German Shepherd Poodle Mix – A Happy and Hypoallergenic Dog

If you are looking for a dog that is a mixed breed and you want the best of both a German Shepherd and a Poodle, the Shepadoodle might be the right pick for you. This article can help you to decide if the Shepadoodle breed is right for you and your family!  Find out what kind of temperament the Shepadoodle has, the size, lifespan, health issues/concerns, costs, and more of the German Shepherd Poodle Mix so that you can know if you want to add this breed to your home!

The Shepadoodle is a fun, smart, hypoallergenic, easy to train dog that fits well in a family that is looking for a kind, loving and fun addition to your home.

The Shepadoodle breed is a mix between a German Shepherd breed and the Poodle breed. This hybrid mix can range in sizes from a micro Shepadoodle to a medium-sized breed that is energetic and fun!

The German Shepherd and Poodle breed is often called the Shepadoodle, Sheppo, Shepapoo, and the Sheppoo Shepherd Poodle.

The Shepapoo is a breed that is a hybrid breed that has purebred parents of the German Shepherd and purebred parents of the Poodle, but it is still considered a mixed breed. This dog is patient, loyal, easy to train, hypoallergenic, and is considered to be very loyal to families, even ones with other children and pets.

The Shepadoodle was created in the 1960s by the United States Army because they wanted a working dog that would be smart and wouldn’t shed a lot. Since the German Shepherd was such a hardworking dog and the Poodle is considered elegant and one of the best family dogs, it came to mind to create the Shepadoodle that would be non-allergenic, hardworking, and easy to train.

The Shepadoodle has increased in popularity and has become even more popular since 2007. Most people breed this mix not only for their intelligence and loyalty but because they can help people that suffer from allergies and this is a perfect mix for someone that needs a working dog due to a disability.

You might want to check out:

• Top 44 Cutest Poodle Mixes
• Top 31 Most Adorable German Shepherd Mixes

Overview of the German Shepherd and the Poodle Breed

This quick overview can show you what the best qualities are of both the German Shepherd and the Poodle breed.

 Since the Shepadoodle is a mixture of both the German Shepherd and the Poodle breed it will have traits from both breeds and will get different characteristics from both parents in looks and personality. Some believe this breed will look way different than a German Shepherd and will be fluffy and will generally have the coloring of the Poodle parent.

History of the Shepadoodle

The Shepadoodle is very popular because it is considered one of the smartest dogs in the world and is very loving, fun, and loyal to its family. The personality of the Shepadoodle makes it a good emotional support animal or sight dog because of its ability to be trained so easily.

Even though this breed was created around the later 1900s because of its high intelligence, it is now normally bred because of its great personality and because it is a non-shedding, hypoallergenic and hardworking dog.  This breed is a hybrid mix between the German Shepherd and the Poodle breed. This breed can make an excellent family dog, loves to play, is very loyal, and can help you to have a pet and keep your home free from access dog hair.

Even though the Shepadoodle is considered a mixed breed, it is recognized in the Dog Registry of America Inc, the Designer Breed Registry, the Designer Dogs Kennel Club, and the International Designer Canine Registry.

Shepadoodle Generations

One interesting thing about the Shepadoodle is that it can change based on the lineage of the parents of the German Shepherd and the Poodle. Most of the time, the Shepadoodle will look more like the Poodle breed and will not shed and be hypoallergenic, but some of them will have straighter hair like the German Shepherd.

There are a few different Shepadoodle generations from F1 to F3 but the two most popular are F1 and F1B. The F stands for filial which tells you that your dog is a mixed breed or a hybrid dog and the number stands for which generation they are born in.  The letter, such as F1B, tells you that the breed was backcrossed, which is normally done to make this breed hypoallergenic.

The most popular generation is going to be the F1, but you might also find an F2B.

F1 Shepadoodle

The F1 Shepadoodle means that it is a first-generation Shepadoodle and means that it is 50% German Shepard and 50% Poodle and that the parents were 100% German Shepherd and 100% Poodle. This is considered a new breed and you will not be able to know ahead of time what kind of traits this breed will have.

F1B Shepadoodle

The F1B Shepadoodle is a breed that is 50% German Shepherd and 50% Poodle. This generation will be backcrossed to the Poodle and so it will have the look more of the Poodle with the wavy or curly hair. This breed will have 75% Poodle and only 25% German Shepherd and so you will know more what kind of look this breed will have when you purchase it.

Quick Summary of the Shepadoodle

Pros of Owning a Shepadoodle Puppy

Owning a Shepadoodle can be very rewarding. Here are the pros of owning this breed of dog:

• Very loving to families.
• Very good with children.
• Good with other pets.
• Energetic.
• Fun.
• Protective without aggression.
• Very easy to train.
• Considered one of the smartest dogs in the world.
• Hardworking.
• Loves to play and have fun.
• Hypoallergenic.
• Lower maintenance than other dogs.
• Bonds easily.

Cons of Owning a Shepadoodle Puppy

All breeds have some cons and here are some cons of owning a Shepadoodle puppy:

• Needs to be groomed often to keep the coat healthy and free from shedding.
• Has a higher risk of having health problems because of the breed mix.
• Needs to have adequate exercise, at least an hour and a half each day.

Fun Facts About the Shepadoodle

• This is a very popular breed.
• This breed comes in a micro, mini, and standard-sized breed.
• Since this is a very intelligent dog, it needs to have mental stimulation each day.
• A great dog for people that have disabilities and need a service dog.
• This is considered a designer dog because it gets the best traits from both the Poodle and the German Shepherd.
• The weight of this dog can vary, and it can be slender or even sturdy, depending on its genetics.

Is the Shepadoodle a Guard Dog?

The Shepadoodle was not made as a guard dog and even though it will be very loyal and protective of its family, it is not an aggressive dog and would not make the best guard dog.

These dogs are considered fun, loyal, loving, energetic and a ball of energy. They are very gentle and loving and have very little aggression.

Popularity

Shepadoodle is a breed that is very popular. It begins to grow in popularity in 2007 and has kept growing since.

This breed is considered one of the smartest dogs and makes a very good pet for someone that has children or other pets because of its playfulness and gentleness.

Your Shepadoodle will be a mixture of the German Shepherd and the Poodle and you will not know which characteristics will be passed down in their genetics and there is no real guarantee to which characteristics will dominate your dog. Many people say that in the look’s category, the Shepadoodle looks more like the Poodle parent.

Lifespan

The lifespan of the Shepadoodle is between 11 to 16 years of age.

Temperament

The Shepadoodle is a great companion dog and is very fluffy and gentle. It is considered a very loving and kind dog that is both energetic and intelligent. This breed is very affectionate and loves to have attention.

The Shepadoodle is an active dog and needs to be played with, walked, ran, and have time with its family. It loves to be trained and to please its owner.

This kind of breed is known to be so gentle with children that it is considered one of the best family dogs for families with children or with other pets.

The Shepadoodle is friendly with strangers and is easy to get along with.

One thing about the Shepadoodle is that it is so friendly that it wants attention from its family. Make sure that you have adequate time to give this dog attention so that it does not become bored and pick up destructive behavior such as chewing on things in the home.

The best way that you can raise this breed is to stimulate its mind, take it for long walks, introduce it to new people, places, and experiences.

Average Height of the Shepadoodle

The average height of the Shepadoodle is between 21 and 29 inches in height.

Average Weight of the Shepadoodle

The average weight of the standard Shepadoodle is between 45 to 95 pounds in weight.

Micro Shepadoodle

The micro Shepadoodle is a mix of the small Poodle and the medium-sized German Shepherd breed. This dog will generally weigh between 22 to 36 pounds. This is a great size pet for people in small apartments or even condos or someone that has a small yard.

Mini Shepadoodle

The mini Shepadoodle is a breed that was a medium-size German Shepherd and a small Poodle mix, and this dog is between 32 to 45 pounds. This is a breed that is considered mini, even though it runs up to 45 pounds because the German Shepherd and the Poodle can be between 90-100 pounds each.

Coat of the Shepadoodle

The Shepadoodle has a coat that can be a different mix of colors depending on the coloring of the parents. The colors of the Shepadoodle is usually:

• Black
• White
• Brown
• Fawn
• Gray

The coat of the Shepadoodle can vary depending on the parents.

The Shepadoodle has a coat that is long, with normal density and it is usually curly or wavy, taking after the Poodle parent.

Do not bathe your Shepadoodle too often or brush it too often because it can cause the natural oils to be removed and will not keep the coat healthy and shiny.

The best thing about the coat of the Shepadoodle is that it rarely sheds. Since this is a non-shedding dog, it is considered hypoallergenic and is good for people that have allergies.

Grooming and Brushing

Since the Shepadoodle is a hypoallergenic dog, it does not shed. All that needs to be done with its fur is to make sure that it does not tangle or get matted. This can happen if your Shepadoodle has longer hair but normally does not happen if their hair is shorter.

Brush the hair a couple times a month to keep the fur looking clean and shiny. Only bathe this breed a few times a year, as long as it is free from odor.

One important thing is to make sure to check the ears for any dirt or debris and clean the ears carefully a few times a month to make sure that your Shepadoodle does not get ear infections.  Always make sure that the ears are dried completely after a bath or a swim.

Trim the nails of your Shepadoodle when you hear them clicking so that they do not scratch you or the furniture and so they do not get caught on something.

Your Shepadoodle needs to have strong oral health. This is very important, and your dog needs to have its teeth brushed on a daily basis because they are prone to dental health issues.

Healthcare for Your Shepadoodle

You need to get your Shepadoodle acquainted with your veterinarian immediately and make sure that you are taking your puppy in for annual visits. Your dog will need to have preventative treatments for heartworm, ticks, fleas, and other parasites and will need vaccines throughout its lifetime.

If your dog is sick or not acting normal, always seek veterinarian assistance immediately for treatment.

Since this dog is a mix of the German Shepherd and the Poodle, it has some predisposed conditions that both of these dogs may have. Even though this dog is considered to be prone to some health issues, chances are that your dog will stay healthy and strong.

Here are some possible health problems your Shepadoodle can have:

• Hip Dysplasia
• Pannus
• Parotitis
• Hemophilia
• Degenerative Myelopathy
• Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV)
• Bloat
• Sebaceous Adenitis
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Demodicosis
• Seborrhea
• Diabetes
• Von Willebrand’s Disease
• Cleft Lip or Cleft Palate
• Cervical Vertebral Instability
• Eye Problems
• Mitral Valve Dysplasia
• Patent Ductus Arteriosus
• Pulmonic Stenosis.
• Hypothyroidism

There are some tests that you should get done for your Shepadoodle to make sure it is healthy such as:

• Blood tests
• Eye examinations
• DNA test to check for Vwd
• MRI scans on the brain and spinal cord
• Hip and Elbow X-rays

Doing these tests can help to prevent some of the health problems that the Shepadoodle can have.

Touchiness

The Shepadoodle is very sensitive to touch.

Is the Shepadoodle Tolerant to the Weather?

The Shepadoodle has thick and medium to long hair and can go out and enjoy the hot and cold weather, but do not leave it outside for very long with extreme weather conditions.

Always give your Shepadoodle plenty of water to drink when you go outside.

Barking

The Shepadoodle is a very friendly dog and will only bark if it is trying to get attention or to warn you that someone is there.

Family Pet

One of the best traits about owning a Shepadoodle is its ability to get along with people.

The Shepadoodle is known to be a very good family pet and is considered to be loyal, loving, and playful. It loves to be active and will love a family that will take it out to play games, fetch and to run. This is a dog that will not be aggressive if you have small children or other pets and will love them and be protective of them.

Spending time with your Shepadoodle will create a special bond with you and your dog. This will be a bond that will be a happy bond that lasts a lifetime.

Is the Shepadoodle Good with Children and Pets?

The Shepadoodle is amazing with children and pets. This is a dog that is fun and loving and loves to be around all of the people in its family.

One problem with small children is the size of this dog and the dog could easily knock smaller children or toddlers down when playing.

Always teach your children how to touch and play with the Shepadoodle dog and never to pull its tail, fur or to take away its food or treats. Children should always be supervised around any pet breed.

This breed will get along with other pets that you have in your home. Always introduce your other pets to your Shepadoodle so that it can learn to love them right from the beginning. If your pet was not socialized at a young age, it may take a little longer for the breed to get to know the other pet, but it will be a fast and friendly bond.

Make sure you socialize your Shepadoodle puppy at a very young age to as many pets, animals, and people that you can so that it will grow up to love attention.

Is the Shepadoodle a Good Pet for New Owners or an Apartment Dog?

Even though the Shepadoodle has a lot of energy, this dog loves to be wherever its family is and so it can adapt to any kind of living situation.

It is important that you give your Shepadoodle attention and take it out for walks and to play so that it does not become bored and pick up bad habits such as chewing.

The Shepadoodle loves to go outside and stay indoors, just as long as it is with its family.

This breed has a lot of energy, but it has even more love and would make a great pet for someone that is a new pet owner.

This breed is very easy to train and wants to please its owner so being a new pet owner allows the owner and the Shepadoodle to learn together.

Is the Shepadoodle Easy to Train?

The Shepadoodle is very intelligent and is considered one of the most intelligent breeds in the world. Since it is so smart, it is very easy to train. This breed also wants to please its owner so it will listen very well when given a direction.

It is important to use reward-based training with this dog for the best results. Do not punish or yell at your dog when it does unwanted or disobedient behavior, doing this can cause your dog to become aggressive or fearful. When training, keep it fun and your dog will love to please you.

What Kind of Exercise is Needed for the Shepadoodle?

The Shepadoodle has a lot of energy and wants to go for walks, play and run and be outside for around an hour and a half each day. The Shepadoodle loves to have attention and so you can take your dog outside running, playing games like fetch and chase, and even doing obstacle courses with it.

One thing about the Shepadoodle is that it is very intelligent, so it is important that you find ways to use mental stimulation with your Shepadoodle to keep it happy and entertained.

Is the Shepadoodle Susceptible to Weight Gain?

The Shepadoodle is already a medium to larger sized dog and dogs this size is often prone to gain weight. It is very important that you do not overfeed this breed and that you meet their daily dietary needs.

This breed should be given around 3 cups of kibble each day to keep it healthy and strong and to keep it from gaining weight. Since it is prone to hip dysplasia, you need to make sure not to overfeed this dog and to give it plenty of exercises.

What Kind of Foods Should You Feed Your Shepadoodle?

Kibble is one of the best foods that a dog owner can purchase that is healthy for almost any dog. This food will be perfect for the Shepadoodle Mix but you should be careful to purchase kibble that is for medium to large dogs that are active.  You can even look for low processed or raw kibble so that you can give your pet a treat and keep the calories down. Always feed your Shepadoodle low-calorie foods to keep it from gaining weight so that it will not develop additional health problems later in life.

You may choose to supplement your kibble with canned food, and this is always a great option to keep your Shepadoodle happy. You can also feed your dog human foods but make sure that you know what you can and cannot feed your dog. Choosing to supplement your kibble with canned dog food can get all of the fiber and nutrients that it needs to live a full and healthy and life.

Some of the overall best foods for a Shepadoodle include:

• Turkey
• Whitefish
• Lamb
• Sweet Potato’s
• Foods that are specifically made for the German Shepherd/Poodle breed.
• Foods without artificial ingredients or supplements.

Cost to Own a Shepadoodle

Puppies can cost between $300 to $2000 dollars to purchase. You will also have to have a crate, a leash, collar, food, and a veterinarian checkup. This can run you between $400 and $700 dollars more.

How to Train a Shepadoodle

Training your Shepadoodle will take time and effort, but it will be worth it in the end. Here are some quick tips on training:

• Be firm but have fun with this pet because it is very gentle and easy to learn.
• Always be patient and repetitive so that your puppy can learn.
• Dogs love to be praised and given treats, use this as positive reinforcement.
• Never use punishment or yelling.
• Use crate training to help your puppy feel safe while sleeping.
• Always train your puppy to a leash for its own safety.
• Begin training your Shepadoodle by the age of 8 weeks.

There are simple things that you can do to help make training your dog easier. If you are interested in learning more about training any German Shepherd Mix, check out our Obedience Training Method to find everything you need to know about training your new dog.

Where Can You Find a Shepadoodle?

It can be hard to find this specific breed of the German Shepherd and Poodle mix since they are a mixed breed, but you can try different places such as local shelters or find a reputable breeder.

Is the Shepadoodle a dog breed that is really right for you?

There are hundreds of breeds of dogs that you can choose from and finding the perfect dog for you and your family is not easy. If you are looking for a dog that is loving, kind, easy to train, gets along well with children and other pets, and is smart, this breed can be perfect for you and your family.

Remember, since the Shepadoodle is a mix between a German Shepherd and a Poodle, you can enjoy the traits of both breeds. If you want to enjoy a lifetime of fun, happiness, and love with the Shepadoodle breed, then make it part of your family today!