Sheepadoodle vs Goldendoodle – Key Differences in Temperament, Size & Care

A thorough Sheepdoodle vs Goldendoodle comparison guide can help you pick the most appropriate pet for your family. Doodle dogs like the Sheepdoodle and Goldendoodle are beautiful, friendly, and intelligent. However, they have unique traits that can influence your final purchase decision. These dogs have varying physical characteristics, health issues, medical needs, grooming routines, etc. Try to understand these factors because they will affect your finances. You can get all the answers you require from this detailed guide. 

It covers the descriptions and the differences between Sheepdoodles and Goldendoodles. Keep on reading to differentiate between these two popular doodles. 

Sheepdoodle – What is it? 

This Sheepdoodle vs Goldendoodle discussion will be interesting if you learn the background information of each breed. The Sheepdoodle is a hybrid designer dog that emerges from crossbreeding an Old English Sheepdog and a Poodle. It has other popular names, including Sheeppoo, Sheepapoo, or Sheepdogpoo.

The Sheepadoodle is a popular Poodle mix since it emerged in the 1980s. It is physically large, although you can get mini/medium and toy variations.  The Sheepadoodle gets its fluffy coat from the Old English sheepdog and a low-shedding gene from its Poodle parent. The Old English Sheepdog was a sheep herder, explaining why the Sheepadoodle is naturally protective.

Goldendoodle – What is it? 

Before we do our Sheepadoodle vs Goldendoodle comparison, let’s learn about the latter. Á Goldendoodle is a hybrid designer dog boasting purebred parents: the Golden Retriever and the Poodle. One of the most popular and sought-after Poodle mixes; the Goldendoodle is a fluffy bundle of joy.  Its non-shedding coat attracts families with respiratory issues and allergies.  The Goldendoodle’s parents are working dogs with high energy levels, and it has inherited the same. This pet is perfect for active individuals and families because it cannot do without exercise. Goldendoodles appear in many colors, ensuring you get your favorite. 

The Goldendoodle emerged in the 1960s and has maintained its fame until now. These hypoallergenic dogs enjoy the lovable temperament of their Golden Retriever ancestry and the intelligence of their Poodle parent. They socialize and train easily, allowing them to get along well with humans and pets. 

Sheepadoodle vs Goldendoodle – 8 Ways in Which They Differ

In this section, we will compare Sheepadoodle vs Goldendoodle in five ways: 

Size

You can choose your favorite pet from the Toy, Mini/Medium, or Standard classes, whether you prefer Sheepadoodles or Goldendoodles. However, each size category is unique, as you can see in this Sheepadoodle vs Goldendoodle comparison chart: 

We can deduce that Standard Goldendoodles are heavier but shorter than Standard Sheepadoodles. Medium Sheepadoodles are taller and heavier than Goldendoodles of the same size. Mini Sheepandoodles are slightly taller than the Goldendoodles, but they weigh the same. 

Lastly, Toy doodles of either breed have the same weight and height. Regarding the ease of finding mini and toy variations, Goldendoodles are more readily available than Sheepadoodles. 

Temperament

Another way to show how the Sheepadoodle vs Goldendoodle differ is to compare their temperaments. These dogs have a Poodle parent, which explains some of their similarities in temperament. Both dogs have a friendly, affectionate, and outgoing nature. They learn quickly due to their witty brains. 

There is a slight way in which the Sheepadoodle personality vs Goldendoodle vary. As you might know, the Goldendoodle is one of the most active and lively dogs. It strives to delight its owner and get all the attention. This dog can go hyper if it lacks the owner’s attention concerning physical and mental stimulation activities. 

On the other hand, the Sheepadoodle is relatively energetic and loving, but it has a laid-back and calm personality. It is not always as exciting as the Goldendoodle. Regardless, these two doodles get along well with their family members, including other pets. If you buy any of these dogs today, you will deal with the separation anxiety problem. They form a strong bond with their parents, explaining why they feel anxious and lonely in their absence. If you notice that your puppy has a non-desirable temperament, intensify its training. 

Physical Appearance

When analyzing the Sheepadoodle vs Goldendoodle in terms of physical appearance, you will notice a few differences. The Goldendoodle looks like a teddy bear because of its curly or wavy hair. Many puppies get the curly coat of their Poodle parent, which is why they are known as hypoallergenic. 

On the other hand, the Sheepadoodle may take after its Old English sheepdog parent that sheds heavily or gets the curly hair gene from its Poodle lineage. Its coat is generally thick and curly or thick and wavy and of the low-shedding type.

The two designer dog breeds come in many colors that they get from their parents. However, many Sheepadoodle puppies look more like the two-colored Old English Sheepdog. Its color always includes black with different colored marks. Common options are black and: 

• White
• Brown
• Cream
• Gray
• Blue
• Silver
• Red
• Merle
• Sable.

The coats of Sheepadoodle puppies tend to lighten from six to twelve months old. On the contrary, the Goldendoodle puppies may be particolored or have a solid hue, including: 

• Champagne
• Silver
• Tan
• White
• Chocolate
• Apricot
• Blue
• Silver-beige
• Gray
• Cream
• Chocolate
• Black or black plus white
• Tan.

Grooming and Long-term Maintenance

Sheepadoodle vs Goldendoodle may not differ much in terms of grooming and long-term maintenance. Since the two breeds have Poodle genes, their coats shed a little, although Goldendoodles are more hypoallergenic. These low-shedders need regular grooming throughout their lifetimes. You must brush their hair daily with a slicker brush to prevent matting and knotting. Surprise them with a professional haircut after several weeks to keep the coat neat. Another grooming activity you must do every week is nail trimming. 

Get a nail clipper for this job. Bathe your dog every few weeks to get rid of fleas and dirt. Since Goldendoodles are always active and playful, bathe them whenever they wriggle their little bodies in mud, carcass, etc. 

Health Issues

Another way to compare Sheepadoodle vs Goldendoodle entails health issues. Each dog breed is at risk of inheriting the health issues of its parents. However, these cross-bred dogs tend to have the hybrid vigor that makes them healthier than their pure-bred parents. Sheepaddoodle and Goldendoodle puppies can be weaker or stronger depending on where you sourced them. Some puppy mills chase the money and do not care about the best dog breeding practices. They do not conduct thorough genetic testing and health checkups on the dogs they want to use for breeding. 

This carelessness causes them to crossbreed carriers of deadly diseases or genetic disorders, transferring these issues to the offspring. Puppies from weak lineages have genetic conditions and diseases that can pass to the next generations. That being said, Sheepadoodles and Goldendoodles have separate health issues. 

Sheepadoodles can develop Cushing’s disease, eye issues, joint illnesses, and Addison’s disease. Conversely, Goldendoodles are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation, cataracts, sebaceous adenitis, von Willebrand disease, and subvulvular aortic disease. Since both doodles share the Poodle parent, they can be susceptible to its mild health issues like ear infections, skin allergies and irritation, food allergies, and digestion problems. 

Existence

Let us compare the Sheepadoodle vs Goldendoodle based on their lifespans. Goldendoodles can live for 10 to 15 years, with smaller versions living longer. On the contrary, Sheepadoodles can last between 12 and 15 years. Again, the toy and mini Sheepadoodles can outlive the larger dogs. Your doodle can live for several years if you care for it well. Take the time to know its health status and do regular veterinary checkups. Another crucial thing is to know your dog’s food and diet requirements in different stages of life to prevent nutritional deficiencies. 

Lastly, allow your pet to walk and exercise daily to avoid unnecessary weight gain and associated issues. If you need assistance, talk to your veterinarian about it. They can guide you on everything you can try to keep your pet happy and healthy. 

Training 

Between Sheepadoodle vs Goldendoodle, which dog breed is easier to train? These doodles are as intelligent as their Poodle parent. High intelligence levels make training simpler and quicker. However, Sheepadoodles can be occasionally stubborn because of their protective and herding nature. Even if training is manageable, start early to help the pet socialize and obey.

Socialization 

Another way to compare the Sheepadoodle vs Goldendoodle is by evaluating socialization. A Sheepadoodle has herding skills inherited from the Old English Sheepdog. It uses them to protect everything in its environment. This dog copes well with families with kids and pets. On the contrary, the ever-excited Goldendoodle can sometimes be too active for smaller kids. Watch the dog when playing with your kids to stop accidents before they occur. 

FAQ

Are Sheepadoodles or Goldendoodles better?

To compare Sheepadoodle vs Goldendoodle, ask yourself which is better. No dog is better because people have tastes and preferences. However, if you are in an apartment setting, your best option is the Goldendoodle. 

What is the downside of a Sheepadoodle?

The Sheepadoodle is a high-maintenance dog because of its thick and curly or wavy coat. You must groom it daily throughout the week to prevent matting and tangling.

Which is calmer, Labradoodle or Goldendoodle?

Although Goldendoodles are playful and energetic, they cannot match the Labradoodle’s energy level. This is because the Labrador, one parent of the Labradoodle, is more hyper than the Golden Retriever. 

Are aussiedoodles or Goldendoodles better?

Aussiedoodles are better than Goldendoodles only in the training area. These dogs can focus and stay energetic much longer than the Goldendoodle. 

Verdict

Sheepadoodle vs Goldendoodle differ in many ways. If you were to select one of the two, which one would it be? The Sheepadoodle is more energetic but calmer and laid back. It has a low-shedding coat. On the contrary, the Goldendoodle is energetic and ever playful. Its coat is hypoallergenic.  If you have no problem with a fur-shedding dog, as long as it is calm, opt for the Sheepadoodle. On the other hand, if you want a beautiful teddy bear-like pet that craves your attention 24/7, try the Goldendoodle.