Here we will be Comparing a Sheepadoodle vs Labradoodle. We will discuss some unique facts about these two popular and lovable Doodle breeds. By the end, you’ll have a better understanding of the two Doodle breeds, and so you can make a better decision in choosing between the two.
Both Labradoodle and Shepadoodl are two popular designer Doodle breeds. Obviously, both have Poodle as one of their parents, and so they share many similarities from their high intelligence to low-shedding coats.
However, with them having different parents, obviously, there are also differences between the two popular Doodles.
Pros and Cons of Sheepadoodle
Sheepadoodle Origins
The Sheepadoodle originated before the term “Doodle” itself was first coined in the 1990s, and it is well believed that the Sheepadoodle was the fruit of the US Army experiment as far back as the 1960s.
The Shepadododle is a cross between a Standard Poodle and the Old English Sheepdog, and back in the 1960s, the Sheepadoodle was created for use as a military dog. To understand their origins, however, we have to look at the characteristics and temperaments of the parent breeds:
The Old English Sheepdog
As the name suggests, the Old English Sheepdog is believed to have originated in England, although there is an ongoing debate that it may have its roots in the Scottish Bearded Collie or Russian Owtchar.
The Old English Sheepdog is especially well-known for its large size, but well-natured temperament and excellent adaptability. They can get along well with children but will need early training and socialization.
Poodles
Poodles are famous for being the second most intelligent breed that is also highly trainable. Also, they are the favorite breed in cross-breeding due to their low to non-shedding coat that is almost totally hypoallergenic.
Due to the large size of the Old English Sheepdog, only Standard Poodles can be the parent of Sheepadoodle.
Sheepadoodle Temperament
Since both the Old English Sheepdog and the Poodle are good-natured, the Sheepadoodle is typically calm, highly intelligent, and active. So, they are very loving dogs that are ideal as a family companion.
They are really great at interacting with kids, but due to their large build, they might not be suitable if you have very young toddlers or babies. Also, they are very prone to separation anxiety. If they are left alone for long periods, they might be destructive and tend to bark a lot.
Early training and socialization are essential, and make sure to invest enough time to play with your Sheepadoodle.
Sheepadoodle Health and Medical Issues
As a mixed breed, the Sheepadoodle is generally healthier than their purebred parents due to the wider gene pool. However, they can still inherit conditions that both parent breeds have, such as:
- Hyp dysplasia
- Blat
- Addison’s disease
- Gastric Dilation-Volvulus
- Joint issues
And there are also some relatively minor health concerns such as:
- Entropion
- Ectropion
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Deafness
- Red Mange
Make sure your Sheepadoodle is on a proper diet, give them appropriate supplements, and take them to the nearest vet to get the vaccines they need.
Sheepadoodle Grooming
If your Sheepadoodle takes on the Poodle parent’s curly, low-shedding coat, then it would only require a relatively minimal amount of grooming. On the other hand, if the Sheepadoodle takes on the shaggy coat of the Sheepdogs, then it can be described as high maintenance.
Sheepadoodle with shaggy coats will need an extensive grooming routine, so you’d need to get a proper grooming kit to help you. You will want to brush the coat daily and frequent trips to your local groomers.
They will need a bath anywhere from one to three months, and dogs with coats more like the Poodle will need bathing more, or they will look unkempt.
Sheepadoodle Lifespan
The Old English Sheepdogs live around 11 years, and the standard Poodles have an average life expectancy of 12 years.
Given the fact that crossbreds have fewer health issues than purebred parents, Sheepadoodles can have a higher average lifespan of about 12 to 15 years. Higher life expectancy is not impossible. Give them enough supplements, maintain a healthy diet, and take them to your local veterinarian for regular check-ups.
Pros and Cons of Labradoodle
Labradoodle Origin
The Labradoodle is a mix between Labrador Retriever and Standard Poodle.
It is well believed that the Labradoodle is a designer breed that originated from Australia in 1988. It is said that Wally Conron of the Royal Guide Dog Association of Australia experimented with more than thirty poodles to find the best guide dog for a blind woman in Hawaii.
Conron then came up with the idea of crossing the best female Labrador Retriever with a Standard Poodle, which resulted in a great guide dog.
Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retriever is, as we know, the most popular dog breed in the US. They are very friendly, active, and high-spirited dog that can be very affectionate.
They come in medium to large size with a dense and hard coat that comes in yellow, brown, or black. Despite the size, however, they are very friendly and excellent in interacting with children.
Poodles
Poodles are famous for being the second most intelligent breed that is also highly trainable. Also, they are the favorite breed in cross-breeding due to their low to non-shedding coat that is almost totally hypoallergenic.
Due to the medium size of the Labrador Retriever, where the female is the parent of the Labradoodle, we can either have a Standard Poodle or Toy Poodle as the parent of a Labradoodle.
Labradoodle Temperament
Labradoodle is currently one of the most popular breeds because they are very intelligent and good-natured.
The Labradoodle is an excellent family companion due to several important reasons. First, it is a very playful breed that is also great for children. The Labradoodle is also very easy to train, including to get along with other pets.
However, the Labradoodle, just like the Sheepadoodle, is a naturally large dog, so they might not be suitable for small apartments or if you have very young children. The Labradoodle is also very active, and so you need to be prepared to commit your time to play with your Labradoodle.
As with most breeds that get along well with human companions, they are also prone to separation anxiety. So, if you want to get a Labradoodle, know full well that you’d need to commit your time to keep it occupied.
Labradoodle Health and Medical
As a mixed breed, the Sheepadoodle is generally healthier than their purebred parents due to the wider gene pool. However, they can still inherit conditions that both parent breeds have, such as:
- Hyp dysplasia
- Blat
- Addison’s disease
- Patellar luxation
- Heart problems
And there are also some relatively minor health concerns such as:
- Ear infections
- Allergies
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Deafness
Make sure your Sheepadoodle is on a proper diet, give them appropriate supplements and vitamins, and take them to the nearest vet to get the vaccines they need.
Labradoodle Grooming
Unfortunately, we can describe Labradoodle’s grooming with medium or even high maintenance.
In owning a Labradoodle, be prepared to invest a lot of time a lot into grooming. In general, you’d need to brush your Labradoodle every day, and you’d need to invest in a good grooming kit. You’ll also need to take the dog to a professional groomer every 6 weeks or so, which can translate into the extra cost.
As with any dogs, make sure to check on their eyes and ears regularly for signs of infections, and clean them, and trim their nails if they don’t naturally trim it.
Although the Labradoodle can be a relatively high-maintenance dog to own, brushing and petting your Labradoodle is an enjoyable and almost therapeutic activity.
Labradoodle Lifespan
Both Labrador Retrievers and Standard Poodles have an average life span of around 12 years. Toy Poodles, however, can live a little longer with an average lifespan of 14 years.
So, a Labradoodles with a Toy Poodle parent can live around 14 years, while a Labradoodle with a standard-sized Poodle parent might live approximately 12 years on average.
In general, the average lifespan of a Labradoodle is slightly lower than the Sheepadoodle, between 10 and 14 years.
A higher lifespan for your Labradoodle is not out of the question. You can invest in various supplements while maintaining a healthy diet. Also, don’t forget to visit your nearest veterinarian regularly.
Summing Up
In general, the Labradoodle is smaller than Sheepadoodle and has a better overall temperament. However, Labradoodles will require more extensive grooming.
Sheepadoodles, on the other hand, are larger, and so won’t fit in a small apartment and are not a good choice if you have toddlers. However, Sheepadoodles require less overall grooming, especially if you get the Poodle’s low to non-shedding coats.
To summarize, both the Shepadoodles and Labradoodles are excellent companion dogs to choose from. Both are excellent with children, although you’d need to train and socialize them as early as possible. Patient and consistency in training is the key to a happy Labradoodle and Shepadoodle.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!!
