Training And Caring For Your Sheepadoodle: Tips And Advice
One of the best dog breed mixes for you to have and love is the friendly, gentle giant Sheepadoodle. Now you might be asking me, what is a Sheepadoodle?
A sheepadoodle is a mix between a poodle and an Old English sheepdog. There are two reasons why a sheepadoodle is so popular, firstly, they have a great personality, and secondly, these dogs are good looking.
Since both the parents of a sheepadoodle are quite intelligent and smart, with good temperament and nature, you won’t have to think twice before making a sheepadoodle a part of your family.
Now that you have decided to make a sheepadoodle a part of your family, it is important that you know how to take care of a sheepadoodle. To know more about it, you need to keep on scrolling through this article and keep on reading.
Training And Caring For Your Sheepadoodle: Tips And Advice
Before knowing more about taking care of a sheepadoodle, you need to know a few specifics about a sheepadoodle, so here they are.
Size | 13 – 28 inches tall |
Weight | 45 – 85 lb |
Lifespan | 12 – 15 years |
Coat | Straight or curly, medium length |
Color | Red and white, black and white, solid grey |
Temperament | Gentle, calm, friendly, and obedient |
Do They Shed | Medium to low shedding |
Intelligence | High Intelligence |
Socialization | Pet friendly, but needs training as a puppy |
People Skills | Very friendly and sociable |
Destructive Behavior | Will chew if lonely or bored |
Good With Children | Yes |
Activity Levels | They need exercise every day, very energetic |
Sheepadoodle Appearance
Since these dogs are mixed breed dogs, so there is absolutely no telling what the dog will look like. Only after they are born will you get to see how their appearance is and which of the parent they resemble more.
On the one hand, an Old English Sheepdog has extra soft and curly fur, so most definitely, a sheepadoodle will look like a Sheepdog. While on the other hand, the size of a sheepadoodle will definitely resemble a poodle.
The breed usually has low-hanging ears, small eyes, and a rather friendly smile. A sheepadoodle can either have a slightly domed face like a poodle or a square face like a sheepadoodle.
If we are going on the basis of their weight and height, there are three different categories, they are.
- Standard Size Sheepadoodle (65 – 85lb)
- Small Standard Sheepadoodle (under 65lb)
- Mini Sheepadoodle (under 55lb)
Sheepadoodle Temperament and Personality
In general, a Sheepadoodle has a very friendly, obedient, and kind temperament, but in the cases of mixed breed dogs like a sheepadoodle, it’s a guessing game.
In the case of sheepadoodles, it is quite impossible to predict the temperament of the dog ahead of time. But it is for sure that your dog is going to be very sweet-tempered since both parents are like this.
A sheepadoodle is usually a very playful dog with a friendly nature. But you shouldn’t leave a sheepadoodle alone for too long as they don’t like being separated from their owner as much.
And also, if your sheepadoodle is left alone at home, then it will start chewing and biting stuff. This is why you should start training your dog at an early age, ever since they are small sheepadoodle puppies.
Caring For A Sheepadoodle
Keeping a dog of this breed is a huge commitment, you need to be sure that you can handle it. A sheepadoodle needs a lot of attention and love from the owners, and they are well suited for an active family that gives them attention and time.
Inherently a sheepadoodle usually has high energy, which is why they need a lot of exercise to stay fit and active. For that, you need to take them for walks twice a day for about 90 minutes each.
And if you are an active person as well, then you can go for a jog or run with your dog as well. Since they are great with other dogs and kids, they are great at dog parks and playgrounds.
Feeding & Diet
It is important to give your Sheepadoodle a properly balanced diet with high-quality food. With high protein content, food adds amino acids, which is very important. This is important to keep the coat of your dog’s fur quite shiny and healthy.
When you are bringing your Sheepadoodle puppy home for the first time, it is better to stick to the food your breeder or your vet gave, or else they might suffer from stomach problems. A puppy should be fed at least 3-4 times a day to stay healthy and grow in weight and height.
The appropriate weight of a puppy sheepadoodle should be about 40-50lb in weight, and an adult-sized sheepadoodle should be about 60lb in weight.
When you are choosing a food diet for your dog, it should be totally upto you, but you can easily consult a vet or an experienced dog owner for help and guidance. But since sheepadoodles are prone to health diseases like gastric torsion, deciding on a proper diet is the best way to go.
How To Train A Sheepadoodle?
Since both parents of a sheepadoodle, a poodle, and a sheepdog are working dogs, they are quite easy to train. So you would know that a sheepdog is easily trained as well and are very interactive towards other people and animals.
But it is important to train your doggo with all the positive reinforcement possible by you. Or else they might become problematic and cause a disturbance. It is important that working dogs, as such, should know how to follow the commands given by you.
Sheepadoodle Lifespan and Common Health Issues
Sheepadoodles, a hybrid breed created by crossing a Standard or Miniature Poodle with a Sheepdog, are generally healthy dogs with a long lifespan.
Lifespan:
Sheepadoodles typically live between 12-15 years. But there are some factors affecting lifespan. This includes proper care, nutrition, and genetics that can influence a Sheepadoodle’s lifespan.
Common Health Issues
While Sheepadoodles are generally healthy, they can be prone to certain health issues inherited from their parent breeds. Some common problems include:
- Hip dysplasia: This is a hereditary condition that affects the hip joints. It can cause pain, lameness, and arthritis.
- Eye problems: Sheepadoodles can be prone to eye problems such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and cataracts.
- Ear infections: Due to their floppy ears, Sheepadoodles can be prone to ear infections. Regular ear cleaning and inspections can help prevent these issues.
- Allergic skin conditions: Some Sheepadoodles may develop allergic skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis or food allergies.
- Bloat: This condition occurs when the stomach twists and becomes distended. It can be a medical emergency and requires prompt veterinary attention.
⁕⁕ Note: While these are common health issues, not all Sheepadoodles will develop them. Regular veterinary check-ups and preventative care can help identify and address potential health problems early on.⁕⁕
Wrapping Up!
Know that you are well aware of how to train and take care of a sheepadoodle, you are now prepared to take care of one if you decide to get one. So if you feel confident enough to own a sheepadoodle, then you should definitely get one for yourself. If you liked this article, then give it a well-deserved like and comment down below.
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