Just in case there is any doubt in your mind, the Labradoodle is a cross between a Labrador and a Poodle, while the Sheepadoodle (also called a Sheepapoo) is a cross between the Old English Sheepdog and a Poodle.
They are classified as F1 Generation designer dogs, resulting from breeding two purebred dogs of different breeds, in these cases (Labrador and Poodle) and (Old English Sheepdog and Poodle). If two F1 dogs breed, the result is an F2 Breed.
Labradoodles and Sheepadoodles Common Features
Eventhough they are different breeds with traits that are very different from one and other, Labradoodles and Sheepadoodles does have quite a bit of things in common:
Color – Labradoodle can be a variety of colors, whereas Sheepadoodles tend to be black and white, white or black.
Coat – Soft and scruffy ranging to soft and curly.
Temperament – Calm tempered, active, and intelligent.
Training – Straightforward to train and eager to please.
Labradoodles and Sheepadoodles – The Differences
You can never be entirely certain about the results of breeding an F1 dog; a lot depends on what characteristics are inherited from each breed.
Labradoodle Vs Sheepadoodle Size
A lot with depending on the size of the poodle used, and this can vary a great deal.
| Breed | Labradoodle | Sheepadoodle |
| Size | Large | Large |
| Height | 22” to 24” | 18” to 27” |
| Weight | 50lbs to 80lbs | 60lbs to 85lbs |
Labradoodle Vs Sheepadoodle Temperament
| Breed | Labradoodle | Sheepadoodle |
| Activity Level | Very active | Active (but less than Labradoodle) |
| Exercise Needs | Lots of Exercises required | Moderate exercise is needed |
| Temperament | Can be excitable | Calm tempered but playful, may try to herd small kids |
Labradoodles and Sheepadoodles Size
When talking about size for any F1 breed that includes a poodle, it isn’t easy to make firm statements about size, because the poodle can vary so much in size.
The Sheepadoodle can come in various sizes; the size will be influenced by the genes of the Sheepadoodle parent and the size of the poodle parent. Much the same applies to the Labradoodle.
Standard Sheepadoodles
A standard Sheepadoodle is going to stand between 18 and 27 inches tall; probably this version is most suitable for a large family home. They are going to weigh in at somewhere around 65lbs to 85lbs and are going to be a strong, well-proportioned size.
Mini Sheepadoodles
A cross between a miniature poodle and an Old English Sheepdog. These guys weigh in at between 35lbs to 55lbs.
Toy Sheepadoodles
A cross between a Toy Poodle and a Mini Sheepadoodle. This brings the size down to under 35lbs.
Standard Labradoodles
A cross between a standard Poodle and a Labrador will typically be around 22” to 24” and between 50lbs and 80lbs, slightly less than the standard Sheepadoodle.
Mini Labradoodles
Mini Labradoodles are a cross between either a Labrador and a Miniature poodle, or a cross between a Labrador and Cocker-Spaniel which is then mated with a Miniature Poodle. Typical size is 17” to 22” tall and weighing 30lbs to 50 lbs.
Differences in Labradoodles and Sheepadoodle Coat
Dogs generally have a wide range of coat patterns, textures, colors and lengths. Dog coats have two layers, the upper level that repels water and the lower layer, which is softer and serves as insulation. Shedding of hair can occur in some breeds continuingly; others will shed seasonally (affected by day length).
Dogs that are “Non Shedding” have vastly reduced shedding due to changes in their follicle growth cycle. The coat is also impacted by vitamin deficiency and nutritional matters.
- Old English Sheepdogs shed a moderate to heavy amount all year round.
- Labradors shed more than other short-haired breeds.
- Poodles have minimal shedding.
We can see that both the Labradoodle and the Sheepadoodle have inherited conflicting shedding patterns from their parents. It is unpredictable whether a Labradoodle will shed heavily of little, and depends on the genes inherited from the parents. Sheepadoodles usually do not shed much at all, but once again a genetic reason can turn this around so that they shed.
Labradoodle Coat
Labradoodles can have one of three types of coat and can be a variety of colors.
Fleece – Soft coat similar to Angora wool
Wool – Looks very much like a Poodle and feels the same.
Hair – Very much the same as a Labrador.
Sheepadoodle Coat
Sheepadoodles typically do not shed much (can be exceptions) but will need to have their coat brushed at least three times a week to remove hair, with grooming every eight weeks. The Sheepadoodle can have either straight or curly hair, and it seems quite random what each puppy will inherit from respective parents.
Are Labradoodles or Sheepadoodles Hypoallergenic?
Labradors are not hypoallergenic, while Poodles are hypoallergenic. The crossbreed Labradoodle is not considered Hypoallergenic (with occasional exceptions).
Old English Sheep Dogs are not hypoallergenic. Poodles are famously hypoallergenic. The resulting cross between them, the Sheepadoodle, isn’t considered to be hypoallergenic.
F2 Generations
If the dog being hypoallergenic is of great importance to you, then it would be better to go for an F2 (a doodle bred with another doodle). There is more likely that either the Labradoodle or the Sheepadoodle will be hypoallergenic in that scenario.
Caring for Your Labradoodle’s and Sheepadoodle’s Coats
All dogs require grooming. The exact kind of care that your Labradoodle of Sheepadoodle will require depends a lot on the inherited genes and the type of fur they inherit.
Here are ten ways to keep your dog’s coat healthy
- Brush your dog once a week, too frequent brushing can harm the coat
- Bathe the Dog, Bathing too frequently can remove oils from the dog’s coat Two times a month is ok.
- Oatmeal baths are excellent for helping to soothe your dog’s skin and prevent scratching.
- Healthy food – Good nutrition promotes a healthy coat.
- Healthy treats – Healthy treats will help your dog’s coat and teeth.
- Herbal supplements, Horsetail and spirulina, can soften the coat, talk to you vet on this.
- Watch out for fleas and ticks. Treating with correct medication every month will help.
- Coconut Oil is wonderful. Either one teaspoon added to the diet or massaged into the coat occasionally.
- Add omega fatty acids to the dog’s diet.
- Consult with your vet. Chatting to your vet occasionally is an important routine to adopt.
Labradoodles and Sheepadoodles Temperament
Finding the breed of dog with the appropriate temperament to join your family is very important, and you should ideally spend some time with the puppy before bringing him home.
Labradoodle Temperament
Labradoodles are considered to be moderate when it comes to barking. Even if they do bark, they are smart enough to be trained out of this habit easily.
Labradoodles are not known to be aggressive and are regarded as one of the most gentle breeds of dog. Any aggression is typically the result of abuse or neglect.
Labradoodles are a fantastic family pet that is easy going and will fit into the family structure. If you are looking for a dog for protection, then a Labradoodle is not the breed to choose. They are more likely to greet a burglar than see him off.
Sheepadoodle Temperament
Sheepadoodles are laid back dogs that do not bark a lot. They are pretty restrained when it comes to meeting new dogs or people. They are friendly dogs that like to get along. Like the Labradoodle, they are known as a gentle breed. Most Sheepadoodles are very cuddly and love to snuggle up.
Sheepadoodles are wonderful family dogs. They are very playful and sweet and adore attention. They are very laid back and probably would be pretty casual with a burglar.
Labradoodles and Sheepadoodles Socialization
When the Sheepadoodle or Labradoodle puppy first comes home, try to introduce a mixture of age groups to him, including children from both genders. In this way, you can teach the puppy the correct way to interact with strangers.
It is also important to expose the puppy to sights and sounds that it may not have encountered. In this way, they will not become so stressed with unfamiliar audio or visual input.
Labradoodles and Sheepadoodles Exercise
Labradoodles and Sheepadoodles both love to play. The best exercise for a younger puppy is playing games. These can include fetch and chase games. It is not natural for a dog to run in a straight line; they love to duck and dive when playing. This is why a rubber ball that bounces randomly when hitting objects is such good fun.
Sheepadoodles are from herding ancestry, and in the absence of a flock of sheep, they will often find alternatives to herd, like young children or flocks of birds that are trying to feed on the ground. This working dog heritage means they are built for a lot of activity.
As for exercise, experts suggest that Labradoodles get two walks a day of an hour’s duration. Just think how fit you will become!
Labradoodles and Sheepadoodles Training
Some breeds of dogs are just stupid and find it very hard to grasp the simplest training. Not so with either the Labradoodle or Sheepadoodle, they both are super intelligent and love to please. Start your dog on a long training leash. Your dog needs a hierarchy and should understand its place in that structure, with you at the top and him at the bottom.
When training the dog don’t teach him variations of the same activity. Teach him one thing at a time and teach him the same way every time. Finish each training session on a high, after the dog has been successful. If you give your dog a command, ensure it is carried out, don’t just give up if it disobeys.
These are all rules for any dog. You have to try and couch the structure in terms the dog will understand. Each pack has a strong leader, that leader should be you. If your young dog does not see you in that role, they will try to become that leader.
Labradoodles and Sheepadoodles Health
Mixed breed dogs are typically healthier than purebreds. They also will normally live longer due to the diversity in their genetic makeup.
Labradoodle Health
Pick any health condition know to affect either a Poodle or a Labrador, and your Labradoodle may face similar problems. These may include Hip and elbow dysplasia (an instability or looseness of the hip joint), progressive retinal atrophy (a degenerative eye disease), or Willebrand’s disease (a problem with the clotting of blood).
Sheepadoodle Health
Again, the Sheepadoodle can inherit conditions from the Old English Sheep Dog or the Poodle. Specific known conditions include Joint problems including hip dysplasia, bloat, Addison’s Disease (adrenal glands produce too little Cortisol), and some skin conditions.
Labradoodles and Sheepadoodles Lifespan
Labradoodles: 12 to 15 years
Sheepadoodles: 12 to 15 years
Choosing a Healthy Puppy
There are certain signs to watch out for when you are choosing a puppy. Signs that indicate that it is healthy.
- Coat – should be shiny and looking clean. It should feel very slightly oily.
- Correct weight – A puppy that is playful and active should never be overweight or look severely malnourished.
- Mouth – The mouth should smell fresh, with pink gums. The teeth should be free of tartar or plaque. You should not see any sores.
- Nose – You should not notice and discharge from the nose, and the nose should be clean.
- Eyes – Discharge from the eyes or eyes that are not bright and clear could indicate problems.
- Ears – Once again, check for discharge, sores, and make sure they are clean.
Labradoodles and Sheepadoodles Rescue
There is an organization called IDOG that specializes in taking in Doodles of all kinds, especially Labradoodles. They have multiple homes throughout the entire USA and have been running since 2006. They take Doodles that have shown up at shelters and also take in some that have voluntarily been handed over by owners.
Labradoodle Vs Sheepadoodle – Which Is Best?
Now, this is a tough question. Both Labradoodles and Sheepadoodles are great pets. You cannot go far wrong with either of them.
I find it really hard to distinguish between the two, but if pushed, I would probably go for the Labradoodle as they are just so laid back and easy going. They are loving and loyal and very intelligent. In the end, it is going to come down to whichever one tugs at the heartstrings the most when you see them.
References & Resources
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