Sheepadoodles are non shedders and hypoallergenic, inheriting the genes from Poodles. However, if Old English Sheepdog’s gene is dominant, Sheepadoodles can shed heavily. Shedding varies from one dog to the other based on gene play and various other factors. Thus, we have a pet who is the best of both breeds by cross-breeding.
Sheepadoodle, also known as Sheepadoo, Sheepoodle, or Sheepapoo, is a designer dog of the Doodle family. These dogs are a cross of an Old English Sheepdog and a Standard Poodle (Also Mini or Toy Poodle). Sheepadoodles can look different from their parent breeds, but most are colored black-white with black circles around their eyes. They can also come in white, gray, and brindle colors and are blessed with an excellent thick coat.
Though Sheepadoodles are highly hypoallergenic, they demand high maintenance owing to their thick coat. They need regular grooming to keep the hair in good condition. Brush their coat regularly for their skin health and shiny appearance. Before we get straight into the idea, let’s know the breed better!
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Sheepadoodle Basic Information
Name: Sheepadoodle
Height: 13 – 28 inches
Weight: 45 – 80 pounds
Coat: Straight to curly
Color: White, gray, white and gray, cream, red, tricolored (brown, black, and white), merle, and brindle
Energy: High
Activities: Herding, hiking, babysitting, running, and guarding.
Group: Mixed
Barking Level: Medium
Shedding Level: Medium
Hypoallergenic: Yes
Litter Size: Up to 9 puppies
Life Span: 12-15 years
Other names: Sheepadoo, Sheepoodle, and Sheepapoo
Breed recognition: International Designer Canine, Dog Registry of America Inc., and American Canine Hybrid Club.
Sheepadoodle Appearance and Grooming
Sheepadoodles come in different coat types. Their coats vary from straight to curly to wavy. If Poodle genes are dominant, it is curly. Sheepadoodles with curly coats tend to shed very minimally, making them an excellent choice for people looking for low-shedding breeds. However, the curly coat is harder to maintain as it is prone to matting and requires daily maintenance.
The wavy coat combines Sheepdog’s shaggy coat and Poodle’s curly coat. As a result, Sheepadoodles’ wavy coats bear an undercoat that may have some shedding. However, unlike curly coats, wavy coats are easy to maintain. They don’t shed much and are not prone to matting. You can groom your pet’s coat with the aid of these products:
Sheepadoodles stand 13 to 28 inches tall and weigh 45 to 80 pounds. They live up to 12 years on average. They have round eyes and black noses with ears that are triangular and floppy. They are squarely built with a bushy tail and legs that are straight and long.
Sheepadoodle Temperament
Sheepadoodles are friendly, social, and energetic canines. They make excellent guard dogs that bark to alert. They generally do not bite or attack. They would love to be cuddled and are people-oriented. Sheepadoodles are exceptionally playful. They love to be with kids and can play for hours, making excellent babysitters.
Like any canine, they should be monitored while they are around children. Sheepapoo may also inherit Sheepdog’s herding instinct and chase small dogs and children. In addition, some Sheepapoos nip and bite furniture and other stuff as pups. You can provide him with chew toys and get rid of this behavior.
Sheepadoodles are highly active dogs that make good companions for hiking, running, camping, and any athletic activity. They are highly trainable and intelligent dogs. They make great dogs for novice dog owners as they are friendly and calm when appropriately socialized. They can be stubborn and independent like Sheepdogs. However, they do well with positive reinforcements and will learn any new skill taught to them.
Some factors can affect your Sheepadoodle’s shedding. One among them that is primary and foremost is the generation of Sheepadoodles. So let us know how the generations of your Sheepadoodle affect the amount of shedding.
F1 Sheepadoodles
First generation of Sheepadoodles was created by breeding a purebred Sheepdog with a purebred Poodle. This infers that your dog is 50% Sheepdog and 50% Poodle. Hence there is a 50-50 probability that he will inherit either a shedding coat like a Sheepdog parent or a Poodle parent with no shed coat.
F1b Sheepadoodles
F1b Sheepadoodles are the mixture of an F1 Sheepadoodle with a purebred Poodle. This dog’s combination shed even less than an F1 Sheepadoodle because they are 25% Sheepdog and 75% Poodle. This is the well-known generation of Sheepadoodle because it sheds minimally without letting go of too much of the Sheepdog’s physical traits.
F1bb Sheepadoodles
F1bb is bred by crossing an F1b Sheepadoodle and a purebred Poodle. This breed contains 87.5% Poodle and 12.5% Sheepdog. This generation of Sheepadoodle is the least likely to shed.
F2 Sheepadoodles
F2 Sheepadoodles are a blend of two F1 Sheepadoodles. This results in a combination like the F1 generation, 50% of Sheepdog, and 50% of Poodle. So they can either go with a Sheepdog’s or Poodle’s coat.
F2b Sheepadoodles
F2b Sheepadoodles are also called Multigenerational Sheepadoodles. This is because they result from mixing an F1 Sheepadoodle with an F1b Sheepadoodle. They contain 37.5% of Sheepdog and 62.5% of Poodle. Hence these dogs are less likely to shed because of their higher percentage of Poodles.
F2bb Sheepadoodles
F2bb is bred by crossing an F2b Sheepdog with a purebred Poodle. This breed contains 81.25% of Poodle and 18.75% of Sheepdog. They are visibly non-shedders.
F3 Sheepadoodles
They are a blend of multigeneration Sheepadoodle backcrossed with a Poodle, thus resulting in low or no shedding. It is observed that the backcrossed generations – “B” in their title are low shedding generation dogs.
Factors Affecting Sheepadoodle’s Shedding
Firstly it is essential to remember that shedding is expected even among humans. However, excessive shedding is a point that you should consider. Although the main factor for your Sheepadoodles to shed is their genetics and coat variety, there can be other factors that may cause your Sheepadoodles to shed.
Allergies: Food
If you have changed your Sheepadoodle’s dog food or any new ingredient in the case of homemade food, then your dogs may be susceptible to allergies depending on what suits them. For example, some dogs may be allergic to corn, wheat, rice, and grains. Some may also develop allergies to some proteins. Also, there can be other allergies like pollen or new plants. Your Sheepadoodle’s coat health is also related to its gut health. If your canines develop parasites, they may suffer from sudden and excessive hair loss. This can cause an irritable bowel if they have eaten any unclean food.
Skin
Skin allergies, dryness due to overbathing, or rashes can also cause excessive hair loss and shedding. In addition, some medical conditions can also cause Sheepadoodles to shed.
Pro Tip
You can buy shampoos, coconut oils, and sprays for your Sheepapoos to eliminate skin rashes and allergies.
Ticks, parasites, and fleas can cause hair loss in Sheepadoodles. If some bugs catch your puppy, it will also lead to constant itching and scratching, resulting in skin infection, sores, excessive hair loss, and patches. Even bacteria and dirt that sit on your dog’s coat can cause hair loss. It may affect the skin resulting in hot spots or patches.
Pro Tip
Try these products to groom your pet and keep them away from fleas, insects, parasites, and other microorganisms:
Puppies bear a lighter coat than adult dogs. While your Sheepadoodles get older, you can notice the puppy coat withering out as the adult coat develops. This is standard for all dogs. It doesn’t indicate that your dog will live long. It is just a part of the different stages of dogs. The puppy coat will grow fully by the age of two years.
Poor Diet and Nutrition
One of the vital factors that cause shedding in Sheepadoodles is improper nutrition. If your dog is not getting the essential nutrients from his food, it can result in excessive hair loss.
Pro Tip
Feed your Sheepapoo with food rich in protein, vitamins, chondroitin, omega 3 and 6, glucosamine, salmon, venison, and minerals, which ensure healthy skin for your Sheepapoo.
Keep your Sheepapoo hydrated by providing him with fresh water frequently. This can prevent her from dry skin.
Stress and Anxiety
Finally, stress and anxiety can result in excessive shedding in Sheepadoodles. For example, pet parents might have noticed their dog scratching and licking unusually. This may lead to the shedding of their hair in those spots. Just like us, dogs may also experience anxiety for several reasons. For example,
If they don’t get physically and mentally stimulated
Feel bored due to lack of activities
Left unattended
Changes in routines
A new family or environment
Pro Tip
Keep your Sheepapoo engaged with activities and toys to avoid stress. You can train them:
Dog fur all over the home can drive you crazy. If your Sheepapoos shed and, in addition, you have kids at home, it’s suggested you have these products around you to keep your surroundings clean.
These tips may be helpful for pet owners to avoid shedding in Sheepadoodles.
Inspect the recent changes and try to return to the old routine to check if the shedding has reduced.
Eliminate an ingredient from your dog’s diet to see if the shedding goes away.
Remove new saplings from your dog’s area.
Always choose a healthy and nourishing option for your canines.
Wash their food plate or bowls and change their bedding.
Deworm your canine regularly, especially if they spend hours outside.
Please consult your vet about adding supplements to their diet.
Consult your vet regarding the infection and acquire suitable treatment.
Regularly brush your Sheepadoodles to remove dirt when they come after a walk.
Bathe your Sheepadoodle with an organic shampoo two months once and maintain the routine since more or fewer intervals can cause harm to your dog’s coat.
You can also try applying coconut oil to maintain your Sheepadoodle’s skin.
Your Sheepadoodles need to be brushed at least thrice a week. This can help remove the dead and loose hair from the coat. Brushing also distributes a dog’s natural oil making it strong, shiny, and healthy.
Trimming is another essential way to reduce shedding, as trimming the coat short makes brushing more manageable. Also, if your Sheepadoodle takes the Poodle’s gene, it is less likely to shed.
Making their hair grow causes matting, which can also cause shedding. Hence trimming your dog’s hair can promote hair health and stop shedding.
Balanced diet and nutrition are vital in maintaining your Sheepadoodle’s coat health. An unbalanced and unhealthy diet can lead to excessive shedding. However, check for the ingredients if they are not allergic to your dog. To enhance their coat’s health, pet parents should look for dog foods rich in fats like salmon, omega – 3 fatty acids, and omega – 6 fatty acids.
Reducing stress and anxiety can help your dog by not licking often. Consult your veterinarian to reduce anxiety in your Sheepadoodles. Please spend time with your pets and keep them mentally and physically stimulated.
Final Thoughts
Amalgamating all the points, you must have a clear picture of Sheepadoodle’s shedding. If you still face issues after trying out the solutions to shedding, it is always better to consult your veterinarian and get your Sheepapoos treated.
