Sheepadoodles have gained popularity due to its cute looks, adorable personality and presumed hypoallergenic qualities. If you want to learn about the Sheepadoodle’s physical appearance, personality, health issues, care and more, keep reading. In this article, we will provide you with essential dog breed information.
Sheepadoodle – what is it?
This crossbreed is a peculiar merge between an Old English Sheepdog and a Poodle. Not only are Sheepadoodles loving and joyful but also intelligent and loyal. They are designer dogs who can accompany you during stressful situations. Their wonderful ability to emphasize with people and read their emotions make them wonderful human companion.
Sheepadoodle – appearance
Sheepadoodles have robust and athletic builds. Their faces are square or rounded while the snout is elongated. The skull with furry and floppy ears seems broad compared to the rest of the body. These friendly dogs have sweet, small and usually black eyes slightly covered with medium-length hair. A deep dark nose takes the form of something between a triangle and a square.
Sheepadoodle – fur
It’s a happy medium that Shepadoodles can brear resemblance to their German Shepherd bloodline in respect of coarse, fluffy and thick hair while not shedding this much because of a Poodle parent. The final appearance depends on the generation of your Shepadoodle. Possible coat colors:
- black and white (the most common; breeders refer to dogs that have over 50% of their fur white as Parti Shepadoodles; another variation are Tuxedo Sheepadoodles who have white patches on the chest, neck, and feet);
- solid black (relatively rare because they need to inherit all the genes from a Poodle);
- solid gray (extremely uncommon);
- solid white (more unusual but still quite common);
- tricolor: black, white, brown (highly sought);
- merle (a stunning and rare coat; it is a genetic pattern displaying patches of color on a dog).
Possible coat textures:
- flat
- wavy
- curly
The curlier the coat, the more trimming and brushing is required. On the other hand, dogs with flat and straight hair shed more. Choose what works best for you.
Sheepadoodle – size
Sheepadoodle can come in different sizes depending on the type of the Poodle parent the Old English Sheepdog is mixed with. Most Sheepadoodles weigh between 60 and 80 pounds. They can be 16 to 22 inches tall at the shoulder. Adding their fluffy coat into the equation, their size can be quite impressive. Sheepadoodle is a large dog that requires an appropriate amount of food, exercise and space.
Four sizes of Sheepadoodles
Let’s break down all the sizes these designer dogs can be:
- Tiny Sheepadoodles are the smallest and as such need equally miniscule parents; breeders need to cross a Toy Poodle with a Mini Sheepadoodle to produce these cuties weighing from 15 to 30 lbs;
- Mini Sheepadoodles are slightly bigger so a Miniature or Toy Poodle is crossed with an Old English Sheepdog; typically they weigh from 25 to 45 lbs;
- Medium Sheepadoodles are middle-sized dogs whose parents are a Medium Poodle and a Mini Sheepadoodle. They are usually 35-55 lbs;
- Standard Sheepadoodles are for the fans of larger sizes; in this case a Standard Poodle is crossed with an Old English Sheepdog; before you get hooked with this cute fluffy face of a tiny puppy remember that Standard Sheepadoodles can weigh up to to 80 lbs.
Sheepadoodle – character and temperament
A Sheepadoodle is a perfect companion both for active people and coach potatoes who love to snuggle with their dogs. They are energetic, cuddly and sweet. Their loyalty is an important pillar of their excellence at being guards dogs. White adult dogs are well-mannered, Sheepadoodle’s puppies can be slightly unruly at the beginning.
Early socialization and exposure to proper behavior adult dogs and training are recommended. Taking into consideration their intelligence and eagerness to learn it shouldn’t be difficult. Always incorporate positive reinforcement techniques during the training sessions. Without proper socialization, adult dogs can be anxious around children or animals and in the worst-case scenario exhibit aggressive tendencies.
Sheepadoodle – attachment
Because these doodles are so attached to their humans, leaving them for longer periods of time may lead to behavioral issues or separation anxiety. To prevent that from happening, hire a pet sitter or ask your family and friends to accompany your pet while you are gone.
Sheepadoodle – health
Mixed breeds are generally healthier than parent purebreds. It doesn’t mean that they are invincible. Sheepadoodles common health problems include:
- Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat) – stomach twisting caused by the accumulation of gas, food or fluid;
- hip dysplasia – causes joints degradation;
- Addison’s disease – some symptoms of this genetic condition include gastroenteritis, poor appetite, gradual deterioration of physical shape, inappropriate reactions to stress;
- Von Willebrand’s disorder – a bleeding disorder related to low counts of specialized proteins;
- sebaceous adenitis and other skin disorders;
- obesity – it shouldn’t be underestimated because excess weight can lead to other serious conditions.
What to do to keep your Sheepadoodle healthy
Regular veterinary visits are the key. Make your pup familiar to such visits and create positive associations with your favorite pet health center. Take your dog to see a vet even when everything seems to be fine. In this way, your curly pooch won’t consider a vet to be an enemy who inflicts pain every time they meet.
Sheepadoodle – exercise
Some outdoor or indoor activities they enjoy are: swimming, playing fetch, learning new tricks. Take your Sheepadoodle for long walks possibly along the river. Develop regular schedule for walks and play times. A minimum is a 30-minute walk per day with additional fun activities at home. Because these amiable dogs enjoy children, the two make perfect playing buddies. Keeping your dog active makes them happy, prevents obesity, joint problems and behavioral issues.
Mental stimulation
Mental stimulation is especially important for their proper development and happiness. There are more than a few ways to rack your dog’s brain:
- organize a scavenger hunt for your dog and hide his favorite treats;
- give your pup and opportunity to discover new places – Sheepadoodles love new adventures;
- buy a special puzzle toy;
- teach your dog new tricks;
- make an obstacle course for your dog or take him to a dog park.
The right food for Sheepadoodle
Make sure you feed your dog good quality and well-balanced food no matter if you go for fresh, raw, dry, canned or homemade food. Because they have a tendency to gain weight quickly, divide their meals into smaller portions. Consult a veterinarian or dietician about recommended amounts. Read the labels on the packaging and keep track of your pooch’s weight. If you pick premium food that is commercially prepared, it usually already include supplements, so you don’t have to bother adding more vitamins or minerals.
Food for Sheepadoodle puppies
To avoid over-stretching of their stomachs you should feed Sheepadoodle puppies 4 meals a day. They also need an appropriate amount of time to digest food. When doggies are 6 months old it is a good moment to start reducing the number of meals to 2 a day.
Life expectancy
An average lifespan of your Bernedoodle is between12 to 14 years. If you tend to all its needs with care and dedication, you can expect a vigorous dog to be around you for a long time.
Sheepadoodle – care
Check your dog’s floppy ears regularly. Clean them if you notice any dirt or debris to avoid infections. Trim your dog’s nails on your own or use the professional groomer’s help. You know the nails are too long when you hear a characteristic clicking against the floor. It’s critical to brush your dog’s teeth in order to maintain good dental hygiene. It may not be the most pleasant treatment in your dog’s mind but making it a fun and pleasant routine finished with a snack or a play session can help.
Coat care
Brush your Sheepadoodle every day or every couple of days to prevent fur from getting matted. If you are an allergy sufferer it’s a good idea to do it outdoors during a morning walk. Groom and trim the coat regularly. It may prevent fleas and tick bites.
Exercise requirements
Both too much and too little exercise can be harmful for your dog. Before your pet achieves full maturity, remember about a 5-minute rule as a guide. One month of a puppy’s life equals five minutes of walking. When your dog is fully grown stick to 60 minutes of exercise per day. After a strenuous exercise and a chill-out time on the sofa, it’s time for mental stimulation.
Sheepadoodle – breeding puzzle
There are different mixes of generations and breeds that breeders take into consideration to determine the dog’s coat texture and color:
- F1 Sheepadoodle: 50 percent Poodle and 50 percent Old English Sheepdog – it’s possible for a puppy to gain color from either parent;
- F1B Sheepadoodle: 75 percent Poodle and 25 percent Old English Sheepdog – the color as well as the waves of the Poodle are highly likely to be dominant;
- F1BB Sheepadoodle: 87.5 percent Poodle and 12.5 percent Old English Sheepdog;
- F2 Sheepadoodle: 50 percent Poodle and 50 percent Old English Sheepdog – unpredictable results;
- F2B Sheepadoodle: 62.5 percent Poodle and 37.5 Old English Sheepdog;
- F2BB Sheepadoodle: 81.25 percent Poodle and 18.75 percent Old English Sheepdog.
Sheepadoodle – price
Generally, a Sheepadoodle can cost between $900 to $2,500. If you’re looking for specific traits such as merle or tricolor coat, you will definitely have to pay more. You might also find more common Sheepadoodles in animal shelters.
Sheepadoodle – breed history
The name of this designer breed was created in 1992. The hybrid itself became available for purchase in the 1960s. Breeders aimed to produce a hypoallergenic family pet with an easygoing temperament. An ideal manifestation of the mix is a pooch that looks and thinks like a grandiose Old English Sheepdog and is as good-natured as a Poodle. These large dogs may have existed without human interference. This furry, compassionate breed became popular in the 1980s. Both Poodles and Old English Sheepdogs have been known for their cooperation with humans as working dogs – the first would serve as a shepherd dog, the latter as a hunting dog.
Sheepadoodle – for whom?
If you need an active dog to go on brisk walks with, Sheepadoodle seems to be a perfect choice. Because they are very sociable and gentle beasts, they will be happy to live with families, including children. They are also good for creative people who can come up with ideas to keep the dog physically and mentally active. Because of frequent grooming and training sessions, Sheepadoodles are for people who have some free time to spare.
Sheepadoodle – children and other pets
These dogs are known to be affectionate ad gentle towards children. Because of their instinct they can nip children at the heels – the behavior that mimics herding. It’s usually playful and doesn’t cause any harm. Because Sheepadoodles are easy to train, you can minimize this behavior. Try to distract their attention with a toy when you notice the nipping. Interactions between children and Sheepadoodles should always be guided by adults. It’s their task to teach young people to handle and care for their family pet properly. These intelligent dogs can get along with other pets when introduced gradually.
Sheepadoodle – trivia
At the end, learn a few fun facts about this friendly family dog:
- other monikers of this breed are: Sheep-a-poo, Sheeppoo, Sheepdoodle, and Sheepdogpoo;
- Bunny is the talking dog famous on TikTok – her owner provided her with a board with buttons that represent English words; as a result, through repetition and training the dog started to connect individual switches with their meaning; available phrases for Bunny are, for example: walk, play, dad, help;
- because of the dog’s longer hair, owners experiment with different hairdos; google Sheepadoodle hairstyles and get inspired.
If after reading this article, you’ve decided to get a Sheepadoodle, you will definitely fall it love with this canine teddy bear. If you aren’t active now, your new pooch will transform your life positively. Owning a Sheepadoodle can be a great adventure.
Similar Posts:
- Old English Sheepdog: Interesting Information About This Shaggy Dog Breed
- A List of Poodle Breeds: Types of Poodles and Doodle Mixes
- The Icelandic Sheepdog: A Nordic Dog Breed Turned Into a Family Pet
- Family-Friendly English Springer Spaniel: Dog Breed Information
- Polish Lowland Sheepdog – Furry Giant Puppy with a Lot of Love to Give. Dog Breed Profile & Temperament
- Herding Dogs – Breed Characteristics and Working Styles
- Irish Doodle – A Cute Mix Of an Irish Setter And a Poodle
- Meet the English Toy Spaniel, Also Known as the King Charles Spaniel
