German Shepherd Poodle Mix, also known as Shepadoodle, is a cross between the two pure breeds: German Shepherd and Poodle (Standard/Toy/Teacup). The parent genes determine the characteristics of the German Shepherd Poodle Mix. However, the personality and temperament will not be an exact combination of both the pure breed parents. Sometimes, it can be a mix of both parents, or one parent gene can be dominant.
Agility, Conformation, Field Trials, Hunting Tests, Obedience, Rally
Complication in breeding
No
No
Litter Size
6 to 8 puppies
6 puppies
Lifespan
9 to 13 years
10 to 15 years
Other Names
Alsatian, Deutscher Schaeferhund
Pudel, Caniche
German ShepherdPoodle Mix History
German Shepherd Poodle Mix is a designer dog breed developed in the US Military Army during the 1960s. It has been gaining more popularity since 2007.
German ShepherdPoodle Mix Personality
German Shepherd Poodle Mix is a blend of courage, loyalty, and genius. They are protective and affectionate towards their owners. Their compatibility with children is also high. They are alert and guarded at the sight of strangers. These qualities attribute them as exceptional watchdogs.
The contrast in the sizes of the parents impacts the size and appearance of the interbred puppy. Your German Shepherd Poodle Mix can grow as tall as 22 to 24 inches and weigh anywhere around 50 to 125 Pounds. His eyes will either be black or brown. In addition, he will inherit a black nose and floppy ears.
Friendliness Overview
Affection level
Medium to High
Family-Friendly
High
Kid-Friendly
High
Pet-Friendly
Medium
Strangers-Friendly
Medium to High
Adaptability Overview
Good for New Pet Owners
Medium
Good for Apartment Living
Medium to High
Sensitivity Level
Medium to High
Tolerates being alone
Low
Cold Tolerance
Medium
Heat Tolerance
Medium
German ShepherdPoodle Mix Temperament
German Shepherd Poodle Mix cannot be left alone for long-duration since they tend to develop destructive behaviors when bored. They thrive on attention from their family. They are prone to separation anxiety and other negative psychological dispositions. They are one of the most affectionate hybrids who love to be around their families. As genes influence temperament, you can meet both parents to know more about your dog’s temperament.
German ShepherdPoodle Mix Exercise Needs
As the energy level of the German Shepherd Poodle Mix is high, they require more activities. Every day he has to exercise for at least an hour to maintain his energy level. He will accompany you on jogging, hiking and loves to play fetch. You can also give him chew toys and let him play indoors.
Exercise Needs Overview
Energy Level
Medium to High
Exercise Needs
Medium to High
Playfulness
High
Intensity
Medium to High
German ShepherdPoodle Mix Training
Early training is recommended for the German Shepherd Poodle Mix. They need adequate physical and mental stimulation from puppyhood to avoid undesired behaviors. These highly intelligent Shepadoodles are easy to train and respond well to positive reinforcement. Their eagerness to learn new commands and skills will make training sessions easier and fun. You can put them through agility training. With efficient training, German Shepherd Poodle Mix can become service dogs. The German Shepherd Poodle Mix needs socialization from 2 ½ weeks. Early socialization will help him distinguish between good and bad stimuli and other emotions.
Trainability Overview
Easy to Train
High
Intelligence
High
Prey Drive
Medium
Tendency to Chew, Nip & Play-bite
Medium to High
Tendency to Bark or Howl
Medium
Wanderlust Ability
Low to Medium
Attention/Social Needs
Medium to High
German ShepherdPoodle Mix Grooming
The grooming needs of German Shepherd Poodle Mix rely on the type of coat they inherit. The moderate-length coat will be wavy or curly depending on the dominant German Shepherd gene or Poodle gene, respectively. Due to these genetics, some German Shepherd Poodle Mix are hypoallergenic while some are not hypoallergenic. Dogs that are backcrossed with Poodles are most likely to get curly, hypoallergenic coats. Irrespective of the coat type, you need to brush your dog’s coat two to three times a week regularly.
The German Shepherd Poodle Mix has other grooming needs that include nail trimming, ear cleaning. You can bathe him using a dog shampoo containing neutral pH once or twice a month. Dental care is an essential aspect of grooming. Gradually introduce a toothbrush and brush his teeth regularly to avoid the risks of periodontal diseases in your pet.
Grooming Overview
Amount of Shedding
Medium
Tendency to Drool
Low
Tendency to Snore
Low
Easy to Groom
Medium
German ShepherdPoodle Mix Health
German Shepherd Poodle Mix is susceptible to health issues that are common to their parents. Therefore, regular health checkups are vital to identify and cure potential health conditions.
Health Overview
Basic Health
Medium
Weight Gain Possibilities
Medium
Size
Medium to Large
Elbow Dysplasia: Elbow dysplasia commonly affects large dog breeds. This hereditary condition is caused by the variations in the growth rates of the three elbow bones. Due to this, the joints will be loose, which can cause pain and lameness. Treatments range from pain control supplements to surgery.
Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is a distressing condition caused when the socket portion of the hip does not entirely fit the ball portion leading to joint dislocation. As it is hereditary, Hip dysplasia may occur at birth or in early life. When the affected dog ages, hip dysplasia can further develop into arthritis. Affected dogs can have discomfort and lameness on one or both rear legs. Treatment may range from medication to hip replacement through surgeries.
Osteoarthritis: As a result of aging, the dog experiences pain and finds difficulty using the affected joint. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disorder and badly affects the spine in German Shepherd mixes.
Degenerative Myelopathy: Shepadoodle inherits degenerative myelopathy from his German Shepherd parent. The spinal cord degenerates and leads to lame rear legs and incontinence, gradually ending in paralysis.
Eye conditions: Poodle breeds suffer from various eye disorders. Hence, it is recommended to have your Shepadoodle checked with an ophthalmologist if he inherited any diseases such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy.
Hyperadrenocorticism: Hyperadrenocorticism is caused by the excessive production of steroid hormones. As this condition develops gradually, there is a possibility of ignoring or not identifying the disease. If it worsens, it can result in adverse damage to the adrenal glands. Some of the common symptoms are excessive thirst, urination, and hunger.
Diabetes: Diabetes mellitus results in dogs that cannot metabolize blood sugar. Symptoms include increased thirst, hunger, urination, and weight loss. It can be treated using insulin injections and other medications.
Perianal Fistula: Perianal Fistula is very common in German Shepherd and German Shepherd Mixes. Dogs with this condition will have an infection in the perianal region. The infection might lead to foul-smelling discharges. Dogs will exhibit symptoms like straining to defecate, blood in the stool, loss of appetite, excessive licking near the rectal region, and behavioral changes. Promptly consult a vet if you notice any of these symptoms.
Hemophilia: Hemophilia can cause excessive bleeding and prolongs wound healing. Currently, there is no cure for this blood disorder, but it is manageable. Therefore, it is vital to identify this condition at an early age.
Tick and flea infestations: Poor grooming habits can infest ticks and fleas in your dog’s coat, causing skin irritations. Hence, it is crucial to groom your dog regularly.
German ShepherdPoodle Mix Diet and Nutrition
You can choose high-quality dog food or homemade food for your German Shepherd Poodle Mix. Diet plans differ based on each dog’s size and health conditions. You can contact a vet before planning a diet schedule to formulate according to his nutritional needs. For an adult German Shepherd Poodle Mix, you can feed 2 to 4 cups of food twice a day.
German ShepherdPoodle Mix Living Condition
German Shepherd Poodle Mix requires sufficient living space according to his size. He can use a backyard to play around and spend his energy. Due to his watchdog ability, he will alert any intrusion or potential danger by barking. So German Shepherd Poodle Mix may not be ideal for a strict neighborhood with noise restrictions. If you have children, dogs, or other pets at home, he can get along well with them under proper socialization.
Things To Remember Before Interbreeding
Interbreeding dogs with huge differences in size like German Shepherd and Poodle might not be safe. For example, breeding a female Poodle with a male German Shepherd may cause serious complications for the Poodle. Therefore, it is advisable only to breed male Poodles with female German Shepherds.
Adding a German ShepherdPoodle Mix to Your Family
Things to Remember Before Buying a German Shepherd Poodle Mix
The breeder should have performed all the necessary tests before breeding. You should ask for health clearance certificates. The puppy has to undergo genetic testing and vaccination. Buy only from responsible and reliable breeders. Avoid backyard breeders and puppy mills as they are profit-oriented and neglect the health and welfare of the parent breeds.
Cost of a German Shepherd Poodle Mix Puppy
A German Shepherd Poodle Mix puppy from a responsible breeder will cost an average of around $800 to $1000. Puppy Mills can sell at a low price, but the puppies may not be healthy.
