You’re considering adding a Sheepadoodle to your family, but you’re asking, what is the sheepadoodle’s lifespan?
A lot of factors go into the life expectancy of your pup. Genetics, breeding, environment, and your pup’s health all play a part.
We’ll look at each factor and then at ways to expand your Sheepadoodle’s lifespan.
How long do Sheepadoodles live?
A Sheepadoodles lifespan is expected to be 12-15 years.
The Old English Sheepdog (OES) has a life expectancy of around 10-12 years, and a Poodle has between 12-18 years. So, Sheepadoodles are right in the middle.
What factors impact the lifespan of a Sheepadoodle?
Of course, many different factors can contribute to a Sheepadoodle’s lifespan. The largest of these factors are breed and genetics.
Hereditary reasons
Ethical Sheepadoodle breeders do extensive DNA testing and health screening on their breeding dogs to ensure they are free of genetic diseases. This allows for the healthiest puppies possible, with the best chance of a healthy future.
The Doodle’s generation can play a role in their lifespan and health. It has been proven that Doodles are healthier than their purebred counterparts. Pups that have more genetic variants are more likely to be healthy.
Size
Across all breeds, smaller dogs tend to live longer. This is why there is a difference in life expectancy between different sizes of Doodles.
Toy, Micro, and Mini Sheepadoodles are expected to live longer than their Standard Sheepadoodle cousins.
Regardless, breeding, genetics, and environment still play a massive role in your pup’s lifespan.
What are the signs of aging in Sheepadoodles?
After your pup has reached 10 years old, your Sheepadoodle is considered a senior.
Around this time, you might notice a change in your pup, which is the first sign of aging.
Your pup may become calmer, less active, lazy, and less energetic. You might also notice your dog has trouble getting up on the couch or the stairs. They can start to experience joint problems around this age.
It is common for your pup to get cloudy eyes and have trouble seeing and hearing. As a result, they may become nervous or scared of things they weren’t before. Some senior dogs become so frightened and anxious that they may lash out or bite.
As your Doodle begins to move around less, make sure you adjust their food intake accordingly. Obese dogs have trouble with their joints, heart health, and overall well-being.
As your Doodle ages, take them for a vet checkup more frequently. Every 6 months is suggested. This may lead to early intervention if needed for a health issue.
How to extend your Sheepadoodles life expectancy?
Of course, we always want our dogs to live as long as possible. As mentioned before, genetics plays the most significant role in your pup’s life expectancy. However, the environment is a massive factor in keeping your dog around for an extended time.
Choose a responsible breeder – Finding a responsible Doodle breeder is key to starting with a healthy pup.
- Meet the Parents – meeting a puppy’s parents is the best way to know if the puppy will be a good fit for your and your family.
- Take a Tour – when taking a tour of your breeder’s kennels, look for cleanliness, space, water, and toys for the pups.
- Choose a Local Doodle Breeder – responsible doodle breeders do not sell to pet stores.
- Choose a Small Doodle Breeder – responsible Doodle breeders are producing only a few litters at a time. There should only be 2-4 litters at a time available. Likewise, the mother pups should have no more than 4 litters in their lifetime.
Healthy Diet – Feeding your dog a nutritious diet is just as important as feeding yourself. Look for dog food that is made with natural ingredients and does not have any added fillers. Your pup needs nutritionally balanced food made with quality ingredients.
Check Your Dogs Weight – Excessive weight on a dog is highly detrimental to its health. Like humans, dogs become sick and develop more diseases if they are overweight. Keep check of your dogs weight to ensure they are in the healthy zone.
Daily Exercise – Your Sheepadoodle needs at least 60 minutes each day. This may look like a 30-minute walk and a 30-minute game of fetch. Pups need daily exercise to maintain healthy joints, hearts, and weights. Sheepadoodles especially need training to keep them from getting bored. A bored Sheepadoodle can become destructive.
Routine Vet Checkups – Regular visits to the vet will help you track your dog’s health. You have a higher chance of catching a health problem early on by visiting the vet regularly. You can often treat health concerns early on or prevent problems for your pup.
Puppies need to go to the vet more frequently for their shots. Dogs in their prime years typically need a yearly checkup, and senior pups should visit the vet every 6 months.
Grooming – Ensure that your Doodle is clear of any matting, knots, and tangles. Grooming will allow your pup to move freely and without discomfort. Matted fur can lead to skin irritations and, in extreme cases, infections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the health issues associated with Sheepadoodles?
Sheepadoodles are overall considered healthy dogs. They typically only suffer from common large dog problems.
Common sheepadoodle health problems include joint pains, digestive bloat, Cushing’s disease, or Addison’s disease.
Your pup may also have food allergies, skin sensitivities, ear infections, or cataracts.
What is the personality of Sheepadoodles?
Sheepadoodles are easy-going, fun-loving dogs that love to be part of a family. They often will not bark much and are friendly with children and other dogs. Sheepadoodles are always up for an adventure but also love to snuggle on the couch.
Can Sheepadoodles remain calm?
Sheepadoodles are often considered calm dogs. They will often not bark as someone approaches the house or at other dogs. If Sheepadoodles get around an hour of exercise daily, they will be calmer at home.
Are Sheepadoodles protective of their owners?
While Sheepadoodles are not overly protective of their owners, they are herding dogs and often treat their humans as sheep. This might mean they will herd all of their humans into one room or keep an extra close eye on children.