Doodles are America’s most beloved dog. Their popularity has risen recently, which has lead to several new Doodle breeds. Today we are going to compare the fantastic Pyredoodle vs Shepadoodle. Both of these Doodles make great companions for different lifestyles. By the end of this article, you will know more about each breed and how it will fit in with your family.
Origins
One significant way that all Doodles are different is their origins. Each Doodle has a slightly different heritage that gives them unique traits.
Pyredoodles, for instance, are a cross between the Great Pyrenees and a Poodle. The Great Pyrenees can find it’s roots in the Pyrenees Mountains that lies between Spain and France. These dogs are also nocturnal watchdogs to protect herds from predators. The first Pyredoodle came into existence around the 80s and has since taken off in popularity for its sturdy build and ability to guard.
The Shepadoodle is a German Shepherd and Poodle Mix. German Shepherds are also a herding dog that originated in Germany but were found all over Europe. These dogs are loved for their intelligence and attention to detail. It wasn’t long before nations everywhere adopted them as a police force dog. The first Shepadoodle came about in the 60s as a hypoallergenic option for those officers that suffered from allergies. It wasn’t long before the public caught wind and began breeding their own.
Temperament
Next in the comparison of the Pyredoodle vs Shepadoodle is when you are choosing a dog, you will want to pay close attention to the breed’s temperament. The temperament will be what the breed acts like as a whole. And choosing the right character for you and your household will prevent a mismatch and result in surrender at the shelter.
Pyredoodles are known to be very loving and devoted dogs. They will protect you and your home at all costs. The Pyredoodle is also known for their high intelligence and ability to asses situations. And they are a great judge of character in people and other animals alike. These Doodles take on a lot of characteristics from their Pyrenees side, and can sometimes lean more nocturnal too.
A Shepadoodle is a very intelligent, reliable, and loyal companion. Shepadoodles love to be by your side all day and night. Like the Pyredoodle, they too can be very protective of you and your home. When you bring a Shepadoodle home, you are also bringing a warm and welcoming friend into your life.
Energy Level
Comparing the energy level in this Pyredoodle vs Shepadoodle article is they both are known to have moderate to high energy levels. These Doodles need to have a task and to execute it. They need to have a lot of room to run around and play, and they will also require at least one 60-minute walk a day.
While neither dog is considered overly hyper, they do need a lot of playtime to burn off excess energy. But, they are also perfectly content being by your side enjoying your company. Whether you spend most of your day at home relaxing or if you are the adventurous type, both of these dogs will be right at your side. Your interests are their passion.
Training
Doodles of all kinds are easy to train. But you have to know each of the breed’s characteristics to succeed.
The Pyredoodle loves to please their owners. They will do just about anything for praise and a treat. And since the Pyredoodle has it’s heritage in herding and hunting; they catch on quickly to any task you throw at them. The Pyredoodle’s biggest weakness will be that they are often shy if not socialized properly. So training your Pyredoodle to be comfortable around other people and animals is a must.
A Shepadoodle is explicitly bred for training. Your Shepadoodle will crave those training classes and tasks. They are quick to learn and excel in all areas of training. This is what makes them such great police and therapy dogs.
Since both of these Doodles have high intelligence, be prepared to give them activities when you are gone. These dogs love puzzles and require stimulating toys when you are at work. It is even recommended to hire a dog walker or doggie daycare to give your dog a break from being alone. They require just as much mental stimulation as they do exercise to stay healthy.
Coat Types
Next when comparing Pyredoodle vs Shepadoodle is that when it comes to mixed breeds, coat types can be hard to predict.
Pyredoodles can have either a shedding to low-shedding coat. The low-shedding coat types are usually thick and double-coated. While the shedding type tends to be thinner and much coarser. Since the Great Pyrenees and Poodle genetics both lean more dominate, it can be hard to predict what kind of coat these puppies will have. The Pyredoodle will mostly come in cream and white colors, though sometimes you can find them in many other colors if a colored Poodle is used for breeding.
The Shepadoodle can be just as tricky to predict sometimes. Your Shepadoodle can have a straight coat type that sheds a moderate amount or a wavy type that only sheds a little. The wavier the coat is, the less it will shed in most cases. The Shepadoodle most commonly comes in black, tan, gray, or cream colors. Though some multigenerational Shepadoodles can come in many colors.
Grooming
Since both of these Doodles have similar coat types, they will require the same amount of grooming. You will need to brush your Doodle every day to every other day, depending on how long you keep their coats. Some Doodles with shorter coats can even go a whole week without brushing. But, this also depends on activity levels.
Your Doodle will also need to see a professional groomer every 6-12 weeks. They will pamper your Doodle with a bath, hair trim, sanitary trims, and nail grinds. This is to keep your Doodle looking and feeling healthy. If you allow your Doodle to go too long without proper grooming, you can increase the chances of matting that can only be solved by shaving.
Starting your puppy as early as possible will help them grow accustomed to the process. It can be very stressful for a puppy’s first grooming appointment. So, take it slow and socialize your pup with their groomer early on. It is never too early for a little grooming and pampering.
Size & Lifespan
Another important trait to consider when comparing Pyredoodle vs Shepadoodle is before bringing any animal into your home is size. Sure they look so cute and adorable when they are puppies, but how big do they get?
Pyredoodle puppies will grow up to be anywhere from 40 pounds to over 100. The Pyredoodle size greatly depends on what size Poodle used for breeding. The Pyredoodle mother is always a Great Pyrenees, so that leaves the father to give his genetics to change the litter size. While there are breeders that market for different sizes, there are no standards in place to determine what is a mini or toy Pyredoodle. These Doodles have a lifespan of 10-12 years, which can be on the shorter end for most pet parents.The Shepadoodle also comes in a couple of sizes. A standard Shepadoodle will grow up to be 50-90 pounds, and a mini will only get 30-50 pounds. A mini Shepadoodle is the result of a German Shepherd mini Poodle mix to give them a slightly smaller size. In rare cases, you can even find a toy Shepadoodle bred from a mini Shepadoodle and toy Poodle. These Doodles are not widely accessible and do not carry most of the German Shepherd traits. The great thing about these Doodles is that they live 12-14 years, and sometimes even longer.
Medical Conditions
All breeds carry genetic factors that can lead to medical conditions if not cared for correctly. And that is no different for any Doodle breed, no matter how healthy they seem.
Pyredoodles are prone to eye disease, hip and elbow dysplasia, cancer, and Cushing’s disease.
Shepadoodles are prone to blood clot disorders, skin diseases, and hip dysplasia.
You can prevent most of these diseases from occurring by choosing a proper breeder, diet, and exercise. Reputable breeders will genetically test all their breeding dogs for common ailments to prevent these diseases from occurring in later generations. They will not breed two parents that have known diseases or traits.
Price
Another factor to consider when buying a puppy is the price. While you can always find cheaper puppies all over the internet, let’s take a look at the cost of quality bred puppy.
Pyredoodle puppies can cost anywhere from $650-$2,400. And a Shepadoodle can cost $250-$1,800.
This may seem like an enormous difference not only between the two but also within the breeds themselves. But, when you consider with a higher price tag, you will be getting an excellent quality, healthy, and superior puppy it is worth it to spend more now than to pay in medical bills later. A puppy that is on the lower end of this scale is probably not bred to any standards and may even come from a backyard breeder.
The price difference between the Pyredoodle and the Shepadoodle also depends on how rare they are. Pyredoodles tend to be more expensive because the Great Pyrenees is not as common as they once were. So, this makes it harder to find and breed with ethical standards. The German Shepherd, on the other hand, is quite common, which brings the cost down.
In Conclusion
Both the Pryedoodle and the Shepadoodle have some fantastic attributes. Which one will you choose, and why?
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!!
