Sheepadoodle

The Sheepadoodle is a cross between a Standard Poodle and an Old English Sheep Dog. Strong, muscular, and large, the Sheepadoodle is a new hybrid with rather vague origins. What is known, however, is that the idea to combine the Old English Sheep Dog with the Standard Poodle has resulted in the Sheepadoodle, a child-friendly, smart and calm pet who enjoys activity and family affection.

History
Little information is available about the origins of the Sheepadoodle, but what is known is that this is a cross between the Standard Poodle and the Old English Sheep Dog first bred in the United States. Ideally, reputable breeders will choose dogs with the best qualities from either breed in temperament, health, physical appearance, and so forth. The best Sheepadoodle offspring are gentle and calm as the Old English Sheep Dog is, but also have the intelligence and playfulness of the Standard Poodle. Some breeders will also do what are called multi-generation crosses for the Sheepadoodle, where mixed dogs are bred with other mixed dogs to produce second-generation puppies. These dogs can also be crossbred with either parent breed to produce a so-called "backcross puppy." And, a backcross adult can be bred with a first generation Sheepadoodle, whose parents are the purebred Standard Poodle and Old English Sheep Dog.

About the parent breeds
• The Standard Poodle
The Standard Poodle is the oldest of the Poodle types, the others being toy and miniature. Although many people equate the Standard Poodle with the typical picture of a delicate and dainty little dog, in fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Originally, the Standard Poodle was used as a retriever; it would swim into water to retrieve waterfowl as an assistant to its master. The name "Poodle" probably comes from the German word "pudel," which means "one who plays in the water." Standard Poodles are excellent swimmers and love the water, and are also very intelligent, perhaps second in line only to the very intelligent Border Collie.

Standard Poodles aren't "delicate," either. The Standard Poodle weighs between 45 to 70 pounds in adulthood, standing roughly 15 inches at the shoulder.

The Standard Poodle's personality is by no means "fussy," contrary to popular perception. Graceful, gentle, cheerful, patient, good-natured and exceedingly regal, the Standard Poodle is calmer and "wiser" than its counterparts, the Toy or Miniature Poodle.

The Sheepadoodle can inherit these characteristics to greater or lesser degrees, but as long as your puppy is properly socialized, you can be sure that what your pet inherits in terms of temperament, appearance or personality from the Standard Poodle will be grand, indeed.

One thing to note is that the Standard Poodle is very independent and strong-minded. Although Sheepadoodles have been bred to have the more reserved personality of the Old English Sheep Dog (described below), it's possible that your pet will inherit some of the poodle's independent, strong-minded focus. Gentle discipline and the aptitude and desire to perform meaningful functions will control this characteristic if it does show up in your pet, although it's not much more than a faint possibility.

• The Old English Sheep Dog
Large and lovable, the Old English Sheep Dog looks much like an animated fluffy toy teddy bear. Shaggy and with what is usually a gray and white coat, fur hangs over the Old English Sheep Dog's face and eyes, giving it an endearingly unkempt appearance.

The Old English Sheep Dog is never aggressive or nervous, and can even be considered a "couch potato." Also endearingly, the Old English Sheep Dog gets along well with children and may try to "herd" small children by gently "bumping" them to the proper direction as they go along. Social, intelligent, and very gentle, this dog is described by the American Kennel Club as having a "clownish energy," and extends its herding instincts to not just small children, but grown people and objects, too.

The Sheepadoodle has been bred to largely inherit the personality of the Old English Sheep Dog, and although its Standard Poodle influence may not quite give your pet the "lovable clown" personality of the Old English Sheep Dog, you can be sure that your pet will probably have the best of both breeds – calm and relaxed, like the English sheep dog, but with the alert, on-task intelligence of the Poodle – combined with the friendliness, lovability, and true devotion to family that both possess.

Appearance
Muscular, strong, and well-proportioned, your sturdy pet is hardy and robust, with lively eyes and an intelligent, alert, "happy" expression. The Sheepadoodle can inherit characteristics from either parent and develop to look more like one or the other as opposed to a true mix. That is, some Sheepadoodles will have fur that looks more like the Old English Sheep Dog's shaggy coat, or the Standard Poodle's curly hair. Most Sheepadoodles shed very little, and their coats can be just about any color, from shades of sable, grizzle, blue, gray, black, or just about any other variation. In addition to the Standard Poodle "look" of curly hair, Sheepadoodles can also have straight hair. Sheepadoodles can have double coats like the Old English Sheep Dog, or can have single coats like the Standard Poodle. In adulthood, the Sheepadoodle stands about 28 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 60 and 80 pounds. The Sheepadoodle can have longer legs and a long nose, like the Standard Poodle, or have a more "square" facial appearance and a shorter nose, like the Old English Sheep Dog.

Temperament
Gentle and very calm, the Sheepadoodle is an excellent pet for your family – especially if you have children. This lovely, cuddly pet is quite intelligent and tends to be athletic like the Standard Poodle, so be prepared for an active pet that wants to romp with you and then snuggle at night.

Health The Sheepadoodle is predisposed to the same health issues and life expectancy as the Old English Sheep Dog. Hip dysplasia is relatively common, while bloat and Addison's disease are relatively rare, traits which come from the Standard Poodle parentage. As with the Old English Sheep Dog, most Sheepadoodles can be expected to live 10 to 12 years on average.

Grooming
Minimal grooming is required for the Sheepadoodle, since your pet won't shed much, if at all. You will need to take it to the groomer three to four times a year for a cut. Because your pet is a very active and athletic dog, bathing may be necessary, in which case you should use mild shampoo meant for dogs.

References
Designer Dogs (Hybrid Dogs).
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/designerdogs.htm#multigeneration.
Retrieved May 12, 2013.

Old English Sheepdog.
http://sheepadoodles.ca/index-3.2.html.
Retrieved May 12, 2013.

Sheepadoodle.
http://sheepadoodles.ca/index-3.1.html.
Retrieved May 12, 2013.

Sheepadoodle.
http://www.designercanineregistry.com/breed_profile_sheepadoodle.htm.
Retrieved May 12, 2013.

Sheepadoodle (Old English Sheepdog/Poodle Hybrid Dogs).
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/s/sheepadoodle.htm.
Retrieved May 12, 2013.

Sheepadoodle Information.
http://www.greatdogsite.com/hybrids/details/Sheepadoodle.
Retrieved May 12, 2013.

Standard Poodle (Caniche) (Barbone) (Chien Canne) (Grosse Pudel) (French Poodle).
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/standardpoodle.htm.
Retrieved May 12, 2013.