A Shepadoodle is a mix between a German Shepherd and a Poodle. This friendly dog is most commonly called a Shepadoodle, but you may also hear them referred to as a Shep-A-Poo, German Doodle, Sherdoodle, or Shepdoodle.
This hybrid dog breed is intelligent and eager to please its owners, making it easier to train than other breeds. Shepadoodles weigh around 50 – 90 pounds and are 22 – 28 inches tall. They can live for up to 14 years.
Shepadoodles are lovely family dogs who are great at being around children due to their easygoing natures. These dogs are highly energetic, so they need active owners who can take them on plenty of walks. If you do not have time to walk the dog very often, you should select a different breed.
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Shepadoodle Quick Summary
| Breed Type | Hybrid/mix breed |
| Suitable For | Active people, families |
| Size | 22-28″ |
| Weight | 50-90 lbs |
| Personality | Eager to please, intelligent, loyal |
| Coat Type | Long, medium density |
| Shedding | Low |
| Full Colors | Black, brown, fawn, white, grey |
| Cost | $800+ |
| Exercise requirements | High |
| Food requirements: | High |
| Lifespan | 12-14 years |
German Shepherd Poodle Mix Appearance & Pictures
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As with most hybrid breeds, the appearance of Shepadoodles can vary significantly. Overall, the fur of these dogs is likely to be long and wavy, and there are many possible coat colors. Shepadoodles are large dogs, with brown eyes and floppy ears.
Size and Weight
Shepadoodles come in a few varieties. Micro, toy, and petite Shepadoodles are the smallest breeds. These dogs can weigh from 25 – 35 pounds. The next biggest ones are mini Shepadoodles, which can weigh 35 – 45 pounds.
There is a lot of variance in the size and weight of standard Shepadoodles. They can be 22 – 28 inches tall and 50 – 90 pounds.
Be aware that Shepadoodle puppies can be deceptively small, but they will grow up quickly. At six months old, a Shepadoodle will likely weigh around 40 pounds before going up to 65 pounds at a year old.
Coat
The coat of Shepadoodles can look quite different from dog to dog. Most of these dogs don’t shed much, so they are excellent for people with allergies. Shepadoodles usually have curly, long coats. However, some of these dogs have straight or medium-length coats.
First-generation Shepadoodles (bred from a Poodle and German Shepherd) are likely to have wavy coats which don’t shed a lot. Dogs bred from a Shepadoodle and a Poodle may have curlier coats that barely shed at all. So, the parent breeds have a significant influence on what the dog’s fur looks like.
The primary Shepadoodle colors are black, brown, fawn, white, and grey.
Shepadoodle Origins
Shepadoodles have been around since the 1960s. They were created to be military police dogs working for the US Army. They were bred for their loyalty, courage, and intelligence. Today, Shepadoodles are commonly used for herding livestock due to their energetic nature.
Currently, there are two common types of Shepadoodles, F1 and F1B. An F1 Shepadoodle is the offspring of a purebred Poodle and a purebred German Shepherd. An F1B Shepadoodle is a mix of an F1 Shepadoodle and a Poodle. So F1B Shepadoodles are 75% Poodle and only 25% German Shepherd.
To understand Shepadoodles, you must first understand the heritage of their two parent breeds.
German Shepherd
German Shepherds were created around the 19th century in Germany. These dogs were bred to be intelligent and suited to work in the field. German Shepherds first came to the US in the early 1900s. Today, German Shepherds work as police dogs in the military and are common family pets.
The coat of these dogs is medium length and extremely dense, leading to a high amount of shedding. German Shepherds are usually a mix of black and brown and have a good temperament, making them excellent family dogs.
Standard Poodle
Poodles also hail from Germany, where they are used as water retrievers by hunters. The signature haircut of this breed was initially designed to keep their legs and torso warm in freezing waters while removing the rest of the fur.
The Poodle is known for its fluffy, curly coat. This breed has medium-length fur that doesn’t shed, and its coat comes in a range of colors. Poodles are intelligent, easy to train, and loyal but can also be mischievous.
German Shepherd Poodle Mix Personality and Temperament
Shepadoodles are a wonderful family dog. This breed enjoys being around children and other animals and is able to get along with anyone. They tend to bark when they get excited but will not bark continuously.
These dogs are excellent watchdogs due to their loyal nature. Shepadoodles are highly intelligent and can be protective of their owners. As long as you walk them sufficiently, this breed will be happy staying inside and playing, making them a great pet in a range of accommodation types.
If you don’t have time to walk a Shepadoodle each day, they may not be a suitable dog for you.
Taking Care of a Poodle German Shepherd Mix
Shepadoodles are low maintenance, as they don’t shed much, and you don’t need to brush them too often. They are easy to take care of, as long as you give them plenty of exercise.
Food Needs
Shepadoodles eat up to 3 cups of kibble each day. This breed is prone to gastric sensitivity, which can be managed by giving them high-quality foods. These dogs don’t tend to demand more food and will stay lean if exercising regularly.
Grooming Needs
The grooming needs of Shepadoodles are low to moderate, depending on the type of coat it has. Dogs with shorter coats don’t require a lot of brushing, as they are unlikely to experience mats in their fur.
Shepadoodles with longer coats will need to be brushed regularly to keep their fur untangled. Brushing this breed a couple of times each month will keep their coat in good condition. Neither type of dog will shed very much, making it a suitable breed for those who have allergies or don’t want to vacuum often. This breed doesn’t have a strong odor, so you can bathe them just a few times each year.
Exercise Needs
The Shepadoodle has medium to high energy levels. They require a fair amount of time outside to stay happy and out of trouble. While these dogs can happily spend a lot of time inside, they do need to get out and exercise regularly.
Shepadoodles are an excellent choice if you like long walks or going for a jog with your dog. If this breed does not get the chance to exercise enough, it can become destructive. If you live in an apartment, you can own a Shepadoodle as long as you make sure it gets enough exercise.
Mental Needs
Shepadoodles were created to serve, so they respond well to commands and have excellent instincts. The downside of their great trainability is that Shepadoodles require the constant mental stimulation that comes from being trained and performing tasks, or they can become distressed.
That being said, you can easily keep them happy by training them to perform tasks or tricks and asking your Shepadoodle to perform them on a daily basis.
Keeping mentally stimulating toys around the house is also a great way to keep your Shepadoodle’s demanding intelligence satisfied.
Common Health Concerns
Shepadoodles are prone to bloating. The dog’s stomach can fill up with air, food, or liquid, putting pressure on its organs and inhibiting blood flow. You will notice that the dog is short of breath, has a rounded abdomen, and will be retching if it experiences this condition.
Another common health condition Shepadoodles experience is degenerative myelopathy. This disease affects the spinal cord and can cause weakness or even paralysis. To prevent this, keep your Shepadoodle at a healthy weight.
If you see your Shepadoodle limping, they may be suffering from patellar luxation. Also known as a dislocated kneecap, this can be fixed with surgery in severe cases.
Training a Shepadoodle
As Shepadoodles are extremely smart, these dogs can easily and quickly learn commands and instructions. They are well-behaved and obedient, making the training process simple for owners. The earlier you start training these dogs, the better.
You must be consistent and firm with your training so that they can learn what is expected of them. Train your Shepadoodle to appropriately interact with other animals and humans, and they will be respectful around others.
Shepadoodle Cost
Shepadoodles are not expensive dogs. They eat a lot but don’t require a lot of maintenance, grooming, or healthcare. You could expect to spend a lot on food but not much else.
How Much is a Shepadoodle?
A Shepadoodle costs $800 or more. The price can vary depending on its lineage and whether you want an F1 or F1B Shepadoodle.
Buying from a reputable breeder will cost you more, but it will be worth it. Good breeders know how to breed dogs with fewer health and obedience issues.
The likelihood of being able to adopt a Shepadoodle from a shelter is not high as there are not many around. However, if you are lucky enough to find one, this can be a cheaper alternative to purchasing from a breeder.
How Much Does It Cost to Raise a Shepadoodle?
The annual vet cost for this breed is around $200 – 400. The price will vary depending on your dog’s health each year. You can expect to spend about $40 – 50 on dog food each month for your Shepadoodle.
Should You Get a Shepadoodle?
Shepadoodles are loyal, intelligent, and energetic. They are wonderful, well-behaved dogs. However, they may not be suitable for those with small backyards or sedentary lifestyles.
Shepadoodles are Suitable for:
Shepadoodles are suitable for families, even those with young children, because they are playful and well-behaved. These dogs enjoy being around other animals and humans and are receptive to commands and training. This mixed breed thrives with plenty of open space or when taken on regular walks.
Shepadoodles are NOT Suitable for:
Shepadoodles are not suitable for people who don’t want to walk their dogs and only have small backyards. You can only keep one in an apartment if you are willing to give it plenty of exercise.
If you are prepared to play with your dog and exercise it a lot, Shepadoodles reward you with plenty of love, loyalty, and obedience.
Other Poodle and German Shepherd Mixes
If you’re interested in learning about other German Shepherd mixes or Poodle mixes, check out the hybrid dog breeds below.
Poodle Mixes
German Shepherd Mixes
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