Sheepadoodle

Curious about the gorgeous Sheepadoodle? Check out our guide below for some background information on this teddy lookalike!

Height: 16-22 inches
Weight: 27-36 kilos
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Pedigree? (registered with the KC?): No, this breed is not registered with the Kennel Club.

Positives and Negative

Below are the pros and cons of the Sheepadoodle:

Pros:

• Hardly sheds, ideal for allergy sufferers
• Ideal for first-time owners
• Intelligent and easy to train
• Very friendly and social

Cons:

• Prone to separation anxiety if left alone for long periods
• High grooming maintenance
• Likes to herd and nip
• Can become destructive through chewing

Overview

The Sheepadoodle is a hybrid that is often referred to as a ‘Designer Dog’. They are crossbreeds with a wonderful temperament and are generally quiet, kind, loving, and gentle. Naturally intelligent, this breed is easy to train, making them ideal for first-time owners.

A dog like this is completely devoted to its owner and family. Separation anxiety is a possibility if the Sheepadoodle is left alone for long periods of time. This canine hates being away from humans! It could also encourage destructive habits like chewing and excessive barking.

Sheepadoodles make excellent watchdogs, you’ll be alerted instantly when somebody approaches your home. They aren’t guard dogs however and don’t hold aggressive traits. The Sheepadoodle really does live up to its teddy bear-like features.

Thanks to this pooches curly fur, it won’t shed much. A hypoallergenic feature that is perfect for allergy sufferers. This does mean that they have high grooming needs. The loose fur has to come out some way so regular brushing will be needed.

Related: Another poodle crossbreed that looks very similar is the wonderful Bernedoodle.

History

The Sheepadoodle dog is a cross between an Old English Sheepdog and a Poodle. It is believed the breed was developed by the US Army in the 1960s as a military dog. Whilst they had some of the right features, they just didn’t make the cut.

It didn’t take long for the Sheepadoodle to become popular amongst dog lovers and families. Owners across the world have fallen in love with this hybrid! The breed also comes in a variety of sizes. The Micro Sheepadoodle, the Miniature Sheepadoodle, and the Giant Sheepadoodle! 

The Old English Sheepdog was used for and herding livestock to and from the market. A characteristic that has clearly passed on to the Sheepadoodle. They were developed in England and are thought to date back to the 1700s, yet their origin isn’t widely known.

Poodles are the National Dog of France, yet they actually originated from Germany. The French decided to develop the dog into the breed it is today. The difference in Poodle size explains the variety in the Sheepadoodle’s. Poodles are waterdogs and make one of the best retrievers. It’s no surprise that they were once popular in the military.

Sheepadoodles remain popular due to their cuddly teddy like features. However, it’s their ability to pick up on human emotions and their sensitivity that makes them the ideal companion. Sheepadoodles are popular amongst a variety of different dog owners both in the city and rural areas.

Related: Check out our guide on the Carpathian Shepherd dog to learn more information about this great breed.

Personality

Sheepadoodle Temperament:

This canine looks cute and sweet in all their sizes and they absolutely love cuddles. Sheepadoodles will always remain by your side and somebody should always be at home to keep them company. The breed is sensitive, affectionate, playful, happy, and intelligent.

Sheepadoodles really do show off their cheeky personality. Unlike other breeds, this pooch can connect on a much deeper level with their owners. The dog really is the definition of a man’s best friend!

Are Sheepadoodles Good With Strangers?

Introduce this dog to strangers and they will be welcoming. Naturally, they do hold the watchdog instinct and will bark at those approaching their territory. Yet aggression won’t come by nature. If your happy and relaxed with the unknown person at the door, they will be too.

Are Sheepadoodles Good With Children?

Sheepadoodles make excellent family companions. Just do be careful with the larger types as they may accidentally knock smaller children. Their playful and excitable personality fits perfectly with a child. They will quickly become best friends spending lots of time with each other.

Sheepadoodle puppies may herd and nip frequently when young. Whilst their teeth aren’t fully developed this could still hurt. Regular training will be needed to overcome this. Generally, Sheepadoodles are tolerant of a child’s behavior and make ideal playmates.

Are Sheepadoodles Ok With Other Dogs?

Yes, Sheepadoodles are friendly with other dogs. They may however use their herding instincts on smaller canines so do keep an eye out for this. The breed can live with other household pets such as cats but again keep an eye on the herding.

Exercise

Sheepadoodles will need around 1-1.5 hours worth of daily exercise. The two different breeds that combine to make a Sheepadoodle are both working dogs so they still need to get out, use their mind, and burn off all that energy. A Mini Sheepadoodle will obviously need slightly less. If you don’t keep up with their exercise needs then it’s possible that bad behaviors will be formed.

Smaller Sheepadoodles will do fine in an apartment but larger ones will need access to an enclosed garden. All however will require mental stimulation to prevent boredom. Games that make your dog work for treats, hide and seek, interactive play are all ways to keep your Sheepadoodles mind ticking over.

This breed is perfect for any doggy meetups. You can happily walk around the park with a group of dogs and the Sheepadoodle will fit into the pack perfectly. All they want to do is make new friends! The larger breeds can also make an ideal running, hiking, or even a cycling partner.

Related: Is the Bracco Italiano dog breed recommended to first-time dog owners? Find out the answer in this comprehensive guide.

Health

Check out the health conditions below commonly seen in the Sheepadoodle:

• Hip Dysplasia- Poor development of the joint will cause pain, swelling, inflammation, and lameness in the affected limb. Arthritis will eventually occur.
• Bloat- This covers both conditions Gastric Dilatation and Gastric Dilatation Volvulus. Both can be fatal when the stomach twists trapping gas and food contents inside.
• Addison’s Disease- A hormonal disorder that causes a deficiency in adrenocortical hormones. This can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, weight loss, increased thirst, and urination.
• Sebaceous Adenitis– A skin condition leading to a poor coat. The inflammatory skin disease is uncommon yet its cause is unknown.
• Luxating Patellas- Seen mostly in smaller breeds, luxating patellas is a condition where the dog’s knee cap moves in and out of place temporarily.
• Cataracts- A cloudiness on the eye appears due to a change in lens. If small this won’t affect your dog’s vision however if it grows, this will lead to blindness.

Intelligence & Training

It is well known that the Sheepadoodle is a highly intelligent breed. Take a look at their parents the Old English Sheepdog and Poodle, both have made excellent working dogs that have lent a helping hand to humans for hundreds of years.

Their intelligence gives them a boost when it comes to learning commands. They pick up on things pretty quickly all you need to do is be consistent, encouraging, and positive. Treats and cuddles are the way forward when handing out rewards. Remember, they’re sensitive so shouting and harsh training techniques will deeply upset this pooch.

The herding characteristic can still be seen in the Sheepadoodle so preventing behaviors like this and nipping should be done as early as possible. The breed is also very easy to housetrain. Sheepadoodles love impressing their owners so make sure you show your excitement when they do something right!

To prevent any bad habits like nipping, chewing, and herding draw your dog’s attention to something else each time. Tell them no firmly then remove them away from what they are doing.

Related: Discover more about the Finnish Spitz, the foxlike hunting dog.

Grooming

The common color of a Sheepadoodle is black and white. Other colors such as grey, brown, or white and red are also seen but expect to pay considerably more for these rare features. A Sheepadoodles coat can range from wavy to curly depending on which parent they have inherited from the most.

Curly fur means you must brush this regularly to prevent mats forming from loose strands. This should be done 2-3 times a week. Pin brushes, combs, and slicker brushes are the tools that should be used. Fur can grow long and could cover the eyes so trim as and when necessary.

A Sheepadoodle should be washed every 6-8 weeks but this can be done sooner if they get very dirty. Some seek help from professional groomers for an all-round trim to keep their teddy bear looks. Other owners tend to keep the shaggy overgrown look commonly seen in the Old English Sheepdog.

The Poodle is prone to ear infections so you must keep up with checking and cleaning your dog’s ears weekly. Aim to brush your canine’s teeth daily to prevent any bacteria build-up. Nails should be trimmed/filed every 4-8 weeks depending on length. Introduce this grooming method as soon as possible. Some owners find this task difficult.