The Sheepadoodle – or the Sheeppoo – is one of the most adorable-looking Doodles. It is a cross between a Poodle and an Old English Sheepdog and is considered a designer breed. These dogs are highly sought after. However, before you get one, it is important to understand whether they are well-suited for families with kids.
As a general rule, the good news is that Sheepadoodles are even-tempered and tend to do great with children! They love being around all humans, including kids and are gentle and playful with everyone. However, it is often recommended that they go to families with older kids, owing to their high energy and herding instincts.
Before you get a Sheepadoodle, explore the breed’s traits and learn how best to introduce your dog and your kids to each other.
Are Sheepadoodles Good Family Dogs?
Sheeppoos love humans and make for great pets, but whether or not they are good family dogs depends entirely on the needs of a family. Some might be looking for a pet to give them company with their active adventures, while others might be looking for a cuddly fur-buddy that will lounge around all day.
If you are looking for a loving dog that can be a part of your family and keep up with your children’s endless energy, the Sheepadoodle can be ideal for you! However, if you want your new dog to be low-energy and stay out of the way while your kids play around the house, you may need to consider another breed.
If you are confused about whether the Sheepadoodle will fit in your family, consider the following factors. If you check all of these, your family is just right for this breed!
- Your family and children are active and like to be outdoors nearly every day.
- You are prepared to spend time and effort to train your new dog every day for at least a few weeks.
- All your family members are happy to welcome a high-energy puppy into the home.
- You can effectively provide either yard space to play or are willing to take your dog on walks every day.
- At least one family member can spend time with the dog. Sheeppoos don’t do well with being left alone all day.
- You are prepared for regular grooming; the Sheepadoodle has a thick and long coat that can mat if not brushed regularly.
- You do not have another time-consuming engagement at home, like a newborn or a toddler.
- Check out this article on whether Labradoodles are smarter than Goldendoodles for another option.
If your family checks all the boxes, the next step is to understand how to socialize the puppy with your children. It is important to teach children how to handle a dog, what is acceptable during play, and when to give the dog their space. Similarly, your puppy must be introduced to your children calmly and in a supervised situation until you are sure they get along.
While a Sheepadoodle can be perfect for a family, here are a few things you should keep in mind if you get one:
Herding instincts – The Old English Sheepdog is a herder. As a result, your Sheepadoodle might try to herd your children. The behavior can be dealt with through consistent monitoring and training.
Physical and mental stimulation – Sheeppoos don’t do well with being left alone. They need plenty of companionship, physical exercise, and mental stimulation to stay happy. Pent-up energy can lead to them becoming destructive around the house.
Adequate training – Breeds with high energy need to be trained not to engage in behaviors like jumping and pulling on the leash early on. They have strong and energetic personalities and need to be taught to stay calm when needed.
Are Sheepadoodles Good with Toddlers?
Sheeppoos have high energy, so you will have to monitor them around very young children to ensure no one gets hurt while playing. The breed’s parents can explain their energy levels; the Poodle is a retrieving dog while the Sheepdog is a shepherd; both breeds have high energy and like to be around humans.
As mentioned before, little children moving around can often trigger the herding instincts in a Sheeppoo. This can lead to the dog bumping into the children or nipping at their ankles in an effort to herd them. This behavior can be problematic for parents, but it is possible to train your puppy out of it.
Firmly teaching your dog the ‘No’ command and repeating it every time the herding behavior is practiced is the key. You can also distract your puppy with a toy or other activities whenever they try to herd and eventually remove the habit.
Suppose you are worried about herding behavior and cannot devote a lot of time to training or constantly supervising your dog. In that case, however, it is advisable to hold off until the children are a little older.
If this is your first time getting a dog, it is recommended that Sheeppoos go to families with kids aged around ten or older.
Are Sheepadoodles Aggressive?
Sheepadoodles are generally known to be among the calmest dog breeds. Both their parents are gentle and loving dogs that are meant to be companions to humans, and they typically inherit these traits. While their herding instincts can be a concern for parents, there is usually no need to worry about Sheepoos being aggressive by nature.
However, just like any other poorly-raised dog, your Sheepadoodle could present occasional signs of aggression due to extreme external factors. Here are a few potential causes:
- Neglect and/or abuse
- Negative reinforcement training
- Physical pain or illness
- New anxiety-triggering situations
- Lack of physical exercise
In order to prevent your Sheepadoodle from becoming aggressive, it is important that you understand the needs of the breed and give your dog lots of love, attention, and exercise. It is also important to adequately socialize your dog as a puppy.
This means exposing them to different people, animals, places, sounds, and smells while they are still young. Your new puppy needs to see different stimuli to acknowledge them as normal and non-threatening.
Sheepadoodles are smart dogs that can become your companion for the rest of their lives. However, it is important to be a responsible pet owner and ensure that you get the right dog for your family and your children. For this wonderful breed, adequate time and effort are needed.