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Can Sheepadoodles Hunt? Are Sheepadoodle Hunting Dogs?

Sheepadoodles are the perfect mixture of old English sheepdogs and poodles, usually donning on the classic panda black and white coat. This breed is smart, active and loyal, while also being great with family and friends.

Since one of their parents, the old English sheepdogs are known for their hunting abilities, you might ask the following question.

Can Sheepadoodles hunt?

As Sheepadoodles have hunting and herding genes from their Old English Sheepdog parentage, they can hunt. If nothing else, since they are easy to train due to their smart Poodles genealogy, they can be trained to hunt as well. Mainly Sheepadoodles are taken to hunt waterfowls.

Poodles were experimentally yet successfully bred with Old English Sheepdogs to help hunt waterfowl, the result being the absolutely adorable Sheepadoodles.

Sheepdogs have the innate ability to herd sheep (hence their name) while Poodles were prized hunting companions, so it makes sense to think Sheepadoodles would be an excellent hunting dog as well.

Can mini Sheepadoodles hunt?

Sheepadoodles come in various shapes and sizes, due to their poodle and sheepdog genealogy. One of these variants is the mini Sheepadoodle, where the dog shares all traits of the “normal-sized” Sheepadoodle, but they are smaller in size.

Sheepadoodle Is a relatively new mixed breed, so whether it is safe to take your mini out on a hunt is still debatable. They obviously carry the genes and traits to hunt, but their size might make it disadvantageous when hunting for larger prey.

If you take your mini Sheepadoodle on a hunt with you, make sure to keep an eye on them, better safe than sorry!

Are Sheepadoodle hunting dogs?

As Sheepadoodles inherit their parent Sheepdogs’ herding genes and poodle’s fowl hunting genes, you can safely assume them to be hunting dogs. This breed was originated as an experiment in the 1960s by the US Army to see if they can have any use as a military dog.

Poodles are highly intelligent and determined, with a background in waterfowl history. Sheepdogs are also working dogs, but they focused on herding sheep or cattle instead.

This means the resulting mixed breed Sheepadoodle is a smart, active dog that has hunting and herding bred into its very bones.

What can Sheepadoodles hunt?

As mentioned earlier, Sheepadoodles have parents that hunted fowls, waterfowls, or ducks to be exact for one half, while the other herded cattle. 

So, you can argue that Sheepadoodles can hunt fowls and maybe small land animals as well. For they are an active breed that has a lot of energy, giving them a “job” such as hunting can be beneficial for both the dog and the owner.

How to train Sheepadoodle to hunt?

So now you have an adorable Sheepadoodle pup and you want to teach them how to hunt early on. The sooner you integrate training into the routine the more efficient and effective it is going to be.

Positive Reinforcement:

prioritize early socialization and training and make it even more resourceful by providing a lot of positive encouragement.

It is scientifically proven that dogs respond better to positive training, words and rewards so incorporate that into your routine. 

Obedience Training:

Teaching your dog to hunt doesn’t happen overnight, but that one training that will help the most is definitely obedience training.

Obedience training basically entails them responding to or performing a command well until you tell them otherwise. These commands are “come”, “sit”, “down”, “stay” and “fetch”.

Socialization:

it is extremely important that you teach your dog to be social so they know how to act amongst people and other animals, no matter what their temperament might be.

Your canine companion should receive proper socialization and be exposed to all kinds of other elements that can be expected to encounter when hunting. The more they are used to it all, the smoother the hunting experience is going to be.

Introduce Them To The Elements:

speaking of expected elements during hunting, it is best to introduce them to relevant sounds and motions before starting the hunt itself.

If you plan to use a machine that could make loud noise, it is advisable to acclimate them to the sound and vibration associated with the item. You can use audio records available online that can stimulate the noise while training.

There are many other ways you can train your dog to hunt and it is always recommended to get a professional’s opinion if you are confused or unsure about anything. Be patient and consistent and you will see results in no time. 

Are Sheepadoodles easy to train?

Sheepadoodles are regarded as one of the breeds that are easy to train. While the puppies can be energetic and boisterous, training them early on is pretty hassle-free as they respond to positive reinforcement and rewards.

Poodles are known to be one of the most intelligent dog breeds out there and Sheepdogs are easy to train since they are people pleasers, as a result, Sheepadoodles sharing their DNA make them loyal, obedient, and quick learners – which make them a delight to train and teach.

What are Sheepadoodles good for?

Aside from being an excellent companion, Sheepadoodles are great for pretty much everything you might need a dog for. 

They already have a stellar reputation as A+ therapy dogs, despite being a fairly new breed. The combination of the patient and protective Sheepdog and the smart, non-shedding poodle make them a unique breed that is perfect for therapy companion dogs.

As they are easy to train and have great temperaments, they make good watchdogs as well.

Teach your doodle to become a guard or protection dog with experienced stern training and watch them protect you and yours with power and pride.  

Are Sheepadoodles aggressive?

Speaking of temperament, Sheepadoodles are known to be gentle and docile. If you are looking for an aggressive “alpha” dog, this breed is not the one for you.

Unless they have been brought up in abuse or neglect, Sheepadoodles are calm, collected dogs that are known to be tender and loving. The only times you will see them act out is when they think something or someone is wrong and harmful.

Are Sheepadoodles destructive? 

As mentioned previously, Sheepadoodles are soft, warm, and welcoming so they are typically not very destructive.

However, if they are not in a loving, caring home and are subjected to neglect – they can show their frustration by developing destructive tendencies.

Another reason why your Sheepadoodle is acting out aggressively could be that they are not getting the appropriate amount of socialization they need.

If that’s not the case, they might be suffering from separation anxiety and you should find ways to alleviate their worries ASAP.

Treat your dog well, keep them happy, healthy, and properly stimulated, and watch your Sheepadoodle become a lovable, friendly companion that will only elevate your life like never before.

Is Sheepadoodle a recognized breed?

Sheepadoodle is still a new enough breed to be deemed rare still. This is one of the reasons why major kennel clubs do not recognize it as a legitimate, standalone pure breed. Not yet, at least.

On the other hand, as they are also known as designer dogs, Dog Registry of America (DRA), American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC) and International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR) accept them into their registry.

Sheepadoodles are a fun, friendly breed that brings joy to everyone around them. As they are an active, energetic breed, teaching and taking them to hunt can be an eventful yet meaningful activity for you both.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can Sheepadoodles Run?

Can Sheepadoodles Swim? How to Train Them to Like Swimming?

Do Sheepadoodles Bark A Lot?

Do Sheepadoodles Change Color?

Do Sheepadoodles Have a Double Coat?