Poodle German Shepherd Cross Hybrid Mix Dog Breed Guide
A German Shepherd Poodle mix is often referred to as a Shepadoodle. Both dog breeds have Germany as their place of origin. However, the difference between them is so vast that you would not guess this fact.
Poodles are widely known to be excellent family dogs. Both children and adults love to play with the dog’s fluffy coats. German Shepherds are very poised and give off the impression that they are stoic beings always in deep thought.
A cross of the two breeds results in the Shepadoodle. They are gentle and have extraordinary attributes that they inherit from both their parents. As a result, they have an approachable trait as well as a protective character.
Their well-balanced nature allows them to be free with every family member. This is why families prefer them. In a family setting, Shepadoodles can interact patiently with children who are still learning to play with dogs.
They are continuously full of energy, and their companions should be prepared for this. They should be able to give them adequate exercise to use up some of the energy. Being intelligent dogs, they also require frequent mental stimulation.
They can grow to be quite big, so they need a bigger space to live in and be comfortable. Sometimes, they may demonstrate excessive protective behavior. This may be dangerous, especially if they are around clueless children and strangers.
Other than that, the Shepadoodle is fun and gentle. Handlers love them because of how easy they are to train. Families adore them for their cuteness and moderate temperament, and children love the fact that they can play with them for hours on end.
An overview look at the Shepadoodle shows that they have a lifespan that ranges from ten to fifteen years, depending on several factors. They can grow to weigh about fifty to eighty pounds, depending on the care they get.
They can grow to be as tall as twenty-four inches. Their primary colors are mostly brown and black or a mixture of the two. They are comfortable around children and other dogs when socialized properly.
They are easy to teach, and when their coat needs care, it is easy to maintain. Their overall health is excellent most times. They need adequate exercise, which is not hard to give. They also do not have a lot of expenses.
To understand them better, we will discuss their parent breeds, the German Shepherd and the Poodle. It is always standard practice to gather information on parent breeds before adopting or buying a mixed breed like the Shepadoodle.
A mixed dog’s background could shed light on possible health risks your dog is prone to face. It also allows you to learn proper ways of going about their training, care, and diet. You will also find out whether their mannerisms are compatible with your family or lifestyle.
Poodle
The Poodle is perhaps known as a French dog. It is probably due to its classy appearance that bodes well with the world’s foremost fashion capital. However, it originated in Germany in the sixteenth century.
It is unique, not only in looks but also because it is the only non-sporting breed that participates in retriever contests. They are excellent water retrievers, and they show it in the competitions that they take part in.
They rank seventh I popularity across the United States. They are active work dogs that need a lot of exercise to exhaust their energy reserves. They are also brilliant and seem proud. They are easy to handle after some getting used to their behavior.
Poodles typically have three sizes. There is the Standard Poodle that grows to be fifteen inches in height or taller. The Shepadoodle’s parent is usually of this size. The other two sizes are the Miniature Poodle, which is perhaps the most common, and the Toy Poodle.
The Miniature Poodle is usually fifteen inches tall or shorter, while the Toy Poodle does not grow taller than ten inches. The ease in mating between the Standard Poodle and other dog breeds makes them the preferred choice.
German Shepherd
The Shepherd is recognizable worldwide. In America, it is ranked second in popularity. They are known to be fierce, and with specialized training, they can serve in law enforcement and search and rescue operations.
They are loyal to their human companions. They are also fierce, which makes them excellent guard dogs. Previously, they were regarded as herding dogs, but their role has changed to service dogs.
This change is because of a combination of factors. They are easy to train, and when you are firm with them, they respect and obey commands swiftly. They are also large dogs, and with enough exercise and training, they can look menacing and scare off any perpetrators.
They are smart and can learn and carry out complex commands. They enjoy learning new tricks and can complete tasks assigned to them on their own. They identify with one person in the family who will become their leader because of their pack mentality.
They can grow to weigh from about fifty to ninety pounds when correctly looked after. They can reach heights of twenty-two to twenty-six inches. They are brave, confident, and can stick around when facing down an enemy or in dangerous situations.
What would a mix of these two popular breeds be like? Let us take a look at the Shepadoodle.
Shepadoodle
The Shepadoodle is one of the rare Poodle mixes. However, it is rising in popularity lately. It is a relatively new mix, and so, not everything about them is known. You can determine the possibilities in the dogs’ outcome with the information the parent breeds accords us.
Temperament
The combination of traits they inherit may vary but what remains constant is the energy and mental needs of the Shepadoodle. They are very energetic and bode well with people who have active lifestyles.
When meeting new people, in the beginning, they may not be so accommodating because of their inherited guarding traits. However, given a short while, they will be able to be sociable. This is thanks to the generous characteristics of the Poodle parent.
They are great around families. They play around with kids and are great company during family events. They are large dogs with equally large hearts and are affectionate with everyone. The balance of their parents’ traits makes the Shepadoodle a great pet.
Size
The size of the Poodle parent determines their size. Poodles have three size categories, and the pup inherits them. However, in most instances, the Poodles are of standard size and closer in height to the German Shepherd.
They can grow to be anywhere between eighteen inches and twenty-four inches in height. When fully grown, they can weigh between fifty and eighty pounds, depending on their care. They are muscular like the German Shepherd.
They can have large and dark eyes. Their ears take the shape of a triangle. That combined with their smile, they have a charming appearance.
Coat Colors
Their coats resemble Poodles’ coats. They are fluffy and curly. They can vary in color, but most coats take darker toned colors. The hair length depends on the German Shepherd parents because they can have either long or short hair.
Physical Needs
The Shepadoodle mostly grows to be a large dog that requires a lot of living space. They should be able to move around freely and sleep comfortably in the room that you give them. The best choice is having access to the backyard.
Space in the backyard has to be plenty and secured by a fence. That way, they can run around freely and stay safe from intruders trespassing. The amount of space depends entirely on the dog’s size.
Some breeders can produce a cross of a Miniature Poodle and a German Shepherd. They are mainly small and adorable dogs, which need less space for exercise than the Standard Poodle-Shepherd mix. This is because of their low energy requirements.
They are not suitable for living in small homes and apartments. They tend to get cabin fever and become restless resulting in destructive behavior. You can get more information about the size of their Poodle parents to predict the size the mix will grow up to have.
They are loyal to their handlers and companions, and because of the traits inherited from the Shepherd, they are very alert. They are wary of unfamiliar people and alert the owners of their presence.
There are places where the barking is not appreciated. Be sure to check the noise restriction in the home you are taking them to so that harmony is maintained between you and your neighbors.
They are great around children despite their large size and high energy levels. However, they may not be so generous with toddlers because toddlers require much more care, and the Shepadoodle might knock them over.
In any case, children should not be left unsupervised with the dog. They should also be taught the fundamentals of living and playing with a dog. Adult supervision allows them to react quickly in case of an accident.
Training
They are naturally curious and exhibit high intelligence. Therefore, they are excellent during training. They can learn commands quickly and are easy to handle. Because of this fact, they are suitable for first-time dog owners.
However, new dog owners should get more information about handling dogs with protective behavior. Otherwise, the dog may cause harm to others, which could lead to more problems for the owners.
Some classes can help teach your dog obedience and restraint. This is an alternative for those who cannot do it themselves. Another option is hiring a personal dog trainer that will professionally teach them manners and commands.
They should be introduced to humans at an early age. They tend to be protective, so to prevent any mishaps, this training should begin very early. However, this is not a massive problem because of the dog’s Poodle side. They will get along with people and animals in no time.
During training, a fantastic hack is to give them verbal praise, which has been proven to work well on German Shepherds. Treats and toys work well with Poodles. Combining the two will make the training sessions go smoothly and be richly rewarding.
Health
With excellent health, the Shepadoodle can live to be between ten and fifteen years. This is thanks to the Poodle’s healthy genes that generally give them a long life. However, since they are a mixed dog, they are susceptible to both breeds’ health risks.
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
Many dogs are at risk of developing this condition. It results in the loosening of the joints and is characterized by a lot of pain. Rapid growth in the dogs accelerates the disease. Therefore, the handlers should monitor their diet closely.
Eye Conditions
The eye conditions are more prevalent in Poodles, so you have to take them for regular checkups to be safe. The most common condition screened for is Progressive Retinal Atrophy. It occurs late in the years of the dog but can be managed if it is caught early.
Degenerative Myelopathy
It is more common in German Shepherds. It affects the spinal cord and causes it to gradually degenerate, which then affects mobility in the hind legs and finally paralysis. The Shepadoodle may also develop this disease.
Addison’s Disease
It is more common among Standard Poodles. It is caused when the adrenal gland near the kidney does not produce enough hormones. The dog loses weight and becomes sick. There is blood in their feces in severe cases, and it may also cause the dog to be depressed.
Nutrition
Shepadoodles require food that will replenish the massive amounts of energy they use up. The best food is usually high-quality dog food specially formulated for large dogs. A full-grown dog can consume up to three cups of kibble each day.
However, due to the risk they face developing hip or elbow dysplasia, it is best practice to regulate their intake. Monitoring their diet ensures they get the required amounts without the risk of diseases.
Their food should be rich in nutrients to help them grow healthier. Nutrients found in food enable the dog to grow tissue and heal any wounds they may suffer. Calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorous are among the minerals required in their food.
Grooming
They need daily brushing to maintain their curly coats. If they have longer coats, a sleek brush is a better tool for their grooming. They should also get a bath every two months and also get general cleaning of their ears, teeth, and clipping their nails.
More frequent bathing might interfere with their natural coat oil, so the recommended period between baths is six weeks. There are pet grooming stores that might help out with the professional grooming of the Shepadoodles.
Cost
Before getting a puppy from a breeder, you need to make sure their licenses are up to date, and their operation is up to code. Otherwise, you may be getting a puppy from illegally operating breeders.
A Shepadoodle puppy will go for about eight hundred dollars or higher. The breeder will provide you with crucial information on the dogs’ health and the expectations you need to raise them.
This is a rare mix breed, and so it may be rare to find a reputable breeder that has them. You can look them up on the internet before physically going to their headquarters to check them out in the modern age.
However, you should be wary of scammers that may pose as legitimate breeders on the internet. It is also best practice to request the parents’ health certificate to familiarize you with their health status.
Rescues
Rescuing any dog allows the dogs to live out their lives in a happy and stable home. There may have been mistreatment of the Shepadoodles in their previous homes. As such, they have found themselves being rescued and placed in a shelter.
Getting a Shepadoodle from a shelter is noble and rewarding. Their health history and training may be unclear, but it is nothing a quick trip to the vet, and a refresher course on their training cannot fix.
There are breed-specific shelters where you can get the breed of dog you want. Most of them will have an advertisement that you can follow to get the Shepadoodle. The rescue shelters also have to be up to standard.
Conclusion
Shepadoodles may be rare, but they are increasing in popularity. They may come in three distinct sizes, but that solely depends on the Poodle parent’s height. They are gentle and friendly while also being protective, thanks to the traits they inherit from both parents.
It is always preferred to get a dog from a shelter. However, it would help if you prepared to revisit their training and get a full medical checkup. If you must get a puppy from a breeder, they need to be operating within the purview of the law.
Shepadoodles are large yet gentle giants that fit well within a family setting.
