Complete Guide To The Sheepadoodle: Exercise, Personality, Grooming and More

The Sheepadoodle is a fun-loving, big, happy-go-lucky dog that is quickly becoming a popular designer breed dog. Full of love and affection, this dog is also incredibly intelligent and perfect for families or single owners. Although not officially recognized by the AKC, the Sheepadoodle is a large and popular dog that features the best qualities of both an Old English Sheepdog and a Poodle.

This is a breed that I’ve only just started seeing in my veterinary practice the past few years. They’re adorable and sweet but it will be a while before we truly know what this breed will become routinely.

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How Big Do Sheepadoodles Get?

This breed of dog is a new breed, and there are very few official standards that determine the size and color. Usually, though, this dog is a large dog that will weigh between 60 and 80 pounds. This large size is achieved by breeding a Standard Poodle with a Standard Sheepdog.

Most Sheepadoodles are 16 to 22 inches at the shoulder, with little difference between males and females. Much of the size will depend on the type of poodle that was used as the parent dog. If a toy Poodle is a parent, expect the Sheepadoodle to be much smaller.

What Do Sheepadoodles Look Like?

The silky fur on this dog is one of the main features that attract owners to this designer breed. Usually, the dog has a long coat, and the fur can be curly, wavy, or flat. Common colors include solid black or gray, but usually, the dog is a mix of black and white patches.

What Is The Personality Of A Sheepadoodle?

This breed of dog has an innate ability to pick up and sense different human emotions. They are incredibly intuitive and often seem to predict what an owner feels or needs. Because of this instinct, coupled with their endearing nature, the Sheepadoodle often makes a perfect emotional support dog or therapy dog.

The Sheepadoodle is an extremely affectionate and loving dog. They have an easy-going personality and are happy to be alongside their people. They love children and will lovingly herd children together. The dog can be loyal and protective, and if trained properly, can help alert owners to strangers or unwanted visitors. They are intelligent and able to learn new tricks quickly, so be sure to keep them mentally engaged.

How Much Grooming Do Sheepadoodles Need?

Many people who suffer from allergies are attracted to the Sheepadoodle. The dog combines two relatively low-shedding dogs, making this designer dog breed a low shedder. Be sure to keep the dog brushed about twice a week to eliminate any loose hairs.

Brushing your dog will also help eliminate knots and tangles and helps bring vital oils from the dog’s skin to the end of the long fur. Remember to keep the nails trimmed short and to keep the ears healthy and clean.

How Much Exercise Does A Sheepadoodle Need?

The Sheepadoodle is a medium-energy level dog. While the dog can certainly be happy in an apartment, they need at least some daily exercise. A simple long walk or vigorous playtime in a dog park should be sufficient. For those who live in a house, a large, fenced-in yard can be a great place to run around with your pet.

This breed of dog is also extremely intelligent and will require regular mental stimulation. This dog enjoys learning new activities and likes to solve puzzle toys. Make sure to keep your dog adequately engaged mentally to avoid nuisance or destructive behaviors.

What Is The Best Food For A Sheepadoodle?

Before we start with the food lists, just know that grain-free dog foods are a myth. There’s zero science showing that they are helpful. In fact, there’s increasing evidence that it’s causing issues in certain breeds of dogs. Food allergies are the only reason to even consider a grain-free diet but only choose one with the help of your veterinarian.

Basic dog foods that I recommend include:

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein With Grains

What Health Issues Can Sheepadoodles Have?

An Old English Sheepdog crossed with a Poodle can be pretty healthy when it’s a first generation cross if both of the parents are very healthy and come from great genetic stock. Once you start breeding a Sheepadoodle to another Sheepadoodle, issues may become more apparent.

Based on my experience, the issues I would say may be seen with a Sheepadoodle include:

Allergies
Hip Dysplasia

While I wouldn’t put this down as a health concern for the breed, I could see some Sheepadoodles being very finicky eaters. This breed may be one that needs to be free-fed to ensure that they eat enough.

Where Can I Find a Sheepadoodle?

The Sheepadoodle is a relatively new dog that can be difficult to find. Because this dog is so affectionate and easy-going, coupled with the fact that this dog is great for allergy sufferers, the dog is incredibly popular. Expect to pay a hefty amount for a Sheepadoodle, with puppy prices ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. You may have to pay more if you look for certain traits, like eye color, in your dog.

Before choosing any breeder, make sure to vet their reputation and devotion to the breed thoroughly. You want to find a breeder knowledgeable about the breed and has performed the correct health certifications for the puppies.

While there may not be dedicated rescues for a Sheepadoodle, checking with the Old English Sheepdog Rescue Network or the Carolina Poodle Rescue can sometimes help find a Sheepadoodle in need of a home.

Fun Facts About the Sheepadoodle

Although most people in the United States call this dog a Sheepadoodle, it is also commonly called a Sheep-a-poo, Shepadogpoo, or Sheeppoo.

The Sheepadoodle is a relatively new breed that only recently gained popularity in the 1980s. This dog is the result of breeding an Old English Sheepdog with a Poodle, two breeds that are considered low-shedders and largely hypoallergenic.

Depending on the parent dogs, it is possible to have a miniature Sheepadoodle. These dogs are the result of mixing Standard Sheepdogs with Miniature Poodles. The tiny dogs are usually under 20 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 24 and 44 pounds.

Much of the Sheepdog instinct is still alive and well in the Sheepadoodle. This dog enjoys herding and likes to have a job to do. It’s not uncommon to see your dog trying to herd members of the family into one room, politely nipping at people’s heels to get them to move in the direction it wants.

Because this breed of dog is a designer dog breed and not a purebred dog, it is not officially recognized by the AKC. Further, even with careful breeding, this dog will not be eligible for breed registration with the AKC in the future.