Sheepadoodle

Quick Take

• The Sheepadoodle wasn't bred by a pet enthusiast or a designer dog craze, and its true origin story is something most owners never expect. Discover the military origins →
• Their reputation as the perfect hypoallergenic family dog comes with a catch that breeders rarely advertise upfront. See the hypoallergenic catch →
• That gentle, lovable temperament can flip into a destructive nightmare under one very common household condition. See the separation anxiety risk →
• Sheepadoodles are marketed as great kids' dogs, though that advice can backfire depending on the specific age of the child. Read the toddler caution →

The Old English Sheepdog and the Poodle were hybridized to create the Sheepadoodle. Also known as Sheep-a-poo, Sheepdoodle, Sheepdogpoo, and Sheeppoo, this breed was designed to be a good pet for allergy sufferers, since the Poodle’s low-shedding coat is often marketed as hypoallergenic, though no dog breed has been scientifically proven to be truly hypoallergenic. Sheepadoodle breeders may breed an Old English Sheepdog with either a standard, miniature, or toy poodle, so the size of a Sheepadoodle can vary quite a bit. A standard Poodle is most commonly used, though, so most Sheepadoodles weigh between 60 and 80 pounds.

Most Sheepadoodles are black, white, or black and white. Some may have rare gray-colored fur or a patch of color around their eyes. Sheepadoodles can make a wonderful addition to many families. They are very loving, playful, and even-tempered. Sheepadoodles don’t like being left alone, so this breed is ideal for homes where someone will be with the dog most of the day.

3 Pros And Cons Of Owning A Sheepadoodle

History Of The Breed

Unlike most mixed breeds that were created as part of the designer dog craze, the sheepadoodle was actually a creation of the U.S. Army. It originated in the 1960s as an experimental military dog and was intended to be a guard dog due to its loyalty, intelligence, bravery, and intuitive nature. Because they were extremely playful and carefree, they were retired fairly quickly and became popular pets for that same reason. They began to gain significant popularity as a designer breed around 2017.

Size And Weight

Sheepadoodles are a large breed of dog. Males are generally between 18 and 27 inches tall and weigh between 50 and 80 pounds. Females are typically between 13 and 24 inches tall and weigh between 45 and 65 pounds. These numbers are large ranges because the exact size of each Sheepadoodle can vary quite a bit depending on the mix of genes they inherit from their Old English Sheepdog and Poodle parents. Micro Mini Sheepadoodles, with a Toy Poodle parent, can be even smaller. These dogs can weigh less than 20 pounds.

Common Health Issues

Before bringing home a Sheepadoodle, take a few minutes to learn about some of the potential health problems this breed may face. Not every Sheepdogpoo will develop all, or even any, of these problems, but knowing what to look for can help you decide if you need to seek medical attention for your pup.

Hip dysplasia is one potential problem to look out for. Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip’s ball-and-socket joint doesn’t form properly, leading to abnormal development of the femoral head and the acetabulum and causing the joint to become loose and unstable. This problem is more prevalent in large-breed dogs, like the Sheepadoodle, and may require surgery.

Since cataracts are a big problem for Poodles, a Sheepadoodle may also develop them. Cataracts can impact a dog’s vision and may cause them to start bumping into things as they walk. Your veterinarian should be able to treat cataracts with surgery.

A third potential concern is Addison’s disease. Dogs with this disease don’t produce enough cortisol and aldosterone, which can lead to lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, or excessive drinking or urinating. If your dog develops these symptoms, bring them to the vet, who may be able to prescribe replacement hormones to remedy the situation.

Temperament And Behavior

Sheepadoodles have a great personality. This breed is very affectionate and intelligent. They can be very playful and active at times, but also enjoy spending time cuddling with their family on the couch. A Sheepdoodle’s personality traits make it an excellent dog for families with children. However, since half of their genes come from the Old English Sheepdog, which is a herding dog, they may nip at the heels of toddlers and young children and try to ‘herd’ them. You can generally train them not to do this, however, so you may want to wait to get a Sheepadoodle until your children are a little older.

Sheepadoodles were bred to be companion dogs. They love spending time with the people in their family, but don’t tolerate being left alone too well. If a Sheepdogpoo is left alone for too long, it can develop separation anxiety. This can lead to destructive or other undesirable behaviors, such as barking.

How To Take Care Of A Sheepadoodle

When preparing to care for a Sheepadoodle, keep the breed’s temperament, potential health concerns, nutritional needs, activity needs, and other characteristics in mind. This will allow you to offer your Sheepadoodle the best care possible and keep them happy and healthy.

The Best Dog Food

For a Sheepadoodle, look for a high-quality dog food formulated for large breeds. The ideal amount of food can vary based on a Sheepadoodle’s size, activity level, age, metabolism, health concerns, and more. Most adult Sheeppoos generally eat between 3 and 4 cups of food each day. Split the total recommended amount of food for your dog into two or three servings to prevent your pup from overeating. Leaving food out all day for free feeding is not recommended for this breed.

Sheepadoodle puppies should be fed high-quality puppy kibble. They are prone to obesity, and puppies have a smaller stomach, so you will need to feed your dog smaller, more frequent meals each day. This will allow them to fully digest their food and won’t stretch out their stomach. Puppies under six months old should be fed four meals each day. Once your Sheepadoodle is six months old, you can switch to two or three meals a day.

Maintenance And Grooming

A Sheepadoodle’s coat type and color can vary based on the genes it inherits from its Poodle and Old English Sheepdog parents. Most have a long coat that might be curly, wavy, or flat. Most Sheepadoodles shed minimally or not at all. However, just because they don’t shed doesn’t mean you don’t need to brush a Sheep-a-poo. You should brush your dog’s coat between two and three times each week. This will prevent it from getting matted, remove dirt and debris, and keep it looking its best. Sheepadoodles often require professional grooming for their longer and curlier coats. Most will need to have their coats trimmed by a groomer or their owner at least every two to three months.

Your Sheepadoodle will also need to have its nails trimmed regularly to keep them from getting too long. When the nails are too long, it can become painful for your dog to walk. You should also check your Sheepadoodle’s ears regularly and remove any dirt or debris. Use an ear-cleaning solution for dogs to keep their ears clean and prevent too much wax from building up. This can lessen the chances that your dog will develop an ear infection. Finally, don’t forget to brush your Sheepadoodle’s teeth. This should be done a few times each week. Without proper brushing, plaque and tartar can build up and eventually may lead to dental disease and further health problems.

Training

In general, training a Sheepadoodle should be pretty simple. This breed is highly intelligent and obedient. They also aim to please their owners, so they should be able to learn and respond to commands relatively quickly. It is important, however, to begin the training process from an early age. This will help your pet learn commands more effectively. They’ll also be smaller and easier to control while still a puppy.

In addition to training your Sheepadoodle, socializing them from an early age is also important. Introduce your Sheepadoodle to other dogs and people. Bring them with you to a variety of places. This will help your dog learn how to interact with different people and animals, as well as how to act in different situations. You may want to wait until your dog is fully vaccinated to introduce them to other dogs or bring them to too many places with you, though.

Exercise

Sheepadoodles are a high-energy breed. Your pet will require daily exercise to expend their energy and maintain a healthy weight. Adult Sheepadoodles will need at least 60 minutes of exercise each day. Too much exercise isn’t good for a puppy’s development, so try to stay within five minutes of exercise for each month of age. This means three-month-old puppies should only get about 15 minutes of exercise.

Puppies

While Sheepadoodles are relatively easy to train, it is recommended to start training your puppy as soon as you bring it home. Training your dog while it is still a puppy will help it learn the necessary behaviors and expectations before it gets too big to control. In addition to early training, you should also begin socializing your dog and introducing it to different people, pets, and situations from a young age.

Before you bring your new Sheep-a-poo puppy home for the first time, make sure your home is ready. Purchase the food, crate, bed, and other supplies your pup will need. You will also want to make sure that your home is puppy-proofed and remove anything that you don’t want damaged by the puppy, as well as any potentially dangerous items.

Sheepadoodles And Children

If you’re looking for a breed that will make a great companion for a child, Sheepadoodles are an excellent choice to consider. They are very loving, affectionate, and tolerant with children. Sheepadoodles can also make a great playmate for a child. They enjoy playing around and can be quite silly. Some Sheepadoodles may inherit the herding instinct from the Old English Sheepdog parent, which may make them try to herd smaller children or nip at their heels. If you have a baby or a toddler, you may want to wait until your child is a bit older to try to avoid this potential issue.

Dogs Similar To a Sheepadoodle

Old English Sheepdogs, Poodles, and Bearded Collies are three breeds that are similar to the Sheepadoodle.

• Old English Sheepdog: The Old English Sheepdog makes up half of the Sheepadoodle’s genes. Both breeds are very friendly and good with kids. Old English Sheepdogs are heavier shedders and more likely to bark than Sheepadoodles.
• Poodle: The Poodle makes up the other half of a Sheepadoodle’s genes. Both breeds are intelligent and easy to train. Some Sheepadoodles are larger than Poodles. Sheepadoodles can weigh 80 pounds or more compared to the 70-pound max for a male standard Poodle.
• Bearded Collie: Bearded Collies and Sheepadoodles are both very loving and intelligent dogs that make great family dogs. Bearded Collies are smaller than Sheepadoodles. They generally weigh between 50 and 60 pounds compared to the typical 60 to 80 pounds a Sheepadoodle may weigh.

Famous Sheepadoodles

Sheepadoodles are a fantastic dog breed, and there are even a few famous ones.

• Bilbo is the Sheepadoodle who was adopted by Meryl Davis, an Olympic gold medal winner.
• Otis is a Sheepadoodle with approximately 172,000 followers on Instagram as of 2026. His owners post updates showcasing Otis’s personality and the antics he gets into.
• Zammy the Sheepdogpoo is another Instagram sensation. He is a 106-pound children’s hospital therapy dog who has also been featured on BuzzFeed, UNILAD, The Dodo, and 9gag.