Are you still considering adopting a Mini Irish doodle you have come to the right place. They are known for their friendly and playful nature.
They are also energetic dogs that can be a good addition to any dog-loving family.
These dogs are part of the Doodle family and have coats that shed at a minimum.
Like other Doodles, Irish Doodles have one Poodle as a parent. They are known for their beautiful furry coats, lovable personalities, and versatility in size.
If you plan to add a Mini Irish Doodle to your family, you have come to the right place. This article will discuss everything you need to know about Mini Irish Doodles. Keep reading to learn more.
What Is An Irish Doodle?
As the name implies, the Irish Doodle is a mix between a Poodle and an Irish Setter. The Irish Setter is a happy and attention-seeking dog.
Besides, the dog has a sense of humor and is considered in the sporting category of dog breeds. The Poodle is known for its low-shedding coat, high intelligence, and friendly personality.
Like other hybrid dog breeds, Irish Doodles tend to take the best characteristics from both sides of the parent breeds.
They are sometimes referred to as the Irish Setterpoo or Irish Setterdoodle. Because of parental influence, they are hard-working pets that can make great family companions.
They are also great playmates with kids and people of all ages.
Size
The size of the dog’s parents is important when determining the size of your Irish Doodle. For instance, Poodles come in a variety of sizes and can influence how large your Irish Doodle will be.
They can be Standard, Medium, Miniature, or Toy. On the other hand, Irish Setters usually come in one medium size.
A Mini Irish Doodle can weigh between 10 to 20 pounds and reach a height between 15 to 24 inches.
If you are looking for a perfect dog for smaller living environments, such as apartments, this is one of the breeds to consider. They are also good for families with smaller kids.
Standard Irish Doodles weigh between 40 to 70 pounds and can reach a height between 22 to 30 inches.
Appearance
Mini Irish Doodles consider the appearance of both parents. They have wavy to curly coats that shed much less and are considered close to hypoallergenic.
If you struggle with allergies or one of the family members struggles with allergy concerns, this is one of the best breeds to raise.
Their soft and thick coats are easy to snuggle up in. Therefore, your Mini Irish Doodle will require regular grooming.
They come in a wide variety of colors, such as tan, black, white, and brown. Many also take after the Irish Setter red color. Besides, some may have silver or cream coats or other different markings on the coat.
Since their coats tend to be slightly more complex, you will need to groom them regularly. You can keep the coat clean and manageable with regular trims and brushing daily.
Their coats can become disheveled and matted if not properly groomed. This can lead to skin irritation.
Other characteristics of the Mini Irish Doodles include dark eyes and floppy eyes that hang on both sides of the head.
They have a longer snout that helps them have good senses. Besides, they have long tails covered in their wavy, curly coats.
Temperament
Like other Doodle breeds, Irish Doodles have friendly personalities. They are passionate about receiving affection and attention from their handlers, a shared characteristic with both the Poodle and the Irish Setter.
While they have an instinct for alertness and protection, they tend to keep quiet about it.
They are highly intelligent dogs that can be easy to train. They are also social dogs and will enjoy being around people and other pets.
Like their Irish Setter parents, they are gentle and loyal family pets. They also have a great sense of tracking and hunting which makes them great companions.
Since they tend to crave attention, they may have a higher likelihood of developing separation anxiety.
You can help them deal with it through proper socializing and behavioral training. Separation anxiety can cause negative behaviors like excessive barking and chewing.
These dogs tend to be eager to please their handlers during training. They will aim to achieve whatever they are told to do.
However, they can be a bit mischievous, just like their Irish Setter parents. For successful training, you can use positive reinforcement and other types of rewards.
Exercise
Your Mini Irish Doodle will require a lot of exercises every day to prevent obesity. They will need adequate time to run around or be active in other activities.
Generally, they are active and playful dogs that will enjoy playing around with their handlers and other pets.
In addition to preventing obesity, exercise will also help their mental health. Your furry friend will be very tired at bedtime or stay calm when you want to leave the house after exercise.
Mini Irish Doodles will require less exercise than larger Irish Doodles.
Irish Doodle Health Issues
Like other hybrid dogs, Irish Doodles are hardy dogs that benefit from hybrid vigor. However, they are still susceptible to various health conditions that affect their parent breeds.
Here are some of the conditions you will need to keep an eye on.
Addison’s Disease
This condition is caused by insufficient production of aldosterone and cortisone hormones by the adrenal glands.
It can be hard to diagnose this disease very early because the symptoms can be vague. The condition is common in middle-aged female dogs. However, it can also develop in male dogs.
Some of the symptoms include weight loss, general body weakness, decrease in appetite, increased thirst, and possible muscle spasms.
Other symptoms include random bloody diarrhea, random vomiting, and a slower-than-normal heart rate. If you see these signs, you should see your vet as soon as possible.
Bloat
Bloat is a health issue caused by too much fluid or gas in the pet’s stomach. The gas can bloat out the dog’s stomach, thus leading to gastric dilation.
Gastric volvulus is when the stomach fully rotates, while gastric torsion is when the stomach partially rotates.
The signs of bloat include excessive salivation and drooling, pale gums, rapid breathing, and a swollen stomach. Other signs are extreme restlessness, swollen stomach, vomiting, and evidence of abdominal pain.
Bloat is considered a medical emergency and should be treated as soon as possible. If your Mini Irish Doodle has bloat, you should see your vet for emergency surgery.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is the most common type of seizure in dogs, including Irish Doodles.
A dog with epilepsy will show several signs, such as stiff limbs, unconscious, appearing very confused, drooling, staring out into space, and pacing back and forth.
Other signs of epilepsy are making strange movements and breathing difficulties. Medication is used to treat canine epilepsy in Irish Doodles, although it may not completely cure it.
You can use Dilantin, Primidone, or Phenobarbital for medication.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia is a condition that causes the hip joint of an Irish Doodle to weaken or deteriorate. It is a genetic health issue that mainly comes from the Poodle parent.
When a dog has Hip Dysplasia, the socket is not formed correctly. The ligaments that hold the two sections together may not have enough integrity as well. The condition causes the ball to dislocate.
Although the condition is hereditary, it can also be caused by other factors like being overweight, a faster-than-average growth rate, and too much exercise before the dog enters adulthood.
You can start noticing symptoms as early as five to ten months old.
Hip Dysplasia symptoms include weakness in the limb, hopping, difficulty rising up, and unwillingness to exercise or jump.
Medications include the use of anti-inflammatory medications. Surgery may be warranted if your furry friend is not showing signs of recovery with medication.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Progressive Retinal Atrophy is an eye disease that can lead to blindness. The condition affects the retina of the eyes and happens to both eyes at the same time.
Some of the early signs include vision problems and shiny eyes.
Mini Irish Doodle Puppies
Mini Irish Doodles will enjoy getting much love and attention from their handlers.
Therefore, it is good to understand that both adults and puppies have the desire to be around their human keepers. It is good to spend a lot of time with your puppy.
You will also need to allow your puppy to meet people and other pets for socialization. Although they are easy to train, this is not always the case.
Therefore, you should start training your furry friend as early as possible.
Conclusion
If you are a fan of hybrid dogs, the Mini Irish Doodle can be a good addition to your family. These adorable dogs are friendly, playful, and intelligent.
Like other designer dogs, your Mini Irish Doodle will need good care and a healthy diet to live a happy and long life.