Sheepadoodle Breed Guide
The Sheepadoodle is a unique mixed breed of pooch that loves to spend time playing with its owner in the garden and snuggling up on the couch. The breed combines an Old English Sheepdog and a miniature, toy, or normal Poodle. This pup is known to be friendly to family, friends, and other pups too! If you’re interested in learning about the Sheepadoodle or considering getting one, here is a complete guide about the breed and what you need to know.
History of Sheepadoodle:
The Sheepadoodle was first bred in the 1700s, the combination of an Old English Sheepdog and a Poodle. Therefore to uncover their true origins, we need to take a deeper look into the history of their two founding breeds.
Old English Sheepdogs gained popularity in the UK during the tax exemption period in the 18th century given their adept ability in driving herds to the markets as well as their super fluffy floof, which sheds just once a year (like a sheep), and was collected to create warm wool clothing. Thankfully this doesn't happen anymore...
Poodles originated in France and have always been known for their quick quick-wittedness. Originally bred to help with duck hunting, poodles are also excellent at retrieving.
This combo of breeds is what gives the Sheepadoodle its floofyness and brains!
Fun fact: The Sheepadoodle was originally called the ‘Bobtail’ during the 18th Century
6 Most Common Traits of a Sheepadoodle:
- Friendly
- Intelligent
- Protective
- Sociable
- Sweet
- Playful
How long does a Sheepadoodle live?
The strong, cuddly pooches live a long and happy life of roughly 12 to 15 years. Some can even live up to 19 years if the original mix contains Toy Poodle DNA!
How big will my Sheepdoodle get?
Sheepadoodles are typically on the larger and floofier side of dogs and can grow to be between 40cm to 64cm. However, if the founding breeds include a miniature or toy poodle, their Sheepadoodle pups will be more medium-sized. The typical weight for Sheepadoodle puppies is around 25-35 kilograms making for some extra cosy cuddles. If you think your Sheepadoodle may be looking floofier than normal, you can use our body condition score tool to check if they are floofy or fat.
What colours can my Sheepadoodle have?
Typically, the mix of the two breeds means a variety of fur colours, but the Sheepadoodle only comes in a few variations. The most common colours for this floof is a blend of black and white, but because of the Old English Sheepdog, some can have grey, grizzle, or even blue coats. The poodle breed quite often has a solid-colored coating of fur, so it’s all in the hands of the Sheepdog for a cool mix.
How much exercise does a Sheepadoodle need?
The Sheepadoodle is a highly energetic dog who will require plenty of daily exercise. They love to play so be prepared to share a game or two of tug-o-war! Daily exercise for this mixed breed will require at least 1-2 hours of activity before they begin to tire out. After all, the Poodle and Old English Sheepdog were once bred as working dogs. So whether you want to take your pooch for a walk in the park, play fetch, or get down and dirty in the mud, this doggy thrives on being active.
Are Sheepadoodles easy to train?
Because it is in the Poodles nature to be intelligent, this mixed breed is extremely capable of being trained. Starting your training as soon as possible will instil discipline and make it that much easier to teach them how to sit, give the paw, or roll over.
Positive reinforcement training is one of the most beneficial ways to begin teaching your pup these skills. By rewarding them after each practised movement, the pooch will gain a positive association with the actions and learn if they do good, they will get a treat. The Sheepadoodle is a quick learning breed with great focus skills, so training this breed shouldn’t be too much of a challenge for pet parents. It will be especially easy if you're equipped with some of our Softies Dog Training Treats, either Meaty, Fishy or Plant-Based!
How should my Sheepadoodle be groomed?:
The Sheepadoodle is known to have little to no shedding, but it is recommended they are brushed and groomed regularly. Two or three times a week will do the trick! A common yet easy mistake is forgetting to care of your pet's ears, as they can contain excessive amounts of hair and sometimes get a little smelly. A simple cotton swab to remove the ear goop, and a grooming appointment every now and then should help avoid any potential discomfort in your pet. It is also important to care for your Sheepadoodle's thick coat in order to lessen their shedding, make them soft and floofy, and prevent any potential skin disorders.
Are Sheepadoodles hypoallergenic?
In short, no. This breed is not considered to be hypoallergenic but Sheepadoodles are still a great fit for owners who are allergy-prone, but not those allergic to dogs. This pooch mix produces little amounts of shedding so it’s time to put the vacuums away, there won’t be a lot of fluff to clean up!
How much does a Sheepadoodle cost?
Many mixed breeds tend to cost more money as pet owners find them highly desirable, I mean who wouldn’t? The cost of a Sheepadoodle depends on how reputable the breeder is, but they typically are priced between £850 to £2,600. The average cost is somewhere in the middle of the two prices, so if you are looking for a younger pooch, expect to be spending some extra pounds as they are highly popular. Though you can seek a Sheepadoodle through a reputable breeder, there is always an opportunity to rescue a dog from a local shelter. This will not only help in finding a pup a comfy and safe home to live in but will also help minimize the high cost of a mixed-breed pooch.
Health Watchouts
Sheepadoodles aren't prone to many health issues, but there are a couple to watch out for:
An unhappy tummy means an unhappy pooch, and bloat is one of the most common conditions for Sheepadoodles. It occurs when a dog's stomach fills with gas and can twist and cut off the blood supply to the gut. In extreme cases, this can be a life-threatening emergency so beware of symptoms and noticeable discomfort in your pet. The common symptoms of bloat are a stiff or swollen tum, retching without being able to throw up, excessive drooling, and pain when touching their tum.When our pups are growing, they can develop a problem in their hip joints. Hip dysplasia is when the joints are loosened and this can cause discomfort or pain. Our pup's cartilage and bone rubs down as they grow and if not cared for, can result in other issues like arthritis or limited mobility.
Also scientifically known as hypoadrenocorticism, Addison's disease is when the adrenal glands in a dog do not properly function to produce the hormones necessary in the body. It is often the hormone called steroids, which our floofs need to regulate their body systems and organs. Search for symptoms of depression, weight loss, changes in appetite, and diarrhoea. Don't fret, this is a treatable condition and your pet can still live a long and happy life!
Sebaceous adenitis is a skin disorder that develops in the Sheepadoodle, coming from the sensitive skin of its poodle parent. In simple terms, it is the inflammation of the oil gland associated with the hair follicles. But with proper antimicrobial cleaning, frequent brushing, and regular grooming sessions this condition is easily avoidable and preventable.
How to feed your Sheepadoodle:
Proper nutrition for dog breeds like the Sheepadoodle is extremely important. They are such big floofs and they need enough and the right kind of food to keep up with their energetic personalities. As Sheepadoodles can suffer from bloat, look out for dog food that contains extra gut-friendly goodies like pre or probiotics to help with healthy digestion. Besides from this Sheepadoodles don't have any specific requirements, so opt for a good quality, complete recipe that's packed with all the nutrition your pooch needs to thrive.
How can scrumbles help?
Our range of complete Dry dog food and single-source protein wet dog food includes gut-friendly ingredients like added probiotics (good bacteria) and slippery elm to help keep tummies happy and healthy. For a big floof like the Sheepadoodle, they need a balanced diet full of healthy fats, protein, tasty veggies, and natural ingredients without any additives like artificial sugars or salt. Our Salmon Dry Dog Food is designed specifically for larger breeds with a larger bite, optimal nutrition level and extra joint care.
Overall, this breed is best suited for an active, loving, and affectionate owner who can keep up with their various personality traits. The Sheepadoodle is an incredibly intelligent, energetic, and caring mixed breed that desires frequent rubs and attention. So if you’re looking for a chill and relaxed pooch who will sleep all day, this might not be the most suitable pet for you.
