If you’re on the lookout for the perfect Doodle breed to welcome into your home, there’s every chance that you’ll have considered the Shepadoodle.
Shepadoodles are a mix of the Poodle and German Shepherd, combining some of the best qualities of both to create a fantastic and lovable breed of dog.
While Shepadoodles are well-known for their intelligence, affection, and loyalty to their owners, it’s worth keeping in mind that – as is the case with any breed of dog – there are also some drawbacks to take into account.
This guide will take an in-depth look at some of the main pros and cons to keep in mind when owning a Shepadoodle. We’ll also look to answer some of the frequently asked questions surrounding this breed.
Pros Of Owning A Shepadoodle
Intelligence
Both Poodles and German Shepherds are smart, quick-thinking breeds, making the Shepadoodle a highly intelligent dog. They love to please their owners by completing tasks quickly and performing well in training sessions.
They’re also extremely efficient at retaining information and will learn most basic commands and tricks pretty much straight away.
Lovable Temperament
Perhaps the greatest strength of the Shepadoodle is their lovable, affectionate, and friendly temperament. They’re well known for their ability to read people, courageous spirit, and loyalty.
What’s more, they’re devoted to pretty much everything you do, so if you’re looking for a furry best friend, a Shepadoodle is as good a choice as any. Their affectionate and friendly nature make them great for families with children too.
High Energy Levels
If you’re looking for a dog to fit seamlessly into an active lifestyle, the Shepadoodle is an excellent choice. Whether you’re out for a long walk up a mountain or a short run around the local park, your Shepadoodle will happily trot alongside you. They also love to spend time relaxing and sleeping if they’ve already had a decent walk outdoors.
Low Shedding
Shepadoodles have low shedding coats, making them an excellent choice for allergy sufferers, asthmatics, and young children. Although they’re widely considered to be a hypoallergenic breed, it’s worth noting that Shepadoodles do shed a very small amount of hair.
Nevertheless, their low shedding quality makes grooming considerably easier and also means that you’ll spend less time cleaning up around the house.
Quick Maturity
Compared to other Doodle breeds, Shepadoodles are quick to mentally mature. This is mainly due to the majestic nature and demeanor they inherit from the German Shepherd parent.
While most Doodles will typically only calm down after three or so years, Shepadoodles will start to slow down their hyperactivity much earlier.
This isn’t to say that your pooch won’t still have bundles of energy and be desperate to play, they’ll just reserve it for when it’s acceptable.
Low Cost
Both Poodles and German Shepherds are common breeds and well-priced, therefore it’s no different for Shepadoodles. The mixed breed are relatively prevalent throughout the USA, with some prices as low as $250. Just be mindful of the cheapest puppies as these lower costs don’t necessarily translate to the greatest quality.
The most expensive and best quality Shepadoodle puppies will usually cost somewhere around the $1,800 mark.
Common Breed
As mentioned above, Shepadoodles are a common breed, meaning that the waiting lists are never too long. What’s more, it’s unlikely that you’ll have to worry about transporting your Shepadoodle puppy from another location. This is a definitive positive since transporting fees can be rather expensive and distressing for young puppies.
Guard Dog
Shepadoodles are extremely protective of their owners, so will be on high alert to anyone unfamiliar that enters the home. The breed have the instinct to be watchful and loyal embedded into their genetics, and will defend anyone that they’re close to. These characteristics are what make Shepadoodles such effective military and police dogs.
Family Friendly
As mentioned previously, Shepadoodles are fantastic with young children, making them a popular choice for families. They’re protective and caring, and can judge a person’s sensitivities and weaknesses as well as any other dog.
Furthermore, Shepadoodles use their superior intelligence to be mindful and aware of different situations. For example, they’re good at judging when they need to be close and provide comfort, or alternatively, when it’s best to keep some distance and stay away.
Lifespan
The lifespan of an average Shepadoodle can range anywhere from 12 to 14 years. This is a little longer than the majority of large breed dogs, and can be extended further through excellent love and care.
A long lifespan means you’ll have plenty of time with your furry companion, with many healthy senior Shepadoodles living beyond 15.
Cons Of Owning A Shepadoodle
High Energy Levels
While some owners may consider this a good thing, especially if you like going on long walks, high energy levels can present a few problems.
Shepadoodles require at least 60 minutes of exercise per day in order to remain strong and healthy, but if they don’t get out of the house enough, there’s every chance that they’ll develop bad behaviors. Some of the most common examples include chewing household items, excessive barking, and digging.
Apartment Living
As a result of their size and high energy levels, Shepadoodles aren’t suited for apartment living. They require considerably more space than a small flat with no outdoor area and will feel closed in and claustrophobic without enough space to roam free.
Even if you take them outside for a number of walks each day, they won’t feel comfortable if kept in an apartment for the rest of the time.
Health
As is the case with every breed of dog, there are several health conditions to be aware of. For Shepadoodles, the most important to keep an eye on include joint dysplasia, eye disease, skin disease, and blood clotting.
If you’re worried about certain traits being passed onto future generations, these can often be prevented by x-rays and DNA tests. Nevertheless, it’s always a good idea to discuss any concerns that you may have with your vet and breeder before choosing a Shepadoodle puppy.
Training
Shepadoodles need to have plenty of training in order to feel sufficiently enriched. This enrichment keeps their minds sharp and fulfils their desire to constantly be active. Ideally, you’ll be able to provide them with 30-60 minutes of training exercises per day.
If a Shepadoodle doesn’t get enough training, there’s a good chance that they’ll develop nervous habits and experience emotional distress.
Unsuitable For Beginners
The Shepadoodle isn’t the best breed for beginner dog owners. Not only do they require a fair amount of training, they also need their owners to spend a considerable amount of time and effort with them during the day.
So, if you’re unable to dedicate a significant part of your day to a Shepadoodle, you may be dealing with a problematic pooch. For advanced and experienced dog owners, it shouldn’t be too much of a challenge to keep them in line.
Grooming
As mentioned previously, Doodle breeds are extremely popular due to their low shedding coats. However, these coats still require a considerable amount of time and effort to be maintained in good condition.
You’ll need to detangle and brush your Shepadoodle daily, as well as pay for a professional grooming session every six to 12 weeks. This maintenance is an added cost that many owners don’t take into account.
Socialization
The final con on our list is the problem of socialization. As is the case with the vast majority of dogs, early socialization is essential for Shepadoodles if you want them to behave nicely with other people and animals. A Shepadoodle that isn’t properly socialized can cause a range of problems later in life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Size Are Shepadoodles?
Shepadoodles come in a variety of different sizes: toy, mini, and standard. A standard variation of the breed can typically grow up to 28 inches tall from head to toe.
What’s more, they can also weigh anywhere up to 90 pounds when fully developed. Shepadoodles are considered to be fully grown when they reach the 15-18 month mark.
Are Shepadoodles Cuddly?
As mentioned previously, Shepadoodles are a loving and affectionate breed of dog. Therefore, they love to cuddle up to their owners and people they trust. In fact, they’re at their happiest when close to people and at the center of attention.
What Should You Feed A Shepadoodle?
For Shepadoodle puppies, lots of high quality proteins are great for supporting the growth of muscle, while good fats provide them with enough energy to fuel their energetic lifestyles. Vitamin E is another important addition to a puppy’s diet as it can strengthen their immune system.
For adult Shepadoodles, a limited amount of carbohydrates should be consumed to give them enough energy without adding any unnecessary weight. Again, high quality proteins such as fish or chicken are essential to keep muscles and bones healthy, while omega fatty acids help to preserve the healthy skin and coat of Shepadoodles.
In order to avoid diet-related health issues such as bloat, it’s a good idea to feed your Shepadoodle in small portions so they don’t wolf down their food too quickly. To make this easier, a mixture of wet and dry food is beneficial.
For more information on what to feed your Shepadoodle take a look at our dog nutritional guide.
What Do Shepadoodles Look Like?
Shepadoodles typically exhibit a dark brown color with a wavy coat. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that their appearance can vary from dog to dog since they’re a mixed breed.
For example, Shepadoodles can be one solid color or a range of three colors. Some of the most common colors include black, light brown, dark brown, and white.
You’ll usually be able to get a good idea of what color a Shepadoodle is going to be based on the coat color of their two respective parents.
Conclusion
Like all doodle breeds, the Shepadoodle makes a great additional to most households. Providing you have done your research to filly understand the temperament, personality and needs of this dog, then you find that you have a loving and loyal companion.