How Much Does a Sheepadoodle Cost? Real Breeder Prices! (2024)

Sheepadoodle puppy sitting on a rug

Image Credit: Judi Knight

Combine the relaxed, gentle nature of an Old English Sheepdog with the intelligence and superb trainability of a Poodle, and the result is the Sheepadoodle, a crossbreed with a near-perfect temperament.

How much does a Sheepadoodle cost? Most Sheepadoodles will cost between $1,000 and $3,000. The most common colors, black and black with white, are usually the least expensive, and the rarer colors such as red and white or chocolate tend to be on the higher end of the price range.

Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting, memorable experience, but there are many steps that must be completed first, everything from finding a breeder and checking prices, to preparing to welcome home your new arrival. In the following, we’ll look at all that and more.

Actual Breeder Prices

We know that having an accurate idea of what a Sheepadoodle puppy will cost is important for many people. To help you out, we’ve obtained actual prices from real Sheepadoodle breeders so you’ll have a realistic idea of what to expect when you begin your puppy search.

Breeder Location Price
Best Sheepadoodles South Carolina $1,000 – $3,000
Poodles2Doodles Iowa $3,500 and up
Sheepadoodles By Design Arkansas $2,500
California Sheepadoodles California $2,500 and up
Deb’s Doodles Virginia $2,500 – $3,500

What About Mini Sheepadoodles?

Smaller versions of Sheepdoodles aren’t nearly as common as the standard type but some breeders do have them on occasion. They are created from the breeding of a female Old English Sheepdog to a male Miniature Poodle and usually weigh 24 – 45 pounds and are less than 20 inches tall at the withers.

The breeders that do offer Mini Sheepadoodles typically charge at least $50 extra for these smaller dogs.  

What to Look for When Selecting a Breeder

Finding a high-quality breeder is crucial if you want a healthy, good-tempered puppy. Steer clear of pet stores and online mass-sale pages to avoid supporting puppy mills.

Instead, look for a breeder who:

  • Encourages you to visit her home to meet both the parent dogs and the puppies.
  • Has health screens performed on dogs prior to breeding to reduce the occurrence of diseases known to affect the breeds.
  • Has already begun the socialization process.
  • Can offer a puppy health certificate from a veterinarian.
  • Inquires of your home life, work schedule, and experience with dogs to ensure that you’re able to give the puppy a stable, loving home.
  • Takes the time to answer your questions and educates you on basic puppy care.

Getting Ready for Your New Puppy

So, you have found an ideal breeder, picked your favorite from the litter, and paid the deposit required to hold him until he’s big enough to leave his first family. Now what?

Now is the time to get prepared! Here is what you should be doing while you wait for the big day to arrive.

Do Your Homework

Immerse yourself in the world of Sheepadoodles. Find Sheepadoodle Facebook groups (like this one). Join communities on Reddit. Get in touch with someone who actually owns a Sheepadoodle if possible. You get the idea.

Most breeders will not only address your concerns on pick-up day but will also encourage you to get in touch with them in the future should any problems arise, so jot down any questions that you have.

Raising a Puppy

With a puppy, you’ll be dealing with an interrupted sleep schedule, potty training, teething, testing of limits, and you’ll likely have many questions and even some self doubt along the way.

There are a ton of helpful books such as The Art of Raising a Puppy and How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Puppyhood and Beyond. Once your new little guy arrives home, you’ll have much less free time to browse through books, so educate yourself as much as possible now.

Puppy Training

Knowing basic commands and being consistently obedient may just save your dog’s life one day, and a well trained, well-mannered dog is a joy to live with. Training is one aspect of dog ownership that you really can’t afford to be lazy about.

Sheepadoodles are such happy-go-lucky dogs that any form of harsh training can cause emotional damage and destroy the bond that you share. Positive reinforcement and reward-based training methods are the only way to go.

The Power of Positive Dog Training and Dog Training Revolution are both well recommended, focus on a positive approach, and are great to have on hand as training trials and questions arise (and they will).

Speak With Your Veterinarian

The best time to choose a veterinarian is now, before your puppy comes home. Make a few calls to see which ones are accepting new clients, what the office hours are, and what the protocol is for emergencies.

When you’ve settled on the one you’re comfortable with, make an appointment to set up your client file and to ask any questions you may have about the office or general puppy care. Be sure to set up your puppy’s first appointment while you’re there.

Your veterinarian will provide you with:

  • Vaccination schedules for your region.
  • Nutritional needs of growing puppies and feeding schedules.
  • Exercise guidelines.
  • Safety recommendations such as when your puppy can meet other dogs or go out in public.
  • Information on pet insurance.

Note: If you are considering a raw or home-prepared diet for your pup, discuss this at the initial appointment to ensure that what you are planning is safe and will meet your puppy’s nutritional needs.

Purchase Supplies

As you’ll soon discover, puppies require a good bit of paraphernalia. Items like an adjustable collar, a leash, and ceramic or stainless steel bowls for food and water are a given, but don’t forget that you’ll need a grooming set complete with nail clippers and training treats too.

These are the grooming supplies we use and recommend.

Your puppy will appreciate a good variety of toys including balls, plush toys, tug-of-war ropes, and of course, plenty of chew toys.

You may also want to have some pet stain remover and paper towels on hand for the inevitable accidents.

Most experts recommend using a crate (we love this crate) to aid in housebreaking and give your puppy a place where he feels secure. A crate mimics a dog’s natural denning instinct, and since few dogs will willingly soil “their” personal space, potty training is accelerated.

Using a crate will give you peace of mind when you leave the house, knowing that your puppy is safe and your belongings won’t fall victim to those needle-sharp puppy teeth. A comfy bed placed inside the crate will encourage your pup to relax until you return home.

Set Up Special Area for Your Dog

Leaving behind his first family and home can be a traumatic experience for a little puppy. To help him transition to his new life seamlessly, you’ll want to have everything in place before he arrives.

Choose a quiet spot in your home to set up your pup’s crate. A place where he can view the daily activities from a distance but not feel isolated from the family is ideal. You’ll want him to feel that this is his special, safe place, a reprieve from the rest of the world, so make it as comfortable and cozy as possible.

Establish New House Rules

Before your puppy arrives is the perfect time to enact a few new rules around the house and get each family member on the same page as far as puppy guidelines are concerned. Some new rules you may wish to consider include:

  • If you don’t want it chewed, put it away.
  • Be sure all doors leading outside are always firmly shut.
  • No feeding from the table.
  • Everyone uses the same cue words for training.
  • Leave the puppy alone when he’s in his crate.
  • No teasing, yelling at, or hitting the dog, ever.

Now is also the ideal time to set up a schedule for feeding, exercising, grooming, and bathroom trips. This routine should be decided and agreed upon by everyone so that each member is responsible for a fair share of work and is given the chance to bond with the new puppy.