" Ever wondered what would be the result of mixing a German Shepherd and a Poodle? Well, you can stop imagining, because this breed exists and it&39;s called the Shepadoodle, a name that comes from the combination of German Shepherd, which means German Shepherd in English, and Poodle, which refers to the poodle. standard. This dog has a number of physical and behavioral characteristics inherited from each of its parents that make it a very versatile dog, bursting with energy, extremely intelligent and very affectionate."
If you think that the Shepadoodle could be your ideal dog, thanks to this PlanèteAnimal sheet, you will be able to make sure of it. Read on and learn about the Shepadoodle's characteristics and the main care it needs!
Origin
- America
- United States
Physical Characteristics
- Muscular
- Proportional
- Short ears
Size
- Large
Height
- 45-55
Adult Weight
- 25-45
Life expectancy
- 12-14
Recommended physical activity
- High
Character
- Society
- Very loyal
- Smart
- Active
Ideal for
- Children
- House
- Walking
- The guard
- Sports
Recommendations
- Harness
Recommended climate
- Temperate
Hair type
- Medium
- Curly
- End
Origin of the Shepadoodle
In the 1960s, the US military used to train strong, active and hardy dogs, such as German Shepherds and Belgian Shepherds, to accompany them on their military missions.However, his quest for excellence led them to cross German Shepherds with Standard Poodles, as Poodles are renowned for their high intelligence as well as their great learning ability. Thus was born the Shepadoodle, an extraordinary working dog that quickly gained popularity in its home country.
Curiously, the Shepadoodle is not the only poodle cross that has triumphed in the United States, because before the breeding of this breed there were already other crosses like the Labradoodle (Labrador and Poodle ) or the Goldendoodle (golden retriever and poodle).
Characteristics of the Shepadoodle
Shepadoodles can be very different from each other, as they come from the crossing of two pure breeds that also differ a lot in their physical appearance: the German Shepherd and the Standard Poodle. Depending on the genetic traits they acquire from each parent, some Shepadoodles will look more like a German Shepherd, with a smoother coat and a heavier, more muscular body, while others will look more like a Poodle, with a curly hair and a leaner, lighter body.
Despite this variability, all Shepadoodles weigh on average between 30 and 40 kilos in adulthood and reach a height of between 50 and 57 centimeters at the withers. Generally speaking, females are slightly smaller than males. The vast majority of specimens have large drooping ears, a long tail covered with abundant hair, sturdy limbs and rounded eyes which may be more or less light depending on the color of the coat.
Shepadoodle Colors
The coat is double coated and can come in many colors including black, tan and dark brown, cream, grey, white and combinations of these colors. As this is not an official breed, all colors and patterns are accepted.
Character of the Shepadoodle
Although the environment and the type of education received by each individual largely determine the character of the animal in adulthood, the Shepadoodle has temperament traits typical of the German Shepherd and the Poodle.
This crossbreed dog is distinguished by its intelligence and its great capacity for learning, so it will absolutely be necessary to keep it physically and mentally stimulated. He is also an active and energetic dog who likes to play, exercise, take long walks and do dog sports with his guardian, who must be a dynamic person willing to devote enough time to the animal. In general, this dog loves water and is a very good swimmer.
If properly socialized and all of their physical and cognitive needs are met, the Shepadoodle is a very sociable dog, suited to life with children and other animals, including cats. He develops very strong bonds with his tutors and is a loyal and protective dog with his family.
Caring for the Shepadoodle
The Shepadoodle needs an enriched environment to be happy, otherwise it may develop behavioral problems due to stress, boredom and frustration.So, one of the most important things is not to neglect his physical and mental stimulation. As he is a very active dog, he should also be exercised outside the house.
You absolutely must take care of this dog's coat to avoid the formation of knots and dreadlocks, which can compromise his he alth and prevent his skin from breathing properly. Whether the individual has the harsh, straight coat of the German Shepherd or the curly, soft coat of the Poodle, it is recommended that they be brushed and detangled at least twice a week. Thanks to the Poodle's genetic influence, Shepadoodles don't shed much.
Due to the amount of hair these dogs have, it is important to periodically check their ears and remove any excess hair that may be present. Thorough cleaning of the ears once or twice a month will prevent the dog from getting ear infections, a common condition, especially among Shepadoodles who like to bathe in the sea or lakes.It is also advisable to get your dog used to brushing his teeth once or twice a week from an early age.
Finally, like any other dog, you must deworm him regularly and keep his vaccines up to date.
Raising the Shepadoodle
The Shepadoodle is a working dog, so he must always have something to do. Ideally, the person adopting a Shepadoodle should have some experience training high-energy dogs and they should be outgoing. This breed is willing to learn and understands very quickly what his guardian asks him, provided he is educated through positive reinforcement. If the Shepadoodle is sufficiently stimulated, he will be very calm at home.
It is important that as soon as the Shepadoodle puppy arrives at home, he is introduced to all kinds of stimuli. Socializing with people, textures, noises, animals and various objects prevents the development of fears and phobias.To carry out this socialization, it is advisable to get help from a professional ethologist who can advise and guide the family.
" Derived from the cross between a sheepdog and a hunting dog, the Shepadoodle likes to run in freedom and tends to chase and try to control everything that happens around him. It can travel long distances following an interesting trail. The heel command and the establishment of a good relationship with his guardian are two cornerstones to prevent the dog from running away or having an accident."
Do not miss our article on How to raise a puppy to discover all our tips.
Shepadoodle He alth
With the proper diet, a good exercise program, and regular visits to the vet, the Shepadoodle is a he althy, hardy dog that, despite its large size, can easily live up to 14 years of age. However, the genetic heritage of its parents, the German Shepherd and the Poodle, makes this breed susceptible to certain diseases, such as:
- Canine Degenerative Myelopathy: This neurodegenerative disease is frequently diagnosed in German Shepherds and causes hind limb weakness due to progressive deterioration of the marrow. In its most severe stage, the hind legs can be completely paralyzed. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disease.
- Progressive retinal atrophy: hereditary in nature, this eye disease causes irreversible degeneration of the dog's retina and almost always leads to total blindness. It is common in Poodles and although there is no effective treatment for atrophy, it occurs slowly, gradually and painlessly, so the dog can gradually adapt to the loss of vision.
- Gastric Dilatation-Torsion: This is a serious and life-threatening condition in which the dog's stomach fills with fluid and gas, distends and twists on itself, compressing other organs and arteries and impeding blood circulation.The rapid ingestion of large quantities of food and/or water and the physical exercise that follows are risk factors for the appearance of this phenomenon. Once detected, gastric dilation-torsion must be operated on as quickly as possible to save the animal's life.
- Hip dysplasia: very common in German Shepherds, this is a degenerative malformation of the coxo-femoral joint that causes lameness, pain and difficulty walking. It can be diagnosed by hip x-rays and treated to slow its progression, although the definitive solution is surgery.
Many of the conditions that frequently affect the Shepadoodle are inherited, so it's important to know the medical history and test the parents before breeding them.
Where to adopt a Shepadoodle?
The Shepadoodle is not a well-known breed in France and it is often confused with other poodle crosses.However, in SPAs across the country, it is easy to find a wide variety of crossbred dogs that have been abused or abandoned by irresponsible people. Among these mongrels it is common to find crossbreeds of Poodle, German Shepherd or both, as is the case with the Shepadoodle.
This is why, instead of buying a puppy, PlanèteAnimal encourages you to contact the SPAs near you. Remember that the most important thing when adopting a dog is not its breed standard, but that its character matches yours and your lifestyle.
Pictures of Shepadoodle
