Are you considering getting a German Shepherd Poodle Mix? Also known as the Shepadoodle, this dog is a product of two contrasting parent breeds in terms of size. However, they have similar intelligence levels and hardworking personalities that make them a great addition to families.
But before you get one, it’s essential to know what to expect of the Shepadoodle. Check this Shepadoodle guide and learn if they make excellent companions for the family!
German Shepherd Poodle Mix History
Like most Poodle mixed breeds, it’s hard to pinpoint the exact origins of the German Shepherd Poodle mix. However, this breed most likely originated in the 1980s, when most breeders crossed Poodles with other purebred dogs.
How about the parents? Both are popular dog breeds with a history that makes them very popular today!
Poodles came from Germany, used as waterfowl retrievers because of their water-resistant coats. Because of its years as a working dog, Poodles are usually deemed second as one of the most intelligent dog breeds.
The German Shepherd dog originated in Germany in the 1800s. They worked as herders and protected animals from predators. Thanks to their obedience and affection, the dog breed was strictly a farm dog and wasn’t owned as household pets until World War I.
Over time, the German Shepherd dog became even more popular, becoming the preferred breed for search and rescue, help for disabled people, police dogs, military work, and emotional support animals. German Shepherds became so popular that the American Kennel Club noted the second most registered dog breed, right behind Golden Retriever!
German Shepherd Poodle Mix Appearance
The German Shepherd Poodle mix would vary significantly regarding appearances, depending on their genes from parent breeds.
German Shepherd and Standard Poodle mixes can come in small to giant sizes, depending on the genes. Usually, this dog breed stands at 22-28 inches tall, weighing between 50-90 pounds.
German Shepherd can cross with Miniature Poodles as well, resulting in a slightly smaller size. You’ll get a medium-sized dog breed standing less than 22 inches tall, weighing between 35 and 45 pounds.
Breeders can also cross the German Shepherd with a Toy Poodle for an even smaller mixed breed! This dog variety doesn’t weigh over 30 pounds or go over 17 inches tall.
If you live in smaller spaces, you can get a smaller Shepadoodle variety, making this dog breed suitable for most households.
Typically, a German Shepherd Poodle mix would have common colors such as black and brown. They can come in a combination of both coat colors, a single color, or tricolors, including white.
The German Shepherd mix would usually inherit their German Shepherd parent breed’s coat. As a result, they will have a medium-length coat that’s coarser and denser. However, they also inherit the Poodle’s low-shedding coat, making the German Shepherd Poodle Mix shed far less.
Poodle and German Shepherd Mix Temperament
Shepadoodles are very relaxed and well-mannered dogs with a lot of love to give. You might even feel surprised that one of its parent breeds worked as a military dog! When you see past their hardworking background, you’ll find affection, friendliness, and even some clinginess there!
Since the Shepadoodle inherits some of the Poodle’s personality, expect him to act clingy and willing to please. Combine that with the parent breeds intelligence and hardworking nature; you get a dog that’s easy to train.
While their clinginess sounds adorable, it comes with a downside. Like the Shepadoodle’s Poodle purebred parents, they are prone to separation anxiety! You and your family will need to prepare to provide more time for your dog to prevent anxiety symptoms, such as barking, destructive behavior, whining.
Fortunately, the German Shepherd Poodle mix is protective but not an aggressive breed, nor does he bark excessively. He will only alert you to suspicious things or people when necessary. They adapt to any situation well and act friendly towards other people and animals, provided they were trained and socialized early on.
While the German Shepherd Poodle mix makes an excellent family pet that loves children and animals, they have a high energy level. You’ll love how energetic the Shepadoodle is, but you’ll have to exercise and train them properly so they avoid playing too rough with others.
Caring for a German Shepherd Poodle Mix
Knowing the care requirements of a German Shepherd Poodle mix will help you know what to expect of them. It will have you know if you can meet the dog’s needs, making them a suitable pet or not.
Training and Exercise Requirements
Shepadoodles are a very intelligent dog breed and can learn commands quickly. But you’ll need to train them consistently.
Short and daily obedience training sessions are better than long, infrequent ones. Such consistent training won’t stress your dog out, and your Shepadoodle will keep what he learned better. Once your Shepadoodle cracks the basics, he can move towards agility training as an exercise to spend his boundless energy.
It would be best to use positive reinforcement as you train your Shepadoodle, rather than punishing or hitting him. Use verbal praises, cuddles, treats to reward your dog, or stern and slightly sharp tone if he disobeys.
As for proper exercise, your German Shepherd Poodle mix has varying exercise needs, depending on his size. For bigger Shepadoodles, he requires 60-90 minutes of intense exercise a day. If you have a Toy or Miniature Shepadoodle, he’ll only need 30-60 minutes of exercise daily.
Combine different exercises and activities that combine physical and mental stimulation. We recommend taking this ball of energy running, swimming, walking, and playing games like fetch or hide-and-seek. Because of his exercise needs, the Shepadoodle is best suited for active people and experienced dog owners who can provide all the time needed.
Grooming Requirements
While Shepadoodles don’t shed as much as other dog breeds, you’ll still find a few lose, dead hairs around the house. Because of that, you’ll need to brush your dog’s hair daily to get rid of loose hair and prevent tangles.
Regular baths and trims are a must for the Shepadoodle’s medium to long coats! You can do this yourself or take them to a professional groomer once a month. It’s best to trim your dog’s coat shorter during summer or if you can’t brush it as much as required.
Besides that, you must clean your dog’s eyes and ears, trim their nails, and brush their teeth weekly.
What Food?
Did you know that the German Shepard Poodle Mix has a risk of becoming obese? That’s because your dog may be consuming more food than required or less daily exercise than recommended.
Standard Shepadoodles weighing about 50-59 pounds should eat 2 2/3 cups of dry food daily, adding a 1/3 cup for every added 10 pounds. You can ask your dog’s veterinarian for food recommendations since your dog’s food requirements depend on his size, age, and any conditions he has.
Opt for premium-quality dog food without added fillers, artificial ingredients, or colorings that do nothing for his health. Also, avoid feeding your dog human food, which is most likely unhealthy and even poisonous!
German Shepherd Poodle Mix Health
Shepadoodles are generally healthy, but can still inherit genetic health conditions from their parent breeds. These are the common health issues to watch out for:
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Von Willebrand’s disorder
- Sebaceous adenitis
- Epilepsy
- Addison’s disease
- Cushing’s
- Eye problems
- Patellar luxation
- Hypothyroidism
- Allergies
As long as you care for your Shepadoodle well and take him to regular vet visits to prevent and treat problems earlier, he can live for about 12-14 years. Smaller Shepadoodles can live for 14-16 years.
How Much is a German Shepherd Poodle Mix?
German Shepherd Poodle mixes can cost anywhere from $250 to $1,800, depending on various factors like size, breeding conditions, location, and parentage.
Make sure that you purchase a Shepadoodle from a reputable breeder who follows the state guidelines for cleanliness. Avoid puppy mills that sell cheap puppies, as they most likely don’t care for their animals.
When purchasing a German Shepherd Poodle Mix puppy, ask the breeder for health certificates the parent breeds have gone through. A good breeder will provide all the documents required and answer your questions with ease.
Besides purchasing from a breeder, you can also adopt a Shepadoodle from your local rescue center or animal shelter. This is a good idea for people, okay with getting an older dog, not caring much for the breed’s purity. Just make sure that the dog has gone through health testing with the veterinarian and that you’re aware of any special needs he has.
So, is the Shepadoodle right for you? If you’re active and have the time to spend with your dog, then the Shepadoodle makes an amazing companion.
However, first-time pet owners may find raising this dog breed difficult unless they completely commit to his lifestyle. You must learn how to give this dog breed proper training, plenty of exercise, and daily brushing!
Shepadoodles are also great for an active family with children, provided that they properly socialize and train their pet while still a puppy. The human family needs an experienced dog owner who can spend a lot of time cuddling, exercising, and caring for their German Shepherd Poodle mix.