Have you ever wondered what would be the result of mixing a German Shepherd and a Poodle? Well, stop imagining it! Because this breed really exists and is known by the name of shepadoodle, due to the English combination between "german sheperd" which means German shepherd and "poodle", which refers to the standard poodle. This curious-looking dog has a series of physical and behavioral characteristics inherited from each of its parents that make it a very versatile dog, full of energy, extremely intelligent and very affectionate with its family.
If you think that the shepadoodle could be the ideal dog for you, in this article on our site we will help you discover it. Read on and find out the characteristics of the shepadoodle, its main care and much more!
Origin of the shepadoodle
In the 1960s, the United States Army used to train strong, active, hardy dogs such as German Shepherds and the Belgian shepherds, to accompany them on their military missions, but they wanted to further improve the qualities of the canine agents, breeding increasingly efficient specimens in their work. For this reason, they decided to start crossing German shepherds with standard poodles, since the latter stand out for their intelligence and great ability to learn, as well as for being agile dogs and fast. As a result, they obtained the shepadoodle, an extraordinary working dog that quickly became popular in the country and that many people keep today as a pet in their homes.
As a curiosity, the shepadoodle is not the only poodle cross that succeeded in the United States, because before this breed was bred there were already other combinations such as the labradoodle (Labrador and poodle) or the goldendoodle (golden retriever and poodle), which caused a sensation in America and were frequently trained as assistance or therapy dogs.
Shepadoodle Features
Shepadoodle specimens can be quite different from each other, since they come from the cross of two pure breeds that also differ greatly in terms of physical appearance: the German shepherd and the standard poodle. Depending on the genetic traits they acquire from each parent, some Shepadoodles will be more similar to a German Shepherd, with straighter hair and a more muscular and heavier body, while others will more closely resemble a poodle, displaying a curly coat and a slimmer and lighter build.
Despite this variability, all shepadoodles have an average weight of between 30 and 40 kilos as adults and reach a height between 50 and 57 centimeters at the withers, the females being somewhat smaller than the males. The vast majority of specimens have large droopy ears, a long tail covered with abundant hair, robust limbs and rounded eyes that can be lighter or darker depending on coat color.
shepadoodle colors
Its coat is double-layered and can come in many colors, including black, light and dark brown, cream, gray, white and combinations between them. As it is not an official breed, any color and pattern is accepted.
shepadoodle character
Although, of course, the environment and the type of education received by each individual will largely determine the character of the animal in adulthood, the shepadoodle has temperament traits typical of both the herder German like poodle.
This mestizo dog stands out for his intelligence and his enormous ability to learn, so it is essential to keep this dog stimulated at a level cognitive, either through training sessions or by proposing challenges and activities that make them think and solve problems. Likewise, he is an active and energetic dog, who enjoys playing, exercising, going for long walks and practicing dog sports with his guardian, who must be a dynamic person and dedicate enough time to the animal. Generally, this dog likes water and is a very good swimmer.
If he is properly socialized and all his physical and cognitive needs are met, the shepadoodle is a very sociable dog, suitable to live with children and other animals, including cats. He develops very strong bonds with his guardians and is a faithful and protective dog with his own, so he doesn't like to spend a lot of time away from his family, it can be somewhat suspicious of strangers and tends to bark to warn of any possible danger.
Shepadoodle care
The shepadoodle needs lots of environmental enrichment to stay stimulated and happy, otherwise it can develop behavior problems as a result of stress, boredom and frustration. In this way, one of the main cares for the shepadoodle is adequate stimulation, and not only at home. Being such an active dog, it is also essential to allow it to exercise outdoors, as we have mentioned in the previous section.
It is necessary to take care of this dog's coat to prevent the formation of knots and dreadlocks, which can compromise its he alth and prevent proper perspiration of the skin. Whether the individual has the coarse, straight coat of the German Shepherd or the curly, smooth coat of the Poodle, brush and detangle, at least,a couple of times a week is recommended. Thanks to the genetic influence provided by the poodle, shepadoodles don't shed much , so maintenance becomes easier.
Due to the amount of hair on these dogs, it is important to regularly check their ears and remove any excess hair that may be inside from them. Doing a deep cleaning of the ears once or twice a month will prevent the dog from developing otitis, a fairly common ailment, especially among those shepadoodles who enjoy swimming in the sea or in lakes. It is also recommended to get your dog used to brushing his teeth once or twice a week from a young age to prevent the formation of tartar and dental plaque.
Finally, it is essential, as with any other dog, routinely deworming the animal both externally and internally, keeping the annual vaccination calendar to prevent illness and provide quality food adapted to the needs of each individual.
Shepadoodle Education
The Shepadoodle is a working breed of dog, so it needs to have something to do and keep its mind busy so as not to get frustrated. Ideally, the guardian adopting a shepadoodle has some experience training dogs with high energy levels and is dynamic and has enough time to dedicate to her dog. This breed is very predisposed to learn and understands what its tutor asks of it very quickly, as long as it is trained through a positive work methodology If the shepadoodle receives enough stimulation, he is very calm at home and enjoys spending time relaxing with his family.
It is important that, from the moment the shepadoodle puppy arrives home, he is presented with all kinds of stimuli, in a gradual and controlled manner. Socializing with people, textures, noises, animals and various objects prevents the appearance of fears and phobias and makes the dog a more self-confident animal. To achieve this socialization, it is advisable to have the help of a professional ethologist who can advise the family and guide them, at least, during the puppy stage.
As a cross between a sheepdog and a hunting dog, the Shepadoodle loves to run free and tends to chase and try to control everything that happens around it, being able to go great distances following an interesting trail. Training the call and establishing a good bond with the guardian is very important to prevent losses or accidents when the animal is off leash.
Don't miss our article on How to train a puppy to find out all our tips.
ShepadoodleHe alth
Provided a proper diet, a good exercise routine, and regular visits to the vet, the Shepadoodle is a he althy, hardy dog that, despite its large size,can easily reach 14 years of age However, the genetic heritage of its parents, the German shepherd and the poodle, makes this breed susceptible to certain diseases, including:
- Canine Degenerative Myelopathy – This neurodegenerative disease is commonly diagnosed in German Shepherds and causes weakness in the hind limbs as a result of a progressive spinal cord damage. In its most serious stage, the hind legs can become completely paralyzed. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this pathology.
- Progressive retinal atrophy: hereditary, this ocular pathology causes irreversible degeneration of the dog's retina and almost always leads to a total blindness. It is common in poodles and, although there is no effective treatment against atrophy, it occurs slowly, progressively and painlessly, so the dog can gradually adapt to loss of vision.
- Gastric Dilation-Torsion - This is a serious and life-threatening condition in which the dog's stomach fills with fluid and gas, dilates and twists on itself, compressing the other organs and arteries and preventing blood circulation. The rapid ingestion of abundant food and/or water and the subsequent performance of physical exercise are risk factors for this phenomenon to occur, especially in large and giant dogs. Once detected, gastric dilatation-torsion must be operated on as soon as possible to save the life of the animal.
- Hip dysplasia: very common in German shepherds, it is a degenerative malformation of the coxofemoral joint that causes lameness, pain and difficulty walking. It can be diagnosed by taking X-rays of the hip and treated to stop its progress, although the definitive solution is to subject the animal to surgery.
Several of the pathologies that frequently affect the shepadoodle are hereditary, so knowing the medical history and testing the parents is important before reproducing them, something that not all breeders take into account.
Where to adopt a shepadoodle?
The shepadoodle is not a well-known breed in Spain and can often be confused with other crosses derived from the poodle. However, in the protectoras throughout the country it is easy to find a huge variety of mestizo dogs that have been mistreated or abandoned by irresponsible people as they are unwanted litters. Among these mestizos, it is common to find crossbreeds of a poodle, a German shepherd or both, as is the case with the shepadoodle, both adults and puppies.
Therefore, instead of buying a puppy, from our site we encourage you to contact shelters and animal rescue centers and give a second chance to a dog that needs a home. Remember that the most important thing when adopting a dog is not its breed standard, but that its character fits with ours and our lifestyle, only then can we offer it a happy life.
