It’s hard to resist a dog that looks like a fluffy teddy bear from your childhood dreams. Sure, we love our dogs for their amazing personalities, but being an adorable ball of fluff doesn’t hurt either.
Nobody knows that better than Sheepadoodle people. As cute as these dogs are, their energy and smarts can be a lot to handle. And that fluff? Not exactly low-maintenance. Here are just a few things that Sheepadoodle people learn real quick.
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1. Part Old English Sheepdog and part Poodle means you’ve got your hands full
Sheepdogs are known for their ability to herd sheep, meaning they’re happy to spend their whole day running around. Before being bred for their fancy show dog haircuts, Poodles were prized hunting companions… and they’re still pretty stellar at the job today.
Which is to say, when you put the two together, you get a high-energy Sheepadoodle who is eager to please and wants to run freely. A couch warmer? Not this dog.
2. That gorgeous hair comes with a catch
There’s no denying the shaggy Sheepadoodle looks oh-so-touchable, and their soft, wavy hair is absolutely enviable. But it also requires a lot of work on the owner’s part.
To avoid matting, daily brushing is ideal, but owners can sometimes get away with a once or twice-weekly routine. Are you picturing a Sheepadoodle with fair, white fur? Well, try keeping it that way when your dog loves running through the mud, gulping down water, and rolling on the ground.
Plus, everything gets stuck in poodle fur—from autumn leaves to bristly bushes—so there’s regular maintenance to keep this dog looking good and feeling comfortable. It’s no fun for Sheepadoodles to have spikey bristles stuck in their fur chaffing their skin. Wipes can be helpful for when you can’t do a full bath routine.
3. They’re as friendly as they look
Obviously, you shouldn’t go around assuming dogs are friendly, but as long as you’ve got permission from the owner, go ahead and love up on these dogs—they really freakin’ love people and attention. With proper training, they can be excellent for families with young children, and they tend to blend in well to multi-dog homes.
4. As much work as their coat is, they don’t shed very much
No need to stockpile vacuum bags and lint rollers—the Sheepadoodle won’t be carpeting your floor with their fur. You can thank the so-called “hypoallergenic” poodle background for that.
To be clear, no dog is really hypoallergenic—they all shed skin and other cells that can cause problems in people who are allergic to them—but the term tends to refer to dogs who don’t shed much of their hair, and that’s true for the Sheepadoodle. In part because it gets stuck in their curly manes. Yeah… the hair brushing thing is real.
5. They can get pretty big
A standard Sheepadoodle will grow to be 45-80 lbs, and all their fur makes them appear larger than they are. There are also mini Sheepadoodle breeds, which grow to be 25-45 lbs.
6. You’ll need to care for their floppy ears
Floppy ears are a trademark of the Sheepadoodle, but they require a little more maintenance than dogs whose ears stand up straight. Their floppy ears keep their ear canal extra moist while the thick hair around the ears can collect dirt and debris—this combination makes Sheepadoodles especially prone to ear infections. Keeping an eye on their ears, and occasionally cleaning them with vet-approved ear cleaner, will keep those floppy ears cute and clean.
7. If you’re not active now, you will be
Are you looking to get your daily dose of physical activity? Then adopt a Sheepadoodle. Adult Sheepadoodles are happiest when they get at least an hour of exercise, and that means their owners have to get out and about, too. Who likes long walks on the beach with their dog? Sheepadoodle people.
8. But they nap hard, too
Once you’ve managed to run all their energy out of them, the Sheepadoodle is more than happy to find a spot on their dog bed to curl up and pass out. Or the couch. Or, let’s be honest here—your lap. Personal space? They’re not big fans of it.
The good news is: their soft coat is the best pillow you’ll ever find.
9. Get ready to learn some new hairstyles
Whether you’ve always been a wash-and-go kind of hair stylist or you like elaborate ‘dos, becoming a Sheepadoodle owner will give you a quick education on practical (and often hilariously cute) dog styles. Take, for instance, this sprout-sized top-pony. It’s part Pebbles Flintstone, part practical way to get a Sheepadoodle’s hair out of their eyes between groomings. Genius.
If you’re ready to spend some quality time with your dog going for long walks and brushing their wild hair, then a Sheepadoodle may be right up your alley.
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Featured image by Poodles2Doodles on Pixabay