Sheepadoodles are some of the most adorable designer dogs and the most sought-after for families. They are a mix of the Old English Sheepdog and the Poodle, carrying admirable characteristics from both breeds.
Sheepadoodles are considered hypoallergenic owing to the fact that they are low-shedding dogs. They get this feature from their Poodle parent, one of the most popular hypoallergenic dog breeds.
The extent of how hypoallergenic Sheepadoodles are depends on the pup’s generation, among other factors. Below, you will learn if the Sheepadoodle is the perfect dog for you regarding its hypoallergenic quality.
What Does Hypoallergenic Mean?
Hypoallergenic is used to define something with minimal or no chance of triggering a person’s allergies. The word is widely used in the cosmetic industry to describe products that have minimal impact on the users’ allergies.
As so, having a product described as hypoallergenic does not necessarily indicate that it will not trigger any allergies. This is because people react differently to products, and what could trigger an allergy for you might be different from someone else.
WebMD defines hypoallergenic as a term used to describe products that cause fewer allergic reactions than others. However, this does not mean the said products are entirely safe for allergy sufferers; therefore could cause potential triggers.
That said, the term hypoallergenic is used loosely to describe the cleanliness of the ingredients used to make certain products. And, no definitive regulations govern the hypoallergenic standards that products need to meet.
What Does “Hypoallergenic Dogs” Mean?
Hypoallergenic in dogs is used to describe breeds with little or no chance of causing allergic reactions in people who suffer from pet allergies. Hypoallergenic dogs have low-shedding coats, which cause little or no allergic reactions.
It is important to note that allergies from dogs are a reaction to the dog’s coast of skin, which in essence, is the dander that builds up over time. This means that hypoallergenic dogs have little or no dander build-up.
Like in the cosmetic industry, the term hypoallergenic in dogs may be used loosely by breeders trying to lure you into getting the breeds they have. And, some crossbreed dogs may not be hypoallergenic, especially if they pick dominant traits from their non-hypoallergenic parent.
On this note, a crossbreed dog can safely be considered hypoallergenic if both parents are low-shedding. Even so, you have to consider the extent to which the dog is hypoallergenic, as the American Kennel Club states that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic.
Are Sheepadoodles Hypoallergenic?
No dog is 100% hypoallergenic, but Sheepadoodles come close. This is because they come with a low-shedding coat that is one of the traits of hypoallergenic dogs. However, the extent of their hypoallergenic quality varies depending on their genetics.
To understand this, it would be best to understand both parents’ hypoallergenic qualities: the Poodle and the Old English Sheepdog.
The Poodle
The Poodle is one of the dogs considered hypoallergenic, thanks to its non-shedding coat. Poodles have a wool-like coat that barely builds up dander and does not shed. In essence, the coat sheds a little but gets trapped in the curly coat hence the absence of hair on surfaces.
This hypoallergenic quality makes Poodles the most sought-after dog for crossbreeding. This is to create other hypoallergenic breeds. And, the fact that they come in different sizes; the toy, miniature, and standard give breeders more room to come up with unique crossbreeds.
The Old English Sheepdog
The Old English Sheepdog is not a hypoallergenic breed. This dog features a long, hairy, thick double coat which is relatively high maintenance. This is because it tends to shed a little more than regular non-hypoallergenic dogs.
The crossbreed, the Sheepadoodle, is considered hypoallergenic as it gets its curly coat from the Poodle. However, there are chances that it could shed more resulting from a trait passed down from its Old English Sheepdog parent.
The good thing is this is a rare occurrence, and typically, most Sheepadoodles pick their coat characteristics from the Poodle. And, as mentioned, the generation of this dog is a crucial determinant of its hypoallergenic quality.
Sheepadoodles Generations
Sheepadoodles generations present different gene ratios, determining the dog’s hypoallergenic quality. That said, Sheepadoodles with over 75% Poodle genes are most likely to be hypoallergenic than those with a lower Poodle gene percentage.
Crossing a Standard Poodle and purebred English Sheepdog results in an F1 Sheepadoodle. This generation typically has 50 % Poodle genes and 50% English Sheepdog. On this note, they have an equal chance of getting the hypoallergenic coat or not.
On the same note, F2 Sheepadoodles have a fair chance of acquiring the Poodle coat or not. The F2 Sheepadoodle is a result of breeding two F1 Sheepadoodles, which in essence have 50-50 characteristics from their purebred parents.
Do Sheepadoodles Shed A Lot?
Their varying genetics can explain the shedding of Sheepadoodles. One parent, the Poodle, sheds very little and is considered hypoallergenic, while the other, the Old English Sheepdog, sheds and is not hypoallergenic.
Therefore, Sheepadoodles may or may not shed, depending on the dominant genes from their parents. Generally, these designer dogs have a wavy, sometimes curly coat, which sheds very little, if any. The curls and waves trap any loose hair; therefore, you will not have to deal with hair on your clothes or furniture.
If your Sheepadoodle’s coat looks more like that of the Old English Sheepdog, then there are high chances it may shed. The good thing is the shedding may not be as pronounced as that of the English Sheepdog as the Poodle genes dilute it.
Therefore, if your pet allergies are pronounced, a Sheepadoodle may not be the best choice as there are some chances it could shed. This is rare, but it is vital to keep in mind, mainly if your allergies are easily triggered.
Are Mini Sheepadoodles Hypoallergenic?
The Mini Sheepadoodle is a crossbreed of the Miniature Poodle and the Old English Sheepdog, producing an F1 generation. The Mini Sheepadoodle has a shaggy, soft, dense, and wavy coat which looks more like the Poodles coat than the Old English Sheepdog’s coat.
The coat can come in tight waves or loose curls, depending on how dominant the poodle gene is. Your mini-Sheepadoodle can inherit the thick double coat of the English Sheepdog, but most will have a soft, thick, curly coat like the Poodle.
Therefore, these are considered hypoallergenic and require little maintenance. The loose hair gets trapped in the curls and waves, ensuring it does not get to furniture or your clothes. This ensures the dander, the substance that triggers allergic reactions, is trapped as well.
Are F1B Sheepadoodles Hypoallergenic?
An F1B Sheepadoodle is a result of breeding a Mini Sheepadoodle and a Miniature Poodle. This crossbreed results in a dog with 75% Poodle genes, 50% from the Poodle parent, and 25% from the Mini-Sheepadoodle.
The F1B puppy is most likely to be non-shedding as it is the closest to the Poodle as this breed can get. That said, these Sheepadoodles are considered hypoallergenic; therefore, they are the most suitable Sheepadoodle generation for extreme allergy sufferers.
It is important to note that you could get allergic reactions even with an F1B Sheepadoodle as there is still a small chance of the shedding characteristic from the English Sheepdog parent.
Grooming Sheepadoodles
How hypoallergenic the dog is has a lot to do with how it is groomed and what its parents are. If your Sheepadoodle is not well-groomed, there are chances that the dander will get loose and potentially trigger allergic reactions for pet allergy sufferers.
Here is how to groom your Sheepadoodle and contribute to its hypoallergenic quality.
Brushing the Coat
It is advisable to brush your Sheepadoodle coat at least once a day. The more brushing you can do, the better it will be to keep the loose hair and dander at bay. The idea is to ensure you give your Sheepadoodle a quick round with a brush after playing outside or when the coat gets dirty.
If you are allergic to pet dander, you might want to have someone else brush the dog’s coat. Also, ensure you brush the dog outside to prevent lodging the hair and dander on furniture or indoor surfaces you could quickly come into contact with.
Regular Baths
It is advisable to bathe your Sheepadoodle at least once a month. If you postpone your furry friend’s bath, you risk an uncontrollable build-up of dander and dirt, critical contributors to triggering allergic reactions.
But, be careful not to bathe your dog too much as shampoo can dry up your dog’s skin resulting in overproduction of dander. The best thing is to use hypoallergenic and moisturizing shampoo if you have to bathe your dog more than once a month.
Final Thoughts
Several factors go into breeding Sheepadoodles that are hypoallergenic. Genetics plays a significant role in determining the hypoallergenic quality, but with advanced technology, breeders are creating more hypoallergenic Sheepadoodles.
Sheepadoodles are a great choice if you are looking for a hypoallergenic dog. But, you have to make sure you get one from a renowned breeder and consider the generation of Sheepadoodle you get to ensure you get the best of them all.
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