Pets have always been our best family companions because of their friendly and adorable nature. They come in different sizes and shapes and may be fluffy, heavy, long or short haired. Whatever the characteristics they have, there is always a breed out there for all pet lovers. The Sheepadoodle mix is a canine cross-breed of a sheepdog and a poodle. It also called as Sheepdogdoodle, Sheepdogpoo and Sheepapoo.
This dog hybrid seems to have derived unique characteristics from his parents. The Old English sheepdog is known to be fluffy, playful and a sweet-tempered dog. The Poodle, on the other hand, is hypoallergenic, very intelligent and has a low-shed coat. In the canine world, the Sheepadoodle is recognized as the panda bear featuring easy-going fur balls that are white or black in appearance. Their eyes are always ringed by a large patch of fur, and their cuddly look is topped off by their adorable, dark prominent nose.
Their coat color and sizes may vary depending on the inherited characteristics from their parental breeds. The Sheepadoodle always loves the company of people and is very loyal to anyone he recognizes as a family. In this article, we are going to look at all necessary information you need to know, especially if you are looking to adopt a Sheepadoodle.
Contents
Breed Characteristic
| Dog Breed Group | Herding / Designer dog (Dog Registry of America) |
| Height | 24 to 27 inches tall |
| Weight | 45 and 55 pounds |
| Lifespan | 12 to 15 years |
| Color | black, white or black and white |
| Coats | Coats are usually longand thick with less shedding properties |
| Origin | United States, Germany |
Main Highlights
| · A Sheepadoodle is a cross between the Sheepdog and a Poodle. |
| · They are gentle and won't bark aimlessly at other dogs or people . |
| · They are very intelligent which makes him easy to train provided you work with them consistently. |
| · Their thick coats give them a good tolerance for cold. |
| · A Sheepadoodle needs a good amount of exercise to keep them in shape. |
| · They are family friendly as they interact well with children and adults and gets along with other pets. |
| · Typical colors of the Sheepadoodle are black, white, black and white, or red and white (rare). |
| · They are usually healthier and more likely to be a watchdog. |
| · Have an average life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. |
| · A Sheepadoodle weighs about 45 to 55 pounds and stands between 24 to 27 inches tall. |
| · He is prone to joint issues and Addison's disease and would need proper care to remain healthy. |
| · He is recognized by the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR) and the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA) |
| · His coat requires regular brushing as they have inherited the low shedding properties from their parental breed, Poodle. |
| · Sheepadoodle puppies are well-behaved and very intelligent. They are always playful from puppyhood to adulthood and love the company of his family. |
History
The Sheepadoodle is a hybrid dog and not a pure breed. This implies that it can inherit the traits of both parents just like other crossbreeds. They came into existence after the Poodles were crosses with the Old English sheepdog. Sheepadoodle first originated in the United States in the 1960s as a military police dog. They were originally bred as a water dog in Germany for hunting waterfowl.
The shepherds loved his watchdog skills and he could be used to herd their sheep. The Sheepdogpoo is not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) because they are a cross breed. However, they are recognized by other organizations such as International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR) and the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA).
The Old English sheepdog was developed in England as a large breed dog. They are very intelligent, playful, and adaptable. The origins of the Poodle have always been disputed as most people think he is French. It was only in France where the Poodle generation was developed further. The Poodle is a group of formal dog breeds such as the Miniature Poodle, Standard Poodle, and Toy Poodle.
Sheepadoodle Size
Generally, Sheepadoodle weighs between 45 to 55 pounds and stands between 24 to 27 inches tall. This is almost the same size as the average standard poodle. Because they are a cross breed, different weights and sizes can be achieved depending on the specific stature and breed type of the parent dogs.
Sheepadoodle Lifespan
The average life expectancy of the Sheepadoodle is about 12 to 15 years. It is important to obtain information about his past life from the original breeder. His lifespan can be enhanced through a balanced diet and proper care.
Sheepadoodle Coat color
The Sheepadoodle comes in a variety of colors but the most common include black, white or black and white. The red and white coat color or the Sheepapoo is one of the rarest kind you could ever find. They inherited the low-shedding properties of their parental breed, Poodle.
You can always keep his thick hair tangle-free by providing regular brushing. Also, expect to carry out regular trips to a professional groomer since his much hair needs to be trimmed a little to make him look his best. Their thick coats also make them highly adaptable to cold environments.
Sheepadoodle Shedding
Almost all types of fog breeds undergo shedding which means that the Sheepadoodle is not an exception. Although he is thick-haired, the Sheepdogpoo has low shedding properties that he inherited from the Poodle. This means that he sheds less compared to other dog breeds with thick coats. However, this doesn’t mean that he won’t need regular grooming.
They will need more care to keep their long hair presentable and tangle-free. The dog breeds with short-haired coats always shed at least twice a year. The same might case can apply to the Old English Sheepdog Poodle Mix but the only difference is that their thick haired coats may require regular brushing.
Sheepadoodle Temperament
Since the Sheepadoodle is a cross between the Old English sheepdog and the Poodle, he is likely to inherit behavioral characteristics from both parents. However, there are other circumstances when the traits of the hybrid dog seem to lie much towards one parental breed. What owners and breeders hope for is that their personality or temperament will be an even mixture of the two parent breeds.
An Old English Sheepdog Poodle Mix is energetic, loyal and good-natured cross breed dog. They make excellent family companions as they enjoy the company of people. Sheepadoodle does not like being left for long hours at home just like many other dog breeds. A lot of breeders have reported that the Old English Sheepdog Poodle Mix have wonderful temperaments and can get along with children and other pets.
They are friendly, sweet and loving from the day they get to adapt to their new home. However, you can increase the chances of having a good-natured dog by socializing him at an early age. They are good watchdogs who bark only when there is a danger. Behavioral training is essential as it instills good behavior to your dog and how they should interact with their environment.
Sheepadoodle Training
The Sheepadoodle is easy to train because he is very intelligent and eager to please their owner. Like any other dog breed, it is important to provide your Sheepapoo with a firm and consistently patient training including early socialization from puppyhood. If you received him at a grown age, ensure that he received behavioral training from a dog expert to interact well with the family and other pets. It is also important to teach your kids how to handle the Old English Sheepdog Poodle Mix during play or when spending some time with them.
The primary reason why experts recommend training him at a young age is that he can be slightly brusque with other dogs as he grows older. The best approach to training the Old English Sheepdog Poodle Mix is through verbal praises and offering them treats from doing a great job. As a result, you will find it very easy to train them and your dog will always follow your commands at any point in time.
Sheepadoodle Exercise Requirements
The Sheepadoodle will need plenty of active play and structured exercise routines to keep him mentally stimulated and physically fit. He has the likelihood of gaining weight during the old years. This means that an early regular routine can help prevent joint issues that arise from obesity.
The Old English Sheepdog Poodle Mix like to swim and socialize so it would be a perfect idea to take him to a dog park or an accessible river for some exercises. You can also give him the freedom to play with the kids around the compound as they love their company too.
There are numerous health advantages and physical benefits that are derived from exercising your dog regularly. Apart from obesity, it will help him resistant to other disease such as stroke or arthritis. It also makes him flexible throughout the day.
Sheepadoodle Haircuts
The Old English Sheepdog Poodle Mix is not a heavy shedder just like his parent breed, Poodle. However, he needs regular brushing to ensure his soft and wavy coat remains presentable. Their furry coats are usually straight and curly and their grooming can be done a few times weekly. This involves taking him to a professional groomer for trimming if there are patches of fur covering his eyes.
Their ears should be cleaned or wiped at times to avoid infections. Regular grooming helps your Sheepadoodle to have a tangle-free coat. It is also important to brush their teeth and trim their nails as it boosts their hygiene.
Sheepadoodle Common Health Problems
Health issues can really cause significant problems with some pedigree dogs. However, the Sheepadoodle is a crossbreed which places the odds in your favor provided you choose a puppy from health-tested parents. A Sheepdogpoo can possess inherited health problems from both of their parents as well as good traits.
They are prone to bloating, joint issues, Addison’s or Cushion’s disease. Joint issues may come about during their old years as a result of obesity. They can also develop certain cancers as well as skin issues depending on the level of care. Some health problems of the Sheepdogpoo can be dealt with by providing a balanced diet and proper care.
This involves taking him for frequent checkups to your vet as they can conduct a diagnosis to determine underlying health issues in your dog. Sheepadoodles also need to be vaccinated to help him live a long and healthy life.
Sheepadoodle Care Features
The Sheepadoodle is prone to genetic problems and other ear or eye infections. It is important to have information about the history of your Old English Sheepdog Poodle Mix from the previous breeder. You can also take him to the vet for vaccinations and determine any underlying health problems he might have. He also needs regular grooming because of his thick-haired coat.
A professional groomer can help trim his fur if they seem to block his eyes from view. Bathing would require some dedication as he takes time to get dry. The Sheepadoodle will also need a regular brushing of the teeth using a recommended dog toothpaste. Wipe his ears clean to prevent ear infections and trim his nails carefully to maintain hygiene.
He is an adorable and loving dog who needs company from his family. Take him to dog parks and an accessible river where he can have fun the fact that he enjoys swimming. A balanced diet and regular exercises will make him healthy.
Food/Nutrition/Feeding Schedule
The Sheepadoodle requires top quality food that meets his size, age and activity levels. You need to feed him 2 to 3 small meals throughout the day because he has a tendency of experiencing bloating and other health issues such as obesity. Avoid fillers in his food as it encourages him to keep eating to feel full. Never exercise your sheepadoodle after meals to allow a smooth digestion process.
Is Sheepadoodle a good family dog?
The Sheepadoodle is very friendly with children and can get along with other pets. It is important to provide him behavioral training and also teach your kids how to play with the Sheepadoodle. Behavioral training helps him interact well with family and other pets.
Sheepadoodle Price
Sheepadoodle puppies range anywhere from $800 to $2,500 for one. Good breeders often require more money to cover their ancillary expenses, therefore, you should never make your choice based on price.
Sheepadoodle For Sale
The sheepadoodle with blue eyes come at a higher cost and can hit as much as $3,000. Sheepadoodle for sale can be found online in dog rescue organizations. However, you need to have in-depth information about the parent breeds from a responsible breeder. Also, note that shipping costs may be included in the price depending on your location.
Conclusion
The sheepadoodle has gained massive popularity ever since they were recognized by the Dog Registry of America and International Designer Canine Registry. They are good and gentle with people when well-socialized and well-bred. You are off to a good start if you are committed to socializing, training and picking the right puppy from the right breeder.
Sheepadoodle Puppies Pictures
[huge_it_slider id=”5 “]Sheepadoodle Puppies Video
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