We love our Doodles for their exceptional temperaments, and they are a great family dog. Not to mention they are one intelligent dog. But another big reason we love them is that they are hypoallergenic. So if you are looking at getting a Double Doodle, you might wonder if all of these qualities double as well. Specifically, do Double Doodle dogs shed? So let’s take a look together.
What Does Hypoallergenic Mean?
The first thing we should clear up is what the term hypoallergenic means. Most people seem to think that if you are allergic to dogs, you need a hypoallergenic dog. Other people are under the impression that a hypoallergenic dog breed means that they don’t shed.
However, all of these people are wrong. A hypoallergenic dog isn’t always safe for people with allergies. The reason for this is that most people are allergic to dander and saliva from dogs. Unfortunately, all dogs produce these things. And you can expect some level of shedding from all dogs.
So What’s The Point Of A Hypoallergenic Dog?
You might be wondering what the big deal is about getting a hypoallergenic dog is. There are actually many benefits of a low shedding dog. If you are seasonal allergy sufferers, you might find that shedding dogs trigger your nose too much. No shedding also means that there is less mess to clean up. You can expect no hair on the couches, bed, extra dust, and cleaner air with a Doodle dog.
But this hybrid breed can also serve a purpose for those who need a hypoallergenic guide dog. Or a therapy dog that won’t make big messes. So, where does this leave our Double Doodle dog?
What Is A Double Doodle Puppy?
Do Double Doodle dogs shed can only be answered by looking at the genetics. What breeds make up the Double Doodle? The Double Doodle is a combination of two designer dogs, the Labradoodle and Goldendoodle. That means the Double Doodle is half Standard Poodle, a quarter Labrador Retriever, and a quarter Golden Retriever. Some might even call it a Golden Labradoodle.
But if you have a Mini Double Doodle, they are half mini Poodle. But it’s also possible to have different breeds mixed in to get the smallest breed likely. But for this example, we will only talk about the first mixed breed.
What Types Of Coats Shed?
A hypoallergenic dog can have three coat types, curly, wavy, and straight. So if you are looking for a dog that sheds very little, you will want one with a coat the most similar to a Poodle’s. So a curly coat has minimal shedding at all. And a wavy coat might shed a little, but not anything like short-coated dogs. As you can guess, the straight coat types are the ones that shed the most with a double coat.
Do Double Doodle Dogs Shed?
It can be a little challenging to predict what your puppy’s hair will be like with a hybrid dog breed. The reason for this is that there is too much genetic diversity, to be sure. But there is a little science when it comes to breeding. So let’s take a flashback to high school biology class and look at the punnet square.
Curly hair is a dominant trait in dogs, while straight hair is recessive. When you cross the F1 Goldendoodle and Labradoodle, they get both of these. So all of the puppies will have one dominant gene for curly hair and one recessive for straight.
But we aren’t done just yet. The Double Doodle is a cross of two mixed parent breeds. And when you take your punnet square with these genetics, you get:
- 25% of the puppies with only dominant curly hair
- 50% have a dominant and recessive
- And 25% with recessive straight hair.
In other words, that means every litter has a 25% chance of having puppies that shed. And an even higher probability of a low to non-shedding Double Doodle. So they are great dogs to have if you need a hypoallergic breed. But remember that genetics is a funny thing, and you can’t always guarantee that you will get these results.
When Can You Tell What Type Of Coat Your Puppy Has?
Obviously, knowing what type of coat to expect is vital for many owners. So how old does a puppy have to be before you can tell what kind of coat it has? Most good breeders can tell the coat types of their litters by six weeks old. So by the time your puppy is ready to go home, you will start to see the curling and waving of those hypoallergenic dogs.
But your Doodle won’t get its adult coat until much later. Most puppies lose that fine puppy coat around six months old. Then you will know what type of coat your puppy will have. And if you have a reputable breeder, you might find that they were exactly right.
Do Double Doodle’s Require A Lot Of Grooming?
So now that you know most Double Doodle dogs won’t shed much let’s talk about grooming. A dog that doesn’t shed might have a thousand benefits, but they are a lot of work.
First, you will have to brush your Double Doodle every day to remove all knots and tangles. Brushing is probably the biggest part of caring for your Doodle dog. If you keep your dog brushed, then they will stay healthy with flowing nice hair. Without regular grooming, you might find that your dog’s skin is irritated from dirt, oil, and mats.
The next part of keeping up with a hypoallergenic dog is taking it to the groomer. Since these dogs don’t shed, their hair continuously grows. So every 6-8 weeks, you will take your dog in to get a trim and a little pampering.
What If My Double Doodle Does Shed?
If you are like many Doodle owners, you might come across times when your Doodle sheds more. This shedding might be temporary, and it might be lifelong. So let’s take a look at a few of the most common problems that also cause shedding.
Grooming
One of the most common reasons for a shedding Double Doodle is the lack of grooming. If you slack off on daily brushing, you might find that they shed more than usual. And we can say the same thing for Doodles that haven’t had a haircut in a while. When the long hair gets heavy, it will break off and fall out.
Luckily, fixing this is easy. All you need to do is keep up with regular brushing and grooming appointments. Then all of your issues will go away. But remember that there is such thing as over-grooming. So be gentle, and don’t over brush your dog.
Seasonal Allergies
Another common problem in Doodles is seasonal allergies. For example, if your dog is allergic to pollen, dust, trees, and grass, you might find they lose hair more. Other common symptoms are watery eyes, itching, and dandruff. They might even get hot spots where they itch and lose hair around a sore. If you suspect that your dog has allergies, it is best to talk with your vet. They might prescribe allergy medications, and your worries will be gone.
Food Sensitivities
Just like seasonal allergies, dogs can become allergic to common foods. If your dog has food sensitivities, it might also have chronic itching and ear infections. To find out what your dog is allergic to, have your vet perform an allergy test. Once you know exactly what your dog has an allergic reaction to, you can cut those foods from its diet. And then you can say hello to shiny, luscious hair again.
Health Issues
And of course, there are plenty of health conditions that can cause excessive shedding. For example, skin diseases like sebaceous adenitis can cause itchy, scaly skin, making loose hair. Or Addison’s Disease that can make the hair flake and thin. There are even digestive diseases that can cause hair loss. And don’t forget medications can have bad reactions that can make the hair shed and fall out more.
In most cases, you can address these issues by treating the underlying issue. But if the problems are chronic, they may not go away completely. So the most you can do is treat your Doodle to the best of your ability to slow down the rate of shedding.
Boredom
Last on our list is that your dog could be lacking in activities. Double Doodles are very social creatures. And if they don’t get all the attention they need, their bodies can react negatively. Spending quality time on long walks and mental stimulation can help resolve this.
If you are away for long periods of time, you might find this task challenging. If that is the case, you might consider hiring a dog walker or taking your Doodle to doggy daycare. Just as long as your dog is getting all of the exercise they need, then you should have nothing to worry about.
What’s The Final Verdict?
Do Double Doodle dogs shed? In most cases, owners won’t notice any shedding at all. But since the Doodle are not purebred dogs, it’s not a 100% guarantee. And of course, there are a few circumstances that can make a dog suddenly start shedding. So if having a hypoallergenic dog is essential to you, talk with your breeder today.
Below is a Pinterest-friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!
