The Miniature Sheepadoodle doodle breed, also known as Mini Sheepdoodle or Mini Sheepapoo, is a relatively new and rare designer dog that originated about three decades ago in the USA.
The breed is created by crossing a Miniature or Toy Poodle with an Old English Sheepdog.
Mini Sheepadoodles are similar in personality to the Sheepadoodle, but the size is different. They are small dogs that are great for individuals living in smaller living spaces, such as apartments.
They are also friendly, playful, loyal dogs that make great family pets.
Their size and outgoing personalities have made them a favorite for many dog lovers in the USA. If you plan to add a Mini Sheepadoodle to your family, you have come to the right place.
This article will discuss everything you need to know about this adorable breed, including its appearance, personality, and size. Keep reading to learn more.
Miniature Sheepadoodle Appearance
Miniature Sheepadoodles are athletic and stunning small-sized dogs with many desirable features. They are a hybrid breed that inherits their features from their Mini Poodle and Old English Sheepdog parents.
They have a teddy bear-like appearance, which makes them a favorite for many dog lovers. Miniature Sheepadoodles have sturdy-built bodies covered in soft fluffy coats.
Besides, they tend to have cute floppy ears and expressive eyes. Their coats are luxurious and dense, with unique markings and patterns. They can vary from wavy to slightly curly.
They come in a wide variety of colors. The most common colors are black and white. Other rare colors are pure white, pure black, and gray. There are also merle and blue merle mini Sheepadoodles.
Since mini Sheepadoodles are a mix between a large dog and a small-sized one, their size is small to medium.
A full-grown mini Sheepadoodle will reach an average height of 15 to 20 inches and weigh anywhere between 25 and 45 pounds.
Personality And Temperament
The Miniature Sheepadoodle is an entertaining and cheerful dog with a sunny disposition. If you are looking for a dog that will give you the best companion, this is one of the best breeds.
They are attentive, intelligent, and eager to please. Because of their intelligence and attentive nature, they are easy to train.
One of the most outstanding qualities of the mini Sheepadoodles is their kindness toward kids.
They are known to be affectionate cuddle friends and gentle playmates that will enjoy playing with children. They are also known to be protective of kids and watch over them.
These little dogs have the same personality as their Poodle and Old English Sheepdog parents.
They are often unfamiliar with aggression and will get along well with nearly anyone they meet. They are energetic and happy dogs that will enjoy a hiking adventure, a run, or a swim.
Mini Sheepadoodles are as playful, bouncy, and energetic outdoors as cuddly, calm, and relaxed indoors. They are known to adapt well to both more laid-back and active personalities.
However, because of their affectionate nature, they can easily develop separation anxiety if left alone at home.
Miniature Sheepadoodle Grooming
Like other designer dogs, your mini Sheepadoodle will need regular grooming to maintain its beautiful appearance and live a happy and healthy life. However, they do not require extensive grooming.
You must brush them daily to maintain a shiny, matt-free coat. You can brush them as rarely as twice a week during mid-seasons and more often during season changes.
However, it is important to brush them regularly as they shed very little. Brushing will help spread natural oils throughout the coat and catch any dust or debris stuck in the coat.
Bathing your Miniature Sheepadoodle once every two months is enough. Bathing them too often may cause irritation and dry skin.
It is advisable to bathe them only when the coats are very dirty. You will also need to clip their nails once they grow tall. In addition, you will need to check and trim their under paws to avoid discomfort.
Do Mini Sheepadoodles Shed?
Like Sheepadoodles, Mini Sheepadoodles have a reputation for being low shedders.
They Inherit their low-shedding qualities from their Poodle parents, who the American Kennel Club recognizes as low shedders.
Are Mini Sheepadoodles Hypoallergenic?
Miniature Sheepadoodles are considered low-shedding and hypoallergenic dogs. The Poodle is one of the best hypoallergenic dogs in the dog world.
Mini Sheepadoodles tend to inherit their hypoallergenic qualities from their Poodle parents.
However, it is important to note that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic. While these dogs do not shed a lot, it does not mean their saliva will not be a problem for individuals suffering from allergies.
Exercise Needs
As mentioned, Miniature Sheepadoodles are active and energetic dogs. While they adapt well to relaxed and active lifestyles, they prefer being active most of the time.
They will prefer spending their time and energy exploring, hiking, running, and playing games instead of lazing indoors.
Your Miniature Sheepadoodle will need 30 to 60 minutes of exercise every day to be fit, healthy, and satisfied.
To prevent boredom, you will also need to provide them with games that challenge their minds.
Adult Miniature Sheepadoodles will need more exercise than puppies. Your puppy will need to be walked 4 to 5 times daily, lasting not more than 5 minutes.
On the other hand, adult dogs will need at least three daily walks of 20 minutes each.
Training
The Miniature Sheepadoodle is an intelligent dog. Their intelligent and easy-to-please personalities make them easy to train.
However, they can sometimes be stubborn during training, especially if they are not socialized properly.
The best way to train them is by keeping the training sessions fun and short. You should also combine the training sessions with delicious treats and playtime.
These adorable dogs respond well to positive reinforcement and reward-based motivation.
While they are friendly dogs that will get along well with anyone they meet, they require proper socialization training.
This will ensure that they have excellent social skills. While they are naturally friendly pets, they can become shy or reserved around strangers if they are not socialized properly when still young.
They are independent dogs that can be left alone for several hours. However, when left alone, they should be provided with treat puzzles and interactive canine toys to keep them active.
Boredom can lead to separation anxiety and destructive behaviors, such as chewing and excessive barking.
Miniature Sheepadoodle Lifespan
The Mini Sheepadoodle is a healthy, long-lived dog breed, much like its English Sheepdog and Poodle parents.
Their average lifespan is 12 to 15 years. However, they can live up to 17 years without encountering health problems.
Small-sized dogs are known to have a longer lifespan than larger-sized dogs.
However, it is important to note that, like other dog breeds, your Mini Sheepadoodle will require good care and proper nutrition to live longer.
Health Issues
All dogs have health issues that owners should be prepared to deal with. Sheepadoodles are prone to health issues that affect their Poodle and Old English Sheepdog parents.
Before purchasing a Miniature Sheepadoodle, one must understand its parents’ medical history.
Here are the common Miniature Sheepadoodle health issues.
Obesity
Like other dogs, your Miniature Sheepadoodle will require a proper and healthy diet. If your furry friend is over 10-20% of its body weight, it is likely to be obese.
A healthy diet, as well as daily exercise, can help deal with obesity.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia is a common health condition in large-sized dogs. However, your mini Sheepadoodle can suffer from it too. It is a skeletal condition that affects the hip joint of the dog.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a chronic health condition that can lead to constant seizures.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is a common health issue among dog breeds, including mini Sheepadoodles. Various factors, such as muscle disease and irregular heart rate, can cause it.
Other common mini Sheepadoodle health issues are:
- Cancer
- Dental Disease
- Diabetes
- Kennel Cough
- Luxating Patella
- Allergies
- Cataracts
Conclusion
The Miniature Shepadoodle is a cross between an Old English Sheepdog with a Mini or Toy Poodle. It is a friendly, affectionate, and intelligent dog that can greatly add to any dog-loving family.
These adorable dogs are known for their low-shedding and hypoallergenic qualities. This makes them great pets for individuals suffering from dog allergies.
Like other dog breeds, your Miniature Sheepadoodle will need proper care, exercise, training, and grooming to live a healthy and happy life.