Ever heard of Sheepadoodles? No, they’re definitely not sheep-related. They are a cross-breed between the Standard Poodle, AKC’s 7th most popular breed with the adaptable and gentle Old English Sheepdog, the 72nd in the spot.
These fluffy designer dogs also go by the names Sheep-a-poo, Sheeppoo, Sheepdoodle and Sheepdogpoo. Always spelled with double “e”, it is not “Shepadoodle”, a Poodle mix with the German Shepherd.
So as not to confuse any further, here’s everything that you need to know about Sheepadoodles.
Sheepadoodle Origin
Large and athletic Old English Sheep rose to popularity in the farmsteads of England. They helped farmers drive sheep and cattle to the market. Meanwhile, before Poodles were associated with high society, they used to retrieve waterfowl for hunters in Germany.
Inspired by these, the US Army in the 60s experimented with a breed that would make a good military dog. Their popularity only soared in 2007 when figure skaters Meryl Davis and her partner Fedor Andree showed off their cute furball. Today, people can’t get enough of this family-friendly and hypoallergenic pooch.
Since they are a cross-breed, they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) unlike their parents. However, it is recognized by the Dog Registry of America, Inc and the American Canine Hybrid Club. They are also registered with the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).
Appearance of Sheepadoodle
With a face either square like a Sheepdog or round like a Poodle, expressive oval-shaped brown eyes which are sometimes blue, long snout with a black or brown nose, plus their signature low hanging ears, one can’t help but fall in love with this pooch.
Usually, a mix of black and white, this muscular and well-proportioned dog also comes in solid black, red, brown, blue, cream and white. Some of them even have patches of opposite colors around one or both eyes making them look like a panda!
Because they have a diluted color gene, their coats will tend to get lighter as they grow older.
Their long coat, which can either be flat, wavy or curly, is thick and dense like its Old English Sheepdog parent. The curl of their coat is also slightly looser than its Poodle parent.
Overall, they are oozing with adorable cuteness!
How big will Sheepadoodles get?
With a large Old English Dog parent, the Sheepadoodles are considered too as such. Standard Sheepadoodles, or the usual average size, weigh between 65 to 85 lbs and can grow at a height of 18 to 27 inches.
Mini or Moyen Sheepadoodles weigh between 35 to 55 lbs with an average height of 20 inches.
Toy Sheepadoodles, a cross between Mini Sheepadoodle with a Toy Poodle, weigh at an average of 35 lbs.
See, these furballs are packaged in different adorable sizes.
How cool are Sheepadoodles?
Now the question is, what is their personality? Are they as cool as they look? Here are some of the characteristics we love about Sheepadoodles:
● Expressive & Lovable
Sheepadoodles are known to be incredibly expressive and have the natural ability to read human emotions. As such, they make great therapy or emotional support dogs. They are very affectionate and extremely lovable, too.
They enjoy cuddles so make sure they get tons of it.
● Friendly
This playful pooch is very friendly. They enjoy the company of other animals and even strangers. Train them to be social at a young age with gradual exposure to other animals and different kinds of people.
Although they don’t often bark and are friendly, they still make great guard dogs for the household.
● Perfect with Kids
Their calm but infectious energy makes them a great family dog! They are also protective around kids.
They have the tendency though to playfully nip at the heels of children, an instinct they got from their herding Old English Sheepdog parent. To distract them, provide them a chewing toy.
● Attached to their Owners
Sheepadoodles are very loyal and they love to be with their “hooman”. Leaving them for a long time will make them suffer from separation anxiety. This is often characterized by persistent howling or barking, destructive chewing and even pooping inside the home. Prevent that by entrusting them to a friend or a doggy daycare.
Other tricks such as a dog camera will soothe their anxiety when they hear their human parent’s voice. Try also aromatherapy or play specific songs to the dog to help them cope with their anxiety.
Groovin’ the Sheepadoodle
With herding and hunting genes inherent to them, Sheepadoodles need moderate exercise to work their energies off.
Daily walks and a game of fetch are perfect to keep them happy and lean. How long should they exercise? A good rule of thumb is a 5-minute walk per month of their age. Typically, at 18 months they should walk 60 minutes daily.
These big boys also love to swim. In fact, Sheepadoodles are multi-talented they will also enjoy herding exercises, agility training, frisbee and flyball.
Aside from exercise, keep these smart pups mentally stimulated. Burning off their infectious energy will not only make them physically fit but it will also prevent them from being bored and destructive.
Develop a regular routine exercise for them and start them young. Never over-exercise them as it is not healthy for them.
How to groom a Sheepadoodle?
The grooming needs of a Sheepadoodle make people think twice about welcoming them to the family. Their great and soft coats need to be brushed twice or thrice weekly. Professional grooming is also recommended roughly every eight to twelve weeks. During summers, it is best to keep their coat short.
Their furs have a tendency to cover those sweet eyes so make sure to trim them occasionally. Their famous floppy ears need to be checked regularly for the build-up of wax and dirt. Keep it clean to prevent infections or better yet, trim it. Trim their nails before it gets too long and brush their teeth daily.
While all these fusses, it is a reward they shed rarely making it a good fit for allergy sufferers.
Herding the Sheepadoodle
Coming from an intelligent Poodle parent, ranking 2nd in the world to the Border Collie while the other parent at the 120th spot, trainability may vary somewhat. Old English Sheepdogs are known to be independently minded and convincing them to follow is a challenge.
Good thing though, the Sheepadoodle offspring is obedient and likes to please their owner, making them trainable. Thanks also to the working genes of both parents.
How do you train Sheepadoodles? They respond best to positive reinforcement. Treat it with rewards, too. It can come in various forms not just from high-value treats. Give them balls and toys or praise them for a job well done.
They love to be taught with various tricks as they need to be both mentally and physically stimulated.
Early socialization must be taught to them, too. Expose them to different kinds of people, animals and even home appliances that make excessive noise. Take note too that when introducing them to others, watch their body language for potential danger.
They can also be taught how to be a good watchdog by training them to bark when they see strangers.
Taking care of the Sheepadoodle
Sheepadoodles can be great companions for a long time. They live for about 12 to 15 years. Of course, care and love are essential to that long life.
Feed them with high-quality kibbles that meet their age, size and activity levels. For a puppy, an ideal diet is 2,100 calories where meals are stretched into four servings preventing them from indigestion. For an adult, an ideal diet is 1,300 calories of dry dog food served twice to thrice daily. Once in a while, give them good wet food.
They have the tendency to be obese too and eat quickly. Never leave them with free-flowing food or they will be like kids in a candy factory. Exercise should be avoided after meals as they are prone to gastric torsion.
Regular vet check-ups should also be prioritized to detect any health concerns early on. While they are known to have hybrid vigor, they are still predisposed to common health problems such as bloating, hip dysplasia, Addison’s disease, joint issues, sebaceous adenitis or skin disorders and even cancer.
Make sure to get them the vaccines they need. Between 8 to 10 weeks, puppies must be vaccinated followed by a booster.
How much is a Sheepadoodle?
Depending on the color, a Sheepadoodle is priced at $ 1,000 to $ 3,000. Prepare an extra $500 to $800 if you want the miniature version.
A solid black is the cheapest while the common black and white are at $2,100. Tricolor Sheepadoodles are the most expensive.
Always deal with a reputable dealer. Check if they have certification or license to sell puppies aside from verifying the Doodle’s health, its parents and the breeding environment. While they may have a higher upfront cost, because they test for genetic diseases, it will save many dollars on medical bills in the future.
How about rescuing a Sheepadoodle?
While you can always buy from a reputable dealer if you think this breed is perfect for you, consider also rescuing abandoned dogs in the shelter.
Adopt a Sheepadoodle at a responsible and legal organization. There are a lot of rescue organizations in the US dedicated to saving Poodles and Old English Sheepdogs. Here are some of the list we’ve compiled:
A good rescue center will support you through the adoption process and test the temperament of the dog.
These Sheepadoodles, like all dogs, need a loving family and a good home. Let’s give them another chance to be happy.
Ready to Get One?
Sheepadoodles are perfect for first-time owners. If you think that your personality and lifestyle will click with this type of breed, go for it. If you have time to play with them and bring them to the vet or grooming salon, take it home.
Once you get them, they are already family. Having said that, they will need your lifelong commitment and tender-loving care. This pooch will definitely repay you with loyalty, love and never-ending kisses.
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