There are many people out there who are obsessed with the idea of getting a dog but cannot deal with their shedding hair. It can be due to allergies or personal preferences. If you are fawning over Sheepadoodles but aren’t sure whether they shed, we have the answer.
On average, some Sheepadoodles shed, and some don’t. This is because this hybrid breed comes from a Poodle and an Old English Sheepdog. One of the parents doesn’t shed, and the other does. Therefore, the resulting offspring is less likely to shed if there are more Poodle genes in the generation.
Breeders are working hard to produce generations of Sheepadoodles that are less likely to shed. If shedding is a huge problem for you, here is a guide on which Sheepadoodle to buy.
Which Generation of Sheepadoodle Sheds the Least?
With any dog, the shedding tendencies depend on their genes. Poodles are very low shedders, while the Old English Sheepdog does shed. This means that Sheepadoodles technically have a 50% chance of shedding.
However, modern breeders have devised techniques that allow them to increase the Poodle gene while reducing the Sheepdog gene. This means that the higher the Poodle gene percentage, the less likely the Sheepadoodle is to shed.
Here are the generations of Sheepadoodles and their genetic makeup.
| Generation | Genetics | Shedding |
| F1 | 50% Poodle, 50% Old English Sheepdog | Unknown |
| F1B | 75% Poodle, 25% Old English Sheepdog | Low/None |
| F1BB | 87.5% Poodle, 12.5% Old English Sheepdog | Low/None |
| F2 | 50% Poodle, 50% Old English Sheepdog | Unknown |
| F2B | 62.5% Poodle, 37.5% Old English Sheepdog | Low |
| F2BB | 81.25% Poodle, 18.75% Old English Sheepdog | Virtually None |
| F3 | Multi-gen Sheepadoodle backcrossed with Poodle | Low/None |
It can be observed that Backcrossed generations – indicated by a ‘B’ in their title – are less likely to shed. This means that a Sheepadoodle is crossed with a purebred parent. In this case, this is the Poodle.
This, therefore, increases the Poodle gene, giving the Sheeppoo puppy a 62.5% or higher chance of low shedding. It can be said with almost certainty that a puppy with over 70% Poodle makeup will shed very little, or perhaps not at all!
Why Is My Sheepadoodle Shedding?
If your dog is a Backcrossed Sheepadoodle but is still shedding, there may be a few possible explanations. However, before you dive into these, it is important to understand that a small amount of shedding is normal.
Almost every dog sheds a little, though this hair becomes trapped in their curly coat. You should be concerned only if the following factors are true
- The shedding is sudden and excessive, and extremely out of character for your Sheepadoodle
- Your dog seems agitated by the shedding.
- The skin under the coat feels dry and patchy.
- The coat itself is visibly thinner in some areas.
- Your dog has been scratching excessively along with the increased shedding.
In such a case, it is advised to rule out the following potential causes:
Allergies
Have you recently changed your Sheepadoodle’s dog food brand? In the case of home-cooked food, you may have added a new ingredient. Dogs are often prone to allergies depending on their individual health.
You generally avoid food with grains since many dogs are allergic to wheat, corn, rice, and other grains. Some may also develop allergies to certain proteins. Dog allergies can also be triggered by something in the surroundings, like a new plant.
How to resolve:
- Examine recent changes and reverse them to see if the shedding reduces.
- Practice an elimination diet. Eliminate one component of the dog’s food at a time to see if the shedding reaction goes away.
- Opt for foods that use allergy-safe meats, like venison.
- Remove new plants from your dog’s surroundings.
External Rashes and Dryness
Because of dirt and the bacteria in it, Sheepadoodles can sometimes develop skin allergies. This is because dirt can get trapped in their dirty coat. In humid climates, a dirty coat can often lead to a rash on the skin. It can also take the form of hot spots or bald patches.
Shedding can sometimes also be due to dryness, which comes from overbathing.
How to resolve:
- Consult your vet with your dog’s symptoms and acquire the appropriate topical treatments.
- Regularly brush your Sheepadoodle, ideally every day, to get rid of the dirt they bring back in their fur after walks.
- Bathe your dog with an organic shampoo once every eight weeks. Less or more intervals between baths can be harmful.
- Try natural remedies like coconut oil to soothe and heal your dog’s skin.
Internal Infections and Bacteria
Your Sheepadoodle’s coat health is directly related to their stomach and gut health. If they develop parasites, one of the symptoms can be sudden and excessive shedding. Your dog may also have an irritable bowel due to something unhygienic they ate on a walk.
How to resolve:
- Always choose healthy food options for your dog.
- Regularly wash your dog’s bowls and bedding.
- Deworm your dog every 2-3 months, especially if they spend lots of time outdoors.
- Consult your vet about introducing supplements into your Sheepadoodle’s diet.
Here are a few additional tips to ensure your dog’s shedding stays at bay:
- Use quality tools to brush your dog. Invest in brushes and combs specifically meant for your Sheepadoodle’s coat type and length. This will ensure all the stray here comes out and that the skin is properly stimulated to promote healthy blood flow. We recommend a long-toothed comb or the renowned Defurminator. On Amazon
- Regularly check for matted hair. This is common in Sheepadoodles due to their thick and curly coat. Ignored matting can often lead to skin infections, which then lead to excessive shedding.
- If you change your dog’s diet, make sure you introduce the new food carefully. Ideally, you should first add 20% of the new food to the old food and then gradually increase the ratio over the course of 7-10 days. Sudden changes often become the reason for shedding.
While you should definitely resolve alarming shedding, you should also be prepared for some occasional natural shedding! Even low-shedding dogs like Sheepadoodles sometimes shed due to weather conditions.
Invest in dog hair rollers and a good vacuum cleaner (both on Amazon), to keep your home and your clothes clean.