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Old English Sheepdog mixes come in all shapes, sizes, and sass levels. Some look like walking throw pillows. Others? Like a shag rug mated with a retriever.
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If you’ve ever wondered what happens when that famous mop coat meets another breed’s quirks, this list is your fluffy crash course.
Fluff Meets Personality: Why Sheepdog Mixes Are So Unique
Old English Sheepdogs are known for two things: looking like living loofahs and having giant goofball energy. But when you mix them with other breeds, things get even more interesting.
Some mixes keep the mop top and add unexpected traits like blue eyes, stubby legs, or turbo-charged herding instincts. Others lose the fluff but double down on personality, becoming lovable oddballs with just a hint of sheepdog attitude.
What You’ll Get With A Sheepdog Mix
- Loyal, gentle, and sometimes hilariously stubborn
- Energy levels from couch cuddler to backyard blur
- Coats that range from fluffy cloud to high-maintenance grooming project
- Often great with kids, but typically need room to roam
So what happens when this iconic mop of a breed meets a poodle, a husky, or even a dachshund? Keep scrolling. You won’t believe how far that fluff can go.
Meet The Mop Mutts: 10 Wild & Wonderful Sheepdog Mixes
From fluffy giants to compact herders, these Old English Sheepdog mixes come with unpredictable coats, surprising smarts, and a whole lot of personality.
Some look like cartoon characters. Others look like they invented mischief. Here’s what to expect from each one.
Springer Spaniel Sheepdog
This mix combines the English Springer Spaniel and the Old English Sheepdog. They are beautiful dogs whose unique appearance will easily turn heads on the street. To preserve their elegant image, they’ll need frequent grooming to maintain their luxurious coat.
This dog is likely to be very loyal to you. While that’s usually a good thing, owners should take note—both parent breeds tend to be protective of their families. That means they may bark or act out when faced with strangers.
They trust their owners and will often calm down once they see you’re at ease with guests. Socialization from a young age is essential to help them behave well around visitors, kids, and other pets.
Thanks to their intelligence, they’re highly trainable. It’s smart to begin obedience training early, while they’re still young and eager to learn.
Since both parent breeds are known for their energy, the Springer Spaniel Sheepdog is no exception. Aim for about 1.5 hours of exercise daily to work their body and stimulate their brain.
Without enough playtime and mental challenges, boredom can set in quickly. A bored Sheepdog mix may find creative new ways to entertain themselves, including turning your favorite shoes into chew toys.
- Size: Medium to large
- Fluff Factor: Moderate to high
- Vibe: Elegant guard dog with a playful streak
Sheepadoodle
Most breeds mixed with the Poodle tend to be highly intelligent with playful, bright personalities. The Sheepadoodle is no exception, but they also inherit the Old English Sheepdog’s gentleness. This combination makes them excellent candidates for emotional support or therapy work and great family pets.
Sheepadoodles enjoy spending time with both kids and adults, though supervision is always smart during new interactions. They usually get along well with other household pets and thrive on engaging playtime. With a well-matched fur sibling, they’ll stay happily entertained.
To keep this brainy mix out of trouble, you’ll need to give them plenty of activities and attention. When bored, they can become destructive, so regular mental and physical stimulation is key.
Start training early and incorporate walks, games, and challenges to keep their minds busy. A securely fenced yard gives them the freedom to explore and burn energy, which helps prevent mischief from setting in.
- Size: Medium to large
- Fluff Factor: High
- Vibe: Gentle genius with a goofy streak
Old Deerhound Sheepdog
Combining a Sheepdog and a Scottish Deerhound creates a mix with a personality just as unique as their looks. These dogs are typically very active and need an owner who can keep up with their high-energy lifestyle. While that can be a challenge, their gentle, loving nature more than makes up for the effort.
They are deeply devoted to their families and incredibly versatile as pets. Old Deerhound Sheepdogs have a natural instinct to guard their homes, but they also enjoy snuggling with their people at the end of the day.
This mix is usually great with kids and other pets, making them an excellent choice for family life. They crave companionship and often do best in households where someone is around most of the day.
Because both parent breeds were bred for demanding work, Old Deerhound Sheepdogs need significant daily exercise. Multiple play sessions and long walks are essential for their well-being.
Plan for a combined total of up to 180 minutes of activity per day. That may sound like a lot—and it is—so they are best suited to experienced owners with the time and space to keep them happy.
These dogs tend to be large and thrive in spacious homes with a big, fenced-in yard. Having room to roam helps them stay fit, stimulated, and free from boredom.
- Size: Large to extra-large
- Fluff Factor: Moderate
- Vibe: Athletic cuddlebug with a protective side
Golden Sheepdog
Most Golden Retriever mixes inherit the Golden’s fun-loving personality, and this one is no exception. Their bubbly nature makes them ideal companions who are great at keeping the mood light.
Golden Sheepdogs are typically big, shaggy, and incredibly lovable. While they bond deeply with their families, their Old English Sheepdog lineage can make them cautious around strangers. Early socialization is key to helping them grow into friendly, well-mannered dogs.
With consistent training, they usually get along well with other people and animals. Since they enjoy being outdoors, it’s important to give them a securely fenced yard where they can run and play.
Exercise is essential for this mix. Golden Sheepdogs are active and need at least an hour of physical activity each day to stay healthy and happy.
You can meet their energy needs through daily walks and structured playtime. Games that challenge them mentally will help prevent boredom and keep their minds sharp.
A bored Golden Sheepdog can get into trouble quickly. If they don’t have an outlet for their energy, you might find them turning your garden into a personal excavation project.
- Size: Large
- Fluff Factor: High
- Vibe: Sunny optimist with a wild streak
Old Border Sheepdog
The Old Border Sheepdog comes from two herding breeds and is well-suited for a working lifestyle. You can expect strong herding instincts, especially if they’re not given other tasks to focus on.
Border Collie mixes are famously smart, and this one is no different. They’re content soaking up attention at home, as long as they get enough exercise.
These dogs may do better with older children. However, early socialization with younger kids can help them build patience and become more tolerant.
The same goes for other animals. While they may prefer being the only pet, good training from a young age helps them coexist peacefully with others.
They have very high energy needs. Expect to go on daily walks of at least one hour, along with extra play sessions and shorter walks to break up the day.
These dogs are demanding, but their intelligence and charm make the effort worth it. Mental stimulation is a must, so give them puzzles, games, or light tasks to stay engaged.
They can live in smaller homes as long as they get ample outdoor time. A fenced-in yard is ideal for this mix.
- Size: Medium to large
- Fluff Factor: Medium
- Vibe: Brainy herder with a busy schedule
Old German Sheepdog
The Old German Sheepdog is a big dog with a sharp mind and a strong work ethic. They grow to be roughly the same size as their parents, with bold personalities to match.
Like most German Shepherd mixes, they are very intelligent and need owners who can keep them engaged. Without enough stimulation, they may get bored and start causing trouble.
That said, they’re still sweet-natured dogs who love cuddling and being close to their families. They do especially well with kids and thrive on companionship.
These dogs don’t enjoy being left alone for long. Separation anxiety is a risk, and they may howl if they’re feeling stressed or lonely.
They’re ideal for rural properties or farms where they can put their herding instincts to good use. However, they can also live in urban settings with enough outdoor time.
Aim for at least an hour of walking per day, along with playtime and interactive games. A large home with a yard is the best setup, but they can adjust to smaller spaces if exercised properly.
- Size: Large
- Fluff Factor: Moderate
- Vibe: Loyal watchdog with a working brain
Siberian-English Sheepdog
This high-energy mix comes from two working breeds that thrive on daily tasks. Huskies are bred to pull sleds in extreme conditions, and that drive carries over into most Husky mixes.
Like their parents, Siberian-English Sheepdogs are outgoing and deeply devoted to their people. They love attention and will want to be part of everything you do.
They can be needy, but their loyalty and affectionate nature make them incredibly rewarding pets. They’re also naturally alert, which gives them watchdog potential.
Exercise is essential for this mix. They need about 180 minutes of movement per day, including a long walk of around 60 minutes.
They’re best suited to large homes with fenced-in yards where they can run and play freely. Without enough stimulation, they may act out or start digging holes out of boredom.
Keep them entertained with toys, training games, and active play to avoid destructive behaviors.
- Size: Medium to large
- Fluff Factor: High
- Vibe: Energetic adventurer with a mischievous streak
Great Danish Sheepdog
Mixing a Great Dane with an Old English Sheepdog results in a large hybrid with an even bigger heart. These dogs are usually a bit smaller than a full Dane but have more shag thanks to the Sheepdog side.
Their size alone makes them effective watchdogs. Both parent breeds are protective, but this mix also craves family time and doesn’t enjoy being left alone.
When lonely, they can become vocal or anxious. Despite their size, they’re surprisingly gentle and get along well with kids and other pets.
They thrive in spacious homes with large, fenced-in yards. Daily exercise is essential to manage their energy and keep boredom at bay.
Training should start early. These dogs are eager to please, and consistency helps them grow into well-behaved gentle giants.
- Size: Extra-large
- Fluff Factor: Moderate
- Vibe: Oversized lap dog with a security badge
Old English Labrador
This mix combines the lovable energy of a Labrador with the sweet, loyal nature of a Sheepdog. The result is a happy-go-lucky dog with a protective streak.
They tend to be large and fluffy, with a shaggier coat than a typical Lab. These dogs are affectionate, patient, and perfect for family life.
They also love the outdoors and are well-suited for active households or light working roles. They’re very easy-going and eager to please.
Still, they do have high energy needs. Aim for daily walks and plenty of interactive playtime to keep them stimulated and healthy.
They’ll enjoy games like fetch, but swimming may or may not be their thing depending on which parent’s traits are stronger.
Overall, they just want to have fun and be close to their humans.
- Size: Large
- Fluff Factor: Medium to high
- Vibe: Down-for-anything family dog
Saint Bernard Sheepdog
This gentle giant mix combines the herding instincts of the Sheepdog with the rescue-dog heart of the Saint Bernard. Expect a very large dog with a calm, nurturing personality.
They love children and smaller pets and are easy to socialize when trained young. Their strong bond with family also makes them good guard dogs.
These dogs need space to stretch out and play. A fenced-in yard and daily walks are essential to keep their joints healthy.
While they’re not as high-energy as other mixes on this list, they still need daily stimulation and moderate playtime. Their mellow temperament makes them ideal for families who want a calm but loyal companion.
- Size: Extra-large
- Fluff Factor: High
- Vibe: Gentle guardian with a nap schedule
Old Newfoundland Sheepdog
This mix blends two hardworking breeds into one dependable and affectionate companion. The Newfoundland side brings strength and swimming skills, while the Sheepdog adds smarts and fluff.
These dogs are gentle giants who love being with their families. They need early socialization to build trust and prevent nervousness in unfamiliar situations.
They do not tolerate long periods of alone time well. Having someone home with them helps prevent separation anxiety.
Old Newfoundland Sheepdogs have high energy needs. Aim for 90 minutes of activity each day, including at least an hour of walking and additional play or training.
They need a large home with a yard to match. Regular movement and enrichment are key to keeping them happy and healthy.
- Size: Extra-large
- Fluff Factor: High
- Vibe: Loyal worker with a soft heart
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re considering one of these fluffy hybrids, you probably have a few questions. From size to shedding to lifestyle fit, here’s what you should know about English Sheepdog mixes before bringing one home.
Don’t see your question? Ask us in the comments!
Are English Sheepdog Mixes Good Family Dogs?
Yes, many English Sheepdog mixes are excellent with families, especially when properly socialized. Their gentle temperament and strong bond with humans make them loyal companions.
Just be sure to choose a mix that matches your family’s energy level and lifestyle.
Do English Sheepdog Mixes Shed A Lot?
It depends on the mix, but most English Sheepdog mixes tend to shed moderately to heavily. Their double coats often require frequent grooming, especially for mixes with breeds like Huskies or Golden Retrievers.
If shedding is a concern, consider mixes with Poodles for a more allergy-friendly coat.
How Big Do English Sheepdog Mixes Get?
Most English Sheepdog mixes range from medium to extra-large, depending on the other parent breed. For example, a mix with a Corgi may stay relatively compact, while a Great Dane or Saint Bernard mix will likely grow into a giant dog.
Always check the expected size of both parents to plan ahead.
How Much Exercise Do English Sheepdog Mixes Need?
Because both Old English Sheepdogs and many of their mixed breed partners are working breeds, these dogs typically require a lot of exercise.
Most English Sheepdog mixes do best with 60 to 90 minutes of activity each day—sometimes more. Mental stimulation is just as important as physical play.
What Makes English Sheepdog Mixes Unique?
English Sheepdog mixes stand out for their combination of brains, beauty, and big personality. Whether you’re drawn to their fluffy coats, goofy charm, or herding instincts, these mixes bring something special to the table.
No two are quite alike, which is part of their appeal.
Love A Good Mix? Discover More Fluffy Favorites
If you’re fascinated by designer dogs with personality and purpose, we’ve got more where that came from. Check out our guides to the best crossbreeds, including the ever-popular doodle.
