Everything You Need to Know About The Mini (Micro) Sheepadoodle

Last Updated on June 4, 2024

The Mini Sheepadoodle (also known as the Micro Sheepadoodle) is a pint-sized version of the Standard Sheepadoodle.

These small dogs are low-shedding and simply adorable!

But despite being such incredible dogs, the Mini Sheepadoodle is not for everybody.

Are you wondering whether a Mini Sheepadoodle is suitable for you and your family? Today, I’m diving into everything you need to know before adding a Mini Sheepadoodle to your family.

Ready to discover more? Let’s jump right in.

Mini Sheepadoodle Breed Facts
Height	15 to 18 inches
Weight	25 to 35 pounds
Temperament	Affectionate, intelligent, playful, stubborn

What is a Mini Sheepadoodle?

A Mini Sheepadoodle is an Old English Sheepdog crossed with a Mini Poodle. They are related to Standard Sheepadoodles, which are a mix of an Old English Sheepdog and a Standard Poodle.

Appearance

Size

Mini Sheepadoodles come in two different sizes: Miniature and Micro.

However, some breeders use the term Mini and Micro interchangeably, so it’s always best to check with the breeder as to what size they think the puppies will be. (Although breeders cannot confirm sizes, they can give you an educated guess based on the size of the parents.)

Mini Sheepadoodle size

A full-grown Mini Sheepadoodle will weigh around 25 to 35 pounds and stand 15-18 inches tall.

Here’s Mini Sheepadoodle Posie:

And Bear, another gorgeous Miniature Sheepadoodle.

Micro Sheepadoodle Size

Micro Sheepadoodles are a cross between a Toy Poodle—rather than a Miniature Poodle—and an Old English Sheepdog. As a result, Micro Sheepadoodles tend to be a smidge smaller than Mini Sheepadoodles.

Micro Sheepadoodles are usually in the ballpark of 10 to 25 pounds and stand around 12 inches tall.

Ollie is an adorable Micro Mini Sheepadoodle—as you can see, he’s shorter than the two pups above.

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Colors

Mini Sheepadoodles have unique colors and markings.

The most common colors for them is the classic black and white combination. This color combination gives them the appearance of a mini panda where they have white faces with black hair around the eyes.

Gray Mini Sheepadoodles are also popular and come in different shades such as light silver or darker charcoal. And because Miniature Sheepadoodles are part Old English Sheepdog, they can also be a combination of gray and white markings, just like the OES.

Brown Mini Sheepadoodles are less common but still highly popular. The brown coloring can range from a light caramel to a rich chocolate brown, and they can be solid brown or a combination of brown and white.

Two colored coats are also known as ‘parti’ coloring, where more than half the hair is white and the rest is another color like black, brown, or gray. You might even find a Mini Shepadoodle sporting a tri-colored coat (much like the Mini Bernedoodle!), however, this is quite rare.

Overall, the different color combinations of Mini Sheepadoodles make them a highly desirable breed for those seeking a unique and beautiful dog to add to their family.

Coats

A Mini Sheepadoodle’s coat can be straight, wavy, or curly—it all depends which parent breed the pup takes after.

As these pups are part Poodle, their coats will be low- to non-shedding, making them ideal for people in search of a small low-shedding dog to add to their family.

Temperament

To understand the temperament of a Mini Sheepadoodle, let’s quickly learn about both parent breeds.

Old English Sheepdog

Old English Sheepdogs, commonly called OES, have gained fame for their prominent roles in movies and television shows.

They are often described as long-haired clowns due to their playful and silly demeanor, which accurately portrays their personality.

Apart from being entertaining, Old English Sheepdogs are independent dogs that make excellent family pets. As a member of the herding breed family, OES tend to round up small children and other animals. In doing so, they have rightfully earned a babysitter’s badge of honor; they’ll keep a close eye on all your kids and make sure they stay together!

They are intelligent and playful, making them great companions for children and adults. Although intelligent, they have a stubborn streak and require a patient and consistent training approach.

As a working breed, they thrive on mental stimulation and enjoy having tasks to complete or training exercises to participate in.

Unlike Poodles, Old English Sheepdogs are laid back and have medium energy. They protect the home and will bark to alert you to intruders.

Mini and Toy Poodle

Toy Poodles were originally bred as mushroom hunters and companion dogs. These dogs are cute, intelligent, and highly affectionate.

Being so smart and fairly easy to train makes the Poodle one of the most popular dogs worldwide. Toy Poodles are energetic dogs that require plenty of daily exercise and mental enrichment.

As they’re so affectionate, they can develop separation anxiety if left alone for too long. As such, it’s important to people who own Poodle mix dogs to socialize them properly as pups to ensure they grow to be confident and well-adjusted dogs.

Mini Sheepadoodle

Now onto the Mini Sheepadoodle. Miniature Sheepadoodles inherit traits from both parent breeds. As such, they have incredibly big and affectionate personalities.

Intelligent

Being bred from two intelligent parent breeds, Mini Sheepadoodle dogs have incredibly smart making them easy to train and wonderful dogs for first-time dog owners.

They have an affinity for training and enjoy learning new tricks and playing with puzzle toys to keep their minds stimulated.

Stubborn

Thank to their English Sheepdog parents, Mini Sheepadoodles can be stubborn at times.

You’ll need extra patience and consistency when training a Mini Sheepadoodle.

And like the OES, Mini Sheepadoodle puppies have strong herding instincts and may nip or bite. Luckily, with proper training, your Miniature Sheepadoodle will grow out of any biting and nipping. (Please make sure to consult a trainer if you are having trouble preventing this behavior.)

Goofy

Mini Sheepadoodles can also be quite goofy—just like their OES parent! They’re entertaining and will keep everyone in the family in high spirits with their loveable and goofy nature.

Affectionate

Like a Mini Poodle, the Mini Sheepadoodle is an affectionate dog that enjoys being around its family.

Robin owns a Mini Sheepadoodle, and when I asked her what she wished she knew before bringing her Mini Sheepadoodle home, she tells me:

I wish I knew how much they love to be with you all the time….including in the bathroom, and how much they sulk and miss you when you are away. 

Robin, Mini Sheepadoodle owner

And Ariana agrees:

I also have a Sheepadoodle (mini size) and will concur that you’ll “never go to the bathroom alone again” once you have one. I refer to mine as my “shower guard” as he insists on laying on the bath mat every time I shower.

Ariana, Sheepadoodle owner

Friendly

This dog breed is incredibly friendly and will get along with everyone in your family, including other pets.

Grooming

Grooming a Sheepadoodle is a lot of work. They require lots of at-home grooming and frequent trips to the groomer to avoid matting.

Since Mini Sheepadoodles don’t shed, you must brush and comb their hair often to prevent tangles and painful mats.

You can expect to brush and comb a Mini Sheepadoodle dog for roughly 15 minutes per day.

Aside from combing and brushing, you’ll need to trim their nails, clean their ears, and brush their teeth. Smaller dogs like Mini Poodles need more teeth cleanings as their mouths are smaller and their teeth can be crowded, and less space between the teeth leads to more plaque build-up. As such, Mini Sheepadoodles should go to the dentist every one to three years.

Energy levels

Mini Sheepadoodles are highly active and intelligent breeds that require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy.

These dogs thrive on attention from their owners and need to be regularly engaged in activities that challenge them both physically and mentally. They’re perfect dogs for dog sports, like agility, and love to take part in daily training sessions.

As such, they are not the best fit for those seeking a low-energy, laid-back companion.

Where to find Mini Sheepadoodle puppies

Mini Sheepadoodle breeders

When searching for a Mini Sheepadoodle puppies for sale, it’s crucial to ensure that they are reputable and follow ethical breeding practices.

Here are some tips to help potential buyers find a trustworthy breeder:

1. Do your research: Take the time to research breeders in your area and read reviews from previous buyers. This will give you an idea of the breeder’s reputation and the quality of their dogs.
2. Ask for health certificates: Reputable breeders will have health certificates for their puppies, which show that the dog has been screened for any hereditary health issues.
3. Visit the breeder: Arrange a visit to the breeder’s facility and meet the puppies and their parents in person. This will give you an idea of the conditions the dogs are raised in and allow you to ask any questions you may have.
4. Ask for references: Find people who have bought a puppy from the breeder in the past and contact them to ask about their experience.

Rescues

Although you might not find any Mini Sheepadoodle puppies in rescues, they often have lots of adult Poodle mix dogs looking for homes.

Before looking for a reputable breeder, check out some Doodle rescues to see if they have a Mini Sheepdoodle that needs a home.

Cost

Mini Sheepadoodle puppies cost around $1,500 to $3,000+.

Life expectancy

With proper care and frequent trips to the vet, a Mini Sheepadoodle dog can live for 13 to 16 years of age.

Health issues

Hip dysplasia is a common health issue in Mini Sheepadoodles, as it is in their parent breeds. This condition occurs when the hip joint doesn’t develop properly, leading to pain, lameness, and arthritis.

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is another potential health issue in Mini Sheepadoodles, which causes a gradual loss of vision and can eventually lead to blindness.

Cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s lens, can also affect Mini Sheepadoodles. This condition can be genetic or develop due to aging, injury, or other underlying health issues.

Due to their floppy ears, Mini Sheepadoodles are prone to ear infections. It’s important to keep their ears clean and dry to prevent infection, which can cause discomfort and even hearing loss.

Mini Sheepadoodles can also develop dental issues, such as overcrowding and tartar buildup. Regular teeth cleaning and dental check-ups can help prevent these issues and maintain good oral hygiene.

Why Mini + Micro Sheepadoodles aren’t for everybody

Mini Sheepadoodles are a high-maintenance breed when it comes to grooming.

Their thick, curly coat requires regular brushing and combing to prevent matting and tangling, and professional grooming every few months is recommended to maintain their coat’s health and appearance.

Along with regular grooming, Mini Sheepadoodles also require lots of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy and healthy. Daily walks and playtime in the yard or park are a must, as this breed can become restless and destructive if not given enough activity.

If you are considering a Mini Sheepadoodle, it’s essential to understand that they demand a lot of attention and time from their owners.

They thrive on human interaction and can become anxious or depressed if left alone for long periods. This breed is unsuitable for people who prefer a low-energy dog or who do not have the time or desire to provide proper grooming and exercise.

However, if you are willing to devote the necessary time and energy, a Mini Sheepadoodle can be a loyal and loving companion.

Should you get a Mini Sheepadoodle?

Mini Sheepadoodles seem like the ultimate family dog. They’re friendly, smart, and love being around their family. However, as I’ve mentioned, they require lots of grooming and exercise—these reasons might steer someone away from getting a Miniature Sheepadoodle.

But if you want a medium-sized, high-energy dog to take on all of life’s adventures, the Mini Sheepadoodle may be the right companion for you!

Do you have a Mini Sheepadoodle? Tell us what they’re like in the comments below!