Mini Sheepadoodles are very common and increasingly popular companion dogs in the United States and a lot of other countries. But, what makes them so great? Are they worth it?
Mini Sheepadoodles are the miniature-sized dog in the Poodle crossbreed, typically between 10 – 15 inches and 10 – 15 lbs. Mini Sheepadoodles often live up to 15 years. These dogs are extremely friendly, loyal, energetic, and intelligent.
The Mini Sheepadoodle is a breed of dog with a relatively recent history, it is an animal that appeared as a hybrid of two much older breeds, which fulfilled quite different functions in geographically distant areas, these breeds are the Poodle and the Old English Sheepdog.
Mini Sheepadoodle – Complete Guide To The Cutest Dog
In recent history, breeds like this began to emerge as a response to the specific needs of breeders who took advantage of the qualities of different animals, the miniature Poodle has been a favorite of these hybridizations because in addition to having a great temperament, they have the characteristic to be hypoallergenic.
This is why in the last decades’ different hybrid dogs have started to appear, easy to identify by the combined nature of their names. As in the case of the Sheepadoodle, in which the English name of the shepherd and the “doodle” is combined in reference to the Poodle.
This name was only coined in 1992, but the breed originated earlier and was inspired by another hybrid that took off in recent years, the Labradoodle.
Being animals with a large genetic pool, since they come from the cross of two breeds that are quite far apart from each other, they are very healthy and very rarely suffer from genetic diseases. Also, both physical and temperamental characteristics were refined over time.
The origin of this breed can be traced back to the sixties, in a North American base, where the army began to breed dogs to respond to the needs they had in terms of the canine support they required in their military exercises.
They found the situation that the pups they had were very useful but did not have the versatility they required from a single animal, so they combined the strongest and most versatile water dog, which was used by Germans in WWII, with the clever and loyal English Shepherd.
The Poodle or Standard Poodle, that is, the largest of the group, had already proven its military value since during the Second World War it had been used by the German army in various activities taking advantage of its abilities as a water dog, and retriever of prey.
In the same way, the English Shepherd was selected for being the largest dog in his group, and as a breed, they have the intelligence and independence of shepherds, who are animals that need to solve problems and act far from their masters to keep the herds safe.
With this, a combination of skills was achieved that were satisfactory from both a physical and temperamental point of view. Achieving a large dog, abundant and hypoallergenic coat, intelligent and independent but with great pleasure to please, being able to receive training with ease.
It went unnoticed for many years since its main function was as a working dog in this area as limited as the military sector and it did not become the domain of other breeders until many years later, this is how it was for 1992, almost 30 years after her breeding began, her name was coined as Sheepadoodle.
Because it is a hybrid breed it is not recognized by any large canine club in the world, however in America, it is found as a breed in the American Hybrid Canine Club, this club groups together this and other hybrid breeds that have appeared in recent decades.
Main Characteristics of Mini Sheepadoodle
Without a doubt, to talk about the characteristics of this breed of dog, it is necessary to talk about the inheritance from which each one of them comes, since from their temperament to their characteristic appearance they have a place of origin in one of their ancestors.
Sheepadoodles are characterized by being robust dogs, of medium to large size, with a sweet and friendly temperament, they are very intelligent and willing to please, as well as they can be independent and very sociable with people and animals of different natures.
Its largest and most representative feature is given by its long and soft coat, which can range from different degrees of wavy to smooth, reminiscent of the English Shepherd, but also always has the quality that the poodle inherited from being Hypoallergenic, as it does not shed hair.
This undoubtedly makes them a breed of dog that brings together the best of two worlds, from the physical to the personality, each of its qualities makes it a company for any type of family and also a great dog worker.
As they are not within any large canine club, the breed standards are defined by smaller clubs such as Hybrids of America and by breeders who year after year have kept the breed in development and know what the physical characteristics are.
Here are some striking characteristics that show off the mini Sheepadoodle.
Mini Sheepadoodle Head
The most striking part of all dogs is their head and face, especially the expression they have on a regular basis, this is what makes them more or less attractive in the eyes of future owners and lovers of the race in general.
In the case of the mini Sheepadoodle, we find that this breed is quite robust and has a broad and well-developed head, with a rounded and domed skull like that of the poodle or more rectangular and thick like that of the shepherd.
The ears are set on the sides of the head at eye level and fall to the sides in a triangular shape, they are covered with abundant hair that can be black, brown, or white or a combination of one of these with white, occasionally it can be observed a specimen with a gray tone like that of the English shepherd.
The muzzle of this dog can be wide and thick or thin and a bit elongated, it will always have similar characteristics to one of the two dogs it comes from. The eyes are oval in shape and in most cases are brown or black, some specimens may have blue eyes or even one blue and one brown.
Mini Sheepadoodle Fur and Color
The fur of this breed is one of its most outstanding characteristics, in fact, part of the development process of the breed was focused on obtaining a coat with the characteristics that this coat has, combining the softness of the shepherd with the Hypoallergenic coat of the Poodle.
This gives the mini Sheepadoodle puppy a soft coat that can range from a pronounced wavy to completely straight hair, some have a double coat, others simple, but all lack shedding, and this makes it grow continuously.
The color of the coat can vary in a range of 3 colors: white, black, and brown, most of the specimens have a combination of black with white or brown with white. Some have inherited fur features more similar to that of the English Shepherd, with a gray tone that mixes with white, being more marked on the ears and on the head.
Mini Sheepadoodle Size
The body of these dogs is robust and strong, very muscular, their body is athletic with strong and capable legs, which combine the resistance of the shepherd with the strength of the swimming poodle, the legs, in general, are webbed and they have a fondness for water just like its water ancestors.
In general, the size of these dogs is between the large size of the shepherd and the standard poodle, closer to the poodle in most cases it measures between 14 to 17 inches or 40 to 50 cm in height at the withers, being the females smaller than males. They weigh between 10 and 22 kg or 25 to 45 pounds. This makes them small to medium dogs.
In regard to size, there is an important consideration to take into account, there are currently a variety of sizes in which it is possible to find this Sheepadoodle, as well as the types of Poodle that can be obtained. There are:
- Mini Sheepadoodle: which weighs between 25 and 49 pounds or 11 to 22 kg.
- Toy Sheepadoodle: weighing between 10 and 24 pounds or 4 to 10kg.
- Standard Sheepadoodle: that is over 50 pounds or 22 kg.
Each of these varieties is obtained by crossing the English Shepherd with the Miniature, Toy, and Standard Poodle respectively, thus in addition to playing with temperament and coat, it has been possible to obtain dogs of different sizes in this selective hybridization.
Diet and Feeding A Sheepadoodle
The diet that a dog has is highly linked to its physical condition, activity, health, and age. When talking about the Sheepadoodle, the individual characteristics of each specimen must be considered, since the variation of the breed ranges from a medium to a large dog.
Each dog is different, although they all have a genetic potential to be very active and develop in a diversity of activities of high intensity, it is not possible to put them all in the same line since personalities vary and especially the requirement that each family puts on their dog is different.
Likewise, the age of the dog is a factor that must be considered very well when choosing the type of food and especially knowing how often to feed it. A growing puppy needs a rich diet with a lot of energy, while an elderly dog will have different needs.
Commercial dog foods contain everything that a dog may need daily, they are correctly balanced in the micro and macronutrients that a dog will require in the day. The frequency with which it is fed is of great importance to avoid the appearance of health problems.
Mini Sheepadoodle Full Grown
A mini Sheepadoodle needs a constant and adequate supply of energy at its developmental age to enable it to sustain healthy development. This will significantly mark the adult life of the dog, which is why as an owner you have to choose high-quality food.
To achieve this, it is best to choose foods formulated for puppies of medium to large breeds, these contain the appropriate concentrations of nutrients that can be tolerated by the growing body of the puppy, as well as the frequency with which it is fed it should be adjusted as the dog grows.
In principle from the first month to 3 months, it is recommended that it be fed 3 to 4 times a day, from the 3 months and to a year at least 3 times a day, as it grows the amount of food is adjusted It is served per meal, around the year it should be served and the adult ratio of 3 to 4 cups a day.
With this distribution of the meals, a process begins in which habits are created in the puppy, this is something that must be cultivated in them, creating a link in which a hierarchy is also established, thus the discipline process and a system of respect are created based on something of great importance to them, food.
This era of life is marked by being the point of greatest learning, that is, if these eating rituals are established correctly, a habit that will not only be related to food but a habit that will be created for life They have a desire to please and an interest to obey.
Basic Care of the Mini Sheepadoodle
The basic care that all dogs must have are based on what refers to general hygiene and the care of their coat, when it comes to long-haired dogs this becomes more important, especially in the Sheepadoodle if he does not brush properly, it forms knots that can become very painful for him.
In addition to taking care of the physical aspects of the dog, it is also important to take into account that these intelligent animals need to keep their minds healthy as well, for this physical exercise is essential, with this the great energy of the dog is oriented effectively towards the dog training you receive.
Another aspect that should be considered is that they are not dogs to be alone, they need company and affection. They can be alone at certain hours of the day, but they need to always have some time of day to be in the company of their master.
The Hair of the Sheepadoodle
The characteristic of its coat that does not molt, that is, that it grows continuously and does not fall spontaneously is the main reason why it is considered hypoallergenic, it also implies a series of special care that must be taken into account from time to bring a Sheepadoodle home.
To avoid the formation of knots and keep the skin and hair in the best condition, it is very important to remember that they must be brushed frequently, at least 3 or 4 times a week, with a wire bristle brush, this will remove dead hair and keep it free of dirt.
Regarding the haircut, it is necessary to take them to an expert at least every 8 weeks, their fur grows continuously and if it is not done, they will have a mane that will be difficult to manage. Between each cut, it is important to keep the eyes, ears, and legs with as little hair as possible, so it is necessary to touch up the cuts at home.
As regards hygiene, the ears should be disinfected once a week with antiseptic products suitable for veterinary use, likewise, the eyes should be cleaned with the same frequency, which helps to detect latent problems and avoid infections.
The frequency of the bath should be kept relatively low, with a bi-monthly bath will be enough, and it is even recommended only when they are very dirty. Brushing helps them to be clean and since their skin can be very sensitive it is recommended that you dont bathe them less frequently than indicated.
Mini Sheepadoodle Exercise Needs
Like all dogs raised for work, the mini Sheepadoodle needs an amount of exercise that allows it to keep its body and mind adequately stimulated. So the walks or any other activity that you do to exercise is of the utmost importance for the health and well-being of this animal.
By doing this as part of their routine with their master, the bond between the two is strengthened and the hierarchy and obedience in the home are well-defined, so the training process is much easier. Vigorous walks at least 3 times a week make the dog feel sufficiently active.
This provides numerous benefits, in addition to forming bonds it also helps prevent diseases from developing, especially of the cardiovascular order, as well as strengthens the immune system, as part of the psyche of the dog provides benefits by keeping its mind active.
Mini Sheepadoodle Temperament
Although they have an independent temperament, they are extremely affectionate and sociable, and they can share with other dogs and feel comfortable with them, but they will always need at some point in the day to be with their humans, their desire to please is oriented towards them.
In the same way, they have a strong sense of family, so they are not the kind of dogs that can spend the whole day alone in a yard with no other company than a tree, because this goes against the nature of shepherds and hunters. It is essential to be part of a herd.
When this part of their temperament is encouraged from a young age, they become very affectionate with anyone who comes along, and their social attitude is highly developed.
Sheepadoodle – Vaccinations and Vet-Visits
This is part of the proper care of any pet, the first visit to be made is as soon as the puppies reach one month of life. Usually, this is done by the breeder with the complete litter, here they receive their first vaccine and dose of deworming.
As he grows, it is necessary to visit the veterinarian to comply with the vaccination schedule, in this way he is given the best start in life, protecting him against a series of diseases.
In the same way, the vet provides very important data on the growth of the dog and allows it to detect any problem that may appear early, thus giving it timely treatment.
Mini Sheepadoodles are the outgoing, happy types of dogs that will love you wholeheartedly. Their smartness and intelligence make them excellent family pets to have around the house.
They are probably the best breeds to hang around your kids because they are dutiful and friendly and as long as you shower them with lots of love, they are ready to please you.
Sources
- “Canine Inherited Disorders Database” by the University of Prince Edward Island. Link: http://www.upei.ca/cidd/intro.htm
- “Breed Predispositions to Disease in Dogs and Cats” by Alex Gough, Alison Thomas, and Dan O’Neill. Link: https://www.wiley.com/en-us/Breed+Predispositions+to+Disease+in+Dogs+and+Cats-p-9781119225775
- “The Miniature Sheepadoodle: A Complete and Comprehensive Owners Guide to: Buying, Owning, Health, Grooming, Training, Obedience, Understanding and Caring for Your Miniature Sheepadoodle” by Dog Care Professionals. Link: https://www.amazon.com/Miniature-Sheepadoodle-Comprehensive-Understanding-Professional/dp/1913337024/
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