Sheepadoodle Pet Insurance FAQs

What is dog insurance, and why should I enroll my Sheepadoodle, if I don’t anticipate needing a lot of veterinary care?

Basically, dog insurance is health insurance for dogs, so, much like health insurance for people, it is recommended for any dog, regardless of age, health, or breed. Even if you don’t anticipate your Sheepadoodle needing more than normal veterinary care, especially if they are young and healthy for instance, any dog can be subject to common illnesses like ear infections or dental disease as well as occasionally suffer from unexpected injuries. Dog insurance can help you pay for x-rays, medication, and even preventative care like dental cleanings.

What is the age requirement for Sheepadoodle dogs to receive dog insurance coverage?

The general age requirement for most dog insurance providers is that puppies be older than eight weeks before you enroll them. Most breeders and veterinarians recommend this age limit for bringing puppies home, giving them time to get appropriate vaccinations and socialization. After choosing an insurance provider, though, it’s probably a good idea to double check for any specific age or health requirements they might have before enrolling your puppy.

What procedures and treatments should I get covered for my Sheepadoodle dog?

Eye issues are common in both parent breeds, so entropion is definitely something to look out for in your Sheepadoodle dog. When your dog suffers from entropion, the eyelid rolls inward, which is very painful. Usually, your veterinarian will recommend surgery to correct the issue.

When it comes to heart issues, Sheepadoodle dogs can be prone to atrial septal defect, which is essentially a hole in the heart, and tricuspid valve dysplsasia, which is a malformation of the heart. In both conditions, the blood doesn’t get enough oxygen. Some dogs might not require treatment at all, if the condition is mild, others need medication. For atrial septal defect, a combination of medication and surgery is sometimes required. However, no surgical treatment is available for tricuspid valve dysplasia, so treatment usually involves medication, low sodium diets, and exercise restrictions.

Hip dysplasia, which is common in large dog breeds, occurs when the hip joint is not properly formed. In milder cases, dogs can sometimes benefit from anti-inflammatory medication and physical therapy, but your veterinarian will recommend surgical intervention in many cases.

One of the most common problems in Sheepadoodle dogs is also the most easily treatable: ear infections. Although ear infections can be caused by moisture, yeast, inner ear hair overgrowth, or allergies, Sheepadoodles seem especially susceptible because of their long, floppy ears that can trap moisture. Fortunately, medication quickly addresses the issue.

Keeping these breed-specific health conditions in mind, as the owner of a Sheepadoodle dog, you might be interested in dog insurance plans that cover diagnostic procedures like x-rays, which might be needed for hip dysplasia or heart issues, medication, and surgery. Since coverage for pre-existing conditions is usually excluded by most insurance providers, it’s recommended that you enroll your dog as soon as possible before any health conditions become long-term issues.

If my veterinarian doesn’t accept dog insurance, do I need to find a new one?

Fortunately, dog insurance is based on a reimbursement model, which means you don’t have to worry about whether or not your veterinarian accepts your insurance of choice, or pet insurance in general. The process is simple: 1) take your Sheepadoodle dog to your regular veterinarian as needed, whether for annual check-ups or sick visits or emergencies; 2) pay your veterinarian directly for services rendered, usually the same day; and 3) submit a reimbursement request to your insurance provider. Your insurance provider does all the work for you, reviewing your request and comparing it with your plan to determine the appropriate reimbursement amount to send you.

What type of deductible should I get for an older Sheepadoodle dog?

As with other types of insurance, pet insurance offers plans with different deductibles. Since health conditions tend to become more frequent and more serious as dogs age, you might want a lower deductible plan for your older Sheepadoodle dog, even though these types of plans generally have higher monthly premiums. On the other hand, if your budget is tight, you might be more interested in a higher deductible plan since those usually have lower monthly premiums.

5 Useful Strategies for Keeping Your Sheepadoodle Dog Safe & Healthy

Living anywhere from 12 to 15 years when healthy and properly cared for, your Sheepadoodle dog will give your family many happy years of companionship and joy. The following breed-specific tips from grooming to exercise to nutrition to training and more will hopefully help you make the most of your time with your dog:

1. Grooming

Because Old English Sheepdogs are heavy shedders but Poodles are not, it can be hard to predict how much of an issue shedding will be for your particular Sheepadoodle dog. Even if your dog is not a heavy shedder, though, you should still brush your Sheepadoodle with a slicker brush often to prevent matting, spread healthy, natural oils in the skin and fur, and control any shedding that does occur. The medium-length double coat of the Tibetan Spaniel dog looks good naturally without trimming. Brushing your dog’s coat a couple times a week should be enough to reduce shedding and prevent mats and tangles. Pay special attention to the feathering on the ears, feet, and tail, since those areas are especially prone to matting. Twice a year, usually in the spring and fall, you might notice your dog shedding more than usual, so you’ll need to brush him more often at those times to keep the shedding manageable.

2. Nutrition

As a large breed, male Sheepadoodles range from 13 to 24 inches tall and weigh between 60 and 80 pounds. Females are in the same height range but tend to weigh less – usually between 45 and 65 pounds. To accommodate their size, you should look for a high quality food that is specially formulated for large dog breeds. Most Sheepadoodles do well with between 3 and 4 cups of food per day, split between two meals, but you should also take into account your particular dog’s size, age, and activity levels as well as veterinarian recommendations. Maintaining a healthy weight is especially important for Sheepadoodle dogs because excess weight puts additional stress on joints, which can make hip dysplasia worse.

3. Training

Since they are highly intelligent, obedient, and eager to please, Sheepadoodle dogs are usually easy to train, however, it’s a good idea to start early before they get too big to handle comfortably. They are usually well-behaved and gentle, but you might need to train them not to nip because they have herding instincts from the Old English Sheepdog parent and sometimes try to “herd” smaller animals or children.

4. Exercise

In most cases, Sheepadoodle dogs are a high-energy breed and require at least an hour of exercise per day, but will gladly take more. Walking, frisbee, fetch, and even advanced obedience courses or herding exercises are all welcome activities for this breed.

5. Love and Affection

Bred as companion dogs, Sheepadoodle dogs love being with their families. They make wonderful family pets, thriving on attention and affection. Because they are so social, Sheepadoodle dogs need to do better left alone or kept as outdoor dogs only. They can develop separation anxiety and might relieve their stress with excessive barking, digging, or other destructive behaviors. This breed does best in active families who are able to spend time with them.

Conclusion

As you care for your Sheepadoodle dog, you might face unexpected illnesses, injuries, or ongoing health conditions that need to be treated with regular medication or surgery. When veterinary care becomes more expensive than you would like, dog insurance can help relieve some of the financial burdens. If you’re looking for good, basic dog insurance, I recommend looking at Lemonade pet insurance. Lemonade is not only a helpful resource, offering a variety of insurance plans with a range of coverage at reasonable rates for all dog breeds, including Sheepadoodle dogs, but it also makes enrollment quick and easy. Once enrolled, you must pay your monthly premium to keep your coverage active even when you’re not using it. Financial help will be there when you need it to help you take care of your beloved companion for years to come.

SwiftScore Ranking Methodology for Sheepadoodles

We ranked the best pet insurance policies for Sheepadoodles based on a variety of important factors including the following:

• Average monthly price for a 2-year-old Sheepadoodle with a $500 deductible located in the 90210 zip code
• Coverage and benefits
• Key policy details including accidents and illnesses, surgeries, annual check-ups, cancer treatment, lab tests, and more
• AM Best rating of the underwriter
• Reimbursement percentage
• Annual benefit amount
• Technology and user experience
• Ease of sign up
• Policy language clarity
• User reviews

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