Are you prepared to make a decision between Sheepadoodle and Bernedoodle? This article will aid you in evaluating their crucial distinctions and selecting the ideal dog breed for your household and daily routine.
Poodle crossbreeds that are relatively unfamiliar are Sheepadoodles and Bernedoodles. They are both impressively big canines that become dedicated to their human household. Nevertheless, there are also notable distinctions between them, and selecting the appropriate dog relies on your household and lifestyle, as well as your desired benefits from owning a pooch.
Now, let’s take a closer look at both mixes!
It becomes simpler to choose one of these dogs if you take into account each aspect of living with them individually.
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Sheepadoodle vs Bernedoodle History
Sheepadoodles and Bernedoodles are examples of the larger trend of breeding designer dogs. These dogs are no longer purebred as they have parents from two different pedigrees, and they can inherit a unique blend of traits from their parents.
Sheepadoodles and Bernedoodles both have one Poodle parent. Despite their long association with France, Poodles are originally German dogs. The breed was founded as a duck retriever – they are strong swimmers, and they would spend long days working alongside a human hunter, collecting waterfowl after it had been shot.
What is a Sheepadoodle?
Essentially, a Sheepadoodle is the result of breeding an Old English Sheepdog and a Poodle. Despite their name, Old English Sheepdogs were originally used as droving dogs to move livestock to market in the 18th century. The initial Sheepadoodles were created by pairing a Standard Poodle with an Old English Sheepdog, but the trend now is for Mini Sheepadoodles that are produced by crossing a Miniature Poodle with an Old English Sheepdog due to an increase in demand for smaller breeds.
What’s a Bernedoodle?
The Bernedoodle is created by breeding a Poodle with the Bernese Mountain Dog, an older breed used for droving and guarding valuable cattle herds in Switzerland. The Berners were renowned for their immense strength and size that enabled them to even pull carts. Apart from the standard Poodle, the Miniature Poodle parent has also been used to produce the mini Bernedoodle, which has gained popularity among dog enthusiasts.
Shortly, we will examine how the genesis of Poodle, Old English Sheepdogs, and Berners have influenced the personality of Sheepadoodle and Bernedoodle. However, before that, let’s determine if you can distinguish them in the dog park!
Sheepadoodle Vs Bernedoodle Appearance
The Sheepadoodle and Bernedoodle may display a blend of characteristics from either of their parents, including the Poodle, when it comes to their physical traits. Size, for instance, is worth examining.
How big do Bernedoodles get?
Typically, Bernedoodles are the bigger hybrid breed, though the size spectrum of Sheepadoodles and Bernedoodles does have some overlap. The weight of female Bernese Mountain Dogs is between 70 and 95 pounds, and male Bernese Mountain Dogs weigh 80 to 115 pounds. Standard Poodles weigh 40 to 50 pounds for females and 60 to 70 pounds for males. Therefore, a standard Bernedoodle is typically sized within the range of 40 to 95 pounds for female Berners and 60 to 115 pounds for male Berners.
The size of Mini Bernedoodles is highly variable. Typically, they weigh between 30 to 70 pounds due to the fact that Miniature Poodles weigh only 10 to 15 pounds. Nevertheless, outliers may be bigger or smaller than usual.
Sheepadoodle size
Unlike Poodles and Berners, the size of Old English Sheepdogs does not have a clear distinction between males and females. Though males may be slightly taller, both genders can weigh between 60 and 100 pounds, resulting in Sheepadoodles weighing between 40 and 100 pounds. If a Miniature Poodle parent is used, Mini Sheepadoodles may fall towards the lower end of the range or even below it. The size of Mini Bernedoodles and Mini Sheepadoodles tends to overlap significantly, making it difficult to differentiate between the two based on size alone.
Comparing coats
The coat of the Old English Sheepdog is renowned for its unique appearance. Without clipping or using hair bands, their long and thick hair can cover their eyes completely. Their coat is designed with two layers to provide warmth and waterproofing, but it also sheds frequently. The Berner breed has coats that are marginally shorter, yet equally dense and double-layered to shield them from harsh weather conditions.
Whilst the Poodle boasts a coat that tightly curls and does not shed, Sheepadoodles and Bernadoodles are anticipated to exhibit thick, wavy coats through their Poodle lineage. However, not all offspring will inherit the non-shedding trait of the Poodle, as some moderate shedding and even heavy shedding may occur.
The number of acceptable show colors for the Old English Sheepdog surpasses that of the Berner, resulting in a greater variety of potential Sheepadoodle colors, including merle, which is not an option for Bernedoodles.
Is A Bernedoodle or Sheepadoodle hypoallergenic?
Poodle mixed breeds are favored by many individuals due to the belief that they might obtain a hair that does not trigger allergies and is non-shedding. Nonetheless, as previously noted, Sheepadoodles and Bernedoodles may possess a coat that sheds excessively, and neither breed is hypoallergenic. The absence of hypoallergenic properties in these dogs is not attributed to their particular coat type. In fact, all dogs produce allergens in their saliva, not their hair, regardless of the kind of coat they possess.
Sheepadoodle vs Bernedoodle Training
Training a Sheepadoodle or Bernedoodle can vary greatly. Despite the Poodle’s high intelligence and fast learning ability, it does not guarantee the same for a Sheepadoodle or Bernedoodle. Old English Sheepdogs and Bernese Mountain Dogs are considered moderately easy to train, but not the fastest learners.
For many puppy owners, the main focus is on housetraining and then instructing their canine to wait calmly inside the house for brief intervals while they are away. Crate training is useful in achieving both of these objectives, plus it curbs destructive behavior such as chewing in larger breeds such as Sheepadoodles and Bernedoodles.
It is crucial to socialize all dogs, with particular emphasis on Poodle mixes as they tend to be hesitant and lack assurance when dealing with unfamiliar circumstances and individuals. Berner mixes also require socialization as they have a protective instinct that compels them to be cautious of potential hazards to their household and loved ones. Furthermore, large breeds such as Bernedoodles or Sheepadoodles can unintentionally knock someone down while jumping to greet them. As a preventative measure, it is recommended to train them from an early age to calmly greet people with all four feet on the ground.
BONUS: Dog training 101 — How to set realistic goals and where to get started
Essentially, there are two levels of dog training. A dog trainer specializes in skills training and teaching basic manners, like sitting, staying, and lying down. However, if your dog exhibits behavior problems such as anxiety, aggressiveness, or fearfulness, a dog behavioral consultant like Brianna Dick from Pack Leader Help is needed.
“The way that I approach dog training is behavioral psychology based,” says Dick, who is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. “We’re not looking at just the physical behaviors of dogs. We’re looking at their emotions and the relationship they have with their humans.”
Begin with behavior training if you require both skills training and behavior training, with behavior training being the more intricate of the two. While a dog trainer may be capable of teaching your dog how to sit, a dog behavior consultant will possess greater expertise in assisting your dog in overcoming separation anxiety.
Be realistic.
Fratt compares the fact that not all humans enjoy raves to the fact that not all dogs will enjoy visiting the dog park.
Kim Brophey, the owner of The Dog Door Behavior Center, is an applied ethologist and a mediator for family dogs. Her book, “Meet Your Dog: The Game Changing Guide To Understanding Your Dog’s Behavior,” provides insights into understanding dog behavior using the L.E.G.S framework which stands for learning, environment, genetics, and self. For instance, if your canine is barking at your visitors.
Brophey suggests that the dog breed might have been chosen for centuries to protect against intruders entering your house. As a result of this inherent territorial instinct in German shepherds, modifying your expectations may be necessary rather than attempting to train it away.
Decide how you’d like to train your dog.
There are various training techniques available, including group classes, one-to-one teaching, board and train, day training, and self-directed training, which are the most prevalent ones. While group classes are less personalized, they are less costly. Fratt indicates that board and train are more expensive and more hazardous.
“If the trainer spends all this time training the dog in this really specific context and then basically just hands you the leash, takes your check and walks away, there’s a very good chance you’re not actually going to be able to implement those new strategies and skills … successfully in your home.”
Your decision will be based on both your financial resources and your training objectives. In case your dog exhibits aggressive behavior towards another dog within your household, it would be unwise to opt for training sessions outside of your home.
Be aware that you’ll need to participate in your dog’s training, but don’t worry about it consuming too much of your time. Fratt suggests dedicating only five minutes per day to training. Additionally, many of the exercises given by trainers can be enjoyable and seamlessly integrated into your daily routine.
Our experts recommend free or low-cost online resources for dog training if you want to avoid paying a hefty sum.
- Kikopup on Youtube and Instagram
- Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
- K9 of Mine
On her website, Dick has assembled a collection of complimentary materials, while Fratt offers a set of no-cost lessons known as Training Tuesday.
Understand the methodologies.
There are no regulations in the field of dog training, allowing anyone with a website, Instagram page, or physical location to call themselves a dog trainer. This absence of regulations further implies that there is no set of strict guidelines on how to approach canine training, leading to many differing opinions among trainers. Two general categories encompass the majority of trainers.
Fratt belongs to the positive reinforcement trainers, who use rewards like treats to encourage desired behavior from dogs and create a positive association with any negative experiences.
Another type of trainer that falls in between the extremes is represented by Brianna Dick. These balanced trainers utilize a mix of positive reinforcement techniques and discipline, such as e-collars, to train their dogs.
According to Dick, E-collar training uses a collar that your dog wears, controlled by remote, to administer a stimulus to the dog’s neck, such as a shock, sound, or citronella spray, for correction. The use of E-collars is a controversial topic within the dog training community, particularly those that deliver a shock.
According to Dick, one should approach trainers who use e-collars on every dog with caution because this method is generic and unlikely to yield positive outcomes. Instead, one should seek a trainer who takes the time to understand the owner, their bond with their dog, and their lifestyle.
Find a good trainer.
To locate proficient positive reinforcement trainers or balanced trainers near you, it is recommended to refer to lists created by different professional associations. Numerous associations provide such lists, such as:
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
- Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
- The Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT)
- Karen Pryor Academy (KPA)
- Pet Professional Guild
- The Academy for Dog Trainers
- Pat Miller Certified Trainers
Afterwards, conduct interviews and reach out to previous clients. Evaluate which trainer puts you at ease. Verify their proficiency in detailing their training techniques.
