All About Sheepadoodle – Breed Characteristics and Features

While the Sheepadoodle might have a funny name, we assure you they are anything but sheep. This designer dog breed is actually closer in looks to a giant Teddy Bear and they are the goofiest, funniest companions you will ever find.

We have written this comprehensive guide on Sheepadoodles to help those who are planning to get a Sheepadoodle puppy. It is always wise to learn about a breed before getting it for the first time. So, in this guide, you are going to learn about the Sheepadoodle’s features, personality, temperament, grooming needs, and health-related concerns.

If you are interested to know more about this Doodle, keep reading!

Introduction and History of Sheepadoodle:

Sheepadoodle is a designer dog breed known by many adorable names such as Sheeppoo or sheeppoodle. These companion dogs are a cross between the Poodle and Old English Sheepdog. However, unlike most crossbreeds, the Sheepadoodle has existed naturally for several decades, long before professional breeders started taking a keen interest in it.

One of the reasons behind the surge in popularity of the Sheepadoodle in recent history has been its hypoallergenic characteristics. This means they are one of the least likely dog breeds to set off allergic reactions in humans.

While this alone makes them an ideal pet it is ultimately their loving and sweet disposition that dog owners can’t seem to resist.

Related: Australian Shepherd Dog Breed Info

Features

The Sheepadoodle is a furry, fluffy cuddly baby, guaranteed to melt your heart with just one look. If you are still curious about what these Doodles look like here’s a list of features to help you spot them.

  • Jokingly called Panda dogs, the Sheepadoodle has black and white markings like that of a panda.
  • Since this is a crossbreed the Sheeppoo can have straight or curly hair with big Teddy Bear-like fluffy paws and a domed-shaped head.
  • Their ears are floppy and round while their eyes are button-like and circular, mostly found in black and brown color.
  • Their small and round muzzles can be seen perfectly placed in the center of their hairy face.
  • These Doodles usually weigh no more than 70 to 80 pounds.
  • The Sheepadoodle comes in many sizes, from mini to large but the standard dog grows up to 25 inches tall.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Intelligent and Smart: They are intelligent dogs with an extraordinary sense of humor. With a lot of intelligence, they are easier to train.

Very Social: Sheepadoodles love to interact with people and always want to be around their owners. Along with that, they are friendly with kids, strangers, and other animals, early socialization is the key though.

Low-Shedding Coat: Sheepadoodle has a low-shedding coat, which makes it an ideal dog for hypoallergenic people.

Extraordinary Temperament: They are playful, energetic, funny, smart, affectionate, and friendly dogs. Their cool temperament accepts any type of owner and family.

Longer Life Span: They have a life expectancy of around 12-15 years while they can live even more if they do not develop any major health issues.

Cons: 

Terrible Guard Dog: Due to their socio-friendly behavior, Sheepadoodles cannot become guard dogs.

Separation Anxiety: Sheepadoodles love to be the center of attention and they want a handful of time from their owners. So, if left for a longer period, they are more likely to suffer from separation anxiety and social anxiety.

Personality and Temperament

The Sheepadoodle dog has a rare ability to emotionally connect with its owner and form a very strong, mutually dependent relationship with them. This is why they make great therapy dogs and are excellent for people who suffer from frequent depressive episodes.

Additionally, the Sheeppoo dog is sweet, tender-hearted, and overly affectionate making it a less than ideal guard dog. They are simply too calm and caring to scare off strangers, in fact, they are more likely to befriend strangers than chase them off.

Moreover, they are very social animals, that enjoy playtime whether it is with humans or other animals. However, this does mean that they require more attention and love than other dogs and they may get quite sad if they don’t get it.

What is more is that they are highly intelligent dogs, which makes it quite easy to train them and teach them all sorts of tricks. 

How big is a fully grown Sheepadoodle

The average weight of a Standard Sheepadoodle dog is around 30 to 80 pounds while the height may be between 16 to 27 inches on the shoulder.

It also comes in other sizes (Medium and Toy) so make sure you are getting the correct size that is right for you as well you can fulfill its requirement.

Living with a Sheepadoodle

Excellent companion dog, with brilliant herding instincts, the Sheepadoodle is the perfect housemate. It is funny, goofy, kind, and loves being around children and other pets.

Due to their calm and gentle personalities, they easily adjust to a variety of living arrangements, they can be raised in a small apartment, as well as, a big house with a large backyard. Space isn’t really an issue with them, since they only crave attention.

Sadly, this makes them prone to problems like separation anxiety and if a dog owner is busy, he or she will have to hire a dog walker for them to keep them company.

Grooming & Care

The Sheepadoodle rarely ever sheds, which naturally makes it easy to groom and care for. Dog owners just need to brush their coat two to three times a week and take it for a haircut every three months and they are good to go.

Apart from this, they require their nails to be trimmed frequently so they don’t accidentally hurt themselves or others around them. Moreover, their ears have to be cleaned every four to five weeks to avoid debris buildup and the risk of infections.

Another thing to keep in mind would be to brush the dog’s teeth twice or thrice weekly so that it does not suffer from a case of bad gums.

Training

These fur babies need to be walked daily for an hour or more. Dog owners should also play a variety of games with them instead of just one so that the Sheepadodle can feel both mentally and physically challenged.

Diet

Since this dog breed is prone to excessive weight gain, you should be very careful about what to give your pets. While giving them a treat for being a good boy might seem tempting it is important that dog owners plan out a proper diet chart and follow it strictly.

Ideally, a Sheepadoodle should be fed in small quantities of high-quality kibble, two to three times a day so it can remain healthy and happy.

Health concerns

While this may be hard to hear, the Sheepadoodle is prone to several health complications. It can suffer from bloating problems, obesity, joint issues, and even skin disorders. This is why dog owners need to monitor their pets very closely for even the smallest changes and take them to a vet immediately if they spot something unusual. A visit to the vet every three months would be highly recommended.

A healthy Sheepadoodle can have an average life span ranging from 14 to 16 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sheepadoodles good for people with allergies?
Yes, they are fairly good for allergic people because they have a low-shedding coat.

Are Sheepadoodle hybrid dogs?
Yes, it is a hybrid dog and it is a combination of the Old English Sheepdog and Poodle.

Are Sheepadoodles aggressive?
No, they are lovely dogs and make friends with people very quickly as long as they have been well-trained.

Wrapping it Up

If you are capable of taking responsibility, getting a dog is the best decision you can make. However, before you turn to a professional breeder, it is always best to look at rescued and abandoned pups who already looking for a home.

Recommended read – Dachshund Dog Breed Info