Do Sheepadoodles Shed? [Are They A Hypoallergenic Breed?]

If you are looking at the Sheepadoodle dog breed, then you will likely want to know whether they shed. Shedding can be problematic and it also involves more cleaning, grooming, and maintenance. Requiring such information, I decided to spend some time researching this hybrid dog breed and their coat. I would like to share my findings here today so you know what to expect.

So, do Sheepadoodles shed? Sheepadoodles do shed, although are considered to be very low shedders. They are one of the best breeds to own for allergy sufferers. Litters resulting from a Sheepadoodle being bred to a Poodle typically display the least amount of shedding.

If you are looking for a breed of dog that will quickly wiggle its way into your heart, the adorable sheepadoodle is just the one for you.

A cross between the Old English Sheepdog and Poodle; they are intelligent, playful and loving. They make great companions and they are very cute too!

Being a mix of two different breeds, each litter is unique, depending on which parent they take after.

Traditionally, many people have been unable to have a dog due to their allergies. But, with hybrid breeding techniques, a range of breeds have been made available to make this possible. The Sheepadoodle is a case in point.

Plus, Sheepadoodles posses a range of positive qualities and characteristics from their parental breeds that make them an ideal dog to own.

Let us now take a closer look at how much Sheepadoodles shed along with some considerations to not only stay on top of it, but ensure your Sheepadoodles coat remains in the healthiest condition possible.

How Much Do Sheepadoodles Shed?

Sheepadoodles are known, and regarded, for being very low shedders. The low-shedding factor comes from the Poodle side of the heritage mix.

In fact, Poodles are frequently believed to be 99% hypoallergenic because they really do not shed.

This makes them a wonderful dog for families who wish to have an indoor pet but do not want to deal with the constant hair, or for someone who suffers from allergies.

The truth is however, that no dog can truly be considered 100% hypoallergenic.

People allergic to dogs are not usually allergic to the hair that they shed, but to what is known as the dander that comes from the loose skin flakes shed with fur or saliva.

There is no breed of dog currently available that does not shed even the tiniest amount, but Sheepadoodles are one of the lowest shedding dogs that you can get.

Ultimately, all dogs do shed to some extent. All dogs will replace their hairs throughout their lives. Shedding is a process that enables the coat to remove older hair, and replace it with hair that is new and strong.

In different breeds shedding can vary considerably; and sometimes even within the same breed itself and by dog to dog.

But Sheepadoodles do not have an undercoat, so no seasonal shedding is to be expected like you get in some other breeds. Instead, you may observe a small amount of shed during hotter climates and months, but the difference is usually insignificant.

Regarding year-round shedding, you can expect a Sheepadoodle to shed minimally.

And, the less that a dog sheds, the less dander that is produced and released. This is why a Sheepadoodle can be considered 99% hypoallergenic, because they shed so little.

However, even though they shed hardly at all, people can still be allergic to a Sheepadoodle.

This is due to their long hair, which can be considered a supporting factor to allergies.

If you have a runny nose, or red, itchy eyes, and sneezing, you are probably allergic to Sheepadoodles. This can easily be determined by a skin test at the doctor’s office.

When Do Sheepadoodles Shed Their Puppy Coat?

Sheepadoodles do not lose their puppy coat the same way as other dogs, and it depends on their pedigree.

All puppies are born with a coat of fluffy, soft fur that that actually serves the purpose of helping them to regulate their body temperature.

As a natural progression in a dog’s life cycle, the puppy coat will gradually shed itself out and become its final adult coat.

This coat is not usually as soft as the puppy coat. Usually it is stiffer and thicker. Changes in appearance throughout this process are completely normal.

Sheepadoodle pups will sometimes change color when they shed their puppy coat. Most often they start off being black and white, but some can be almost solidly colored, or solidly colored with splotches.

As the puppy coat is shed, it is normal for the black to fade to grey, or even close to white.

Although these colors are rare for Sheepadoodles, sable or even brown have been known to surface when the puppy coat is done shedding.

Since they are considered to be a long-haired breed, when Sheepadoodles are in transition between shedding the puppy coat and getting the adult version, they could look rather unkempt as it is normal to see some shagginess, patchiness, or even some ruffled spots. This will eventually disappear when the adult coat has fully come in.

When the puppy coat is shed depends entirely on when the shedding began.

The average age to begin the shedding process is somewhere between six months and a year, vs. 4 to 6 months for other breeds. Others can start the process around the 14 to 18-month mark.

Some dog breeds other than Sheepadoodles can even start the process as early as 12 weeks. The type of coat that the Sheepadoodle has will define when the coat starts to shed.

Their coat could be wool, hair, or fleece.

When shedding is occurring, brush your pup regularly to help get rid of the old coat. If this is not done, the old and new coats will tangle together, causing mats that can be difficult to get rid of.

What Are The Different Types Of Coat A Sheepadoodles Has?

Sheepadoodles have three coat types, fleece, wool, and hair.

When it comes to a fleece coat, it could be either microfine or simply normal fleece. You can tell by the texture.

Microfine fleece is spirally or wavy and is incredibly soft and extremely fine. It tends to get matted easily so it requires brushing several times a week and it should not be allowed to grow more than three inches long.

This will require a clipping once or twice per year.

Normal fleece is spirally or wavy and feels like angora. It should also be brushed several times a week and clipped once or twice per year.

Hair texture could be either wavy, scruffy, or have feathering. They should be brushed at least once every four weeks, but the hair density and coat length will determine a more exact schedule.

Trimming may be needed on occasion. This type of coat “sheds” the most of all three.

Wood coats have three subcategories: loose wool, cotton wool, and original wool. Loose wool is quite spirally and is the same texture as the coat on a lamb.

It will need to be trimmed roughly every two weeks. Cotton wool is the softest of the three and it is extremely dense. Some cotton wool coats will be curly, while others will be straight.

Once it has been groomed, it will often stand straight up in the air and resemble a cotton ball! Original wool feels like the coat of a lamb and it very curly and dense.

Both cotton wool and original wool will also need regular trimming.

Do I Need Special Grooming Tools?

To make your life easier, there are a few items you will want to have supplied.

While your pup still has the puppy coat, a standard comb is all that should be required to brush them.

You can get stainless steel combs that are ideal for poodles if you want to purchase one of these.

When it comes to stainless combs over plastic, the biggest benefit is that there will be no static generated. This is the one to get from Amazon.

You will also want a good brush or two. Pin brushes have long bristles that get right down to the undercoat and work especially well if your dog is very curly haired.

Slicker brushes are great for daily brushings and they will remove the lose dirt and hair from your Sheepadoodles skin and coat. This slicker brush is the one to get from Amazon. Its perfect for all poodle hybrid dogs!

When it comes to tangles and mats, you will likely want to pick up both a detangler and a de-matting comb.

A detangler works to loosen mats and tangles that are problematic.

A de-matting comb has blades on the comb’s teeth. This makes it effortless to get rids of these tangles and mats without cutting out large clumps of fur. Here’s my favorite on Amazon.

Read more: Best Brush For Sheepadoodle [Recommended Picks And Buyers Guide]

Do Sheepadoodles Have Many Grooming Requirements?

Sheepadoodles have extensive grooming requirements. The good news is that when grooming is kept up consistently, it takes much less time to complete the routine.

On a daily basis you should give your Sheepadoodle a quick brushing to keep mats and tangles at bay. It will also help get rid of loose hair.

Weekly, you should give your pup a thorough brushing and detangling using all your tools. If it is not quite bath time yet, use a spray shampoo you can brush through the coat to keep your baby smelling pretty.

Monthly is a good time to give your Sheepadoodle a bath. Spend a significant amount of time beforehand giving them a good brushing and getting rid of all tangles and mats. Once your pup has been bathed, use a blow-dryer on the lowest heat setting until they are completely dry.

Every two months is a good time to do some detail work. Trimming the nails should be done so they do not get too long. You should also clean the pads of their paws. Remove any encrusted debris from the pads and in between the toes.

Finally, trim the hair around their ears and clean them out well. This is also where you would want to trim down their fur if it is getting too long. If you do not feel confident performing these tasks, bring your Sheepadoodle into a groomer with excellent reviews.

Keep in mind that these are guides only. Every animal is different and grows at different rates, so your pup may need to be done more or less than others – even from the same litter!

Read more: How To Groom A Sheepadoodle [Step By Step Guide]

In Summary

The Sheepadoodle goes by many names, including the Sheep-a-poo, Sheeppoo, Sheepdoodle, and Sheepdogpoo. Either way, they are a dog that make a great family pet and companion for any single person at home.

They are lovable, affectionate, love a cuddle and better yet, shed minimally; so you will not find a lot hairs on your clothes, furniture and around your home.

They are a great breed for allergy sufferers and those that seem to struggle around dogs. Being considered a hypoallergenic breed; they do not tend to cause as many issues. Although, it is always possible – just as it is with any dog.

With a life expectancy of somewhere between 10 and 15 years, they are a long-term commitment you should think about seriously.

But by doing so, you are going to have an even-tempered and gentle dog that is great around people and even children.

They will return your love ten-fold and will quickly become a part of your family that you could not imagine being without.

Their wonderful temperament will have you wondering how you ever managed to live without having a Sheepadoodle before now!