Doodle mixes are all the craze these days and the Sheepadoodle is a very popular choice. I mean, who doesn’t like the look of the beautiful Sheepadoodle crossbreed. But, how do you know if the Sheepadoodle is a good dog for you? Easy. Read this article and learn more about what to expect from this fantastic breed.

Who wouldn’t think that the Sheepadoodle is right for them?

Table of Contents

What is a Sheepadoodle?

Simple. It is a cross between a Poodle and an Old English Sheepdog.

So, consider the major breed characteristics. Poodles are actually hunting dogs and so they tend to be very attentive and alert. Poodles are extremely intelligent…which has benefits and drawbacks. Poodles can be easily trained but they are sometimes anxious and need a lot of stimulation.

On the other hand, Old English Sheepdogs are herders. They are also very attentive to their owners and they tend to have low wanderlust. This means that they are not likely to stray too far from their owners. To learn more about this aspect, read our post: Best Off Leash Dogs for You.

Mix these two breeds together and you get a social, playful, even tempered dog that does not bark and does not drool. The hypoallergenic hair comes from the poodle while the calm, playful side comes from the sheepdog.

Types of Sheepadoodle

The types of Sheepadoodle vary by size: standard, mini, and toy.

Standard Sheepadoodle

Standard – which we will be covering in this article is the cross between an Old English Sheepdog and a Standard Poodle. They can grow to be 18-27 inches in height and weight 45-80lbs. Notice this is a big range and depends a lot on the individual dog. You can definitely expect a good medium-sized dog.

Mini Sheepadoodle

Mini – The Mini Sheepadoodle is a cross between and Old English Sheepdog and a Miniature Poodle. These dogs are slightly smaller medium-sized pups that can weight around 35-55lbs.

Toy Sheepadoodle

Toy – Following the pattern, the Toy Sheepadoodle is a cross between the Old English Sheepdog and a Toy Poodle. These are smaller and can weigh 35 lbs. or less.

Sheepadoodle Characteristics

LIFESPAN

The lifespan of the Sheepadoodle varies but most Sheepadoodle live about 12 to 15 years long.

HYPOALLERGENIC HAIR

Initially you may think that it is a dream to have a dog that does not really shed all over…BUT, it is important to recognize that the Sheepadoodle does produce plenty of dander and does shed. It is just that the hair does not easily fall of the body. Instead, loose hairs interlock with the other hair trapping in dirt, dander, and debris.

So, the beautiful black and white coat needs a lot of attention. As they age, the coat often turns grey.

Floppy ears with a dash of hypoallergenic hair is a recipe for a bacteria-breeding playground. Moisture, dirt, and bacteria get trapped in these adorable ears. This means that they must be cleaned regularly.

GROOMING NEEDS

What does this mean for the owner in terms of grooming? Well, it means lots and lots of grooming is required. Like all doodles, the Sheepadoodle is high maintenance when it comes to hair. It needs to be brushed every day and raked/de-shed every 1-2 weeks. The frequency of bathing does depend on the individual dog, but 6-8 weeks is common.

Sheepadoodles require special shampoos (see “The 5 Best Shampoos for Goldendoodles“), special washing and drying methods, detanglers, conditioners, moisturizers (or a combination formula), and hair clipping every 2-3 months.

Phew…that is a lot compared to some other dogs that shed. But, the result of this hard work is beautiful dogs that do not shed or cause allergic reactions. It may be a trade off that you are interested in.

TRAINABILITY

Sheepadoodles are highly trainable and if you are thinking of owning one, then you should strongly consider training at an early age. Why? Beyond the obvious reasons of having an easy-going, compliant dog…Sheepadoodles tend to nip as part of their herding behavior. They nip at children and even some adults. So, to nip this in the bud, you will want to start training at a very early age. Sheepadoodles also tend to be very easy to potty train. Win-win!

ACTIVITY AND EXERCISE

Sheepadoodles are highly active and require an active family that will not only take them on daily walks, but also will play with them. They enjoy big yards and space to frolic in and out of the house. Sheepadoodles are not the type of dog that just lay around all day. If they do not get enough exercise, you will see it in their behaviors.

How long of a walk should you take your Sheepadoodle on each day? A great rule of thumb is to provide 5 minutes of walking for every month of age up to 1 year. So, an 11-month Sheepadoodle needs a minimum of a 55-minute walk.

Need help finding a leash for your Sheepadoodle?

Check out our suggestions on our post “Best Off-Leash Dogs for You”

We love the Max and Neo Double Handle Traffic Dog Leash. It is our “go to”.

APPETITE

Sheepadoodles have quite the appetite for life so it only makes sense that their appetite for food is sizeable. Typically, Sheepadoodles must be fed about two to three times per day. Their breakfast, lunch, and dinner must be portioned out for them as they will overconsume if given the chance. Consistent timing and portions are the way to go. Portion sizes differ with different dog foods, so you will want to follow the directions on the food packaging.

Some dog food options to consider for your Sheepadoodle include:

HEALTH ISSUES

There are some conditions to which Sheepadoodles are prone. The least severe of these includes sebaceous adenitis which is a skin disease, joint swelling and pain, hip dysplasia, and bloat.

Sheepadoodles can also acquire diabetes, Cushing’s disease (too much cortisol), Addison’s disease (adrenal failure), and some types of cancers.

To learn more, visit:

Cushing’s Disease in Dogs at the Food and Drug Administration website

Diabetes in Dogs at the VCA hospitals website

Types of Cancers in Dogs at the Canine Cancer website

Addison’s Disease in Dogs: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Is a Sheepadoodle an Off-Leash Dog?

Well, it depends on the individual dog and whether their prey drive comes from their Poodle side or their Old English Sheepdog side. As a hunter breed, Poodles tend to have a high prey drive and chase anything that moves. On the other hand, the Old English Sheepdog has a low prey drive and is not really interested in the ‘search and destroy’ activities.

It is also important to consider the characteristic of wanderlust. Wanderlust is the intrinsic drive to explore the environment around and beyond. Sheepadoodles have low wanderlust as both Poodles and Old English Sheepdogs do. So, they are not likely to mosey on beyond you. In fact, the Old English Sheepdog tends to have separation anxiety leading to a dog that is always within a few feet.

You can read more about off-leash dogs in our other post: “Best Off-Leash Dogs for You”.

Where do I get a Sheepadoodle? How much do they cost?

Sheepadoodles can cost anywhere from $300 to $4500 depending on whether you adopt or purchase from a Sheepadoodle breeder.

Adopt a Sheepadoodle

One option to consider is adoption. If you are not too concerned about the exact breed mix and are more focused on the appearance, behavior, and demeanor of the dog, then adoption may be an affordable, charitable option for you.

You can search for a rescue organization in your area or look at the ones listed below. You will want to look for a rescue that cares enough about the dog to interview you and/or complete a home site visit with you.

Look at the care that they provide the dogs in their shelter and/or foster homes and learn how they find or come upon these dogs. The more they can tell you about the dog you are interested in, the better. This is also an indicator as to the level of attention and care they provide their dogs.

Go meet the dog and see if you can complete an overnight or weekend trial with the dog. Although, keep in mind that the dog may not be comfortable enough to be completely transparent. In other words, it takes about 3 days for a dog to orient itself to its surroundings, 3 weeks to feel secure in those surroundings, and about 3 months to feel comfortable with their new routine.

When adopting a Sheepadoodle, you will be mostly searching in Poodle and Old English Sheepdog rescue organizations, as Sheepadoodle rescue organizations are rare…(another good hint that these dogs are generally bred, purchased, and cherished.)

New England Old English Sheepdog Rescue https://www.neoesr.org/

Old English Sheepdog Rescue Network of the South East http://oesrescuenetwork.org/

Midwest OES Rescue http://www.moesr.org/Adopting-An-OldEnglishSheepdog.htm

Poodle Rescue of New England www.poodlerescuene.org

Oodles of Doodles in NJ www.doodlerescuecollective.com

Carolina Poodle Rescue www.carolinapoodlerescue.org

Doodle Rock Rescue in Dallas/Fortworth www.doodlerockrescue.org

Poodle Rescue of Houston www.poodlerescueofhouston.org

Purchase a Sheepadoodle Puppy

If you want a puppy and you are concerned about the purity of the crossbreed as well as the baggage that may come with an adopted dog, then you can easily purchase a Sheepadoodle puppy. The price is much higher (typically in the $1000-$3000 range) and can be as high as $4500.

Here are some places to purchase a Sheepadoodle:

Crockett Doodles https://www.crockettdoodles.com/sheepadoodles – multiple locations that delivers all over the US

Sheepadoodles by Design https://www.sheepadoodlesbydesign.com/ – located in AR

Deb’s Doodles https://www.debsdoodles.net/sheepadoodle_puppies.php – located in VA

Greenfield Puppies https://www.greenfieldpuppies.com/sheepadoodle-puppies-for-sale/ – located in IA, OH, PA

Conclusion

The Sheepadoodle is a versatile dog that is perfect for an active family and this includes young families if it is trained not to herd or nip at little ones. Its hypoallergenic, non-shedding hair requires daily maintenance and lots of upkeep. This is a smart and playful dog that is extremely loyal and loving. You can try to adopt one or purchase a puppy. You are doing great by reading and learning about the breed before you dive in. The Sheepadoodle is a great option and may just be the right dog for you.