When you come across a dog breed that appears ultra fluffy and looks like a poodle and an English sheepdog, it’s a sheepadoodle. If you ever lay your eyes on a sheepadoodle, your will undoubtedly experience a cuteness overload.
Sheepadoodle is a well-known dog breed that is a member of many families. It has the characteristics of both an English sheepdog and a poodle.
Whether you want to learn everything about the sheepadoodle or are considering adopting one, this guide will be your best friend.
Let’s get to know this fluffy thing they call a Sheepadoodle!
History
In the 1960s, the U.S. military, for the very first time, did an experiment in which they bred the poodle with an English sheepdog to get a dog breed that would prove the best military police dog. But when the sheepadoodle was born and raised, it didn’t appear to be really suited as a military or police dog. Instead, it ended up becoming a dog breed that suits therapy jobs and families.
They were originally bred in the 1960s but didn’t receive much fame in those years. In fact, they became popular in the 1980s as they are suited for people who suffer from allergies.
Additionally, when many celebrities began keeping them as pets, the sheepadoodle received another upswing in 2015, especially due to their friendly nature. Now, it is a well-known and ideal dog breed for many families.
Breed
The Sheepadoodle is not a pure dog breed; instead, it is a mixed breed resulting from crossing poodles and old English sheepdogs.
Many animals are cross-breed for different purposes, and sheepadoodle is one of them. Consequently, they possess the characters of both the poodle and the old English sheepdog. Let’s take a look at these two different breeds:
Old English Sheepdog
It is a large dog breed that belongs to the herding dog type and is known by the nickname bobtail. Old English Sheepdogs have thick fur, which is double-coated and requires regular grooming. They come in a mixture of gray and white and don’t shed much. Typically they have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. They are never aggressive or nervous.
Poodle
The poodle, whose name stems from the german word “pudel,” is a water dog breed with four varieties: toy poodle, medium poodle, standard poodle, and miniature poodle. They have curly coats and originated in Germany.
They have an obedient nature and high intelligence. It’s an active and energetic breed of dog. They weigh around 45 – 70 pounds. Just like the Old English Sheepdog, they require regular grooming and health maintenance.
Common Names
The sheepadoodle has a variety of nicknames, such as Sheeppoo, Sheep-a-poo, Sheepdogpoo, or Sheepdoodle.
Height
The size of a poodle is 10 to 15 inches, and that of an old English sheepdog is normally 20 to 24 inches. Therefore the sheepadoodle’s height is an average of the two parent breeds, roughly 18–27 inches.
Weight and Size
Likewise, the weight of a sheepadoodle is also the weight between an old English sheepdog and a poodle. On average, the weight of a sheepadoodle is 65–85 pounds. The Sheepadoodle is larger compared to many other breeds of dog. Their curly fur also makes them appear much larger than their actual size. Also, their size depends upon the cross, whether the old English sheepdog is crossed with the miniature poodle, standard poodle, or toy poodle.
Lifespan
12–15 years is the average lifespan of the Sheeppoo, which is the same as that of a poodle – but a few years more than the old English sheepdog.
Facial Features
Sheepadoodles have facial features like a poodle or an old English sheepdog: a square face with a domed head.
Preferred Environment
This mixed dog breed likes to live in a house with a yard where it can run around and play. They have thick fur; therefore, they prefer to live in cold climates. If kept in warmer weather conditions, it is advised to owners to trim their fur in order to keep them in cool spaces so that they can live happily and comfortably.
The Sheepadoodle is an active dog; therefore, they like to spend much time outdoors. Even if the weather is bad, your sheepadoodle won’t hesitate to go outside.
Food
The food requirements of sheepadoodles differ widely. Typically, it should be eating food formulated for big dog breeds. The food that they need depends upon their age, size, metabolism, activity level, and health concerns. However, three to four cups of pellets on a daily basis are usually enough for an adult.
Note that they gain weight very easily, so break down their food requirements into small proportions so that their weight will stay at a healthy level. Also, avoiding involving them in strenuous exercise after feeding is advised.
Health
Poodles and old English sheepdogs are widely distinct from each other genetically. Therefore they have very few chances of developing genetic diseases. Sheepadoodles are generally much healthier than their parent breeds.
However, the health risks are never zero. They may suffer from certain common health conditions, such as:
- Joint problems
- Bloat
- Skin disorder/ sebaceous adenitis
- Addison’s disease
- Hip dysplasia
The Sheepadoodle might also be affected by Von Willebrand’s Disease, Cerebellar Abiotrophy, Entropion, Mitral Valve Dysplasia, Glaucoma, Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia, and Ectropion.
Albeit rare, they can occasionally suffer from Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA), Cardiomyopathy, Cushing Syndrome, Epilepsy, Deafness, Wobbler Syndrome, and Hemophilia.
It is necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle for your sheepadoodle through regular veterinary checkups so they don’t face any health issues. Or if they do occur, it is always best to catch any health concern early on before it progresses too far.
Care
Some people are allergic to dogs because they shed a lot, but as this dog breed sheds very little. Therefore, it is one of the best choices for those suffering from dog allergies.
The Sheepadoodle doesn’t really require any extensive or special care, other than the weekly care necessary for any other dog breed. This includes trimming their fur and bathing them every seven to ten weeks, maintaining good dental hygiene, cleaning their ears, brushing them frequently, and trimming their claws.
However, bear in mind that they’re prone to gaining weight fast if you don’t take them on their daily walks.
Temperament
Sheeppoos are playful and love to spend time outdoors. Their social maturity makes them highly suited to be family dogs.
Exercise Requirements
The Sheepadoodle requires a fair amount of exercise. Therefore to keep them healthy and playful, a decent amount of activity on a daily basis is highly recommended.
When you involve your sheepadoodle in everyday activities like neighborhood walks, runs, hikes, etc., they will become healthier and more energetic. Moreover, their life span will be extended so that your furry family member can stay with you for as long as possible.
Training
The difficulty level of Sheepadoodle training depends upon the characteristics they inherit from their parents. If the sheepadoodle inherits an independent-minded character from the old English sheepdog, it will learn every activity easily. On the other hand, if the sheepadoodle gets the nature of eagerness from its poodle parent, it will do its best to please the owners and learn every new trick.
Either way, the sheepadoodle is an intelligent animal; therefore, training it is an easy task.
Shedding
One of the best characteristics of sheepadoodle is that they shed very little. Their infrequent shedding makes them a favorite dog breed, especially for those who are allergic or don’t want their furniture to be constantly covered in fur.
Personality
As sheepadoodle is a cross of two different dog breeds, they have a wide variety of traits that make them unique. Being social dogs, they love to spend time with other dogs, children, and their owners. They enjoy both a good snuggle or an intense game of fetch.
When a stranger passes by your side, they will be alert but won’t be hostile towards them. Overall, they have lively and affectionate personalities – what’s not to love?
Energy Level
As we already mentioned, sheepadoodle is a mixed breed of poodle and old English sheepdog, both of which are highly active and energetic. Especially in energy level, a sheepadoodle resembles a poodle, always eager for different activities.
Separation Anxiety
Sheepadoodles have a friendly nature and like to spend time with family; therefore, when they are left alone for too long, they suffer from separation anxiety. Consequently, dog experts advise not to leave them alone for extended periods of time as this will make them unhappy.
Fur Coat
The color of the sheepadoodle’s fur is a mixture of the poodle and old English sheepdog. Most commonly, the sheepadoodle is seen in white, brown, and black. It is frequently bicolored and sometimes, albeit rare, even tri-colored.
The coats can be either straight or curly and become more prominent as they age. They usually have a medium length, and their black patches over white sometimes give them a panda-like appearance.
Sheepadoodles require daily care and attention with regard to grooming to stay free of tangles and dirt buildup in their fur. You can use a de-shedding comb to remove the hair that is about to shed and reduce the shedding.
Male Vs. Female Sheepadoodle
The male and female sheepadoodle don’t possess many differences, but the males are more stubborn and independent than the females. Moreover, females don’t require as much exercise. Also, the females are easy to potty train indoors, whereas the males are generally easy to train outdoors.
Pros and Cons of the Sheepadoodle
Like other dog breeds, these dogs possess certain beneficial characteristics. At the same time, they have some features that might not match your personality.
Pros
- Sheepadoodles have pleasant temperaments as they are obedient and of good nature. Also, they interact well with family members and stay calm indoors.
- They are easy to train, a trait they inherit from their poodle parents.
- Minimal shedding; therefore, they are perfect for those allergic to dogs. Both the poodle and old English sheepdog are light shedders, so the same quality is transmitted to the sheepadoodle.
- As family and therapy dogs, they’ve gained a good reputation. They provide people with love, affection, and comfort at hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes.
- Although sheepadoodles are not known as watchdogs, if trained in a good manner, they could provide great protection as guard dogs.
Cons
- Nipping is a characteristic inherited from the old English sheepdog. That’s why they often display this character over time; therefore, never leave a child or any other dog alone with your sheepadoodle.
- Herding is also inherited from old English sheepdog, which could prove disturbing to you sometimes.
- They suffer from a lot of separation anxiety, which might be difficult to deal with if you don’t spend much time at home. Leaving them alone too much will affect your sheepadoodle’s mental health.
Fun Facts About the Sheepadoodle
- Bunny is a well-known TikTok star famous as a talking sheepadoodle.
- The popularity of the sheepadoodle became even more hyped up when Fedor Andreev and Meryl Davis announced that they had adopted Bilbo, a mini sheepadoodle.
- Millie, Otis, and Zammy are well-known sheepadoodle social media ambassadors.
- Sheepadoodles are expensive, and with their increasing popularity, they are becoming even more costly. If you want to get a sheepadoodle, you may need to spend $1000-$3000, depending upon the breeder.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common problems that sheepadoodle suffer from include joint issues, ear infections, and heart problems.
Sheepadoodles don’t like to spend time alone. They are social dogs and like people around them. Therefore if you are one to spend many hours a day outside your home, then your sheepadoodle will miss you badly. In such cases, there are other breeds that are more suited for your lifestyle.
There are mini sheepadoodles and standard sheepadoodles. The mini sheepadoodle gains a height of 15 to 20 inches and a weight of 30 to 35 pounds. Meanwhile, the standard sheepadoodle has a height of 18 to 27 inches and weighs around 65 to 85 pounds.
They have lots of fur, which they don’t shed frequently. Therefore, their hair catches the dirt and dander, which can’t be seen with our naked eyes. Consequently, they require high maintenance to keep them clean, healthy, and beautiful.
No, the sheepadoodle doesn’t shed frequently. With regards to shedding, the sheepadoodle resembles poodles which are low shedders.
Sheepadoodle: The Final Verdict
| Key Points |
| Sheepadoodle is not a pure dog breed, instead, it is a cross between a poodle and an old English sheepdog. |
| Sheepadoodles require much time for exercise. |
| 12–15 years is the average lifespan of the Sheeppoo, which is the same as that of a poodle but a few years more than the old English sheepdog. |
| The Sheepadoodle is larger (61-100 lbs) compared to many dog breeds. |
| The average height of a sheepadoodle is about 18–27 inches. |
| Usually, the sheepadoodle is known by various names such as Sheeppoo, Sheep-a-poo, Sheepdogpoo, and Sheepdoodle. |
| Sheepadoodles were originally bred in the 1960s |
| Sheepadoodles shed very little. |
| Sheepadoodles have a friendly nature and like to spend time with family; therefore, when they are left alone for too long, they suffer from separation anxiety. |
The Sheepadoodle is a mixed dog breed obtained by crossing the old English sheepdog with the poodle. Therefore the sheepadoodle possesses characteristics of both these dog breeds.
This dog breed is intelligent, active, energetic, friendly, and not aggressive. However, sheepadoodles have herding and nipping tendencies and may suffer from anxiety disorder if you leave them alone.
They are easy to train, and they like to spend time with family as well as outdoors. Although sheepadoodle are famous for being ideal family and therapy dogs, they also have the ability to be trained to act as watchdogs.
If you are thinking of getting a sheepadoodle, keep all these characteristics in mind so that you will be able to develop a strong connection with your dog.
Thank you for reading this article! If you want to discover other dog breeds, head over to read either about the Weimaraner or Toy Poodle.
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