There are many different dog breeds in the world, with some sharing similar physical similarities to other types of animals. In this article we are going to look at some popular dog breeds that resemble sheep in either appearance or personality or both.
While most sheep are bred for their wool and meat, these dogs are bred for their companionship or as working dogs. They make great pets for people of all ages and are know for being very friendly and affectionate.
If you’re looking for a sheep-like dog breed, then you might want to consider one of these options.
The Bedlington Terrier
Bedlingtons are probably the most sheep-like looking dog breed of them all. They are playful and cheerful but less rowdy and calmer indoors than many of the terrier breeds.
Once outside, these terriers transform from placid creatures into swift, vivacious dogs. These dogs enjoy playing and being with people, yet they can be envious of kids and other animals.
Unless Bedlingtons are raised with children and socialized early with other animals, they are probably better off with an older active couple with no grandchildren.
Poodle
The Poodle or standard Poodle is a large dog that is one of the smartest of all dog breeds. Poodles have an elegant and well-proportioned body. The chest is deep and reaches to the elbows and the back is straight and fairly short.
They have a big fluffy sheep like coat. Similar to how sheep’s wool coat can come in a variety of colours, its coat is frequently white.
The miniature and toy dog varieties were created from the original poodle, which is known as the standard poodle. Although its precise ancestry is unknown, the Poodle appears to have ties to the Portuguese Water Dog and Irish Water Spaniel.
The standard Poodle is lively, good natured, friendly, proud, athletic, affectionate and extremely loyal. This is a thinking dog that can be trained very easily and almost anticipates any command.
Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a white puff-ball of a small dog, which is the reason why it also appears to look most like a sheep. This jaunty toy dog breed carries its head high and its plumed tail over its back. The Bichon has dark intelligent eyes and well coated ears.
The Bichon is a charming little companion dog that is lively, playful and affectionate.
The Bichon adapts well to families and children but doesn’t like the rough handling that small children display towards pets.
The Bichon has a thick, dense inner coat that, when left unbrushed, creates beautiful corkscrew curls. The white exterior coat is smooth and silky.
The exact origin of the Bichon is unknown. Some experts say this toy dog breed originated in the Canary Islands and became a favorite of the 16th century French and Italian nobility. The name translated from the French means “curly lap dog”. While the Bichon has served as an organ grinder’s dog and performed in the circus, today the dog functions as a companion.
Pumi
The Pumi is a is a medium-small breed of sheep dog from Hungary and ironically looks like a small sheep.
It is thought that the Pumi was a crossbreed Hungarian Puli with French and German herding dogs from the 17th century onwards.
They are known naturally for gathering, driving, and controlling stock with considerable skill and intelligence.
They are serious working dogs and love being busy everyday. It is their favourite thing in the world, which means they need regular physical activity and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behaviour.
Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier
The Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier or Wheaten is a medium-sized working dog that has a thick coat just like a sheep.
The Wheaten has a square, compact body with a level back and shoulders, a deep chest, and straight, powerful legs. In nations where docking is legal, the tail is typically docked to around one-third of its length.
The Wheaten, the earliest native Irish terrier, is likely ancestors with the majority of Irish terriers. Developed as a working farm dog and used to: herd cattle; hunt small game like badgers, rabbits and foxes; guard the farm house; and even act as a hunting gun dog.
They are cheerful, active, busy, playful, affectionate, independent and self confident. They are also fairly intelligent and eager to learn.
Barbet
This french dog breed has a thick, fluffy, dense black coat the resembles certain breeds of black sheep such as Merino, Hissar, Coburger Fuchsschaf or many others.
Their coats come in a range of colors such black, gray, brown, sand, white or light fawn.
The Barbet has a thick undercoat which makes this water breed of dog excellent workers in low water temperatures.
Irish Water Spaniel
The Irish Water Spaniel has a lush, thick, curly and dense coat that makes them look like a well groomed brown sheep. Because their coat is so curly and thick, grooming demands for this breed are high.
You will need to take them to the groomer frequently and maintain a regular brushing routine for their coat.
Water Spaniels are well-known for their outgoing personalities and their capacity to keep their owners entertained. They are able to adjust well to the life of a family and are wonderful with children.
The breed first originated in Ireland, where it was initially employed for hunting and retrieving activities in the water, as the name of the breed suggests. This dog has a lot of energy and absolutely adores working.
Spanish Water Dog
The Spanish Water dog has arguably one of the most sheep-like coats on this list.
They strongly resemble the Awassi sheep due to their similar monochromatic coloring.
They can be white, black, or brown or bichromatic (white and one of the other two colours, black, or brown).
This breed needs a lot of daily exercise and consistent instruction.
Goldendoodle
The Goldendoodle is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Standard Poodle. A cross breed of two of the most popular dogs in the United States, it’s no wonder the Goldendoodle is one of the most sought-after mixes, right next to their cousins the Labradoodle and the Maltipoo.
They are intelligent dogs and have been used as working dogs for many years, including as search and rescue dogs, guide dogs, medical assistance dogs and therapy dogs.
Cockapoo
The Cockapoo is the result of crossing a Cocker Spaniel with a Toy Poodle or a Miniature Poodle. The Cockapoo is one of the most popular hybrid dogs out there, with owners loving the combination of the Cocker Spaniels’s personality and energy with the non-shedding coat of the Poodle.
The Cockapoo has two very popular parents — the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle — so it is no surprise that the Cockapoo hybrid is also popular. These dogs can be used as working dogs such as guide dogs, although they were originally intended to be companions, especially for those with allergies who needed a dog with a low-shedding coat.
The Cockapoo has a distinct look due to their adorable teddy-bear appearance! These dogs are classed as small-medium sized dogs, although their size will largely depend on whether they are bred from a Toy or Miniature Poodle. They can be anywhere between 12-24 pounds in weight and stand between 10-15” in height.