Sheepadoodle
Also called Sheepdoodle, Sheep-a-poo, Sheeppoo, Sheepdogpoo, Sheepdog Poodle mix
From A cross of the Old English Sheepdog, an English herding breed, and the Poodle. The cross is said to date back to the 1960s and became widely popular from the 1980s through the 2000s; sources do not name a single country.123
At a glance the quick version
Standard Sheepadoodles are given as 60-80 lb (about 27-36 kg); miniature versions bred from Miniature Poodles are given as 25-45 lb (about 11-20 kg). Size varies with the parents.
Coat and looks how to spot one
soft, dense coat; curly, wavy or straight
A big, fluffy teddy-bear of a dog. The coat is soft and thick and can be curly, wavy or fairly straight depending on how much Poodle comes through. Many have a striking panda-style black and white pattern. The coat is low-shedding, but it grows continuously and needs regular care.21
Personality what they are like
Easygoing, friendly and bright, with a playful streak. Sheepadoodles tend to be loyal to their people and are usually fairly quiet, speaking up mainly to announce visitors. Personality can take after either the herding Sheepdog or the clever Poodle side.21
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Moderate to high: around one to two hours a day of walks and play, plus things that work the brain. Many enjoy swimming, fetch and agility.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Brush at least weekly (two to three times a week is better) to stop tangles, book a professional groom roughly every six to eight weeks, check and clean ears regularly, especially after swims, and keep nails trimmed.21
Home where they are happiest
Happiest in a home with some space; can adjust to a larger apartment if it gets plenty of time outdoors every day. Fits families and single-person homes alike.12
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A complete food made for medium to large dogs, with portions adjusted to the dog's size and activity level.2
Company who they like around
Very people-oriented and usually wonderful with children; a well-socialised Sheepadoodle generally gets on with other pets too.2
The story where it all began
The story goes that military researchers first crossed Poodles with Old English Sheepdogs in the 1960s, hoping for a clever, loyal working dog, but the result was too playful for the job and better suited to family life. Breeders later valued its low-shedding coat and friendly nature, and the Sheepadoodle grew steadily in popularity through the 1980s and 2000s.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Its Old English Sheepdog parent has been the Dulux paint mascot since a 1961 advertising campaign.3
- 2
The Old English Sheepdog side is nicknamed the 'Bobtail', and the breed inspired the Beatles song 'Martha My Dear'.3
- 3
Many Sheepadoodles have a black and white coat that makes them look like little pandas.1
- 4
Sheepadoodles often work as therapy and service dogs.2
Recognised by the official bits
- Major kennel clubs
- A designer crossbreed, not a recognised pedigree breed, with no breed standard.4
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Sheepadoodle. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkevery 2 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upevery year
Parents and lookalikes
Old English Sheepdog
Bernedoodle
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Embrace Pet Insurance: Sheepadoodle embracepetinsurance.comused for history, size, coat, colours, exercise, home needs
- DogTime: Sheepadoodle dogtime.comused for names, size, lifespan, coat, colours, grooming, diet, family life
- Wikipedia: Old English Sheepdog en.wikipedia.orgused for parent breed background, fun facts (secondary)
- Wikipedia: List of dog crossbreeds en.wikipedia.orgused for crossbreed status (secondary)
Checked 2026-10-01. Text is written in our own words from these sources.