This guide created by our team will teach you everything you need to know about the reverse Sheepadoodle. It’s no surprise that Doodles come in many variations and generational cross-breeds. For every F1 doodle, multiple variations can be found thanks to the backcrossing. The reverse Sheepadoodle is an example of combining the best traits of an F1 Sheepadoodle with an Old English sheepdog.
So, what is a reverse Sheepadoodle exactly? For a Sheepadoodle to be classified as reverse, this involves backcrossing. In this case, a reverse F1b Sheepadoodle is made by mating an F1 Sheepadoodle with an Old English Sheepdog. A reverse Sheepadoodle is predominantly an Old English Sheepdog instead of a traditional Poodle backcross.
The reverse Sheepadoodle is becoming popular all across the world. Doodles are always evolving, and this crossbreed comes with lots of energy inherited from the OES (Old English Sheepdog). This guide will take an in-depth look at the reverse Sheepadoodle, what you can expect, and how to care for this breed.
Before scrolling down this reverse Sheepadoodle guide, you can learn more about this Poodle mix by checking out these guides created by our team at We Love Doodles: Best Sheepadoodle Generations and F1 vs. F1B Sheepadoodle.
Reverse Sheepadoodle Explained
The filial lineage of the Sheepadoodle includes multiple generations and backcrossing to align the traits of the Poodle and OES according to owner preferences. Both the Poodle and OES are highly intelligent dog breeds and have robust features in each F1 Sheepadoodle.
With this in mind, the ultimate personality traits of the F1 Sheepadoodle vary widely depending on which breed’s genes are dominant. This is why backcrossing is beneficial since this process allows a breeder to create a new Sheepadoodle generation that meets their specifications. This is where the reverse Sheepadoodle comes into focus.
A reverse Sheepadoodle is officially known as a reverse F1b Sheepadoodle. This breed is not to be confused with a standard F1b Sheepadoodle. The regular F1b is backcrossed with a Poodle–typically for more pronounced Poodle traits in temperament and coat appearance.
So to get a reverse F1b, the F1 Sheepadoodle female is backcrossed with a pure-bred OES. The reverse Sheepadoodle is well-known for its OES appearance and personality but still maintains the size and stature of a Poodle. To better understand this, let’s look at the behavior characteristics of the F1 Sheepadoodle and OES.
Related: Types of Sheepadoodle Colors.
F1 Sheepadoodle Personality Traits
Since F1 Sheepadoodles’ parents are a Poodle and OES, the Sheepadoodle’s personality will take on one of the parent breed’s personality traits. You could get the energetic, robust, and herding-minded loyalty of the OES or, perhaps, the sharp mental acuity and guardian traits of a Poodle.
No matter which personality takes over, an F1 Sheepadoodle can be expected to display athleticism, energy, and intelligence daily. A Sheepadoodle is mostly loving and highly affectionate towards its owner(s), but high energy and mischievousness should also be expected. Furthermore, the F1 Sheepadoodle is a companion dog and may display separation anxiety early in life.
Related: Do Sheepadoodles Shed?
Old English Sheepdog Personality Traits
The Old English Sheepdog is a furry, energetic, and large breed of dog that finds its origins in England. The OES is highly affectionate, matched perfectly by their excellent memory and socialization skills. Training an OES takes no time since this breed lives to make their owners pleased with them.
An OES is friendly and welcoming of strangers, granted that it appears strangers pose no threat to their owners. This guardianship has long been one of the Old English Sheepdog’s most prized and lauded personality traits.
Many of these traits can easily be found in a reverse Sheepadoodle since the OES becomes the dominant DNA makeup. Now that we know more about the F1 Sheepadoodle and the Old English Sheepdog let’s take a closer look at the reverse F1b Sheepadoodle.
Reverse Sheepadoodle Appearance And Behavior
The reverse F1b Sheepadoodle will appear stronger than an Old English Sheepdog. This is because the backcrossing has re-established the OES as the dominant genetic inheritor for the new reverse Sheepadoodle.
Since the OES has been bred from an original 50% gene pool to a full-bred gene pool, you can expect the Poodle traits in a reverse Sheepadoodle to be roughly 20 to 25%. This means that you still (typically) get the stature of the Poodle, but appearance and temperament are almost exclusively OES with the reverse Sheepadoodle.
Reverse Sheepadoodle Appearance
The standard F1b Sheepadoodle resembles a Poodle more than an OES, so it would be natural to assume that a reverse F1b Sheepadoodle would favor an OES exclusively. Most of the time, this is true, but it cannot be 100% guaranteed. A reverse Sheepadoodle usually does not feature curls like a Poodle, but there are some reverse F1b’s that do.
This boils down to uncertainty regarding a reverse F1b’s appearance. But for general traits, you can typically expect a reverse Sheepadoodle to have the thick and long coat of an Old English Sheepdog. The coat of a reverse F1b is typically divided between white and black or anomalies such as completely black or white. Unlike an F1 Sheepadoodle or a standard F1b, you must be prepared for a long coat.
You will need to keep it trimmed during the spring and summer months. With a longer, more traditional OES coat also comes shedding. Since the backcrossing favors the OES, a reverse F1b will also lose some if not all of its hypoallergenic traits. Make sure you brush a reverse F1b’s coat regularly to try and prevent some of the sheddings from an Old English Sheepdog.
Related: Types of Sheepadoodle Coat Colors.
Reverse Sheepadoodle Behavior
Since the OES is the dominant gene trait in a reverse F1b Sheepadoodle, you can expect a very friendly and affectionate dog. Whereas standard F1b Sheepadoodles are also friendly, they need space or alone time now and again. A reverse F1b will likely always be by your side.
This may also lead to separation anxiety, so be prepared for that. The Old English Sheepdog is a herding dog, and this behavior dates back to its earliest origins on English farms. Since a reverse F1b is roughly 75% OES, you should be prepared for a dog with abundant energy and athleticism.
A reverse F1b Sheepadoodle will display more energy overall than a standard F1b. Since there are still some Poodle traits intact, you can easily help to burn a reverse Sheepadoodle’s energy each day with 2-3 daily walks or plenty of playtimes in the backyard or even on the living room carpet.
Finally, a reverse F1b Sheepadoodle scores highly on the canine intelligence index. An OES is very sharp, and the Poodle traits in a reverse F1b will add even more to this crossbreed’s overall mental acuity. This will also make training a literal breeze, and easy training was already a hallmark of the Old English Sheepdog.
Related: When is a Sheepadoodle Full Grown?
How to Care For a Reverse Sheepadoodle
Regarding the health profile for a reverse Sheepadoodle, the typical health concerns for an Old English Sheepdog are the primary issues to look out for. An OES is prone to cancer and hearing loss as it ages, so it is important always to take your dog to the vet regularly.
Both the Poodle and the Old English Sheepdog are prone to hip dysplasia, which is a condition that leads to osteoarthritis. Many health conditions can be kept in check by always providing your dog with a healthy lifestyle. Feed a reverse Sheepadoodle a high-quality diet with fresh water daily. Your dog will also need plenty of exercise for maximum physical health.
Since a reverse F1B is largely OES, this is essential for physical and mental health. Furthermore, a reverse Sheepadoodle’s coat will require extra care and attention. Make sure you keep their hair trimmed to promote better vision. A reverse Sheepadoodle’s hair will not get as easily matted as a standard F1b Sheepadoodle, but keeping a longer coat clean and brushing is important.
Related: Sheepadoodle Lifespan and Health Issues.
Conclusion For “What is a Reverse Sheepadoodle”
In summary, a reverse Sheepadoodle is an F1 Sheepadoodle that has been backcrossed with the Old English Sheepdog instead of a Poodle. A reverse F1b Sheepadoodle will primarily take after an OES, but there will be traits from the Poodle that are still noticeable.
A reverse Sheepadoodle is highly affectionate and protective of its owners, making this backcross generation a perfect family dog. Always ensure you keep a reverse Sheepadoodle well-groomed.
You can learn more about the Sheepadoodle dog breed by checking out these guides from our team at We Love Doodles:
You can see the reverse Sheepadoodle live in action by watching “Galaxy – F1B Reverse Sheepadoodle” from a YouTube video we found for you below:
Andy is a full-time animal rescuer and owner of a toy doodle. When he’s not saving dogs, Andy is one of our core writers and editors. He has been writing about dogs for over a decade. Andy joined our team because he believes that words are powerful tools that can change a dog’s life for the better.
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