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Sheepadoodle Temperament: What to Expect from this Big, Shaggy Goofball

The Sheepadoodle Temperament is joyful, intelligent, enthusiastic and loyal. It's a popular designer breed that is created by crossing a Standard Poodle with an Old English Sheepdog.

Sheepadoodles are sometimes also known as the Sheepdoodle, Sheep-a-poo, Sheepapoo, Sheepdogdoodle, and Sheepdogpoo.

However, they are not to be confused with the Shepadoodle which is an entirely different designer dog.

Sheepadoodles are very cute, especially when they are puppies, but think carefully before you bring one home.

They are energetic dogs that require a lot of exercise. Their large size and rambunctious natures make them a poor choice for apartment living.

They also have significant grooming requirements, which will be discussed later in this article.

This article will help you learn more about Sheepadoodle behaviors and traits to make sure that this is the right breed for you.

5 Most Common Sheepadoodle Temperament Traits

This section will provide an introduction to the Sheepadoodle personality.

However, please remember that not all Sheepadoodles will be exactly alike.

1. Very Smart

One component of the Sheepadoodle temperament is high intelligence.

Both Poodles and Old English Sheepdogs are very smart.

Therefore, it makes sense that a Sheepadoodle would be a very clever and trainable dog.

Sheepadoodles love to use their minds to solve problems.

It is important to keep their brains channeled towards constructive outlets such as training and mental stimulation

Otherwise, your Sheepadoodle may easily become bored and destructive.

Keep your Sheepadoodle focused by providing plenty of toys and puzzles.

2. High Energy

The active Sheepadoodle temperament makes this a high energy breed.

This dog is not a couch potato.

If you bring one into your life, you need to be prepared to provide it with daily exercise.

Sheepadoodle exercise can take the form of jogging, biking, hiking or swimming. They even enjoy winter weather sports such as skijor or dog sledding.

Sheepadoodle owners should expect to devote at least one hour per day to vigorous outdoor activity.

If you work long hours, consider a dog walker or a doggie daycare. Alternatively, you might do better adopting an older Sheepadoodle (or even a senior)!

Without enough daily exercise, you will have a destructive bundle of energy on your hands.

If you dog is displaying unwanted behaviors such barking, digging, chewing or hyperactivity, you need to increase your dog’s exercise.

3. Not Ideal for Apartments

Due to their large size and their high energy-level, the Sheepadoodle is not ideal for apartment living.

These dogs do better when they have more space to romp. A fenced in backyard is ideal for daily play sessions, although they do not like to live outdoors fulltime.

4. Attentive, Protective

The alert Sheepadoodle temperament makes this breed a good watch dog.

Sheepadoodles are naturally alert and protective over their families.

They will bark to alert you of any unusual behavior on your property.

5. May Retain Some Herding Instincts

Since the Old English Sheepdog was bred to herd sheep, some of those genes may get passed down to your Sheepadoodle.

It is not unusual for herding dogs to attempt to herd moving objects such as other dogs, cats, bicycles, or even playing children.

As with all dogs, it is important to supervise all interactions between your Sheepadoodle and children or other pets.

Sheepadoodles are very playful and silly, so they can make great companions for children with proper socialization and supervision.

Sheepadoodle History: The Story of the Sheepadoodle Origin

The Sheepadoodle is a fairly modern hybrid creation.

The Old English Sheepdog was developed in England in the 18th century for flock herding and guarding.

The Poodle originated in Germany more than 400 years ago as a hunting dog.

However, it was not until the last decade or so that these breeds were intentionally crossed to create the Sheepadoodle.

Since the Sheepadoodle is a cross-breed, it is not recognized by any kennel clubs such as the American Kennel Club (AKC) or the United Kennel Club (UKC).

Sheepadoodle Size and Appearance

Sheepadoodles are large dogs with thick, curly coats.

A full grown Sheepadoodle is a big, bouncy, shaggy dog.

The average Sheepadoodle weight range is between 50 and 85 lbs.

The typical Sheepadoodle height range is between 18 and 23 inches at the withers (shoulders).

There are a wide range of Sheepadoodle color patterns. Sheepadoodles can come in many color varieties and combinations including white, black, gray, brown, red, blue, cream and apricot.

Some breeders are starting to experiment with smaller varieties that they call “Mini Sheepadoodles” or “Micro Sheepadoodles.”

A Guide to Sheepadoodle Training

The smart and inquisitive Sheepadoodle temperament makes this breed a good candidate for training.

If you acquire your Sheepadoodle as a puppy, it is always a great idea to sign up for a puppy socialization class.

A puppy socialization class will help your young puppy learn important canine social skills.

Do some research to make sure you find a trainer that uses positive reinforcement training methods.

Like most dogs, your Sheepadoodle will not respond well to training tactics that are rough or overbearing.

Training should be an enjoyable experience for both you and your dog.

Use praise and rewards for good behavior.

Once you have been through the basics, you can look into more advanced activities for you and your Sheepadoodle. These might include herding, nosework, agility, search and rescue, or therapy work. There are endless options for you and your Sheepadoodle to explore together.

Helpful Dog Training Resource:

The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan a world-class Dog Trainer from New Zealand is worth taking a look at. This online resource has hundreds of fun informative dog training videos that can help you learn the basics and more.

Sheepadoodle Grooming Needs

The Sheepadoodle requires a significant amount of grooming.

Their thick fur needs daily combing to avoid mats and tangles.

Their coats will also need to be professionally trimmed every few months.

This amount of grooming can become a heavy financial burden, so make sure you are prepared to invest time and money into grooming your dog before you consider a Sheepadoodle.

Sheepadoodle Shedding

Even though they have a lot of fur that requires frequent grooming, the Sheepadoodle is not a heavy shedder.

This can be a very attractive quality to many people.

The amount of shedding actually varies from dog to dog.

For example, a first generation (F1) Sheepadoodle is a cross between a purebred Poodle and a purebred Old English Sheepdog.

F1 Sheepadoodles shed a bit more than F1b Sheepadoodles, which are a cross between a Sheepadoodle and a Poodle.

F1b Sheepadoodles tend to shed even less than that F1 Sheepadoodles.

However, there can be individual variations between dogs. Additionally, a dog’s coat may even change over time from puppyhood to adulthood.

Is the Sheepadoodle a Hypoallergenic Breed?

The Sheepadoodle can be hypoallergenic, but it depends on if the dog inherits more of a poodle coat or more of a Sheepdog coat.

If you are looking for a hypoallergenic dog, check out this article for a list of other options.

Staying Healthy: Sheepadoodle Health Issues

All breeds are prone to some genetic health conditions.

Talk with your breeder and/or your rescue contact about what to expect in terms of Sheepadoodle Health problems.

Find a vet that is familiar with the breed so that they can be on the watch for early warning signs.

Below you will find a list of medical issues that can occur in this breed:

Helpful Dog Health Resource:

Note: Don't let the many issues above scare you. The best way to approach health problems is to prevent them in the first place. The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health is a great place to start. Get a copy to keep at home. It will help you prevent the painful health issues that can plague your lovely dog from expressing his winning personality and maximizing his life expectancy.

Make sure you bring your Sheepadoodle to a veterinarian for a checkup at least once per year.

It is also crucial for your Sheepadoodle to stay up to date on flea, tick and heartworm preventative at all times.

Spaying and neutering have both health and behavioral benefits. It also prevents unwanted litters from accidentally adding to the animal overpopulation problem in this country. Speak with your vet about scheduling this procedure at the appropriate time.

Make sure to feed your Sheepadoodle a high-quality dog food that is free of filler ingredients such as corn or by-products.

It is also a good idea to brush your dog’s teeth on a regular basis to avoid gum disease and tooth decay.

With top-notch care, the average Sheepadoodle lifespan is between 10 and 12 years.

Sheepadoodle Rescue and Adoption

If you think the Sheepadoodle temperament is a good fit for your home, it is time to try to find your new best friend.

Sheepadoodles are fairly rare, so it may take some time and patience to find one.

Why Consider Adoption?

Adoption is a great avenue for adding a new pet to your household.

There are so many homeless pets in this country, so it is very rewarding to provide one with a good home.

Dogs that are up for adoption often come with a little bit of basic training.

They also tend to be past the destructive puppy stage. If you have a busy schedule and you do not have enough time for puppy potty training, adopting an older dog might be the perfect solution!

You can also get a better sense of a dog’s personality and traits when they are fully grown. If you absolutely need a Sheepadoodle that is hypoallergenic, it is probably best to adopt one that is already full grown so you can see what kind of coat it has.

When it comes to Sheepadoodle cost, adoption is also the less expensive option. Adoption fees are generally between $100 and $300 depending on the organization. This fee almost always includes some basic services such as spay, neuter, vaccinations and microchipping.

Where to Find a Sheepadoodle for Adoption?

A good place to start your search for any adoptable pet is at your local humane society or animal shelter.

Tell the staff what kind of pet you are looking for.

Even if they do not have that pet available at the moment, they can keep your application on file for the future or they can direct you towards specialized rescue groups.

You can also search online using websites such as facebook, Petfinder.com, Adoptapet.com or Getyourpet.com.

Some breeds also have dedicated rescue groups that specialize in rehoming that particular breed.

For example, there are numerous Poodle Rescues around the country that also take in various types of Poodle mixes for adoption such as Goldendoodles, Labradoodles and Sheepadoodles.

Finding a Sheepadoodle for Sale from a Reputable Breeder

If you decide to purchase a Sheepadoodle puppy from a breeder, take your time to make sure you find a breeder that is ethical and responsible.

Sadly, there are many backyard breeders and puppy mills that are simply looking to make money.

Read this helpful article before you start your search for a breeder.

Never purchase Sheepadoodle puppies from a website or from a pet store.

Always insist on meeting potential Sheepadoodle breeders in person and visiting the location yourself. This is the only way you can be sure that you are not getting a puppy from a puppy farm.

A responsible breeder will encourage your visit.

They will want to meet you and ask you questions about your lifestyle. A good breeder will also insist that you get your puppy spayed or neutered at a certain age.

They will also ask you to sign an agreement promising to return the puppy to them if things do not work out for any reason.

A responsible breeder would never want one of their puppies to become homeless or end up in an animal shelter.

Sheepadoodle Price

Since these are such trendy pets, Sheepadoodles can be quite expensive.

Do not be surprised to find the puppy price tag between $2000 and $3000. You will have to pay even more if you want certain coat colorations, eye coloration, or a “mini or micro” size.

If this amount of money is simply out of the question, do not despair.

There are plenty of sweet poodle mixes in shelters and rescue organizations that will provide you with love and companionship for a much more reasonable fee.

Similar Poodle Mix Dogs

Conclusion: Why the Sheepadoodle?

The sweet Sheepadoodle temperament is very appealing for many reasons.

These dogs are cute, playful, goofy, and they shed very little.

However, they require a lot of time and energy, and they are very expensive, so think carefully before you commit to adding one to your family.