German Shepherd Poodle Mix – Shepadoodle Breed Information

Parent Breeds:

German Shepherd & Poodle

Breed Nickname:

Shepadoodle

Size:

Large

Height:

22 to 28 inches

Weight:

60 to 90 pounds

Life Span:

9 to 12 years

Coat Colors:

Black, cream, white, fawn, tan

Friendliness

Intelligence

Good for First-Time Owners

Good with Children

Easy to Train

Exercise Requirements

Ease of Grooming

Amount of Shedding

Amount of Drooling

Tendency to Bark

What Is A German Shepherd Poodle Mix Called?

A breed created by mixing a German Shepherd and a Poodle is called a Shepadoodle. They go by many alternative names, such as German Doodle, Shep-A-Poo, and Sheperdpoo.

The Shepadoodle is a cross between two very popular purebred dogs, and they’ll vary in size depending on the Poodle used for breeding. However, these dogs are almost always large as they are bred with Standard Poodles.

The result is an energetic and loving dog that will give you a run for your money in all outdoor activities. Will they make a good member of your family, though? Our guide will help you make this decision.

Shepadoodles have been around since the 1960s when they were originally bred as military dogs. Both of their parent breeds are working dogs, so they’re the ideal candidate for professional use.

However, just like their Poodle parent, Shepadoodles caught the eye of many animal lovers thanks to their cute faces and intelligence. They were quickly bred as companion designer dogs and welcomed into homes all over the world.

The Poodle is one of the oldest breeds, originally created to hunt waterfowl in Germany. However, once they made their way into France, they were transformed from working dogs into regal lap dogs.

Smaller Poodles, like Toy Poodles and Miniature Poodles, weren’t bred until the 1400s. The smaller dogs were better lap dogs, but they were also used as truffle hunters.

German Shepherds are one of the top 10 breeds in the US, despite being a relatively new breed. They were first bred in 1899 to be herding dogs. However, their intelligence and agility caught the attention of the military, where they were then used as working dogs.

Shepadoodles are kind-natured and loving to their owners. They are excellent with strangers and lots of people, so they’re good for big families. They are sometimes wary of strangers, but they’ll quickly make new friends.

Socialization is vital for these dogs from an early age. Despite their usual temperament and good reputation, it means nothing without the proper training.

Without proper exposure to other dogs from a young age, the Shepadoodle can become reactive and assertive when they believe a threat is nearby.

Poodles and German Shepherds are some of the most intelligent dogs in the world, so almost all Shepadoodles inherit this gene and are a treat to own.

They’re independent and can often entertain themselves, but they’re also prone to picking up destructive behaviors if left unattended for too long. If you need to leave them alone, make sure they have plenty of mentally stimulating toys left for them.

Examples include treat cages, mental puzzles, and more.

Shepadoodles are overall healthy dogs, provided they are from reputable breeders.

They tend to be less at risk for health conditions their parent breeds are predisposed to, although there are some concerns to be aware of as a Shepadoodle owner.

Many issues won’t appear until later in their lives, and Doodle dogs tend to have fewer health conditions than Poodle crossbred dogs.

However, there are also fewer reputable breeders for Doodle dogs than there are for Poodles.

Here are some of the most common health issues seen in Shepadoodles:

• Cataracts
• Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
• Epilepsy
• Obesity

Keep on top of your routine veterinarian visits and they should be able to spot these health concerns early enough to treat them.

Make sure your dog gets the correct amount of exercise and food, too, to keep them as healthy as possible.

German Shepherds and Poodles are very intelligent breeds, so training their offspring shouldn’t be too difficult, either. They understand commands quickly and retain information that other dogs wouldn’t, giving you both a pleasant training experience.

However, while their intelligence is a great trait, it also means more work for you. Shepadoodles get bored very quickly and will turn to destructive behaviors if they stay bored for too long.

Shepadoodles also need to be trained and socialized early in puppyhood to make sure they can interact with other people and dogs well throughout their lives. Take them to a doggy park and allow them to approach other friendly dogs while monitoring them.

Shepadoodles do not respond well to negative reinforcement. They need positivity during their training sessions, so use treats and kind words to respond to positive behavior. Ignore negative behaviors instead of shouting or getting frustrated.

Thanks to its parent breeds, the Shepadoodle is a very active dog that needs plenty of exercise every day. Ideally, you should offer them between one and two hours of exercise each day.

You might not even see them tire before the two-hour mark!

These are agile dogs, so they need an owner who can keep up with them. Take them on walks, jogs, hikes, swims, and bike rides. Anything you’re doing to keep fit, your Shepadoodle will be more than happy to tag along.

Another great way to tire your Shepadoodle out is with agility training. Many dog parks offer agility courses, or you can make your own at home using household items.

Run your Shepadoodle through the course a few times until they tire out. The great thing about this is that it also mentally stimulates them!

Large dogs like Shepadoodles need large yards to burn off energy throughout the day. If you don’t have a yard for your dog to play in, you’ll need to take them on multiple walks a day to prevent them from getting bored.

Shepadoodles are always on the go, so they need high-quality food made up of plenty of protein, usually from chicken or fish. This keeps their bones and muscles healthy as they grow and change.

They should also have a limited amount of carbs to boost their energy without making them gain weight. Look for vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, which will support their muscles and nervous system.

Shepadoodles are known for gaining weight easily, so only feed them the recommended amount of food for their weight.

You may also be interested in:

• Best Dog Food for Poodles
• Best Puppy Food for Poodles

Shepadoodles from reputable breeders can cost between $550 and $1,000. You might be able to find some for as low as $250 but beware of cheap dogs.

They will have not been bred correctly and might come with several health issues. Reputable breeders are more trustworthy and professional.

Ongoing costs are expensive for Shepadoodles. You need to consider the price of food considering they eat more than the average dog, as well as grooming requirements.

Monthly professional grooming costs could set you back a couple of hundred dollars every month.