There is a reason why Poodle mixes are becoming super popular nowadays. There’s a lot to love about them with their sweet personality, smarts and hypoallergenic fur.
You might have heard a lot about Goldendoodles and Labradoodles, but don’t fall behind.
Sheepadoodles are one of these super dogs too!
The Sheepadoodle is a mix between an Old English Sheepdog and a Poodle. They are incredibly cute and fluffy pups with everything people love about Doodles. They also stand out for their calmness, obedience and black and white coat!
There are many reasons why this mix is amazing. They even have celebrity owners like Meryl Davis! Keep reading to check out these 16 must-know Sheepadoodle facts so you can get to know them better.
1. What Is A Sheepadoodle?
The wonderful and majestic Sheepadoodle is a mix between the Poodle and the Old English Sheepdog. This breed is one of the older designer breeds as it was first bred in the 1960s to serve as a military dog in the US. In 2007 it re-emerged as a popular family dog.
A Sheepadoodle is everything that people love about Doodles. They are known for their gorgeous looks, hypoallergenic fur, intelligence and sweet nature.
They are super easy to train because both parents are really smart. They make a great family pet because of the calmness they get from the Old English Sheepdog. And to top it all off, this beautiful dog comes with hypoallergenic fur and is great for people who have allergies.
2. How Much Does A Sheepadoodle Cost?
The price of a Sheepadoodle puppy from reputable breeders can range anywhere between $1,000 and $2,250. Their price can go up as high as $3,000 from highly acclaimed breeders in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Not all puppies will cost the same and prices will vary based on the breeder and location.
Nowadays there are many Sheepadoodle breeders who sell these cute, fluffy pups. They are just so lovable that everyone has to have one.
Compared to other highly popular mixes like the Goldendoodle and Labradoodle, this dog is not expensive. A single Goldendoodle puppy can cost you between $2,500 and $4,000. The average price of a Sheepadoodle puppy from a reputable breeder is about $2,100.
3. They Are Like A Cute Panda Dog
A Sheepadoodle is like a cute black and white fluffy panda with curly or wavy hair. Because Old English Sheepdogs are black and white, a lot of the time you will find these pups have the coat colors to match a panda!
In general they will have long, soft and fluffy fur that can be wavy or curly. They will also have dark noses and floppy ears. Their eyes can be brown or blue, or one eye of each color.
Not all puppies will have the famous panda-like look because their appearance does depend a lot on the genes they get from each parent. Their features will depend on which kind of genes they get from which parent.
Oftentimes they will fall somewhere in between the famous panda-like and a shaggy-sheepdog look. Some can be entirely white and black, while other pups can be tri-color with black, white and spots of brown. They can also have a long muzzle and lean body or a wider muzzle with a larger body frame.
4. What Is An F1 Sheepadoodle?
When breeders speak about F1 or F2 Sheepadoodles they are referring to the puppy’s generation. A puppy that is directly bred from an Old English Sheepdog and Poodle is called ‘F1’. They are the first generation from this cross which is why they are ‘1’. The ‘F’ stands for filial, which means offspring.
So an F1 Sheepadoodle puppy is the first off-spring of purebred parents. These pups will be 50% of each parent and will inherit the same amount of genes equally from each parent.
If F1 puppies have a litter of pups, then these puppies would be called ‘F2’. This is because they are the second generation from the original parents.
5. Do Sheepadoodles Like To Swim?
The Sheepadoodle is a very energetic dog and loves to swim! In the past Poodles were used for hunting water-fowl so they are natural swimmers and really love the water. The same will be true for a Sheepadoodle.
If you are looking for something fun to do with your Sheepadoodle and a way to let him use up all of his energy, taking him to the beach or lake is a great idea! Your pup will be so excited to play in the water and the entire family will have so much fun splashing around with him.
The Old English Sheepdog was a herding dog so Sheepadoodles normally get a lot of their playful and “need-to-move” energy from them. In general they love to run, chase things and play a lot.
6. There Are 3 Different Sheepadoodle Sizes
The most common size is the standard. A Standard will have a Standard Poodle parent who has bred with the large Old English Sheepdog. They will be 13 to 27 inches tall and weigh 45 to 80 pounds.
Sheepadoodles can also be smaller than this as their size will depend on the type of Poodle that is used as the parent. They can be Standard, Miniature or Toy. The smaller the parent the smaller this mix will be.
A full grown Mini is no taller than 20 inches and weighs 24 to 44 pounds.
The smallest is the Micro Sheepadoodle which will weigh less than 20 pounds. These pups are not very common and most of the time they require a teacup Poodle parent which are also very rare.
7. Golden Sheepadoodles Exist!
These dogs are usually panda-like with their white and black coats, but there is such a thing as a Golden Sheepadoodle. Goldens are a mix of two doodle breeds so they are not a “true” Sheepadoodle.
If you have ever seen a Golden it is actually a mix between the Sheepadoodle and the Goldendoodle. So they are a cross of three different dog breeds!
The golden color of their furry coats actually comes from Golden Retriever genes, which make up around 25% of their genetic makeup. Personality wise they will be equally friendly, extremely playful, maybe a bit silly and incredibly loving. What you’ll mostly notice that’s different is their golden fur.
8. Mini Versions Exist Too!
Just as the name suggests, the mini Sheepadoodle is a fun-sized version of this beautiful dog.
They are a mix of an Old English Sheepdog and a Miniature Poodle. They have the same goofy and lovable personality as their larger counterpart. They are remarkably similar in personality and look just like teddy bears.
As opposed to the standard, which can stand up to 27 inches tall, the mini is only 20 inches tall!
An obvious advantage to the mini is their size.
Mini Sheepadoodles are much more comfortable in smaller houses with smaller yards.
Having a smaller dog makes things like housing and travel much easier. It also means that young children may be more comfortable with the dog.
While they are still incredibly active dogs and love hiking, their size means that it is easier for a wider range of people to properly care for them.
The mini is a great alternative for people looking for the personality of a standard, but are not comfortable with a dog of that size.
9. Some End Up In Shelters
Sheepadoodles are a very popular breed, but some pups end-up in shelters after being left by their owners. These dogs are best suited to active families who have the time to play with and exercise them. They are great with children because of their playfulness, friendliness, and gentleness.
Sometimes when people buy Sheepadoodles they do not fully understand what it means to take care of one. These dogs are incredibly intelligent and energetic which means they need a lot of stimulation. This stimulation should come in the form of attention and playtime, without which they can become quite boisterous and anxious.
Long walks, games of catch in the yard and daily training sessions are great ways to keep a Sheepadoodle happy.
If you don’t have the time to do these things then this mix might not be the best choice for you. For some people their activity needs might be a bit overwhelming.
10. Sheepadoodle Rescues
If you know that you want a Sheepadoodle and are capable of caring for one then a rescue is an excellent place to start. Most of the time these dogs will be older, but you would make one very happy if you adopted him.
Sheepadoodle rescues will also be a lot cheaper than buying from a breeder; adoption fees typically vary between $150 to $500.
They thrive with human contact and being able to show off how smart they are. You will be very grateful to have one by your side once you realize how obedient and loving they are.
Many shelters are Poodle focused and they might not all have Sheepadoodles. However, if you search various rescues you are likely to find one with a dog waiting to find his forever home.
RELATED: Goldendoodle Rescue Near Me: Shelter List by State
11. Sheepadoodle Haircuts
Being a Poodle mix means the Sheepadoodle is very happy to be groomed. There are so many different styles and ways in which a groomer can play and cut their hair. The following hairstyles are some of the most popular and common Sheepadoodle cuts.
Teddy Bear Cut
This is a super cute cut that makes the head of your Sheepadoodle look like a teddy bear’s. The hair around the head is left long and is cut in a rounded fashion while the hair on the rest of the body is cut a bit shorter. The face and ear tips are also rounded giving the impression of a cute toy. Because the fur of a Sheepadoodle is so fluffy and soft you will feel like you’re hugging a big fluffy teddy bear when cuddling one with this cut.
Puppy Cut
The puppy cut is another incredibly popular and adorable hairstyle that is meant to make a dog look like a forever puppy. Their hair is cut short and to the same length of 2 inches long all over their body. While a teddy bear cut will give the impression of a big head, the puppy cut keeps the hair completely uniform over the whole body.
Kennel Cut / Summer Cut
The kennel cut is perfect for those hot summer months or if you live in an area that is warm all year long. This style is super convenient for Sheepadoodles because it trims body hair really short, while leaving the hair on the head and tail longer for a little more pizazz! With this haircut you won’t ever have to worry about their coat matting.
12. They Are Gentle Family Super Dogs
One of the standout qualities of Sheepadoodles is their calm and even temperament which they get from the Old English Sheepdog. They are very calm and obedient dogs who are super loyal and will try anything they can to please you. Their incredibly smart brain also means they are very easy to train.
Sheepadoodles are incredible family dogs that love to play with children without being too energetic or rough. They want to be around the family all the time and give cuddles and kisses.
While affection and friendliness are some of their greatest strengths, it does mean that they don’t do well alone. Sheepadoodles can get separation anxiety if they feel like they don’t get enough of your attention. Training and socialization can help mitigate this, but they really do need a family that can spend a lot of time with them.
They are very sociable and will be very happy as long as they can get love and affection from their family!
13. Sheepadoodle Temperament
Properly raised Sheepadoodles will have a sweet nature and even temperament which lets them get along well with humans and animals. Some pups who take more after their Old English Sheepdog parent may try to herd children as if they were their own little flock. Those pups who take more after their Poodle parent might be a bit too nippy and can be a bit protective around strangers who might seem like a threat.
14. They Live Long Lives
Your sheepadoodle will be there for you for many years and is a very healthy dog with a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. These loving, furry companions are a mixed breed and so tend to be healthier than purebred dogs because of something called hybrid vigor.
This means a mixed breed dog is less likely to inherit two copies of recessive genes that can cause specific diseases.
Usually a Sheepadoodle has a higher chance of getting genetic diseases that are common to both parents such as eye conditions like cataracts. They are less likely to get other diseases found in just one of their parents like hip dysplasia, autoimmune thyroiditis and cardiac anomalies.
15. What Is A Sheepadoodle Mixed With?
A Sheepadoodle is a cross between the Old English Sheepdog and the Poodle. This mix combines the Old English Sheepdog’s more mellow personality with the Poodle’s active and delightful brain. While the Sheepadoodle might have a calm side, this dog is still incredibly playful and energetic.
16. Meet Bunny The “Talking” Sheepadoodle
Some Sheepadoodles are famous like Bunny!If you have not seen the viral videos of Bunny the Sheepadoodle then you are missing out! This incredibly smart girl knows how to “talk” with her owner. Bunny can’t actually speak, but she is able to communicate with her owner Alexis Devine by way of different buttons.
Alexis designed a soundboard for Bunny with many different buttons that all mean something unique. By pressing these buttons, the speaker tells Alexis what Bunny is “thinking.” Each button represents one word and by pressing many buttons Bunny can form simple phrases and ask questions.
As of May 2021 Bunny could speak 92 word and has 6.6 million followers on TikTok and 800,000 followers on Instagram.
17. What Are Reverse Sheepadoodles?
Reverse Sheepadoodle sounds strange, but it is a term that most breeders use to describe an F1b puppy that does not have a Poodle parent. Normally F1b Sheepadoodles are made by crossing a Poodle with an F1 Sheepadoodle. The reverse means that an Old English Sheepdog is used instead.
The Reverse is a puppy that has been bred from an F1 Sheepadoodle and an Old English Sheepdog. These dogs are 75% Old English Sheepdog and 25% Poodle.
Breeders do this so that the puppy will have more of the “bear-like” qualities of the Old English Sheepdog. They have a squarer body type and head, instead of the more common lean body and fine head.
In general they will be a bit more mellow, have less curly hair and are more likely to shed. Some of them might be hypoallergenic, but for the most part you can expect them to shed more. They’ll still have black and white coats but they will be long and shaggy.
For people who want a calmer mix the reverse Sheepadoodle might be a good option. However if you suffer from dog allergies you might want to consider a F1 or a true F1b Sheepadoodle as they will be more hypoallergenic.
18. Are Sheepadoodles Good Pets?
The Sheepadoodle is a loving and kind dog that gets the best of both parents. Because they are gentle and social, they tend to get along with other animals; including cats! They are happy to be around their families all the time.
They are very active dogs and need exercise to be happy. They make excellent pets for people who can keep up with their need for activity.
This dog breed is very good with children and makes a good pet for families.
Occasionally, some pups will have a nipping problem, where they nip at the ankles of people in order to get them to move. This is because they have a natural herding instinct. However, they are intelligent enough to have it trained out of them as a puppy.
There are plenty of reasons to get one of these dogs!
They are beautiful, intelligent, gentle and very loving towards their owners. Also, they don’t have as many genetic issues as their parents.
Sheepadoodles are very good family dogs and are extremely loyal to their owners. While most of the time, this is a good thing, it also means that they get upset when they cannot be around their family all the time. Some pups have seperation anxiety.
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Summary
Sheepadoodles are one of the best dogs you can get for your family. They are incredibly friendly, playful and loving dogs that do especially well with children because of their even, calm and gentle nature. They love to play as much as any high energy Poodle mix, but they are better at knowing how to treat children.
The Sheepadoodle is best suited for active families that can take them out for long walks or exciting adventures.
Unfortunately these pups are not cheap. Their cute and furry panda-like appearance means some cost as much as $3,000. If you can’t afford a puppy from a breeder, there are also plenty of rescues that take in Sheepadoodles. With a brain as impressive as theirs and a heart as loving, who wouldn’t want one?
Before taking a pup home make sure you fully understand what it means to take care of one. They need plenty of long walks, games of catch in the yard and daily training sessions!
