If you are looking to add a loving Sheepadoodle into your home, Welcome! We have all things Doodle related. This article is specifically a crash course on Sheepadoodle 101 What you need to know!. We will talk about every aspect of the Sheepadoodle that you need to know before they come home. By the end of this course, you will be an expert too.
Origins
The first thing on our list is the Sheepadoodle heritage. The Sheepadoodle is not a purebred dog, but rather a mixed breed, half Old English Sheepdog and half Poodle. This mixture has made them the perfect breed for anyone looking for a great companion.
The Old English Sheepdog is a herding dog from England. These large breeds are some of the most loving dogs that you will ever meet. They are loyal, intelligent, and good at their jobs. The Old English Sheepdog gets along with everyone, making them great for families.
The Poodle is a hunting dog from the French and German border. They are a low to non-shedding breed that makes them great for water sport. The Poodle is sometimes seen as a girly dog. But these Poodles are far from that. They are a loyal breed that highly intelligent. They are also very loving and attach to their owners.
The Sheepadoodle is a perfect mix of both of these breeds. They are calm and well mannered. Sheepadoodles are intelligent and love training sessions. You will also notice that your Sheepadoodle is very playful, yet intuitive to your emotions. They can make excellent service or therapy dogs. Overall the Sheepadoodle will love you like no other.
Temperament
The Sheepadoodle has a calm and gentle spirit. They are easily pleased, and they love to make you happy. Your Sheepadoodle will spend all his days with you and your family. The Sheepadoodle is also very conscious of human emotions. They are lovely at gaging situations and feelings and act accordingly. This trait is what makes them coexist with kids seamlessly.
Sheepadoodles make best friends and also magnificent emotional support animals. They know how to cheer you up and make you feel like your home is complete. Their uplifting and goofy attitudes make your house feel like a home.
Training
The Sheepadoodle is easily trainable and loves the feeling of accomplishment. Since the Old English Sheepdog and the Poodle are both intelligent breeds, it only makes sense that the Sheepadoodle is too. They respond well with positive reinforcement and learn faster with this method. The Sheepadoodle is a natural people pleaser. You can use this to your advantage by giving them lots of praise and treats for good behavior.
Sheepadoodles learn how to potty train quickly and rise to the top of their training classes. Your Sheepadoodle will love to learn basic commands and more complicated tricks. You could even do things like agility training.
Energy
The Sheepadoodle has a moderate energy level. They enjoy a minimum of one walk a day, and plenty of playtimes. We do not advise to have a Standard Sheepadoodle in an apartment. Since they are a larger dog, they need to have the room to stretch and move around freely. Smaller Sheepadoodles are possible with plenty of activity and walks throughout the day. Sheepadoodles thrive with social interaction and plenty of exercise.
Mental stimulation is also just as important as physical. Since the Sheepadoodle is so intelligent, they will need to have a variety of puzzles, toys, and games to play. These can also be given to them while they are home alone to prevent separation anxiety. A Sheepadoodle that is not getting enough mental stimulation can resort to bad behaviors as a boredom buster. You may notice that your Sheepadoodle runs away frequently, digs, or even tears up the house.
Coat Types
The Sheepadoodle has a lustrous hypoallergenic coat. It is typically long with a wavy to loose curly appearance.
But what does hypoallergenic mean with dogs?
It merely means that your Sheepadoodle will shed less than other dog breeds. The low shedding coat is courtesy of the Poodle. Hypoallergenic dogs are great for those with asthma or seasonal allergies. But we regret to inform you that if you are severely allergic to dogs, you will be allergic to Sheepadoodles also. Sheepadoodles may not shed, but they still have dander. Dander is the skin cells that most people are allergic to. Not to mention that you will be allergic to proteins in their saliva and urine.
If you are only mildly allergic to dogs, a Doodle may be the right choice for you. The best way to test it is to spend some time with a Doodle to see how you react. Just be sure to be cautious and bring any medication if needed.
Grooming
Hypoallergenic coats are great because you don’t have to worry about shedding. But you do have to worry about a lot of grooming. Be prepared to brush your Sheepadoodle every day and invest in several brush types.
If you keep your Sheepadoodle’s coat long, you will need to have a metal grooming comb. You will want to use this first to detangle gently. Then you will need to brush your Sheepadoodle with a slicker brush. This part of the grooming is especially important. You will need to make sure the brush is getting all the way to the skin.
While this daily grooming may take a while, it is an excellent way for you and your dog to bond. The earlier you start brushing your dog, the faster they will get used to it. What will seem like a daunting task will be over in a heartbeat. Your dog will learn to stay still and calm during brushing, and it will make trips to the groomer easier.
You will also need to have your Sheepadoodle seen by a professional groomer every 6-12 weeks. A professional will be able to cut and style your Doodle’s hair and keep it clean and soft. These appointments are just as important as daily brushing. Since your Sheepadoodle won’t shed, their hair will continuously grow until you it cut. And your groomer is trained to make them look their best.
Sheepadoodles will need to start grooming as soon as they have had all their shots. The sooner you get them in, the faster they will learn the routine and not be anxious about the groomer anymore.
Size & Lifespan
The Sheepadoodle comes in three main sizes: standard, mini, and micro. When most people think of the Sheepadoodle, they imagine the standard size. Standards are the most common Sheepadoodle to find and typically weigh 45-80 pounds. The Mini Sheepadoodle is slightly smaller at only 40-60 pounds. And the micro is the smallest at only 17-30 pounds. All of these sizes are possible when the male Poodle is either a mini or toy size.
The average lifespan for the Sheepadoodle is 12-15 years. Smaller breeds always live longer than larger breeds. And they can live even longer with proper care. If you get a Sheepadoodle with adequate breeding and continue with high-quality diet and vet visits, they could live up to 20 years.
Medical Issues
When getting any dog, it is essential to know what medical conditions could arise. Knowing these medical conditions can help in a variety of ways. It can help you spot the early signs before it takes over your dog’s life. Knowing what they are prone to can also help you choose a breeder that does DNA testing. And another possibility is determining whether or not you can afford any of the illnesses. Some medical diseases are easily manageable, and others can cost thousands to manage and treat.
Sheepadoodles are especially prone to:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Cataracts
- Addison’s disease
- Sebaceous adenitis
- Thyroid disease
- And more
When you choose a breeder, check to see if they have performed DNA tests on the parents. A reputable breeder will not breed two dogs that have a high probability of passing on a genetic condition.
Cost
And finally, we are going to talk about cost. The average cost for a Sheepadoodle is $1,000-$3,000. This price can vary depending on what size you are getting, and how common they are in your area. Smaller Sheepadoodles can cost more than standards. And if there are not many breeders in your area, they might charge more per puppy.
For those people who are looking to adopt, it can be hard but not impossible. Shelters usually have an assortment of different Doodles. If you have your heart set on a Sheepadoodle, check with local Doodle rescues or Old English Sheepdog rescues. You may have to wait longer, but the payout will be worth it.
All Things Sheepadoodle
Now that you have read our Sheepadoodle crash course, you can graduate! You now know what loving and excellent pets the Sheepadoodle can be. And you know how to take care of them to help them flourish. We hope you enjoy your new addition to the family. And join us again next time for more information on how to care for Doodles.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!!
