Sheepadoodle vs Bernedoodle: 5 Key Differences

With how many poodle mixes there are out there nowadays, you may be wondering what the differences are between a sheepadoodle vs bernedoodle. These two poodle hybrids differ from one another in a number of ways, but what might some of those ways be, and how can you learn how to tell these two distinct dog breeds apart?

In this article, we will compare and contrast the bernedoodle and the sheepadoodle so that you can gain a full comprehensive background of both dog breeds. We will go over their appearances as well as their behaviors in case you are interested in adopting either of these two fantastic poodle mixes. Let’s get started and learn all about these dogs now! 

Comparing Sheepadoodle vs Bernedoodle

Key Differences Between Sheepadoodle vs Bernedoodle

There are many key differences between the sheepadoodle and a bernedoodle. While both of these breeds are crossed with all three different sizes of poodle, the bernedoodle grows larger and taller compared to the average sheepadoodle. Additionally, the sheepadoodle was bred before the bernedoodle was. Finally, the bernedoodle is a better dog for families compared to the herding nature of the sheepadoodle. 

Let’s discuss all of these differences in more detail now. 

Sheepadoodle vs Bernedoodle: Size

Something interesting to note about both the bernedoodle and a sheepadoodle is that they come in a variety of sizes. Given the fact that both of these dogs are cross breeds with poodles, it makes sense that they are available in toy, miniature, and standard sizes. However, the bernedoodle is found in these three sizes more frequently than the sheepadoodle. Let’s talk more about what this means now.

You can find toy or miniature sheepadoodles, but they are far more rare than small bernedoodles. This leads to a wide range of sizes for the bernedoodle, but not so much for the sheepadoodle. Looking closer at the figures, the sheepadoodle ranges from 45 to 80 pounds, while the bernedoodle ranges from 10 pounds all the way to 90 pounds. You no doubt see that this is a huge difference between the two breeds, though it does depend on the size of the poodle that they have been crossbred with. 

Sheepadoodle vs Bernedoodle: Appearance

It can be fairly difficult to tell the difference between a bernedoodle and a sheepadoodle just by looking at them. Given the fact that they are both crossed with poodles, they share a distinct wavy or curly coat, found in a variety of colors. However, the sheepadoodle only comes in black, white, and sometimes gray, while the bernedoodle is found in a few more colors overall. 

Otherwise, the appearances of these two dogs can either be very different or very similar to one another, depending on how much poodle DNA is in their genes. These dogs either look like poodles, or they look like their other dog parent, either the Old English Sheepdog or the Bernese Mountain Dog, respectively. 

Sheepadoodle vs Bernedoodle: Ancestry and Breeding

You no doubt already know the primary difference between the sheepadoodle and the bernedoodle in terms of their breeding and ancestry. For example, the bernedoodle is a cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and a poodle, while the sheepadoodle is a cross between an Old English Sheepdog and a poodle. 

However, you may not know that the sheepadoodle is an older breed of dog compared to a bernedoodle. While both of these breeds were bred for companionship, the sheepadoodle was bred during the 1960s, while the bernedoodle was bred in the early 2000s. Additionally, the Bernese Mountain Dog does not live a particularly long life, which is part of the reason why the bernedoodle was created in the first place. 

Sheepadoodle vs Bernedoodle: Behavior

There are some key behavioral differences between the sheepadoodle in the bernedoodle. Given the fact that they are both crossed with poodles, they are highly intelligent and eager to please, though the sheepadoodle requires a bit more exercise compared to the average bernedoodle.

Additionally, the bernedoodle is much more patient around children and young family members compared to the sheepadoodle’s herding dog background. The sheepadoodle is notorious for attempting to herd young children or other pets, so this is something to keep in mind while training either of these two dog breeds. 

Sheepadoodle vs Bernedoodle: Lifespan

The final difference between a bernedoodle and the sheepadoodle has to do with their lifespans. Depending on the size of the bernedoodle, it tends to live a slightly longer life compared to the average sheepadoodle. For example, the sheepadoodle lives anywhere from 12 to 14 years on average, while the bernedoodle lives anywhere from 13 to 16 years, especially if you have a smaller bernedoodle compared to a standard sized one.

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