Let’s look at a few Sheepadoodle and Bernedoodle facts to clarify any misconceptions. You might think that all big Doodles must act the same.
I mean, they are Doodles, aren’t they? They must be interchangeable. But you couldn’t be more wrong.
These two breeds share half a common lineage, but their other halves make them unique.
Let’s look at a few Sheepadoodle and Bernedoodle facts to clarify any misconceptions.
Sheepadoodle
Breeding And Origins
First on the list of Sheepadoodle and Bernedoodle Facts is, as mentioned before, all Doodles carry one common ancestor, the Poodle.
But, each Doodle has a unique second half that makes the breed so diverse.
A Sheepadoodle is half Old English Sheepdog. The Old English Sheepdog is a fantastic breed made for exactly where their names come from.
They were bred for the pastures to herd sheep and cattle. Combining this with the Poodle’s IQ and hunting instincts gives you a perfect Sheepadoodle.
Unlike most Doodle breeds, the Sheepadoodle was bred initially in the ’60s. The US military bred them as military police dogs and Sheepadoodle rescue dogs.
Thanks to the Doodle boom, they have only since become a designer breed. The Bernedoodle, on the other hand, has strong roots in the Bernese Mountain Dog.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is a farm dog from the Swiss Alps. These dogs are bred to herd and protect livestock and their owners.
It was common to see these large dogs pulling carts and helping with other farm work.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is highly intelligent and intuitive, and combining them with a Poodle makes them a hypoallergenic marvel.
Your Brenedoodle is the perfect companion. These Doodles will love to be right next to you and produced for just that purpose. It is in their DNA to love and adore their owners.
These goofy dogs will be more like a part of the family than a pet.
Temperament
Next on the Sheepadoodle and Bernedoodle Facts list is Doodles are known for their kind hearts and openness to life. But, there are a few details that make each one an individual.
Sheepadoodles are incredibly affectionate. They are known to be very loyal and attached to their owners. They will do just about anything to make you pleased with them.
These dogs have an outlook of life through rose glasses. They are very in tune with their families and catch on to routines quickly.
The Sheepadoodle therapy dog is becoming more and more popular every year. Bernedoodles are known for their goofy natures and instinct to protect.
They are loyal to their owners and even anyone close to their owners. They make excellent guard dogs if trained for it.
But they are also very loving and laid back. Your Bernedoodle will provide you with many years of companionship and love like no other.
Both breeds are easy to train for any purpose you can imagine. They are smart, easy to train, and great with kids.
But in the presence of these breeds, you can tell by their disposition how different they are.
Exercise Needs
The Sheepadoodle is known to have a very active lifestyle. They require more exercise, walks, and one-on-one playtime than a Bernedoodle.
While these dogs do not seem like hyperactive dog, they still require work and room to play to keep them happy.
The Sheepadoodle needs to have at least one walk a day and play physical games like fetch, chase, or tugging to keep them healthy.
Meanwhile, the Bernedoodle needs only moderate activity, considering its size. They are happy with minimal physical activity, but at least one long walk a day.
This does not mean they do well in smaller spaces or yards. You will still need a decently sized yard for a standard Bernedoodle to accommodate their size.
Since both dogs are highly intelligent, they must also work out their brains. These breeds come from working dogs designed for task-oriented purposes.
That means you will also need to provide a lot of mental stimulation for them to be healthy. Games and training are great examples of how to exercise their minds.
Coat Types And Grooming
Doodles are known to have higher than average maintenance because of their low shedding traits. These doodles will need regular trips to the puppy salon for a haircut every 6-8 weeks.
They also require grooming at home. Brushing your Doodle will keep their hair soft and tangle-free. Without this vital step, you could receive bad news of a mandatory shave at the groomer.
Sheepadoodles have either straight or loose and wavy coats. They usually have color variations closer to an Old English Sheepdog but can also come in all-black coloring.
The Sheepadoodle looks like an adorable teddy bear and would never have the tight ringlets you see in other Doodles.
Bernedoodles, on the other hand, have three different coat types. Your Bernedoodle could have a straight, wavy, or curly coat depending on its genetics.
The straighter coat types are shedding while the wavy and curly ones are low to non-shedding. They also come in various color assortments from black, brown, to white.
Size And Lifespan
Another one of Sheepadoodle and Bernedoodle Facts is that most Doodles come in varying sizes according to the size of the parent Poodle.
However, one of our fun Sheepadoodle facts is that they only come in one exact size. They usually weigh 45-80 pounds and stand 13-27 inches tall.
Depending on the parents, these Doodles can be smaller or larger, but there are no clear guidelines for medium, micro, and mini breeds like with other breeds.
If you are looking at getting a smaller breed, always view the parents to get a general idea of how big your Sheepadoodle will get. Your Sheepadoodle will never be smaller than their parents.
Bernedoodles come in tiny, miniature, and standard sizes. This array of sizes can help owners with smaller living spaces or children. A tiny Bernedoodle only gets 10-24 pounds!
These smaller breeds are great for people with smaller yards or homes but are still not great for apartments. Mini Bernedoodles weigh up to 45 pounds. T
his mini is not small, but it is considerably smaller compared to an over 50-pound standard Bernedoodle.
Both of these Doodles do have one thing in common, though, lifespan. They both have an average lifespan of 12-15 years.
Usually, smaller dogs have a longer lifespan and can even live longer than 15 years.
Bernedoodle
Medical Conditions
Since both of these breeds are large dogs, they are both prone to joint problems. Hip and elbow dysplasia are common among these breeds, but there are other conditions prone to them individually.
Sheepadoodles are prone to Addison’s, Cushing’s, cancer, and skin allergies. Bernedoodles are prone to developing eye diseases and hot spots, and allergies.
Getting a health test from both parents before deciding on a puppy is essential. Mixed breeds like the Bernedoodle and Sheepadoodle were tested to prevent diseases from passing down to their pups.
While these health tests can’t always test for everything, they can check for major diseases.
Proper breeders will have test documentation on their breeding dog’s lineage to prove legitimacy.
Cost
Another aspect that is very different from these two Doodle breeds is cost. Costs of well-bred Doodles can vary depending on state and location.
Generally, a Sheepadoodle will cost less than a Bernedoodle. Sheepadoodles cost anywhere from $1,000-$3,000.
There is such a significant difference because Sheepadoodles come in a few different colors that can be rarer. But, the great news is that Sheepadoodles are becoming more popular.
So. finding one in your area could be more accessible. Bernedoodle breeders can be harder to find in some areas of the USA.
And since there are few breeders, Bernedoodles can cost considerably more. You can expect to pay $2,500-$4,000 for a quality-bred Doodle.
Your Sheepadoodle and Bernedoodle breeders will have high-quality puppies at these prices. Any lower and you risk getting a puppy from a puppy mill or backyard breeder.
Paying more now saves thousands later, as puppies from mills tend to have higher disease rates and genetic deformities.
Reputable breeders may have long waiting lists, but your new family member will be worth it. You may be wondering about adopting one of these Doodles.
While finding either breed in shelters is not impossible, it is rare.
Your best bet at adopting either of these breeds is to check with Doodle-specific or Old English Sheepdog and Bernese Mountain Dog rescues.
Conclusion
These two breeds are amazing in their own ways. Each has its advantages and downfalls. But, these can all be perfect, depending on your family life. Doodles aren’t all the same.
They have personality and temperaments and even look to the trained eye. You only need to watch a little closer to see their unique and fantastic differences.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!!
