Sheepadoodle Lifespan Guide – How Long Do Sheepadoodles Live?

The Sheepadoodle (AKA Sheepapoo or Sheepdoodle) is a cross breed between an Old English Sheepdog and a Poodle. As it is a cross breed dog there can be a bit of variation in lifespan depending on the size, generation, gender as well as genetics of the puppies.

If you want to know more about the lifespans of Sheepadoodles, keep reading this article to find exactly how long Sheepadoodles are expected to live for.

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How Long Do Sheepadoodles Live?

The average Sheepadoodle lives for 12 to 15 years however some Sheepadoodles have shorter lifespans while others live longer. There are many factors that affect the lifespan of a Sheepadoodle including size, gender, generation and whether they are desexed or intact. Give your Sheepadoodle the best chance of living a long life by exercising them daily, giving them healthy food and keeping on top of vet appointments.

Factors That Affect Sheepadoodle Lifespan

There are many factors that can affect the lifespan of a Sheepadoodle. This includes but is not limited to:

Size (Micro, Miniature or Standard)
Generation (F1, F1b, F2 etc.)
Gender (Male vs Female)
Desexed vs Intact

How Size Affects Sheepadoodle Lifespan

The size of a Sheepadoodle greatly impacts upon their lifespan. Micro Sheepadoodles have the shortest lifespan as they often suffer from size related health issues. Generally, Mini and Standard Sheepadoodles live the longest.

Size	Lifespan
Micro Sheepadoodle	10 to 12 years
Mini Sheepadoodle	12 to 16 years
Standard Sheepadoodle	12 to 15 years

Micro Sheepadoodle Lifespan

The average lifespan of a Micro Sheepadoodle is 10 to 12 years. They have the shortest lifespan of all Sheepadoodle sizes as they are likely to suffer from size related health issues. This is a common thing for tiny dog sizes like the micro and teacup sizes.

Mini Sheepadoodle Lifespan

Mini Sheepadoodles have a lifespan of 12 to 16 years. Out of all the Sheepadoodle sizes, Mini Sheepadoodles are likely to live the longest. This is because smaller dogs generally have longer lifespans and Mini Sheepadoodles aren’t so small that they suffer from size related health issues.

Standard Sheepadoodle Lifespan

Standard Sheepadoodles live for 12 to 15 years. As a mixed breed dog, Standard Sheepadoodles have less hereditary health issues than their purebred parents which prolongs their lifespan. This is one of the reasons why the Old English Sheepdog and Poodle were crossed in the first place.

christmas sheepadoodle — Sheepadoodle via @oatleythesheepadoodle

How Generation Affects Sheepadoodle Lifespan

Cross breed dogs such as Sheepadoodles are thought to be healthier than their purebred parents and therefore may have longer lifespans. Nevertheless, with each successive generation (first to second to third), the health benefits of cross-breeding decreases so older generations of Sheepadoodle (e.g. F2, F3 etc.) may not live as long as first generation Sheepadoodles.

Female vs Male Sheepadoodle Lifespan

Female Sheepadoodles usually have a slightly longer lifespan than Male Sheepadoodles. This is especially the case for desexed female Sheepadoodles. Nevertheless, gender does not usually have a major effect on lifespan. Differences in longevity is mainly seen in desexed versus intact dogs.

Desexed vs Intact Sheepadoodle Lifespan

Desexed (AKA neutered or spayed) Sheepadoodles live slightly longer than intact Sheepadoodles. It is thought that desexed Sheepadoodles live longer as the procedure can reduce the risk of health issues like obesity and cancer in both male and female dogs. It is also thought that desexed dogs live longer because they get into fewer fights and therefore get fewer injuries.

Sheepadoodle Life Stages

Socialization Period (until 3 months old)

The socialization period is one of the most crucial times in a Sheepadoodle’s life. The first eights weeks is spent with their mother and littermates. During this time they learn so much about their world. Breeders will begin introducing new experiences to the puppies in the litter and then at eights weeks the puppies will go to their new homes where their owners will continue the socialization process.

Testing Period (3 to 6 months old)

The testing period is when a Sheepadoodle starts testing boundaries to figure out what is acceptable behavior and what is not. It is best to start training your Sheepadoodle during this time.

When training your dog it is important to use positive reinforcement techniques as dogs repeat good behavior when it is followed by a reward such as a treat or their favorite toy. Clicker training is another type of positive reinforcement training that is a good method for learning new tricks. You use a clicker device so your dog can associate a new behavior with a click and then a reward.

Adolescent Stage (6 to 18 months old)

During the adolescent stage, Sheepadoodles may start displaying some regressive behavior like not listening to your training commands, being a bit aggressive or chewing up stuff. This is especially the case if your Sheepadoodle is not desexed as their hormones will start to kick in. Just remember that this won’t last long and be patient as your Sheepadoodle is a teenager.

During this period, your Sheepadoodle will reach their full adult size, they’ll get their adult coat and you’ll have to eventually swap over to adult food.

Adulthood (18 months to 10 years old)

Sheepadoodles will start to calm down and settle into their adult personality during adulthood however they will still be very active as this is a feature of the breed. You’ll start to notice that all your earlier training has paid off but you should still keep it up as Sheepadoodles love learning new tricks and it’s great mental stimulation.

Senior (10+ years old)

From 10 years of age, a Sheepadoodle is considered to be a senior dog. During this time they will start to slow down due to age. For example, your Sheepadoodle may prefer going for a walk instead of a run at the dog park. As they are rapidly ageing, your Sheepadoodle will need to get extra nutrients to support their system. For that reason, you may decide to switch out their adult kibble for a senior formula. They may also start suffering from health issues like arthritis so you may consider getting your Sheepadoodle a dog ramp to help them get in and out of the car and also onto furniture

Extending The Lifespan Of A Sheepadoodle

1. Feed Them A Healthy Diet That Is Age Appropriate

Aim to feed your Sheepadoodle a premium diet to ensure they get all their nutrients as health is essential to a longer lifespan. Cheaper dog food usually contains very low quality meat as well as fillers which is unhealthy.

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You should also aim to feed your Sheepadoodle food that is suitable for their life stage, depending on whether they are a puppy, adult or senior dog. Kibble formulas are customised for different dog ages as producers adjust the nutrients and supplements for each life stage. For example, senior formulas have nutrients that support bones and joints.

Try to keep snacking to a minimum. While your dog may love their treats, don’t go overboard with rewarding them with treats, especially if your Sheepadoodle is starting to get overweight. Consider swapping out treats for their toys as a reward for training exercises. You can also cut your dog treats into smaller pieces than what is provided in the packet so they last longer.

2. Take Them Out For Daily Exercise

Sheepadoodles need plenty of daily exercise – both physical and mental. Take your Sheepadoodle out for daily walks and let them run around at the dog park or in your backyard so they use up all their energy.

As for mental exercise, you should keep training your Sheepadoodle into adulthood and also play some brain training games like an interactive treat puzzle or give them a classic Kong Toy that is filled with treats.

3. Keep Up Grooming

Grooming your Sheepadoodle is vital to keep them hygienic and healthy. The grooming routine for your Sheepadoodle should include steps for their coat, ears and teeth.

Regularly brush your Sheepadoodle as they have a thick coat which can easily get tangled and matted. If untreated, tangled and matted hair can lead to skin infections or irritations. Brushing your Sheepadoodle is also a good chance to check their skin for any injuries, fleas or ticks. Slicker brushes are generally the best for Sheepadoodles.

Sheepadoodles have floppy ears so they are prone to getting ear infections. If your Sheepadoodle gets wet, make sure to dry their ears well to prevent them from getting infected.

4. Keep On Top Of Vet Appointments

Take your Sheepadoodle to regular vet check-ups to make sure everything is going well and so you can treat any health issues quickly as early identification can help increase a Sheepadoodle’s lifespan.

Additionally, make sure you keep on top of yearly vaccinations as well as flea, tick and worm treatments.

5. Make Your Home Fit For An Older Sheepadoodle

As your Sheepdoodle gets older, there is an increased risk of arthritis and joint issues which can make mobility more difficult. For these reasons you may need to modify your home to accomodate for your senior dog.

If your Sheepadoodle finds it difficult to lower their neck to eat food or drink water you may want to invest in raised dog bowls to make feeding easier. If it is becoming difficult for them to jump up onto your bed or couch you may want to get a dog ramp. You may also decide to invest in an orthopedic bed if your Sheepadoodle has joint issues to ease the pain