Crossbreeding dogs has been ongoing for a long time, and there are many dog breeds that you do not know. So, you would likely find a new dog breed every time you research. Although, some of these crossbreeds are not recognized by any kennel clubs or official dog registration groups.
Sheepadoodles are among the best family dogs you can own; they have a calm and relaxed demeanor. They are friendly with other pets and children, in addition to being obedient, easily trained, and highly sociable dogs that enjoy being around their owners. They also love cuddling and enjoy snuggling.
Before you purchase any dog breed, the best thing is to learn all the facts about that breed. Some breeds are not family dogs, and if you have a family with kids, you should not get those breeds.
What Is A Sheepadoodle?
A Sheepadoodle is a crossbreed of an Old English Sheepdog and a Poodle. These breeds are different from the Shepadoodle, a crossbreed between a Poodle and a German Shepherd. These two breeds are often confused with each other. Sheepadoodles are also known as Sheepdogpoo, Sheepapoo, Sheepdoodle, Sheepdogdoodle, and Sheep-A-Poo.
Features Of A Sheepadoodle
Sheepadoodles are great family dogs, and you must learn the qualities of this breed before you purchase them. This way, you can know what to expect from your dog, and you can also tell when there is something wrong so it can be dealt with immediately.
Good Therapist
Sheepadoodles are excellent as therapy dogs; they can be trained to provide comfort, affection, and love to people, whether in nursing homes, hospitals, or rehabilitation centers. So, they are great dogs to purchase if you have older adults and young children in your home.
Good Watch Dogs
Despite Sheepadoodle being medium-sized dogs, they can still be trained to be excellent guard dogs. They are one of the few dog breeds that do not bark a lot, so most people do not consider them guard dogs. Nevertheless, as long as you properly train them, they will perform excellently.
Low Shedders
The American Kennel Club has made it known that no dog breed is one hundred percent hypoallergenic. Nevertheless, the Sheepadoodle is one of the few dog breeds that do not shed a lot despite having a fluffy coat. This feature results from their origins, Poodles and Old English Sheepdogs do not shed a lot.
Prone To Separation Anxiety
The affectionate love and care Sheepadoodle displays come at a price; they are prone to separation anxiety. They do not do well when they are left alone; they display weird behaviors like howling, persistently barking, destructive digging or chewing, and in extreme cases pooping around the home.
Active And Playful Dogs
Sheepadoodles possess moderate energy levels but are still playful and active dogs. They need a minimum of 30 minutes of play, exercise, and activities daily to remain healthy and fit. You can engage the dog by playing fetch or going for a walk; you can also allow your children to engage the dog.
Require Regular Grooming
Although Sheepadoodles are not heavy shedders, they require regular grooming and skin maintenance. It is advised that you brush your Sheepadoodle at least a few times weekly to ensure their fur does not get tangled. You also need to bathe them every few months to clean them from dirt and dander.
What Breeds Make A Sheepadoodle?
To have an insight into the traits of Sheepadoodles, we will look at the traits of the original parents, the Poodle and the Old English Sheepdog.
Old English Sheepdog
The Old English sheepdog is a descendant of the early herding dog breeds in England; they were also known as bob-tailed sheepdog and Shepherd’s Dog. These breeds are large dogs and can be recognized by their long, shaggy, thick white and gray coat with fur covering their eyes and face.
Male Old English Sheepdogs are generally between 22 to 24 inches in height and weigh about 60 to 100 pounds. Females are slightly smaller than males, with a height of about 21 to 23 inches, and typically weigh the same. The breeds can have colors ranging from grizzle to bray, blue, and black with white markings.
Old English Sheepdogs have a life expectancy of about 10 to 12 years. They are family dogs and can relate well with little children; they also relate fairly well with other dogs. These breeds are friendly, intelligent, and adaptable; they also require proper training and exercise.
Poodle
The Poodle is a breed of water dog divided into four categories; the Toy Poodle, Miniature Poodle, Medium Poodle, and the Standard Poodle. The categories are based on the sizes of the Poodle. Toy Poodles are between 9.4 to 11 inches in height, and Miniature Poodles are between 11 to 14 inches in height.
Medium Poodles are about 14 to 18 inches, and Standard Poodles are about 18 to 24 inches in height. The sheepadoodle was bred from the Standard Poodle, which was used for retrieving wild fowls shot by hunters on water. Male Standard Poodles weigh about 60 to 70 pounds, and females weigh between 40 to 50 pounds.
The life expectancy of Standard Poodles is between 10 to 18 years. Poodles are one of the best family dog breeds, and they are good with young children. Poodles come in various colors: black, white, brown, gray, blue, cream, red, apricot, silver, silver beige, and café au lait.
How Big Does A Sheepadoodle Get?
Sheepadoodles are subdivided into three categories based on sizes; Standard, Mini, and Micro. These breeds have a varied size because they are a mixed breed, and it depends on the qualities of the parent breeds, so if one of the origin breeds is small, the resulting breed will be small.
Standard Sheepadoodle
The Standard Sheepadoodle is the most common of all three categories, and they are usually around 18 to 24 inches in height and weigh between 45 to 70 pounds. The result of crossbreeding an Old English Sheepdog and a Standard Poodle is the Standard Sheepadoodle.
However, you should keep in mind that they can grow larger than this and weigh more. The size they get can be deceptive because it can inherit either the long legs of the Poodle or the short legs of the Old English Sheepdog.
Mini Sheepadoodle
The Mini Sheepadoodle results from crossbreeding an Old English Sheepdog and a Mini Poodle; they can reach a height of about 15 to 18 inches and weigh between 12 to 25 pounds. It takes about 16 to 18 months for a Mini Sheepadoodle to be fully grown, so you must be patient to see what the fully grown dog will look like.
Micro Sheepadoodle
The Micro Sheepadoodle is the smallest Sheepadoodle, and it reaches a height of about 10 inches and weighs about 10 pounds or less. The Micro Sheepadoodle is a product of crossbreeding a Toy Poodle and an Old Sheepdog. Micro Sheepadoodles are also called Micro Mini Sheepadoodle and Toy Sheepadoodle.
How Much Does A Sheepadoodle Cost
Sheepadoodles are one of the most expensive dog breeds in the world; they cost about $1000 to $3000. Although, the price varies across breeders, and if you want specific traits like eye color, coat color, and markings, you would have to pay more. Micro Sheepadoodles cost between $500 to $800.
You can get a Sheepadoodle at a lower price if you want to adopt instead of purchasing from a breeder. It will cost between $75 to $200, in addition to the $10 dog license fee to adopt a Sheepadoodle.
Final Thoughts
Sheepadoodles are great pets to own; they are affectionate, loving, easy to train, and great with children and other pets. Although expensive, you will have no regret owning a Sheepadoodle. These breeds do not require as much attention and care as other breeds, but they still need your constant love and affection.
Also Read: Toy Poodle: How Much Does This Beautiful Breed Cost? & 3 Facts to Know Before Getting A King Shepherd
Shawn Manaher is a serial entrepreneur but when he isn’t working, he loves dogs. He’s owned different pets over the years, and always gives a part of his heart to each pet.
