Sheepadoodle Grooming

Sheepadoodle grooming is a high-maintenance responsibility. Because there are different types of coats that can occur, even within a single litter, you need to learn all you can about your Sheepadoodle's coat. It's best to get professional advice so you can learn how best to maintain this big dog's beautiful coat, no matter what type it is!

Sheepadoodle grooming might not be the same for each Sheepadoodle. Some may have the curly, nearly non-shedding single-layer coat of the Poodle. Some may have the thick, heavily shedding double-coat of the Sheepdog. And some may have something between that mixes these features and may still be different from other mixed-style Sheepdog Poodle mixes.

The first step in properly grooming a Sheepadoodle is to know the kind of coat.

Poodle Type Coats
If the coat is more like the Poodle, you'll benefit from the coat being hypoallergenic, but you'll need to groom more frequently. Poodle coats are curly, but can mat easily, so you will need to brush your Sheepadoodle a few times per week with a pin brush to keep the coat from matting. It may be helpful to spray the coat with a mist bottle beforehand to help prevent the coat from becoming frizzy while brushing. You may also need to hand-strip or rake any dead hair from the coat since Poodle coats will retain dead hair after it falls out.

Sheepdog Type Coats
Sheepadoodles with a more "Sheepdog" type coat will have a double-coat of long hanging fur, which is very susceptible to tangles and matting. You will want to brush the coat daily with a medium to large pin brush to keep the fur free from tangles. If you wait too long between brushings the tangles can become very difficult to remove and may require a trip to a local groomer.

Mix Coats
If the coat is a mixture of the Poodle and Sheepdog, you will need to brush the coat regularly (with a pin brush) and check for any dead hair that may have fallen off but become stuck in the hair.

Regardless of whether your Sheepadoodle's coat is more like the Poodle's or the Sheepdog's (or even somewhere in between), it'll need frequent brushing. Sheepadoodle brushing will need to happen 3-4 times per week to keep the hairs neat, clean, and free of dirt or debris.

The best brush for Sheepadoodle dogs is a pin brush, as it moves through both coat types the easiest. Some owners with "Poodle-esque" Sheepadoodles prefer slicker brushes, as they're better at removing dead hairs from the undercoat--but the pin brush is the most versatile. A greyhound comb will be good to have on hand as well.

How to brush a Sheepadoodle: first wet the coat with water mist from a spray bottle. Then starting at the shoulders, go through the entire coat section by section with the pin or slicker brush, moving in the direction of hair growth. If you encounter a tangle or mat, first try working it out with your fingers, then continue working through it with the end teeth of the comb. For extra-stubborn tangles, use scissors to cut them in half (or even fourths) to start the untangling process--and if a tangle is impossible to work out, it'll need to be cut out entirely.

Your Sheepadoodle, depending on its coat type, will need a bath anywhere from one to three months. (Dogs with coats more like the Poodle will need bathing more often or the coat will look frizzy and unkempt.) Of course, if the dog gets especially dirty or stinky, an "emergency bath" might be called for.

It's important when bathing a Sheepadoodle to use canine shampoo (and conditioner if desired), as the kind made for humans has a different pH and can irritate a dog's skin. The best shampoo for Sheepadoodle dogs includes brands like Earthbath, Pro Pet Works, and Burt's Bees--all of which carry canine conditioner products as well.

How to bathe a Sheepadoodle: first give the dog a good brushing. You can bathe your Sheepadoodle either in a bathtub (which hopefully has a spray nozzle attachment), or in an outdoor plastic pool using a garden hose. Wet the coat thoroughly, then apply some Sheepadoodle shampoo to the dog's back. Lather well, working downward and outward as you go. (And don't forget the legs, underbelly, and tail!) Clean the dog's face, head, and ears with a washcloth, then rinse the coat until the water runs clear. If using conditioner, repeat the entire process with that.

Towel-dry the coat, then if you like, continue with a hair dryer on its lowest heat setting, brushing the hair out with the pin brush as you dry. (Using a hair dryer is best for Sheepdog-type coats. For Poodle-types, air-drying is preferred, as the hair dryer will make the coat extra-frizzy.) Finish by giving the coat another quick brush-through to make it look clean and neat.

There are a great many Sheepadoodle haircuts. It all depends on the type of coat your dog has as well as how much time and how imaginative you want to be. There are also some basic cuts. They all depend on whether your Sheepadoodle has a primarily Sheepdog or Poodle coat, however.

The Long Puppy Cut is best for Sheepdog-style coats. After a thorough bath and blow-dry, the coat is trimmed carefully down just a wee bit. The legs will look like cotton cylinders, and the rest of the body will be fluffy too. The eyes and the feet and will be invisible. The coat should bounce when the dog walks, making him look like he's floating.

The Puppy Cut allows the eyes and the feet to be seen. The coat is cut very short so it's easily maintained.

The traditional Sheepdog Cut is not so much a cut as allowing the hair to grow naturally and then shaving the dog. This was how it was done when these dogs worked the herds in their native lands. The hair grows back at about one inch a month, so keep that in mind when you shave (or trim) it.

For Poodle-type coats, the list is open-ended. Some of the basic styles are the Puppy Cut, the Teddy Bear, and the Kennel Cut. The Puppy cut is a medium length style save for the tail, which has a ball at the tip called a "pompom." The Teddy Bear on a Poodle-style coat doesn't completely hide everything, as the eyes, nose, and toenails are visible. The Kennel Cut emphasizes the top of the head and ears with long hair while the rest of the coat is trimmed short.

If your Sheepadoodle has that complete Poodle coat, there are many wild styles beyond the basic cuts: the Dutch Clip, Bikini Cut, Lamb Clip, the Continental, the Sporting Cut, Corded Coat and the English Saddle. These are detailed trims that are best described at length in books.

If you have a Sheepadoodle whose coat has both breeds' features, you can opt for a Labrador Cut. This will maintain the curly aspect of the Poodle hair but keep it short. The ears will have medium-length hair. The face can be kept somewhat long and fluffy like that of a Sheepdog.