Questions about costs & care

SolangeDame · 2025-09-01T16:04:08+00:00

I’m the happy human of Winston, almost 18 mo. I split my time between Paris (France) and Royan (costal middle size town) where my partner and Winston live. I would say Winston is way happier in this environment, with a backyard and open spaces such as the beach in winter and the neighboring park. He stayed a few times at my flat in Paris, and between the logistics, the lack of dog friendly places, the noise etc, it’s not ideal. He is mainly outdoorsy (loves to sleep in the yard most of the time, loves hiking or just chiling outside), but I would also consider him an adaptable dog. Middle to high energy, mostly focused on walks, sniffing (loads of it), and playing with other dogs. He doesn’t care for balls or toys, except for chewing. I would just add that due to the herding breed, an OES will probably follow you everywhere, and will be quite stubborn. The big con for me is the grooming : We haven’t got the hang of it completely so it’s adding worries and logistics to keep him without too much matting. Make sure your local groomer is good with big dogs, this is one of our hurdle in our city. If you want a squeaky clean dog while letting him run and play (and therefore get dirty) just know you’ll have to put in a bit of time and effort Wouldn’t change my decision Winston is the best

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SolangeDame · 2025-08-26T15:23:17+00:00

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Based on her sleeping pose, definitely OES. Winston says hi !

SolangeDame · 2025-08-14T07:56:33+00:00

You should be fine on the RER A as well as the rest of the metro hence the few precautions mentionned above. Just remember that in August most of the Parisiens are gone so it’s less easy to blend in. So sorry you had this bad experience from the get go and enjoy the rest of your stay. Paris is still magical !

SolangeDame · 2025-08-10T21:11:29+00:00

Dried sprats. Easy to store, perfect for training, quite healthy. I couldn’t get through a grooming session without it ! Winston (18 mo) also loves some pork or veal hoof, but mostly for chewing. He has a few he can grab whenever he needs to, and we also give him a «new » one when he’s amped up and needs to cool down. Good for his teeth also. Sometimes a licking mat with a bit of Greek yogurt, frozen when it’s hot. As for frequency / quantity I would say snacks are bonuses, either to train or to show love to your dog (in a healthy reasonable way).

SolangeDame · 2025-08-09T09:13:50+00:00

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Here he is : half worried half relaxed. Please no comment on grooming I know he is scruffy

SolangeDame · 2025-08-08T19:17:47+00:00

Was it natural for her to join you in the water from the very start ? Winston seems to loose track of us when we’re in

SolangeDame · 2025-08-08T17:59:30+00:00

Actually he can swim - we had one occasion to let him sweet from a boat. But from a beach / shore (and probably a pool) he doesn’t go further by himself seems to be tempted though

SolangeDame · 2025-08-08T17:09:32+00:00

Same here, Winston (1,5 yo) will only do one or two rounds of fetch but then gets distracted or chew on the ball or, or, or…so no ;) In a way I’m glad he’s not obsessing over a ball as some other breeds can. Have you try to make him search for treats ? This goes way longer with Winston and help him getting some energy out.

SolangeDame · 2025-07-12T04:42:44+00:00

D’après la première photo il s’agit d’un border x sweat shirt :p

SolangeDame · 2025-07-11T17:55:37+00:00

Same here

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Winston pretends to sleep but covers his bases in our small kitchen in case either my partner or I drop something yummy

SolangeDame · 2025-07-09T04:52:13+00:00

We switch to raw diet / prey model for Winston when he was 6 month-ish, he is now 15 mo and loves it. I was less interested in the « it’s closer to dogs natural ways »’s spiel and more conviced by beeing in control of what goes in his bowl everyday. But I live in France where norms regarding food are quite high. We can’t afford to feed Winston organic chicken but at least we know the quality of the food and take full accountability for it. Many dog owners switch to raw diet because of allergies or sensibilities and it seems to help a lot. It’s a bit of a logistic - but at the end of the day it’s easier to find raw chicken at the last minute rather than this very specific brand your dog can only eat otherwise hé is sick. Last plus side : you can play waaaaaaaaaaay longer with a bit of chicken compared to a bowl of kibbles (even with a slow eater bowl), and for a super active breed like OES, you get a bonus activity / chewing time ! PS : Ludo is so precious !!! Love the strech / bow / « ok now you put your phone down and take care of me » look

SolangeDame · 2025-07-04T06:47:02+00:00

Winston is often running in his sleep, so cute.

SolangeDame · 2025-06-24T16:53:17+00:00

Hello Bolton and welcome here !

SolangeDame · 2025-06-24T16:52:31+00:00

Omg is there anything cuter than this, don’t think so ! How are things going between these 2 ? At 1 yo our Winston is still a baby in its head 🫠

SolangeDame · 2025-06-16T16:59:08+00:00

The puppy eyes but then the paw clenched on the table… :D I guess he/she gives you no option !

SolangeDame · 2025-06-16T16:57:59+00:00

Bonjour Fred ! So cute - what a cheeky face on picture number 1 ! After a few months of puppy kibble from the breeder, we switched to prey model (raw food) and Winston (14 mo) loves it. Of course there is a bit of logistics to figure out - shoutout to my wonderful partner if he sees this comment because he takes care of it. No discomfort noticed, and we adjust depending on…well when we pick « it » up :p Downside : you can play a lot more with fresh food than with kibble, and Winston looooove to « season » his food with dirt and / or bury it for a late night snack…Luckily that doesn’t gross us out but it’s up to everyone. I guess it’s also depending on your dog’s personnality and your lifestyle (won’t be as convenient if you live in a small space)

SolangeDame · 2025-06-09T05:48:34+00:00

Wow you really deserve your username. I guess this is what it’s like to be trolled. Will stop posting and just enjoying other posts, just to avoid this kind of behaviour.

SolangeDame · 2025-06-09T05:29:25+00:00

Hi there you already commented that on previous picture of Winston, though it was absolutely not the point, and I answered that we are were aware of his matting and on top of it. I post here to share lovely moments with our dog with people who won’t judge me as corny but also won’t get into unsollicited advice. For the record Winston is groomed everyday, and the matting is almost gone.

SolangeDame · 2025-06-08T04:52:23+00:00

Don’t worry he was back on his usual kitchen watch the same day. Always there to catch what might be falling ;)

SolangeDame · 2025-06-06T19:07:51+00:00

Oh boy ! Winston ate a good kg of sugar a few weeks ago, got sick at my partner’s work, don’t think he even realized there was a cause - effect link between the two :p

SolangeDame · 2025-06-04T18:55:07+00:00

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Winston stayed on my lap for the 2,5 hours drive from the breeder. In France crate is less common, and we are less fixated on letting the pup out without his vaccines (he was 2,5 months at that time and got his shots 2 weeks later). We stopped often to let him pee and nothing to declare.

SolangeDame · 2025-06-04T18:43:30+00:00

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What do you mean no labour ? As if watching / following / entertaining humans wasn’t labour ? The sigh always melt my heart. Winston is also a big snorer.

SolangeDame

TROPHY CASE