Not many people would have ever considered crossing a German shepherd with a poodle. But then we'd be missing out on the adorable Shepadoodle, our bizarre dog breed spotlight of the week!

Name:

• Shepherd-poodle mix
• Shepadoodle
• Poodle-Shepherd mix

Origin:

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• German Shepherd (Germany)
• Poodle (Germany, France)
• First bred in the US

Height: 22-27 inches

Weight: 60-85 pounds

Life expectancy: up to 14 years

Coat type: medium to long, often wavy or curly

Coat color: brown, black, gray, cream

Character: intelligent, adaptive, active, friendly

Suitable for beginners: yes

The German shepherd-poodle mix is a hybrid breed, which makes it impossible to predict which parent's genes will prevail.

Social media pics will show you what the offspring of these two breeds can look like.

The origin of this particular mix lies in the 1960s, when attempts were made in the US to breed suitable police dogs. The aim was to combine the best characteristics of both breeds in order to produce pooches that could be easily trained.

Common German shepherd traits:

• Intelligent
• Eager to learn
• Obedient
• Self-confident

Common poodle traits:

• Intelligent
• Teachable
• Agile
• Adaptable
• People-friendly

Expert knowledge: You should not confuse a Shepadoodle with a Sheepadoodle, the two parent breeds of which are Poodle and Sheepdog.

Although you can never be sure about hybrid breeds, with Shepadoodles you could really be getting the best of both worlds!

German shepherd-poodle mixes are often:

• smart
• adaptable
• child-friendly
• loyal
• active

These qualities make such crossbreeds the ideal dog for active families, if you get it right from the start.

So what does getting it right mean? A good relationship with your Shepadoodle is based on a few essentials.

Exercise and mental exercises

A dog mix is often intelligent and very active. It needs plenty of opportunities for physical and mental exercise: daily and extensive walks, lots of playing together, and mental challenges. Practical search and brain games for dogs are ideal.

Education and training

No matter how good a dog's genes may be, without proper training, unwanted or annoying behavior patterns can develop. Make sure you include early socialization to prevent problematic relationships with children or other animals.

Everyday life

Those who provide sufficient exercise and set clear guidelines are usually rewarded with a loyal companion – whether in a family household with a yard or in a single apartment.

If you are lucky and a Shepadoodle has the curly coat typical of Poodles, it often does not shed so much, which makes it a pleasant pet, especially for allergy sufferers.

On average, a poodle-shepherd mix lives to be around 10-12 years old.

Due to the genes of both parent breeds, it is prone to a few health problems:

• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Epilepsy
• Cataracts
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

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You should have your Shepadoodle checked regularly at a veterinary practice in order to detect and treat possible diseases at an early stage.

Coat care

A mix of Shepherd and Poodle can have different coat types, but you should always brush it regularly to avoid matting – regardless of whether its coat is smooth or tousled.

The Shepadoodle has all the prerequisites for becoming a loyal companion that makes its owners happy every day. If the poodle's genes prevail in terms of coat, this mix can even be a good option for allergy sufferers.

To avoid problems, plenty of exercise, mental exercise, and consistent training are extremely important!