If you’ve been looking for a dog for your growing family, you’ve probably noticed that there are an increasing number of breeders offering sheepadoodle puppies for sale. This energetic, fun-loving mixed breed of dog has exploded in popularity over the past few years, and they’ve quickly gained a reputation as a great dog for kids and families. But what should you know about sheepadoodles before you go all-in on buying a puppy for your kids? Here is a quick guide to everything you need to know about this wonderful breed of dog.
What is a Sheepadoodle?
Sheepadoodles are a designer mixed breed dog that’s a cross between a poodle and an Old English sheepdog. Much of their family-friendly nature and personality comes from the unique traits of these two breeds. Poodles are highly domesticated, easily trained, and have low aggression. In addition, they don’t shed very much, which means that sheepadoodles won’t require a huge amount of cleanup every time they jump on your couch. Old English sheepdogs, on the other hand, are highly intelligent and active. This means that sheepadoodles are able to keep up with highly active children while also being highly trainable and less prone to nipping and aggression.
How Healthy are Sheepadoodles?
With many dog breeds, such as pugs, dog lovers are worried that decades or centuries of inbreeding will have left them with a multitude of health issues. Fortunately, this isn’t the case with sheepadoodles. While some poodles and sheepdogs can have joint and breathing issues due to poor breeding practices, sheepadoodles tend to benefit from “hybrid vigor” - the tendency for crossbreeds of two different purebreds to have fewer health issues than the individual breeds. Some sheepadoodles will have some joint issues with age, but they will generally be less prone to debilitating issues than poodles or sheepdogs. Sheepadoodles have an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years - plenty of time for you and your kids to love your furry friend.
How Should Sheepadoodles be Cared For?
Sheepadoodles tend to do best when fed a diet of dry kibble - wet food tends to lead to them becoming overweight. They should be fed small portions 2 or 3 times a day, since as active dogs they tend to overeat if food is left out for them and burn energy quickly. While their poodle half mostly prevents them from shedding, they do need to be brushed once or twice a week to prevent their fur from becoming matted and dirty. You will also need to clean out their ears once a month or so - this will help prevent infection, which can lead to costly vet bills or even greater health issues if you don’t catch it early. Since they’re such active dogs, they will need to be walked a minimum of two times a day, and having a yard with a high fence will go a long way to keeping your sheepadoodle happy.
How are Sheepadoodles With Kids?
Many sheepadoodle enthusiasts boast of this breed’s excellence as a family dog with kids of all ages. While this can certainly be the case, there are a few things that you should keep in mind. Sheepadoodles are highly trainable, but especially young dogs less than 2 years old can be very enthusiastic. Since this breed grows so quickly, young toddlers can easily be knocked over or frightened by their playfulness and overenthusiasm. If you have very young kids, getting a sheepadoodle that’s a bit older and already trained would be a good call.
For older kids who are enthusiastic about taking care of and training their own dog, however, sheepadoodles are a great bet. Since they are easily trained, they’re a great starter dog for preteens or teens who want to be actively involved in their training. Their active nature and playfulness means that they won’t be annoyed by your kids’ enthusiasm for playing with them but enthusiastically join in, and taking them on walks is a great way to encourage reluctant kids to be more active.
Overall, sheepadoodles are a great dog for families, especially those with older kids. Their trainability and playful nature combine the best aspects of their breeds, and you’re sure to have years of fun with the newest member of your family if you choose to get a sheepadoodle.
