Is there a German Shepherd Poodle mix? Yes, and it is a cross between a Standard, Miniature, or Toy Poodle and the German Shepherd.
This mixed breed is among hybrid dogs that are becoming increasingly popular in the designer dog breeds world. And although the two parent breeds have extremely different personalities, they make a perfect doodle pooch.
The German Shepherd Poodle mix is fairly large, intelligent, extra-fluffy, and is not a shedder. This makes it a wonderful hypoallergenic mixed-breed that allergic people will love. So, you may have already liked the sound of it. But there are things you should know first.
In this article, we will be looking at their temperament, training, exercise, nutritional needs, and grooming among other factors when it comes to a German Shepherd Poodle mix. By the end of this article, you will have decided whether it is the most appropriate dog for you and your family.
Table of Contents
What is a Poodle German Shepherd mix called?
The mix between a German Shepherd and a Poodle is known by many sweet names, including German Doodle, Shepdoodle, Shepherdpoo, Shepapoo, and Shep-A-Poo.
History of the Breed
The hybrid between a German Shepherd and a Poodle was first designed in the 1960s. The mixed-breed was initially developed for the US Army for use as military police dogs. This crossbreed is now liked by many as a companion and family dog for its good characteristics.
To know more about the German Shepherd Poodle mix, let us take a brief look at the parents.
Parents
The German Shepherd – Also known as GSDs, this dog breed’s history dates back to the 1800s in Germany where it was created. The GSD was created by breeding the smartest, most alert, and most obedient dogs in the country. They were initially bred to help farmers herd sheep and protect them from predators. Today, they make excellent family dogs.
This dog breed has a desirable personality. GSDs are smart, brave, confident, alert, curious, and loyal to their owners. In addition, they are protective and alert which makes them outstanding guard dogs and family pooches. However, they tend to have a stubborn streak that can affect their training. The German Shepherd was recognized by the AKC as a breed in 1908 except for the white color.
German Shepherds stand 24 tom26 inches tall for males with a weight of 66 to 88 lbs. while females are 22 to 24 inches in height and weigh 49 to 71 lbs. The breed has a lifespan of between 10 and 13 years. However, they are predisposed to health problems like epilepsy, bloat, arthritis, degenerative myelopathy, and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.
Read more about the German Shepherd growth chart
The Poodle – Like the GSD, Poodles first originated from Germany, although some say they came from France. The breed was initially bred for hunting purposes as water retrievers, a skill they possess to date.
Their disposition, which makes them a great dog breed, is why most designers choose to mix them with other breeds. Poodles are smart, instinctual, devoted, alert, trainable, and active. They come in three types, including the Toy, Miniature, and Standard that was documented by the AKC in 1887.
The standard poodle has a height of 15 inches or more with males having a weight of between 45 and 70 lbs. and females 45 to 60 lbs. All Poodles, regardless of the size, are prone to common health problems such as hip dysplasia, epilepsy, bloat, collapsed trachea, and Addison’s disease.
Overall Description
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Weight | 50 to 125 pounds |
| Height | 22 to 24 inches |
| Child-friendly/ Pet-friendly | Very chummy with kids & pets |
| Coat Type | Medium-length coat – curly or wavy |
| Coat Color | Black, cream, tan, sable, or gray |
| Shedding | Light to moderate |
| Temperament | Lively, Loyal, Alert, & Devoted |
| Lifespan | 12 to 14 years |
Appearance
What does a German Shepherd Poodle mix look like?
It is hard to tell what the look of the German Shepherd Poodle cross will be, but we know that it can vary significantly. However, you expect them to have an athletic build and rustic appearance with ears that lay over their head, a look that makes them approachable.
This hybrid has thick fur that pokes out in all directions, and it can sometimes grow long that it covers their sweet appealing eyes. Depending on which parent they take after most, your Shepapoo’s weight will vary significantly. But they will be somewhere between 22 and 28 inches with a weight of 50 to 90 lbs.
A German Doodle’s coat can either be curly or wavy with black, sable, gray, cream, or tan colors.
Temperament and Characteristics
The German Shepherd and Poodle mix personality is adorable as they are high-spirited dogs. They are among the liveliest breeds out there that will enjoy burning their energy by running around and playing with toys.
Shepherdpoos are affectionate and will love snuggling up with you on the couch. This, however, is bad news because they can suffer from separation anxiety if unaccompanied for long periods. Due to their smartness, trainability, devotion, and diligence to work hard, they are used as service or military dogs.
Those characteristics, love for kids, and the protective nature make the German Shepherd Poodle mix a good family dog. They also hardly bark and are standoffish to strangers until they gain their trust.
Nutrition
The right nutrition for your German Shepherd Poodle mix depends on the parent breed they inherit. If your Shepapoo falls on the smaller hybrid side, 2 cups per day are okay. Should they be on the larger end of the spectrum, 4 cups will be enough. Make sure that you feed in small amounts, like 2 to 3 meals a day to prevent bloat.
Training & Exercise
As mentioned earlier, Shepherdpoos are very intelligent with an eagerness to please and learn character that makes them easily trainable. However, they can be a little obstinate so be ready to deal with that. It is recommended that you include positive reinforcement during training for best results.
When it comes to training, this is where caring for them requires you to be very active because Shepapoos are strong athletes. From swimming to running, hiking, or playing in the park or backyard, they love to exercise. That tells you that they are not a good choice for you if you live in an apartment. Make sure they exercise for at least 1 to 2 hours daily (90 minutes minimum) and give them 2 walks every day.
Remember that if you do not give them an active lifestyle, they will develop destructive behavior.
Health Issues
Shepherdpoos are healthy like most hybrids as compared to their parents. However, they are prone to common health problems such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and osteoarthritis. Other probable health issues include bloat, hemophilia, and allergies.
Life Expectancy
A healthy German Shepherd and Poodle mix has a lifespan of between 12 and 14 years.
Grooming Needs
The grooming requirements of your German Doodle will depend on the parent they inherit their fur from. Should they take after their Poodle parent, their coat will be curly and will not shed frequently. But if they inherit their German Shepherd’s thick, wavy, and long coat, they will shed quite often.
Despite the coat texture, your Shepherdpoo will require to be brushed twice or thrice a week to prevent tangling and matting. And since this mixed breed is susceptible to dry and sensitive skin, remember to check for abnormalities as you brush them.
Keep their nails trimmed and brush their teeth often for proper dental health. Other parts that you should pay attention to include the nose, eyes, and ear to prevent infections.
Cost and Maintenance
A German Shepherd Poodle mix puppy is priced somewhere between $500 and $1,000 when bought from a responsible and honest breeder. Of course, their location is a factor to consider when thinking about the price. In terms of maintenance, this hybrid is between low and high depending on the food choice, size, and health.
Where to Adopt
If you are interested in a German Shepherd Poodle mix adoption, you can check with rescues or shelters for the parent breeds or consult your local shelters. Be prepared to spend between $500 and $1,000 on adoption fees.
FAQs
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Hi there! My name is Alex Landy, one of the co-founders here at Our Pets HQ and a parent to a small-breed Yorkie. I am a published author of two books on dog breeding and currently write on various pet-related blogs about caring for dogs. I am a parent of two daughters and live outside Boston where I spend a lot of time with family and serve in different breeding clubs. You can reach me at alex@ourpetshq.com
