Sheepadoodle – All you need to know
Featured image by CC commons.wikimedia.org / Hallereese
What is a Sheepadoodle?
If you are looking to adopt a cute dog that is also loyal and intelligent, Sheepadoodle is the perfect breed for you.
Thanks to the ideal mix of parent’s qualities (Poodle and Old English Sheepdog), the Sheepadoodle is an exceptional hybrid.
Keep reading and discover more about this adorable family dog, including their origin, temperament, health, and grooming requirements.
Sheepadoodle Origin
Sheepadoodles were introduced in the late 60s when the Army trained them as military dogs. These dogs have the perfect set of genes inherited by Old English Sheepdog and Poodle.
Old English Sheepdogs are large canines that shed less than average dogs, love the energy and comfort of indoor living, and are 80% hypoallergenic. They are excellent watchdogs but don’t have the proper training to act as guard dogs. Old English Sheepdogs are known to be adaptable and loyal, which makes them ideal family pets.
Poodles are one of the smartest dogs around. They are agile, energetic, and remarkable water retrievers.
Sheepadoodle Temperament
A sheepadoodle is an easy dog to play with. These pets are highly adjustable and can quickly become part of your family. They want to be involved in different activities, from walking to running and learning new tricks. Since sheepadoodle is large (height 13-28 inches and weigh 40-85 pounds), they can sometimes be hard to train, but once you get to know your pet better, you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect training routine.
If a sheepadoodle is not in a good mood, they can be pretty wild, but that is just how they play and hang out with owners. They are very high-energy canines, and when they don’t receive the right exercise dose, they can become energetic, unruly, and start to have behavioral problems. If you are not the type of person who wants to exercise and train their pets, and it is no fun for you to deal with such high-energy dogs, you may want to consider non-shedding four-legged friends.
Both the Old English Sheepdog and Poodle are intelligent canines, therefore is the Sheepadoodle. Compared to other breeds, Sheepadoodle is one of the smartest dogs around, and you will quickly learn that when playing and training your pet. Their intelligence can be utilized in a good way if you discipline them appropriately.
How to Train a Sheepadoodle
Their main strength is their loyalty, something they owe to their predecessors, the Old English Sheepdog and Poodle. They are also smart and obedient, making training easier, especially if you start training your pet the moment you adopt them.
The best thing for training a sheepadoodle is that they are fast learners and respect their owners. They follow commands and instructions well.
Since the Sheepadoodle is part Old English Sheepdog, they have in their genes herding traits and attributes of their parents. One of the herding features is to nip. These nips aren’t all bites, and they are rarely aggressive but can hurt, especially young children. If you have children, they may get easily upset or scared by the nipping, so it is best to train your new pet not to nip or hurt your little ones. While this may take some time, in the long run, it will be worth it.
Does this breed get along with other dogs and pets?
As said, the Sheepadoodle is an adaptable type of dog and gets along pretty well with other pets if trained from the beginning, when they are little. Since it is energetic, it may seem as they are aggressive, but they are just looking to have fun and play. They may be defensive only when they smell danger or get attacked by other dogs.
As they learn to socialize, it is better to keep your pet on a leash. Once it is 100% safe, you may introduce sheepadoodle to other animals living in your house.
Common Sheepadoodle’s Health Problems
In general, sheepadoodle is a healthy canine. Since it is a relatively new breed, there is not much information on health issues to watch out for. Like most crossbreeds, this dog is healthier than the parents due to the heterosis and the hybrid vigor. There are more genes to choose from, meaning your four-legged friend will be healthy and have fewer health issues than Poodle and Old English Sheepdog.
Some breeds are prone to hip dysplasia and retinal atrophy, so before adopting a Sheepadoodle, make sure to check the parents’ health history and inform of the genetic issues. Overall, these are healthy dogs and will stick with you for years. You may have to deal with aging issues (typical for bigger dogs), including diabetes, bloat, elbow dysplasia, gastric-dilation-volvulus, and Addison’s disease.
The sheepadoodle is hypoallergenic, meaning dust and outside allergies can get stuck in their hair, so if you are allergic to pollen or grass, you might get sniffly around your new pet.
Technically, it isn’t the dog that is causing allergic reactions, but the allergens stuck in their fur, so give your pet a good nice bath, and you’ll have no problems when hugging them.
With regular exercising, proper training, and a balanced diet, you can expect to have a loyal pet for 15 years.
Breed Grooming Requirements
When it comes to grooming, sheepadoodle require regular treatments, so their fur doesn’t get tangled. However, with all the love and loyalty you will get from this dog, long, regular grooming shouldn’t be a problem.
Sheepadoodle needs to be treated by a professional every 4-6 weeks. If you keep their fur shorter, you may have to schedule every month at the local groomer. Besides grooming, you will need to brush your pet every day for 30 minutes, and trim nails on a regular basis.
Never forget the ears. Sheepaddodle’s ears should be properly cleaned and trimmed. These dogs are prone to ear infections, and if you pay close attention to their ears when bathing and grooming, you may avoid more serious problems.
A Final Word
If you have time to dedicate to your pets, the sheepadoodle is an excellent addition to your family. For the time you invest in them through training, socializing, playing, and grooming, they will repay you double with loyalty, love, and obedience.
It is a perfect breed that will keep you and your family entertained for years to come.
