Here we discuss and answer the question are Sheepadoodles hypoallergenic? What you need to know about Sheepdadoodles shedding and its hypoallergenic qualities. Keep reading to learn more.
Sheepdadoodles are adorable, friendly, and playful dogs. They are also intelligent and loyal dogs that make great family pets.
The breed is a cross between an Old English Sheepdog and a Poodle. Therefore, it inherits some of the best qualities and traits from both sides.
If you plan to add a Sheepadoodle to your family, you might wonder whether this breed is hypoallergenic. Sheepadoodles are considered hypoallergenic dogs.
However, that does not mean they do not shed at all. No dog is 100% hypoallergenic, but Sheepadoodles come close.
Sheepadoodle Parents
To understand the breed’s hypoallergenic qualities, you should understand the characteristics of the breed’s Poodle and Old English Sheepdog parents.
The Poodle
Poodles tend to have a non-shedding coat and are considered hypoallergenic. They have wool-like coats that do not shed and rarely build up dander.
While their coats shed a little, they get trapped in the curly coats, thus the absence of hair on surfaces.
The hypoallergenic quality makes Poodles one of the most sought-after dog breeds for crossbreeding to create other hypoallergenic hybrid breeds.
Besides, they come in different sizes; standard, toy, and miniature. This gives breeders more room to create unique hybrid breeds of different sizes.
The Old English Sheepdog
Unlike the Poodles, the Old English Sheepdogs are not hypoallergenic. They have long, hairy, thick double coats that are relatively high maintenance.
They tend to shed a little more than other regular non-hypoallergenic breeds.
Sheepadoodles are hypoallergenic because they inherit their curly coats from their Poodle parents.
However, some Sheepdaoodles may shed more if they inherit the shedding trait from their Old English Sheepdog parents.
Fortunately, this is rare as most Sheepadoodles get their coat characteristics from the Poodle side.
What Makes The Sheepadoodle Hypoallergenic?
Genetics is the main factor that makes Sheepadoodles hypoallergenic. When breeding a Sheepadoodle, you must carefully select the breeding dogs to get puppies with non-shedding hypoallergenic coats.
Breeding a Poodle and an Old English Sheepdog can be tricky to get a hypoallergenic Sheepadoodle.
If you breed a purebred Old English Sheepdog and a purebred Poodle, there is a 50% chance the offspring will be either a non-hypoallergenic coat or a hypoallergenic coat.
However, if you breed your puppy to be only 25% Old English Sheepdog and 75% Poodle, then that raises the chances of the offspring being hypoallergenic because of the more Poodle genes.
The result will be an F1B Sheepadoodle. You will obtain a 75% Poodle generation by breeding a hypoallergenic Sheepadoodle with a Poodle.
An F1BB Sheepadoodle is 12.5% Old English Sheepdog and 87.5% Poodle, while an F2B Sheepadoodle is 37.5% Old English Sheepdog and 62.5% Poodle.
An F2BB Sheepadoodles is 18.75% Old English Sheepdog and 81.25% Poodle. Since these crosses have a higher percentage of Poodles, they are more likely to produce non-shedding hypoallergenic puppies.
You can also get a hypoallergenic Sheepadoodle puppy by breeding two hypoallergenic Sheepadoodles.
However, this method results in more outliers because the puppies will still be half Old English Sheepdogs, and genetics can skip generations.
Some breeders may lie and deceive you into thinking that they breed hypoallergenic puppies when they do not.
To prevent this, you must research and find a reputable breeder that will offer you a high-quality, hypoallergenic puppy.
Are Mini Sheepadoodles Hypoallergenic
The Mini Sheepadoodle is a cross between an Old English Sheepdog and a Miniature Poodle. It has a shaggy, dense, soft, and wavy coat, similar to its Poodle parent.
Their coats depend on the Poodle gene’s dominance and can come in loose curls or tight waves.
While some may inherit the thick double coat of their Old English Sheepdog parent, most tend to inherit the Poodle’s soft, thick, curly coat.
Therefore, Mini Sheepadoodles are considered hypoallergenic and shed less. Since they shed less, they require little maintenance compared to most other breeds.
The loose hair gets trapped in the waves and curls and will hardly get to clothes and furniture. In addition, dander will be trapped too.
This is one of the breeds to consider if you are looking for a hypoallergenic dog breed.
Grooming Sheepadoodles
How hypoallergenic your Sheepadoodle is, has much to do with what its parents are and how it is groomed.
If they are not groomed well, there are chances that the dander may get loose and trigger allergic reactions for those suffering from dog allergies.
Here is how you can groom your furry friend and enhance its hypoallergenic quality.
Brushing Their Coat
You should brush your furry friend’s coat at least once a day. Brushing will help to keep the dander and loose hair at bay.
Therefore, you should give your dog a quick round with a brush when the coat gets dirty or after playing outside.
If you are allergic to dander, you can get someone in the family to brush for you.
Brushing should be done outside the house to avoid lodging the dander and hair on furniture or other surfaces you could easily come into contact with.
Regular Baths
Like other dog breeds, your Sheepadoodle will require regular baths too. They should be bathed at least once a month.
Failing to bathe them may lead to an uncontrollable buildup of dirt and dander, which can trigger allergic reactions.
However, it is advisable not to bathe your furry friend too much. This is because shampoo can dry up their skin and lead to the overproduction of dander.
To avoid this, you can use moisturizing and hypoallergenic shampoo if you want to bathe your furry friend more than once a month.
Sheepadoodle Life Expectancy
The lifespan of standard Sheepadoodles ranges from 12 to 16 years. Smaller-sized Sheepadoodles tend to live longer than large-sized Sheepadoodles.
Other than size, various factors determine the lifespan of a Sheepadoodle.
For instance, a healthy Sheepadoodle will live a longer and happier life than one not offered the necessary care and treatment.
You can ensure your pet is healthy by taking it to your vet for regular check-ups.
Health Issues
Like other dog breeds, your Sheepadoodle may have health issues that you must be prepared to deal with.
Since this breed is a cross between a Poodle and an Old English Sheepdog, it is prone to deal with health problems its parents had. Here are the common health issues that Sheepadoodles are prone to.
Obesity
Your furry friend will need a proper and healthy diet to live a longer and healthy life. Sheepadoodles over 10-20% of their ideal weight are likely to suffer from obesity.
To avoid obesity, you must ensure that your furry friend is provided with a healthy diet. Regular exercise can also help to avoid obesity.
Dental Disease
Sheepadoodles that lack proper dental care are likely to suffer from Periodontal Disease. The condition can worsen if it is not addressed in time.
It is caused by plaque, and tartar buildup over time, leading to infections in gums, losing teeth, loss of bones, and other health issues.
Hip Dysplasia
Larger Sheepadoodles are more likely to deal with Hip Dysplasia than smaller ones. Hip Dysplasia is a skeletal condition that affects the dog’s hip joint.
The condition can make the Sheepadoodle’s ball and socket grind, leading to deterioration.
Bloat
Bloat is a common health condition in large, deep-chested dog breeds. Therefore, it is more common in standard Sheepadoodles than the toy and mini Sheepadoodles.
It happens when a dog drinks or eats too much food quickly, followed by strenuous exercise. The condition can be fatal if it is not addressed in time.
Ear Infections
Like most other dog breeds, Sheepadoodles are prone to ear infections too. The infections are common in breeds with floppy ears.
They occur when earwax and dirt accumulate, giving bacteria inside the ears a perfect home.
Therefore, you should check your furry friend at least twice a week and wipe him out gently using a doggy ear cleaner.
Conclusion
If you were wondering whether Sheepadoodles are hypoallergenic, you are now answered. Sheepadoodles are considered hypoallergenic and low-shedding dogs.
Their hypoallergenic qualities depend on genetics as well as grooming. However, it is important to note that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic.