Everything You Need to Know About The Sheepadoodle – With Super Cute Pictures

The Sheepadoodle is a wonderful mixed breed that has some of the best traits of both its parent breeds: The Old English Sheepdog and the Poodle. They tend to inherit the caring, patient, and kind personality of the Old English Sheepdog parent and the intelligence and low-shedding coat from their Poodle parent. 

But are these beautiful, fun-loving dogs right for you and your family? Find out everything there is to know about these wonderful pups here!

History of the Sheepadoodle

Unlike many designer dogs that became popular in the 1990s, the Sheepadoodle has been around for a little longer. Both the Poodle and the Old English Sheepdog have been loved pets for many years (with Old English Sheepdogs becoming particularly popular as an adored Disney dog in the Little Mermaid).

The Sheepadoodle was first bred around the 1970s. Of course, these pups could have naturally been around for much longer before then!

Breeders really wanted to breed a large, loyal breed that had a low-shedding coat for less maintenance and those who suffer from allergies. These two dog breeds were a natural choice!

It was important that this mixed breed could be a good working pup as well as be great with children. Safe to say the original breeders did a near-perfect job…

Parent Breeds

Poodle

Poodles are icon pups, known for their unusually groomed hair cuts and high intelligence. There are three recognized Poodle sizes: Standard, Miniature, and Toy. There’s also the Moyen Poodle, but they’re not officially recognized by the AKC.

Poodles can be a number of different colors and have a curly coat that’s considered to be hypoallergenic. Their low-shedding coat is a reason they’re often bred with other dogs, such as the Golden Retriever to create the Mini Goldendoodle.

Poodles are generally active and inquisitive dogs that need up to an hour of exercise a day. It’s important you keep Poodles’ intelligent brains engaged with plenty of training sessions and interactive toys. They can become stubborn and strong-willed if left to become bored.

Old English Shepherd

These wonderful, fluffy dogs originated on the farms of England and were bred to be great working dogs. They’re therefore incredibly loyal, confident, and hard-working.

They’re medium to large dogs that, whilst not considered a particularly scary dog breed, make great guard dogs because of their loud bark and attentive nature.

Because these pups are used to being outdoors, they do well with a yard to play in and regular, diverse exercise. They’ll love running through fields as much as going on a family hike.

Unlike Poodles, these English dogs have a heavy, double coat that does tend to shed. They need regular grooming but seeing as it’s the coat that attracts many to this breed, most pup parents don’t seem to mind!

The Temperament of a Sheepadoodle

These adorable, fluffy dogs are very people-orientated and love to spend time with their family. A Sheepadoodle’s working heritage means they’re particularly protective around little ones and often grow up being a child’s best friend. 

Most Sheepadoodle puppies are lively and loving, and whilst some stay like this into adulthood, most tend to settle down. They’ll enjoy long walks, a game of frisbee, chasing after dog-safe bubbles, and snuggling up to you on the couch at the end of the day. 

Sheepadoodle puppies will also require a good amount of fun training sessions from an early age as they can be a little boisterous. As with all pups, a cute Sheepadoodle puppy needs socialization with other pups, people, sights, and sounds.

Socializing around people is particularly important as these doggos can be a bit aloof and reserved around people they don’t know (which makes them good guard dogs).

The Appearance of a Sheepadoodle

A standard Sheepadoodle can grow to be between 16 and 22 inches and weigh between 60 and 80 pounds. Of course, if you get a mini Sheepadoodle (Old English Sheepdog mixed with a Miniature Poodle), you can expect them to be smaller.

Sheepadoodles are normally a mixture of black and white but some may be entirely black. It’s possible, but rare, for these pups to be gray too. 

They tend to have slightly longer coats than Poodles which can be straight, wavy, or curly. One of the best traits of the doggos is that their coats are generally hypoallergenic. Whilst no pup is entirely hypoallergenic, Poodle mixes make grooming (and vacuuming) much easier.

Because Sheepadoodles are mixed pups, their appearance can vary a little. This is especially true if they are first-generation pups (i.e. they have an Old English Sheepdog and Poodle parent).

First-generation pooches can look much more like one of their parent dog breeds than pups that are bred from two Sheepadoodles.

Exercise Needs of a Sheepadoodle

Sheepadoodles are active dogs. They’ll love being outside with space to roam and explore. Ideally, your Sheepadoodle should get around an hour of fun exercise every day. This can include a long walk, a run around in the doggie park, or a good game of frisbee. 

If your pup takes after a Poodle more, they may also love water. Swimming is a great way for dogs to burn off some excess energy. Luckily, because of the Old English Sheepdog in them, they should be calm when they get back indoors!

To keep your dog entertained, it might be a good idea to split up their exercise into two 30-minute breaks. That, and lots of squeaky toys and other fun games to play!

The Health of a Sheepadoodle

Mixed dog breeds tend to suffer from fewer diseases and illnesses than other dogs. Sheepadoodles, however, may inherit certain conditions common in their parent breeds.

These include:

• Hip Dysplasia
• Joint problems
• Bloat
• Addidon’s Disease
• Skin disorders

It’s important you don’t exercise your pup too much when they’re young to avoid joint problems. To reduce the risk of bloat, you may want to feed your pup using a puzzle toy or slow feeding bowl which will slow down their eating.

Feeding your pup a nutritious diet that is specifically formulated for them (such as a fresh food diet) could also help their health. It’s also important to take them to the vet for regular check-ups so that any potential conditions can be caught early on. 

Grooming a Sheepadoodle

Do Sheepadoodles Shed?

If your Sheepadoodle inherits a Poodle coat, brushing will be minimal. They don’t really shed and therefore are not prone to mats and tangles. A Sheepadoodle with a very Sheepdog coat may need the occasional brush but even then, dog hair won’t be too much of a problem.

Taking your pup to a groomer for a wash and a trim will keep their coats looking smart and neat!

What Else Should You Consider When Grooming a Sheepadoodle?

Dental hygiene is important with and breed. That means you need to keep on top of brushing your Sheepadoodle’s teeth. If you’re unsure how, ask your vet for advice.

You also need to clip a Sheepadoodle’s nails so that walking is comfortable for them. Younger pups should wear down their nails naturally, but longer nails can be uncomfortable and even get infected. Ask your groomer if you’re unsure.

These cute pups also have floppy ears so you need to ensure they’re kept clean and dry to avoid infection.

Do Sheepadoodles Bark a Lot?

Sheepadoodles are usually quite calm dogs – especially when they’re older. The Sheepadoodle dog can, however, have quite a guarding instinct. If they think something is a potential threat, they won’t be afraid to use their voice to tell you.

Like many guarding dogs, once they’ve started barking it might take them a while to stop!

You can learn more about why dogs bark here.

Do Sheepadoodles Get Along With Children and Other Animals?

These fluffy pups are very sociable canines and love to play with children and other dogs. They’re protective of the ones they love and tend to be very calm around children.

Of course, it’s important all children are taught how to correctly interact with a dog. Even this adorable, fluffy pup won’t enjoy having its tail pulled!

That being said, because Sheepadoodles are part Shepherd, they can have a tendency to herd people. Occasionally, this may even mean nipping in order to get everyone in line. This type of behavior can be stopped with training and lots of positive reinforcement.

Sheepadoodles get on best with other animals that they’re introduced to from an early age. They can get on well with cats and other small animals that they’re introduced to in a calm and slow way.

Do Sheepadoodles Chew a Lot?

Sheepadoodles are part Poodle, so yes, they like to chew! Poodles were bred to be water retrieving dogs and they love to use their mouths to explore the world around them.

Sheepadoodle puppies, especially, will love to chew so it’s important you get them plenty of fun chew toys and chews to spare your furniture and slippers!

Can Sheepadoodles Be Left Alone for Long Periods?

This designer dog loves to be around people. This, therefore, means that they can’t be left alone for long periods of time. In fact, no pup should be left alone for hours and hours at a time, but some breeds don’t mind a little alone time. 

A lonely Sheepadoodle may develop separation anxiety and even become destructive. If you do want to leave your doggo alone for a short period make sure they have something to play with. Mental stimulation is important so that they don’t get bored. They may not even realize you’ve left!

Sheepadoodle Breeder – What to Think About?

Before adopting a Sheepadoodle, it’s really important you think about where you get them from. You need to do your research to ensure the breeder you choose is ethical and you should avoid puppy farms at all costs.

An approved breeder will be able to provide you with all the required health checks (for hip dysplasia, for example) so you know you’re getting a healthy and happy pup.

Even though these doggos are not purebred dogs, it’s unlikely that you’ll find a Sheepadoodle in a shelter. However, you never know and it’s always with looking!

How Much is a Sheepadoodle Puppy?

Designer dogs can be expensive, especially as their popularity grows. And the Sheepadoodle is no exception. Because a standard Poodle and an Old English Sheepdog can cost over $1000, you can expect to pay between $1000 and $2000 for your Sheepadoodle puppy.

As already mentioned, don’t choose a less reputable breeder because they’re offering cheaper Sheepadoodle puppies. It’s important not to support them and it’s likely that you’ll be getting an unhealthier dog that will have many more medical costs. 

So, Is a Sheepadoodle Right for You?

Sheepadoodles are wonderful, caring, loyal, and fun dogs that love to be at the heart of any family. They’re an active dog breed and need a good amount of time outdoors, toys to play with, and fun exercise sessions.

Adult Sheepadoodles tend to calm down a bit with age and, as well as time outdoors, they’ll be really happy to curl up on the couch with you.

They’re a highly intelligent breed and learn quickly. This means that training sessions need to be fun and interactive to keep them engaged. Their intelligence, combined with their desire to please you, and their hypoallergenic coat make them an ideal family pet!