The Sheepadoodles is a designer breed that is a cross between the Purebred Poodle and the Old English Sheepdog. The result is an adorable, fluffy dog that is smart and loving. If you are considering getting a Sheepadoodle for your family, you may be wondering whether the breed will be the right fit for you.
As a general rule, Sheepadoodles make great family dogs, as long as you have a lifestyle that goes with the dog. These dogs love to be outdoors, they have moderate to high energy, and they like spending time with their humans. It is important to consider your family’s needs before you decide on the breed.
Let us explore some of the Sheepadoodle’s essential traits and needs and determine which type of family would be the best fit
Are Sheepadoodles the Right Breed for Your Family?
Poodle mixes are becoming extremely popular due to their cute appearances and their hypoallergenic generations. However, families often do not consider the time and energy that these dogs need.
Before you adopt or buy one, you should be entirely familiar with the breed’s needs and ensure that every family member is on board.
Energy
Sheepadoodles are not as high-energy as other doodles, but they still require at least one or two walks every day. They are extremely playful, although their play is not extremely intense.
This means that they are easily entertained. A game of fetch or tug is perfect for your Sheeppoo, other than their daily walk.
Companionship
If we observe the Sheepadoodle’s genetics, both the parents are working dogs. Poodles and Old English Sheepdogs were both bred for assisting humans.
Your Sheepadoodle would like to spend time with the family and may not do so well with being left alone for long periods of time. They are incredibly affectionate and thrive with physical and mental stimulation.
Adaptability
If you haven’t had a dog before, a Sheepadoodle is not the wrong one to start with. Novice owners generally get along with this breed because it is incredibly smart and loving.
If you live in an apartment, you will need to put in lots of effort and provide your dog with multiple daily walks to exert their physical energy. Sheeppoos generally don’t do so well with being left alone and have a high chance of developing separation anxiety.
Health and Grooming
Fortunately, there are Sheepadoodle breeds that shed very little. If you have mild to moderate allergies triggered by pet dander, the right Sheepadoodle generation might be the perfect pet for you.
Your curly-haired dog definitely will need regular brushing and trimming, though. Other than this, they are relatively healthy and clean dogs. They don’t have major inherent health issues and also aren’t likely to drool a lot.
Friendliness with Children and Other Pets
Sheepadoodles get along great with children, provided that both the dog and the kids are taught how to behave around one another. They usually love all their family members, including the youngest ones, and are known to be gentle.
They are, however, large dogs, and it is usually recommended that you adopt them only if your kids are around ten years of age or older. The sole reason is that the Sheepadoodle’s size can be harmful to small children.
While Sheeppoos may not become best friends with your other pets, there is certainly a chance. It depends entirely on their personality. Rest assured, they don’t present aggressive tendencies towards other dogs or even cats.
Are Sheepadoodles Easy to Train?
Sheepadoodles are smart, but they also have a personality of their own. They are not among the easiest dogs to train, so you should be prepared to spend the first few weeks in daily training.
You may also have to enroll them in dog training classes, especially first-time owners. With the right training methods, they do learn fast since they are incredibly intelligent.
Are Sheepadoodles Aggressive?
Sheepadoodles are not aggressive dogs. They are gentle giants in the true sense of the term. They love to play with their humans. While some may not immediately take to strangers and other pets, they are still not known to exhibit any aggressive tendencies towards other animals or people.
They also don’t bark or howl a lot and are perfect for homes that need relatively quiet dogs. That being said, any dog can sometimes act out if faced with an unfamiliar and stressful situation.
This can include moving, fear of being attacked, abuse, or other scary things like fireworks.
Should I Get a Sheepadoodle?
As a general rule, you should go ahead and get one of these adorable dogs for your family if you check all of the following points
- Your family is active and enjoys being outdoors.
- At least one family member can commit to walking the dog every day.
- All family members are okay with having a high-energy puppy in the house.
- Your children are nearly 10 years or older and can help care for and train the dog.
- You have the time and dedication to groom the dog’s thick and curly coat regularly.
- At least one family member can be with the dog at all times.
- You do not have a highly demanding job with long working hours.
When you get any dog, it is important to take some time to think about the commitment that you are making. Dogs are like children and require lots of time.
This can sometimes mean giving up on social hangouts to take care of your dog if they are sick or making a quick trip home to take your dog out on a potty break during your lunch break.
Even the healthiest of dogs sometimes get sick or develop behavioral problems, which is when they need their owners the most. You also need to have a plan in place for where the dog will be when you have to take family vacations or trips.
Planning ahead will ensure you don’t encounter any problems in the future that lead you to give up the dog.
Remember that you aren’t just acquiring a pet, but a new family member! Give them all the love you have, and you can be assured that they will reciprocate it!