The German Shepherd doodle or Sheepadoodle is one of the most popular designer dogs. Its popularity is because of its gentle nature and friendly personality.
The breed is also loyal, affectionate, and intelligent. They are created by crossing a German Shepherd with a Poodle.
While the personalities of a German Shepherd and a Poodle are extremely different, the Sheepadoodle inherits some of the best personality traits from both parent breeds.
They are fairly large, easy to train, fluffy, nonshedding, and hypoallergenic.
The German Shepherd doodles are loving pets that are friendly to adults and kids. They make great family companions.
If you plan to add a German Shepherd doodle to your family, you have come to the right place. This article will discuss everything you need to know about this adorable breed. Keep reading to learn more.
German Shepherd Doodle Parents
The GermanShepherd Doodle is a cross between a Poodle and a German Shepherd. They were initially bred to work on the farm.
However, they quickly became companion dogs because of their gentle nature.
Before welcoming a dog into your family, it is important to look at its parentage and past life.
This will tell you everything you need to know about your dog, such as its breed purpose, intelligence, temperament, and energy levels.
The German Shepherd
As the name suggests, the German Shepherd originated in German in the 1800s. They were used to protect livestock from predators and herding.
They were considered strictly farm pets and were not used as pets until around WW1 because of their loving and obedient attitudes.
Today, the American Kennel Club (AKC) ranks them as the second most popular dog breed in the USA.
Many dog enthusiasts consider them the best protection and service dogs because they are intelligent, protective, and loyal to their owners.
The German Shepherd is a large dog weighing between 50 and 90 pounds when fully grown. They also measure anywhere between 22 and 28 inches from paw to shoulder.
Poodle
Despite being a flamboyant national dog for France, the Poodle originated in Germany in the 16 century.
They became popular because of their water-resistant coats. They were used for hunting as well as other water-retrieving activities.
The Poodle is considered one of the most intelligent dog breeds that make great family pets. They come in various colors, such as grey, blue, apricot, black, and white.
Their non-shedding and hypoallergenic qualities make them one of the most popular dog breeds.
Poodles come in three different sizes. The Toy Poodle measures 10 inches and under, the miniature Poodle measures 10 to 15 inches, while the Standard Poodle measures 15 inches or more in height.
The German Shepherd Doodle’s parent is typically the Standard Poodle for easy mating and birth.
German Shepherd Doodle Appearance
The German Shepherd Doodle tends to vary significantly in appearance. However, most of them have a combination of brown and black fur colors.
They can also be a single dark color or come in black, whiter, and brown tri-colors.
You can easily determine what color your German Shepherd Doodle puppy will be based on the color of its Poodle parent. Their coats can be wavy or loosely curled.
The size of your German Shepherd Doodle will mostly depend on the size of the Poodle parent.
If you use a standard Poodle, the resulting puppy will weigh between 50 and 80 pounds when fully mature.
They will also measure between 18 and 25 inches from paw to shoulder.
German Shepherd Doodle Temperament
The Poodle and German Shepherd are energetic and active dogs. Therefore, you can expect your German Shepherd to be energetic and active too.
They are also friendly, playful, loyal, and intelligent dogs that make great family pets.
Because of their intelligence personality, they are easy to train. However, if you fail to exercise them, they may develop destructive behaviors, such as chewing and excessive barking.
Therefore, your furry friend will need regular running, walking, and stimulation. They are perfect for dog lovers who live an active lifestyle.
Sheepadoodle Generations
The German Shepherd Doodle coat types vary depending on their parents’ lineage and whether they have more German Shepherd or more Poodle genetics.
Those with more German Shepherd genetics will have straighter coats that tend to shed more.
On the other hand, those with more Poodle genetics will have curly coats that are non-shedding and hypoallergenic.
Here are the most popular Sheepadoodle generations.
F1 Sheepadoodle
The F1 Sheepadoodle is created by breeding parents 100% German Shepherd and 100% Poodle.
The result is a hybrid dog that is 50% Poodle and 50% GermanShepherd. This is considered the most popular Sheepadoodle generation.
Since it is the first generation of Sheepadoodle, it may not be possible to predict what coat types and traits your dog will have.
F1B Sheepadoodle
An F1B Sheepadoodle is created by crossing a Poodle with an F1 Sheepadoodle. Since the generation is backcrossed to a Poodle, it produces a result of 25% Germany Shepherd and 75% Poodle.
F1B Sheepadoodles have wavy and curly coat that looks more like Poodle. Many dog lovers prefer this generation because it is usually more hypoallergenic and non-shedding.
Exercise And Living Conditions
The German Shepherd Doodle/Sheepadoodle is a large dog that will need plenty of living space.
However, some breeders breed miniature Sheepadoodles that do not require a lot of living space.
Like other designer dogs, your German Shepherd Doodle will need regular exercise to live healthier lives.
Lack of exercise or inadequate exercise can lead to obesity and destructive behaviors, such as chewing and excessive barking.
Training
As mentioned, the German Shepherd is an intelligent, loyal, and inquisitive dog that is easy to train.
This makes them great pets for both experienced and first-time dog owners. They will quickly learn basic commands.
Since they are easy to socialize, you should introduce them early to sounds, sights, kids, and other pets.
Socialization will ensure that your dog is confident and well-mannered. You can also enroll your furry friend in a puppy obedience class.
German Shepherd Doodle Grooming
Like other designer dogs, your German Shepherd Doodle will require regular grooming in order to maintain its beautiful coat and live a happy and healthy life.
Since they have curly and wavy coats, they will need to be brushed at least three to four times a week.
If the coat is longer and prone to matting, you will need to brush them more regularly using a slicker brush.
They will also need bathing at least once a month. Frequent bathing should be avoided as it can tamper with their natural coat oils.
In addition, you will need to adopt the usual canine grooming practices, such as teeth, ear, and nail clipping.
Health Issues
The German Shepherd Doodle is a healthy dog with a lifespan of 10 to 15 years.
However, being a mixed breed, they are susceptible to the health conditions of both the Poodle and German Shepherd parents.
Here are the common German Shepherd Doodle health issues.
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia is a common health condition among all dog breeds.
The condition is caused by abnormal formation of the hip joint and is usually triggered by the rapid growth rate of a happy. It can lead to severe pain or paralysis.
Addison’s Disease
This condition is prevalent in Poodle parents. The condition causes the adrenal gland not to produce adequate hormones.
The common signs and symptoms of the condition are weight loss, depression, blood in feces, and sickness. If you suspect it, you should see your vet as soon as possible for treatment.
Eye Conditions
Eye conditions are common in different dog breeds, including Poodles.
You will need to ensure that your German Shepherd Doodle’s eyes are in good condition by taking them to an ophthalmologist’s health check.
This will help to prevent common conditions like Progressive Retinal Atrophy.
Degenerative Myelopathy
Degenerative Myelopathy is mostly inherited from the German Shepherd side. It is characterized by the degeneration of the spinal cord, which may lead to incontinence and lame rear legs.
If not managed and treated in time, it can gradually lead to paralysis.
Conclusion
The German Shepherd Doodle or Sheepadoodle is a cross between a Poodle and a German Shepherd.
They are loyal, friendly, and playful dogs that make great family pets. They are also intelligent dogs that are easy to train.
Like other designer dogs, your German Shepherd Doodle will need good care and grooming to live a happy and longer life.