Sheepadoodle
An Old English Sheepdog crossed with a poodle: big, soft, usually black and white, and happiest with a family that is home a lot.
Photo by Hallereese, CC BY-SA 4.0
Overview
The Sheepadoodle is a crossbreed between an Old English Sheepdog and a Poodle, and like other doodles it is not recognised as a breed by the major kennel clubs. A standard Sheepadoodle, bred from a Standard Poodle, is a large dog of about 16 to 22 inches and 65 to 85 lb, while miniatures bred from Miniature Poodles are smaller and rarer. Most are black and white, and most reach full size between one and two years old. They usually live 12 to 15 years and are considered a generally healthy cross.
Temperament
Affectionate, playful, clever and adaptable, and generally good with children and other pets when introduced and supervised properly. They bond closely to their family and can struggle when left alone with nothing to do, which can turn into separation anxiety. Many are alert barkers, so it helps to teach them to settle once they have checked a noise or a visitor. Training goes well with positive reinforcement: the Poodle side is eager to please, and the Sheepdog side can be independent enough to need patience.
Care and grooming
The coat mats easily, so brush several times a week or daily, and plan on a professional bath and trim every couple of months. Poodles shed little but Old English Sheepdogs do shed, so a Sheepadoodle may shed too, and no dog is free of allergens. Keep the eyes and ears clean. Conditions from both parents include hip dysplasia and eye problems such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. As a deep chested dog it is at risk of bloat, so feed smaller meals, avoid exercise right before and after eating, and ask your vet about a preventive gastropexy at spay or neuter.
Living and exercise
A high endurance dog that needs plenty of daily exercise and something to think about: long walks, hiking, swimming, fetch or agility all suit it. A standard Sheepadoodle is large and heavy, so it needs room, a fenced yard helps, and early training matters before it reaches full size. Feed a large breed puppy food while it grows, and keep it lean to protect its joints. It is best in a home where someone is around for much of the day.
Something here wrong or out of date?