DesignerUSA

Sheepadoodle

The panda bear of dogs.

Weight: 50–80+ lbs
Height: 13–28 in
Lifespan: 12–15 yrs

In short

The Sheepadoodle is a designer cross between the Old English Sheepdog and the Standard Poodle, bred in the US as a family companion, weighing about 50–80+ lbs in the standard size and living 12–15 years. Plan for real daily exercise and professional grooming every 6–8 weeks, because the coat mats fast.

Is it right for you?

A great match if you…

want a big, playful, low-shedding family dog
can budget for grooming every 6–8 weeks
have time for long daily walks and play

Think twice if you…

live in a small apartment with a Standard
can't keep up with brushing
work long hours away from home

The daily plan

Exercise: 90–120 min
Training: 3–5 × 5–10 min
Treat limit: 120–165 kcal

At a glance

TrainabilityQuick study9.0/10

EnergyAthlete8.0/10

Calm at homeCalm indoors8.5/10

SheddingLight shedder1.5/10

What sets it apart

01
Fleecy, low-shedding coat
Coats range from wavy to curly and mat quickly, especially behind the ears and under the legs.
02
Herding instinct
Some nudge, circle or nip at running kids, so redirect it early.
03
Size varies
Standards are big dogs; mini versions from Miniature Poodle crosses are much smaller, so ask the breeder about the parents.

Size & coat

Specification	Male	Female
Weight	60–80+ lbs	50–70 lbs
Height	22–28 in	20–25 in
Lifespan	12–15 yrs
Coat	Wavy to curly fleece, often black and white

Side profile 13–28 in at the shoulder

Back in stock soon

Personality

Sheepadoodles are goofy, sociable and often clownish into adulthood. They want to be with their people and can be bouncy and mouthy as youngsters. Expect a big, playful dog, not a lapdog.

With kids

Usually great with kids, though their size and herding nudges need supervision with toddlers.

With other pets

Usually friendly with dogs and cats, especially when raised together.

With strangers

Friendly to mildly watchful; most will bark at the door.

Alone time

Prefer company and can become anxious or destructive with long hours alone.

Training

Sheepadoodles are bright and eager, drawing on two trainable parent breeds. They respond best to fun, positive training with plenty of variety.

How often

3–5 short sessions a day of 5–10 minutes each.
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)

Between 8 and 16 weeks, focus on grooming handling (brushing, dryers, clippers, feet) plus people and other dogs.
Self-control

Teach polite greetings with four paws on the floor and redirect herding nudges into a toy or a sit.
What it works for

Food, praise and play all work. Use small, high-value pieces and keep treats within 10% of daily calories, and use fetch or tug as a reward for good behavior.

Exercise

They need a mix of walking, running play and brain work. Many love fetch and swimming.

Exercise a day 90–120 min

CouchModerateAthlete

Good outlets

Long walks or hikes
Fetch in a fenced area
Swimming

Brain work

Trick training
Puzzle feeders
Herding instinct tests or agility

Best home

A house with a yard is best for Standards; the thick coat struggles in heat.

Watch for Protect growth plates in large puppies by avoiding long runs and repetitive jumping until fully grown.

Feeding

Adult maintenance for a typical Sheepadoodle (50–80+ lbs) lands around 1,175–1,650 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.

Puppy (to 12 mo)

Daily calories: 1,450–2,075 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 16–20%
Treat limit, all treats: 145–210 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 7–10 pieces a day

Adult Maintenance

Daily calories: 1,175–1,650 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 14–18%
Treat limit, all treats: 120–165 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 6–8 pieces a day

Active / Working

Daily calories: 1,600–2,275 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 18–22%
Treat limit, all treats: 160–230 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 8–11 pieces a day

Senior

Daily calories: 1,025–1,450 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 12–16%
Treat limit, all treats: 105–145 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 5–7 pieces a day

Compare every life stage

Life stage	Daily calories	Protein	Fat	Treat limit (all treats)	Saylor's liver, suggested / day
Puppy (to 12 mo)	1,450–2,075 kcal	26–30%	16–20%	145–210 kcal	7–10 pieces
Adult Maintenance	1,175–1,650 kcal	24–28%	14–18%	120–165 kcal	6–8 pieces
Active / Working	1,600–2,275 kcal	26–30%	18–22%	160–230 kcal	8–11 pieces
Senior	1,025–1,450 kcal	24–28%	12–16%	105–145 kcal	5–7 pieces

The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.

Health & grooming

Sheepadoodles can inherit hip and elbow dysplasia, eye disease, MDR1 drug sensitivity from the Old English Sheepdog side, and Addison's disease and sebaceous adenitis from the Poodle side. Choose a breeder who health-tests both parents.

Watch for	Ask the breeder or vet for	When
Hip and elbow dysplasia	OFA or PennHIP hip and OFA elbow evaluations	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Inherited eye disease	CAER eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist	Yearly in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
MDR1 drug sensitivity	MDR1 DNA test	Once, in parents (ask the breeder)
Hypothyroidism	OFA thyroid panel	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Exercise-induced collapse (EIC)	DNA test (results registered with the OFA)	Once (a DNA result does not change)

Health tests to ask for

The Sheepadoodle has no CHIC program of its own, so ask for the tests the OFA requires for each parent breed.

Old English Sheepdog parent

Hip evaluation
Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
Thyroid panel
EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
Multiple Drug Sensitivity

Full Old English Sheepdog list on OFA.org

Poodle (Standard) parent

Hip evaluation
Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
One elective test from the breed club list

Full Poodle list on OFA.org

Grooming Low, but mats without brushing several times a week

Brush down to the skin several times a week with a slicker and comb. Book professional grooming every 6–8 weeks. Trim nails every 2–3 weeks, keep ears clean and dry and brush teeth several times a week.

History

1700s–1800s

Poodle roots

The Standard Poodle was a German and French water retriever before becoming a companion.
1800s

Sheepdog roots

The Old English Sheepdog was a drover's dog in England, used to move livestock to market.
2000s–today

Designer cross

US breeders began crossing the two for a large, low-shedding family dog, and the Sheepadoodle grew popular in the 2010s.

Questions owners ask

Are Sheepadoodles easy to train?

Usually. They are smart and eager to please, but young dogs can be bouncy and mouthy, so start early and stay consistent.

Are Sheepadoodles good with kids and other pets?

Usually. Most are friendly with kids and pets, but their size and herding instinct need supervision with toddlers.

How much exercise does a Sheepadoodle need?

Plan on 90–120 minutes a day of walks, active play and training.

Do Sheepadoodles shed?

Very little, but no dog is truly allergen-free. The coat needs brushing several times a week and professional grooming every 6–8 weeks.

What health problems do Sheepadoodles have, and how long do they live?

They typically live 12–15 years. Hip and elbow dysplasia, eye disease, MDR1 sensitivity and Addison's disease are the main concerns.

Is a Sheepadoodle good for apartments or first-time owners?

Sometimes. They are trainable enough for first-time owners, but a Standard needs space, exercise and a grooming budget.

Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats

Back in stock soon

We're restocking. When it's back, a Sheepadoodle needs only 6–8 pieces a day, well inside the 120–165 kcal treat limit.

See the product

Where the Sheepadoodle ranks

Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.