Sheepadoodle vs Goldendoodle Breed Comparison [with photos]
Choosing a new puppy is an exciting time, and both the Sheepadoodle and the Goldendoodle are amazing breeds, but you should know that they are also very different.
The obvious similarity is that they are both Doodles, but one calm and gentle, and the other is a character that loves to play constantly.
Both breeds are amazing dogs, but you should consider the traits, personalities, and other aspects of their temperaments before committing to one or the other.
The Key Sheepadoodle vs Goldendoodle Differences
History of the Sheepadoodle and the Goldendoodle
Both of these breeds have the non-shedding and hypoallergenic benefits of a poodle, but to get to know each kind, let’s begin where they came to be and the two breeds that were blended to make two phenomenal new breeds.
Sheepadoodle Origins
The Sheepadoodle is a cross between the old English Sheepdog and the Poodle. The Sheepadoodle is the loving family dog that it is today because the U.S. military bred the old English Sheepdog and Poodle to make a hybrid that worked as police dogs.
The quality of the Sheepadoodle is revered. Both the poodle and the old English Sheepdog breeds are centuries old and have the respect of those who have seen these dogs as hard workers and loyal to their families.
Goldendoodle Origins
The Goldendoodle is a crossbreed of the Golden Retriever and Poodle, both of which have a great personality and are affectionate dogs, not to mention incredibly cute. The Goldendoodle was first bred in 1969 to serve as guide dogs, but by the 1990s, more commonly pets.
Temperament of the Sheepadoodle VS Goldendoodle
Both of these dog breeds are social and love being around their families. These dogs do not do well when left on their own for extended periods, but they can be left alone provided they have toys and puzzles that will keep them occupied. Another great option is to have your dog attend a doggy daycare that will allow them to be entertained and socialize with other dogs.
Just as these two breeds have similarities, they also have different temperaments due to their varied lineage.
Sheepadoodle Temperament
The Sheepadoodle tends to be a very gentle and kind soul that makes wonderful family dogs. They do not need a ton of exercise, but they love to play and run around with their families that they bond to deeply.
Goldendoodle Temperament
The Goldendoodle is also a great family dog, especially if your family is always on the go and takes on adventures. The Goldendoodle is an intelligent dog that loves to please its family and be a part of everyday goings-on.
Sheepadoodle vs Goldendoodle Exercise Needs
Both the Sheepadoodle and the Goldendoodle love to play and run with their families, but one of the breeds needs far more activity than the other.
Sheepadoodle Exercise
The Sheepadoodle has the potential to be a large dog, which means they will need a good size yard to run around. While a Sheepadoodle is moderately active, they will still need about an hour of exercise every day, which can include a walk, running around the yard, playing tug-of-war with their favorite toy, or fetch.
Goldendoodle Exercise
To keep a Goldendoodle happy, it will need an active family. Goldendoodles love to spend time with their owners no matter what they are doing, but love going on hikes, swimming anywhere, playing in their yard (which should be big), running after a ball, and doing any other activity.
The Goldendoodle is the type of dog that needs a highly active family, so if that is you, then you would be a good fit for one another. Without the proper exercise, this breed is not going to be as happy as it should be.
How to Train Sheepadoodles and Goldendoodles?
When you are training a Sheepadoodle and a Goldendoodle, the basics are very similar. These dog breeds are highly trainable and highly intelligent breeds that love to please their owners and get praise for a job well done.
Both breeds are inherently smarter than most other breeds because of the poodle in them, the Goldendoodle, because of the intelligence of the Golden Retriever, will have a slight advantage.
Doodles love agility and other types of training, as they like to be busy and enjoy having something to think about. These breeds love to have praise from their wonders why they do a good job or learn a new trick and are in their happy place when they have a job to do.
Because of their high intelligence, you must keep your dog entertained and their mind active. Even a trained Sheepadoodle or Goldendoodle will get bored if left with nothing to do and will get into mischief, such as chewing your baseboards or eating your furniture.
Sheepadoodle VS Goldendoodle Size, Health, and Lifespan
Both breeds have comparable, but slightly different sizes, health needs and ailments, as well as lifespans.
Sheepadoodle Wellness
The Sheepadoodle is a relatively healthy breed with few overwhelming problems, but they tend to have a few issues that you should be aware of. The Sheepadoodle is prone to problems with their joints, bloating, skin issues, Cushing’s disease or Addison’s disease, and certain cancers.
As a large breed, the Sheepadoodle requires quality food that gives them enough nutrients to meet their size and energy level. The Sheepadoodle is prone to a digestive condition called bloat and is also known to become overweight. This breed diet should not contain unhealthy fillers, and they should rest after eating to avoid bloat.
The Sheepadoodle’s life expectancy is 12 – 15 years, providing they are well cared for and have few health issues, and will grow to be as large as 80 pounds.
Goldendoodle Wellness
The Goldendoodle is a healthy breed, generally, and is relatively easy to care for. Brushing your Goldendoodle often is a must because they have long fur. Because of their long coat, they are prone to getting ear infections, it is necessary to watch for that. They are also more apt to suffer from hip dysplasia so, their hips should be checked on regularly.
Because a Goldendoodle is highly active, they need a diet that will keep them strong and full of energy. Dry food that is high in protein and high in healthy fats will help keep them primed and help remove plaque.
The Goldendoodle’s life span is anywhere from 10 – 15 years if they are in good health and taken care of properly and grow as large as 60 pounds.
Smaller Goldendoodles can live up to 17 years. There is a direct correlation between size and expected lifespan.
With all breeds of dogs, you want to avoid foods that are of low nutritional value or difficult to digest and are common canine allergies, such as corn, soy, wheat, and dairy.
Size of Sheepadoodle vs. Goldendoodle
The Sheepadoodle and Goldendoodle come in many different sizes. Some are small, while clothes range to the larger mid-scale variety.
Sheepadoodle Size Guide
Sheepadoodles come in sizes that vary from micro to mini to standard. The standard Sheepadoodle is anywhere from 45 – 80 pounds and is the most common size, but they also come in smaller sizes.
The mini Sheepadoodle (or micro Sheepadoodle) is generally varied in size from 40 – 60 pounds, depending on the parents’ size, so you may want to check with the breeder ahead of time if you have limited space.
A Miniature Sheepadoodle will only get up to around 30 pounds, with the lesser weight being 17 pounds. The micro is likely only possible if the breeder does an F1b cross, which means they will have primarily Poodle in them. These are rare, and expensive.
Goldendoodle Size Guide
The Goldendoodle is also available in three sizes, toy, mini and standard. The standard size usually grows to be between 50 – 60 pounds, which is about 20 pounds smaller than the larger Sheepadoodle.
The mini Goldendoodle can grow to be 50 pounds but can be as small as 35 pounds, while a toy Goldendoodle, which is also an F1b cross, will be anywhere from 20 pounds to 35 pounds, depending on their parents.
Sheepadoodle vs Goldendoodle Coats
These two breeds also vary when it comes to their coats, including texture, length, and coat color.
Sheepadoodle Coat
A Sheepadoodle coat is wavy, very soft, and thick, but that does not mean that they cannot have a bit more curl in their fur. This breed needs regular, weekly brushing to keep their fur tangle and matt-free. Sheepadoodles are popular among many households because they are hypoallergenic.
The Sheepadoodle will need regular groomer visits with particular attention paid to their ears because they are floppy and need regular cleaning to prevent infection. The Sheepadoodle comes in many colors, including black and white, black, and even red and white.
Goldendoodle Coat
The Goldendoodle breed can have many types of fur, including curly, wavy, or straight. For a Goldendoodle to be hypoallergenic, it must have wavy or curly hair, as the straight coat will shed more.
The most common colors that you will see in a Goldendoodle coat are cream, apricot, and red. They can also be other colors like black, chocolate, or various shades.
Sheepadoodle vs. Goldendoodle Grooming Needs
Both of these breeds have grooming requirements that will need tending to regularly. The grooming requirements of both breeds are very similar.
Both inherit Poodle eye so expect plenty of time spent cleaing up eye boogers and removing hair from the face and ears.
Brushing
The sheepadoodle and Goldendoodle will need to be brushed frequently due to their wavy or curly, thick fur to avoid knots or mats, especially in areas that tend to become messier, such as behind their ears.
Fur Trimming
Unless you are an experienced DIYgroomer, you will need to take your doodle to the puppy salon every 6 – 12 weeks to get their fur trimmed. Since a Doodle does not shed, they need frequent trimmings to keep their coat at a manageable length.
Beginning their grooming regiment at a young age (about 12 weeks) will help them get used to the fuss.
At home grooming is possible but if the dog is larger you will need to invest in a grooming table (these Goldendoodle grooming tables are suitable for Sheepadoodles too)
Sheepadoodle vs Goldendoodle Price
To get a high-quality dog from a reputable breeder, you are going to pay top dollar for either of these Doodle breeds. The demand is super high for each poodle mix dog breed, and they will not miss you with price. Adoption and rescue are always reccomended – but finding an in demand Doodle breed in these facilities is rare.
Sheepadoodle Breeder Price
You will pay anywhere from $1,000 – $3,000 for a Sheepadoodle puppy. If the puppies are a more sought after or rare color, such as red and white, you can expect to pay on the higher end and may have to go on a lengthy waitlist.
Smaller Sheepadoodles (sometimes referred to as a Micro Sheepadoodle dog) are rarer and more expensive.
Goldendoodle Breeder Price
The Goldendoodle dog price range is only slightly lower at $1,000 – $2,500. You will pay on the higher end if they are a rare mix, such as the more rare sizes.
When buying a Goldendoodle you will also pay more if the Goldendoodle puppy litter is a variety of rare or unusual coat colors or patterns. There are Goldendoodle rescue options for this popular breed.
If you are planning on not having your Goldendoodle spayed and breeding you will likely face an additional surcharge.
Some of the Cockapoo rescue facilities in the USA also features Goldendoodle dogs. Adopting when possible is not only ethical but also helps reduce costs.
Additional Costs
The cost of purchasing the puppy from the breeder is only the beginning of what you will spend on your precious new family member.
In the first couple of months, you will be spending around $1,000 on toys, beds, crates, leashes, and other dog supplies, as well as vet visits for vaccinations and check-ups. Yearly breakdown of Goldendoodle costs.
The cost of owning a doodle dog will go down after they have their first shots and you have bought what your puppy needs (including those toys and puzzles to keep them entertained), but do expect unexpected expenses, as well as factoring in the grooming costs.
Doodle owners are notorious for treating and spoiling our pups though – so show restraint with your budget!
Final Word
Both the Sheepadoodle and the Goldendoodle are fantastic breeds to welcome into your home and your family. When you are deciding on bringing a Sheepadoodle vs. Goldendoodle into your home, there are a few key things that need to be considered.
Because the Goldendoodle is more high-energy, you will need to make sure you have a lifestyle that can cater to a more energetic and social dog’s temperament. If you are relatively active but want more of a low-key pooch, the Sheepadoodle is for you.
With any dog, your commitment to them is life-long, so make sure you do your research, have the proper home, yard, and time to make them a part of your family so that you can reap the benefits of one of these beautiful breeds into your life.
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