Belgian Shepadoodle
10-13 yrs
40-55 lbs
22-25"
United States

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Belgian Shepadoodle

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Dog Breeds
Belgian Shepadoodle

40-55 lbs

22-25"

United States

Belgian Shepherd

Poodle

Belgian Sheepdoodle

The Belgian Shepadoodle is a breed which is intelligent, energetic and protective. Both parent breeds are active and require a good deal of exercise, affection and challenge, with the Belgian Sheepdog parent providing the most aggression in personality traits. The Belgian Sheepdog originated in Belgium while the Poodle gets its origins from Germany and France. The Poodle parent provides the highest maintenance when it comes to grooming, not necessarily due to shedding but moreso because they require more frequent trips to the groomer, while the Belgian Sheepdog parent contributes a moderate level of maintenance for grooming. This hybrid can be a great addition to any family, provided adequate exercise and mental challenge can be included in their daily regimen. They’re great watchdogs and family protectors and can sometimes seem also telepathic in their ability to read and sense signals from the body language of their human family. Puppies need to be introduced to strangers and other animals carefully and early in their training to provide sufficient socialization as they grow.

                
                Purpose
              
Companion, Guarding

                Date of Origin
              
Unknown

                Ancestry
              
Belgian Shepherd, Poodle

Belgian Shepadoodle Health

Average Size

Height: 22-25 inches Weight: 45-60 lbs

Height: 23-25 inches Weight: 40-55 lbs

Major Concerns

Cataracts
Sebaceous Adenitis
Bloat

Minor Concerns

Hip Dysplasia
Hyperadrenocorticism
Hypoadrenocorticism

Occasional Tests

Eye
Hip
Blood
X-Rays

Belgian Shepadoodle Breed History

The Belgian Shepadoodle is a fairly new hybrid and there is little history of the hybrid breed itself. The breed is created from a crossing of the Belgian Sheepdog (Groenendael) and the standard Poodle. The Belgian Sheepdog originates from Belgium and they can be traced back to the 1800’s as a breed known for its ability to herd livestock and provide security and protection for the family and the farm. His strong work ethic made him perfect for this role and, today, he can be found excelling in work in police departments as well as in the family home. The Belgian Sheepdog that we see today was developed by Nicholas Rose in his kennel which was started in 1893. The Belgian Sheepdogs coming from this kennel, during World War II, became prized messengers, guard dogs and customized “agents”. These traits remain strong in the Belgian Sheepdog parent breed. The AKC doesn’t recognize the Belgian Sheepdog itself as a breed, but rather has determined that the breed has four “varieties” which they considered separate breeds. Those varieties are the Belgian Groenendael (long haired black), the Belgian Tervuren (long haired fawn/mahogany), the Belgian Malinois (short haired fawn/mahogany) and the Belgian Laekenois (rough haired fawn). It is the Belgian Groenendael which has been bred with the Standard Poodle to create this hybrid. The Standard Poodle side of the Belgian Shepadoodle is more than just fluff and fur! The early Poodle species was actually a water dog -- a sort of retriever! Though the exact origin of the Poodle breed is not known, it is known to go back to the 1400’s and has been utilized in hunting and retrieving as well as being quite adaptable as companions in Germany and France alike. It is one of the oldest breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. Its popularity continues to grow both in the United States as well as abroad, boasting a number 7 in popularity on the AKC roster!

Belgian Shepadoodle Breed Appearance

The Belgian Shepadoodle is a mix of the Belgian Shepherd (Groenendael) which has long black hair and a Standard Poodle which can come in a variety of colors ranging from apricot to black and coats which can range from soft and curly to rough and harsh. To describe the exact color is very difficult as it is dependent upon which parent’s genes are dominant. Your Belgian Shepadoodle will be of moderate to large height and weight with a coat that could be rough and of medium length. He will likely have medium length folded ears, round head with long, thick muzzle. His facial expression can range from a “cuddly teddy bear look” to an alert and intelligent expression, again, the appearance of your Belgian Shepadoodle will be dependent upon the genetics of the dominant parent. His tail will likely curl over his back and his eyes will be alert and aware.

Belgian Shepadoodle Breed Maintenance

The Belgian Shepadoodle, like just about every other canine breed, will require appropriate regular teeth cleaning to avoid gum disease and tooth loss. Grooming maintenance will likely be moderate, ranging from brushing twice weekly and bathing when needed to the daily grooming required by the Standard Poodle parent’s contribution. Since the Belgian Shepherd parent will contribute significant shedding issues, brushing at least twice a week will help reduce the complications caused by this shedding issue. This is especially true for those households which have family members who are sensitive to animal hair or have asthmatic or other breathing conditions. Because the ear set will likely be folded over, a contribution from the Standard Poodle parent, at least weekly ear checks and cleaning should be done to avoid unnecessary ear infection problems which go with this type of ear set. The smell level is low for both parent breeds.

Belgian Shepadoodle Temperament

The temperament of the Belgian Shepadoodle is dependent upon the genetics from the dominant parent. Both the Belgian Shepherd (Groenendael) and the Standard Poodle share some temperament traits like alertness, high energy, intelligence, loyalty and playfulness. The Belgian Shepherd parent can contribute aggression, protectiveness and independence to the mix, while the Standard Poodle parent can be affectionate, lively and responsive. Both parent breeds are highly sensitive to body language and nonverbal signals, so early socialization is important to teach them how to deal with strangers. They are both guilty of frequent barking. The mouthiness, or likelihood that they’ll lightly bite or nip when playing, is minimal in the Belgian Shepherd but considerable in the Standard Poodle. This likely goes back to the time when the breed was utilized as retrievers. Both parent breeds are good with children and cats and also good for new owners, provided they can deal with the high energy levels exhibited by both breeds. When it comes to tendency toward hunting, the Belgian Shepherd wins the prize while the Standard Poodle could care less. Both breeds possess an impulse to wander, but the Belgian Shepherd is rated as high risk whereas the Standard Poodle is rated at a moderate risk. Both parent breeds have high energy levels and high intelligence which makes them easy to train, though the independence of the Belgian Shepherd will add a bit of challenge to the training process.

Belgian Shepadoodle Activity Requirements

Both parent breeds of the Belgian Shepadoodle are high energy canines. They love to run and jump and play and will do so for hours, both inside the house as well as outside. They are both highly intelligent breeds and need mental challenge as well as physical challenge to avoid boredom. Both breeds can be destructive when bored, but the Belgian Shepherd holds the prize for this trait. They are not apartment friendly due to the high energy levels but do well if they have a fenced in yard in which to romp and play. This fenced in yard can be located in any environment, both urban and rural. Both parent breeds are sensitive and loyal to their families, so keeping them outside can have a negative emotional effect on the breed. In view of their need to be close to their human family, they can be kept in any climate since they are better when not left alone outside. Mental challenges like advanced obedience training will also keep your Belgian Shepadoodle happier and more content. They love to chase and retrieve toys like Frisbees and sticks, bones and tug-of-war toys.

Written by Darlene Stott

Published: 10/05/2017, edited: 02/24/2021

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