old English Sheepdog have a day?
Typical adult Old English Sheepdogs weigh 27–45.5 kg, which crosses more than one row of the DIGEST+ feeding guide: 25–40 kg: 3 tablets/day; Over 40 kg: 4 tablets/day. Weigh your dog and use the row for its current weight.
How long does one bottle of DIGEST+ last for a Old English Sheepdog?
Each bottle holds 120 tablets. At 3 tablets/day one bottle lasts 40 days; At 4 tablets/day one bottle lasts 30 days. Days are for one dog and rounded down.
How do I know if my Old English Sheepdog is gaining weight?
Do not rely on how your dog looks — the coat hides a lot. Feel along the ribs, waist and spine during grooming, and weigh on scales every few months, using a vet practice’s walk-on scales if your dog is too heavy to weigh at home. Speak to your vet about any change you cannot explain.
Which part of the day suits a supplement for an Old English Sheepdog?
Any meal that happens at a reliable time works, as long as it is the same one each day. For a dog with long daily walks, the meal after the main walk, once your dog has settled, is often the easiest anchor. Speak to your vet if your dog’s digestion changes.
Can every Old English Sheepdog have DIGEST+?
DIGEST+ is not recommended for pregnant or lactating dogs and is not suitable for puppies under 12 weeks. If your Old English Sheepdog is under veterinary supervision, ask your vet before starting.
Sources
- Old English Sheepdog - Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club. Checked 2026-10-15.
- Old English Sheepdog | Breeds A to Z | The Kennel Club — Royal Kennel Club. Checked 2026-10-15.
- GDV (Gastric Dilatation Volvulus) — PDSA. Checked 2026-10-15.
Updated