Sheepadoodle

Description:

The Sheepadoodle is a hybrid dog, which was created by crossing the Old English Shepherd (female) with a Standard Poodle (male). Hence, the Sheepadoodle is considered a designer dog. This breed makes a wonderful family pet, but he is still not as popular as other hybrids.

Height: 13-24 inches  Weight: 60-80 pounds  Lifespan: 12-15 years

Characteristics:

The Sheepadoodle should be slim, muscular and well-made. He has a strong constitution and an intelligent, lively expression. Sheepadoodles weigh between 60 and 80 pounds.

Character:

The Sheepadoodle is a loving and faithful dog. He is active and nimble. Representatives of this breed do not like loneliness. As a matter of fact, they need constant love and attention. Besides, Sheepadoodles enjoys being in the spotlight. If left neglected for a long period of time, this breed can become unmanageable and overly intrusive. The Sheepadoodle gets along well both with teenagers and young children within the family. Also, he communicates well with different dog breeds and other pets, provided that they grew up together. This breed is extremely suspicious of strangers and will therefore warn the owners about unexpected visitors or strange sounds.

Health Problems:

This breed is susceptible to canine hip dysplasia, epilepsy, blisters, various skin disorders and Von Willebrand disease. Additionally, Sheepadoodles are prone to flea bite allergies. The average life expectancy is 12-15 years.

Coat / Care:

The Sheepadoodle’s coat is medium in length. It can be straight, wavy, curly, or a combination of three. Usually, this breed is either black or white. In order to prevent the hair from tangling and forming mats, this dog must be frequently cleaned. This will also minimize the hair loss. Make sure to bathe your Sheepadoodle only when absolutely necessary.

Training:

The Sheepadoodle requires socialization and obedience training at puppyhood. This dog needs a dominant owner, who will be able to impose the rules. Hence, the coach must be strict, but fair. Education should be based on consistency and patience, as Sheepadoodle do not tolerate harsh training methods.

Activity:

The Shepadoodle is not suitable for living in a city apartment. He needs intense physical exercise and a strong mental stimulation. Representatives of this breed thrive in a country house with a large, well-fenced yard. Moreover, the ideal habitat is a farm with a vast territory, where this designer dog can explore and play.

Photo credit: MN Sheepadoodles/Flickr