Mini Sheepadoodles vs German Longhaired Pointer - Breed Comparison

The Mini Sheepadoodle is such a sweet, teddy bear of a dog. It comes from two awesome dog breeds – the Old English Sheepdog and the Miniature Poodle. It is thought that the dog originated in the USA.

They are two very different looking dogs, but their personalities are fairly similar. This designer dog isn’t purebred and isn’t registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Looking at the German Longhaired Pointer you may think that you’re looking at a type of Setter dog or even a large Spaniel. These pointing dogs, hailing from Germany, are gun dogs or working dogs, having always been used to track game.

They were developed at the end of the 19th century, as breeders were specifically looking for a dog that was faster than the wiry- and short hair German pointers. Crossing English Setters and Pointers gave breeders this German Longhaired Pointer and the dog was shown for the first time in Germany in 1879.

Known as the GLP or Deutsch-Langhaar, the dog has the bloodlines of water dogs and scenthounds, and way back In 1897, Baron von Schorlemer wrote the first standard for the German Longhaired.

The Mini Sheepadoodle, a mix between the Mini Poodle and Sheepdog stands at between 48 and 52cm and weighs between 11 to 20kg.

He is solidly built with a broad skull and face. The coat is usually medium length and can be either straight, wavy or curly. The coat can be quite a few colors depending on the parents. Some are brown, cream or black while others are white and grey or white and brown.

He is a low shedding dog. He has a double coat which will still need brushing. This hybrid breed has a thick coat that will need to be trimmed professionally every now and then as well. This is good for hot weather and for reducing the time it takes to groom the pet.

Temperament:

They’re easy-going, social dogs, loving to spend time with their human families. They are gentle and patient with children and they get on well with other pets in the home as well.

The Poodle is a very intelligent dog and because there is Poodle in the Mini Sheepadoodle, you can be sure that your dog is going to be bright too and that he will be able to be trained and socialized with ease. They’re friendly and don’t do too well as watchdogs.

Athletic and lean, the German Longhaired Pointer is a medium to large sized dog standing at 60 – 70 cm in height and weighing 25 to 32kg.

With his webbed feet, he can move with great speed. It is why the dog isn’t suited well to life in the city really, as he has always been a dog used to working and running over large areas. He will appreciate being with an active owner.

The beautiful double coat is medium length, slightly wavy and with feathering around the legs, chest and tail. The tail itself is carried stretched outwards or kept low. It is rich brown to coppery color, while some white can sometimes be found on the chest and paws. The attractive dog has brown eyes, a black nose and ears which are long and floppy.

Temperament:

Intelligent, gentle and amicable the German Longhaired Pointer is an affectionate, loyal dog who is also social, getting on well with other pets in the home as well as with children.

Being the loyal dog that he is, it makes him susceptible to separation anxiety so he should never be put into the backyard and left day after day on his own.

The Mini Sheepadoodle is such an affectionate teddy-bear dog and is calm, gentle and loving.

They make perfect family pets and want to please their owners. He is friendly and gets on well with his human family as well as with other pets in the home.

Children love him as he is always willing to have a game. They’re sociable and playful and make a wonderful canine pet and companion in your home.

German Longhaired Pointers are calm, friendly dogs who want to please their owners. They’re really intelligent too so training and socialization won’t be difficult with this bright dog.

Once trained, he makes an excellent, loyal and loving family pet. With a firm, kind, consistent type of owner, the German Longhaired Pointer is guaranteed to make you a wonderful pet.

They’re healthy dogs and you’re not likely to be spending too much time at the vet. Every dog can be prone to any one of the many common dog illnesses there are. These can be hip dysplasia, obesity, bloat, dental disease, cataracts and more.

Bloat:

This can be a life-threatening disease and treatment will be required as soon as possible. Known also as gastric dilatation and volvulus, the stomach twists and fills with gas. The dog’s stomach becomes distended with gas, and pressure is placed on the diaphragm, creating breathing problems.

Your dog will have a swollen stomach, he’ll be drooling and panting and he’ll be restless and he may even make little whimpering noises because he is in pain. He may be trying to vomit. Your dog needs to get to the vet immediately.

Hip dysplasia:

This is a leading health concern with many dogs and with the Mini Sheepadoodle as well. It’s a condition where there is an abnormal formation of the hip socket. It can lead to pain and arthritis and you may even notice your once-active pet battling to do what he once did, even when he is still young.

There are things that can be done though and your vet will discuss treatment methods with you and ideas to make it comfortable for your pet.

You’ll find that with an excellent diet and lots of love and care your German Longhaired Pointer can easily push 12 to 14 years of age.

If you’re a novice dog owner, talking with your vet will give you a good idea of how to feed your dog to ensure longevity.

No matter how vibrant and energetic your pet is, there may well come a day when he is lethargic, he just wants to lie, he doesn't want to eat and he doesn’t jump up to greet you. Then it’s time for concern and to get your 4-legged friend to the vet.

There are several health problems associated with dogs that are worth researching – hip dysplasia, skin allergies, progressive retinal atrophy, allergies and cataracts.

Exercise:

The Mini Sheepadoodles will need quite a lot of exercise as he is an active dog. Walks are always a super idea, and hikes even better. He will love other forms of activities such as ball games, hide and seek, ropes games and general rough and tumble games.

Grooming:

A brush every other day will be required. You can have your pet professionally trimmed. Check him over during brushing for unusual lumps. Check inside his ears and inside his mouth as he can’t tell you about ear infections or a bad tooth causing him a lot of pain.

Diet:

Provide your wonderful dog with the best food there is. Just like human beings, food plays an important role in good health. Learn to read the labels on commercially manufactured dog foods and try to feed your pet natural, wholesome foods with vitamins and minerals.

Some of the more inferior brands pump their foods full of colorants and preservatives. Try and provide your Mini Sheepadoodle with some home-made food which is simple and free of spices. Things like boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables chopped up and added to the dry kibble sometimes can do your pet a lot of good.

Make sure your pet always has a bowl of fresh, cool water available.

General:

Provide your pet with a warm, dry place to sleep.

Make sure his vaccines are up to date and make sure you have a reliable trusted vet to turn to when he is sick.

Diet:

German Longhaired Pointers have the same kind of nutritional needs as all other active working or sporting dog breeds. He needs high quality food, and if you feed him a commercially manufactured food, make sure its the best and that it has minerals and vitamins for active, large breeds. Most of the dog food companies have breed-specific formulas for size, age and activity levels of dogs.

Always ensure an ongoing supply of cool, fresh water is available to him.

Grooming:

The coat of the German Longhair can become matted and he will require brushing at least twice a week to keep the hair free of loose hairs as well as burrs that could lead to the coat becoming untidy and tangled. The ears will also have to be watched as thick matting can occur. Also check the inside of his ears to avoid dirt and wax build up which can lead to ear infections.

General grooming will also be reqired such as checking the length of the nails if they aren’t naturally worn down. Don’t neglect his teeth and brush 2 or 3x a week with canine toothpaste and toothbrush.

Exercise:

Your German Longhaired isn’t a dog who likes to spend his days lying round. He is energetic and loves to be on the go. From robust ball games to rope games, running with you as you go running, swimming or cycling, this dog can’t seem to get enough exercise and will want to be included in all your activities.