What Doodle breed should I get? Have you been considering getting a Doodle breed as your first family pet?
So, maybe you have wondered which one is the perfect fit for your family. Doodle dog breeds are a fantastic addition to any family, with each with a great personality that can fit any lifestyle.
When picking the Doodle that is right for you, you must first learn about the breed’s temperament, size, and lifespan, and any medical problems that might be common in them.
After you have found your perfect Doodle, it is time to decide whether to adopt or shop. And consider all the pros and cons of them.
Why Were Doodles Bred?
A Doodle is a crossbreed between a purebred Poodle and any other purebred dog to create a hybrid.
These Doodle breeds are highly sought after for their low to minimal shedding and excellent temperaments.
There are currently 28 Doodle breeds recognized, but this list is always fast-growing. As a new designer breed, their popularity has skyrocketed in the past ten years. So, What Doodle Breed Should I Get?
Since Doodles do not shed, they require frequent grooming at home and with the groomer. Therefore, all doodles have three basic coat types: curly, wavy, or straight.
Depending on the coat type, you must brush their hair daily or several times a week. The curlier the hair type is, the less shedding but grooming is required.
Also, doodles should be taken to a professional groomer every 8-12 weeks for a bath, haircut, and nail trim.
Doodle dog breeds typically come in three sizes: toy, miniature, and standard. The toy or miniature Doodles have a toy or miniature parent. The standards Doodles have a Standard Poodle as a parent.
Different Types Of Doodle Dogs
We will discuss the most common types of Doodle dog breeds, their basic characteristics, and their concerns.
It is important to remember that though these breeds are typical in many cases, each dog is an individual.
Mix breeds are less predictable regarding coat types, temperaments, and medical concerns. So, what Doodle breed should I get?
Labradoodle
Temperament
The Labradoodle is a cross-breed of a Labrador Retriever and a Standard Poodle. These Labradoodles are smart, easy-going, and very energetic.
They have the best of both worlds of owning a Poodle and a Lab. Labradoodles are very treat-motivated, and they love to please their owners.
Training with them is a breeze if you burn some energy before a class. These are loyal to their owners and amazing with other dogs and kids, making them perfect for any family.
They require many exercises to keep them out of trouble and from getting bored. Labradoodles need a lot of exercise and frequent walks.
We recommend 60 minutes daily in a high-intensity workout like running or playing fetch. These dogs do best in a home setting with a bigger yard and frequent walks around the neighborhood.
Apartments are usually too small of a space for these doodles. So, what Doodle breed should I get?
Size And Lifespan
Labradoodles come in standard, medium, and miniature sizes. Standard Labradoodles can be anywhere between 21-24 inches in height from the ground to the shoulder.
Most Standard Labradoodles can weigh anywhere from 50-60 pounds. Medium Labradoodles are 17-20 inches in height and weigh 30-45 pounds.
And Miniature Labradoodles stand 14-16 inches and weigh 15-25 pounds. So a wide variety of sizes fit your particular lifestyle and space needs.
If maintain a healthy lifestyle, your labradoodle can live for 15 or more years.
Medical Conditions
All breeds are prone to medical conditions that can be prevented or caught early. It doesn’t mean every dog will have these problems, just that they are more prone to it.
When talking to a reputable breeder, always ask for proof that the parents have had any hip and elbow dysplasia. An x-ray can quickly diagnose this if found.
This condition will be passed on to the puppies. The bones cause hip and elbow dysplasia. They can cause arthritis when not lining up correctly.
Another medical condition that can be a concern is ear infections. Labradoodles have floppy ears that can hold water, dirt, and bacteria. Frequent cleaning and inspections will help avoid any ear infections.
Goldendoodle
Temperament
The Goldendoodle is a crossbreed of the Golden Retriever and Poodle. Both of these dog breeds are highly intelligent and bred for hunting.
They are loyal, lovable, easy-to-train dogs. Doodles are known to love kids and dogs alike. They are the biggest people pleasers of any of the Doodle breeds.
They want to play and make you proud of them, so always tell them what good dogs they are! This could answer the question, what Doodle breed should I get?
These dogs adapt well to apartment living if you give them lots of love and playtime. Walks will be their favorite part of the day, along with going to the dog park to play a game of fetch.
Labradoodles are such easy-going dogs that they don’t care where they are as long as they have you.
Size And Lifespan
The sizes of Goldendoodles differ depending on what type of Goldendoodle you get. There are miniature, small standard, and large standard sizes.
A miniature Goldendoodle is possible by breeding a female Golden Retriever with a Miniature Poodle. They are usually 13-20 inches tall and weigh 15-35 pounds.
A small standard Goldendoodle stands 17-20 inches tall and weighs 40-50 pounds. An extensive standard Goldendoodle will be about 2 feet tall and will weigh anywhere between 50 to 90 pounds.
A Goldendoodle can have an expected lifespan of 10-15 years with proper care. The smaller Doodles tend to have a longer life expectancy.
Medical Conditions:
All dogs can be prone to medical conditions if not correctly bred. If you are purchasing from a breeder, you have every right to ask for a complete medical history of the parents.
Proper breeding reduces and practically eliminates common diseases. Sadly, most puppy mill dogs do not undergo these screenings.
If you adopt from a shelter, you may never know their medical backgrounds.
When getting a Goldendoodle, it is important to remember common medical conditions like hip dysplasia, skin diseases, and eye diseases.
They tend to be more prone to all these issues, so if you notice a problem, it is best to get them to a vet as soon as possible.
Bernedoodles
Temperament:
Bernedoodles are like giant goofy teddy bears. They are loveable to the point that they think they are lap dogs. Bernedoodles are highly loyal and are most happy when you are happy.
These Doodles are highly intelligent and are easy to train thanks to the qualities inherited from their Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle parents.
Bernedoodles love to play and run, so regular exercise is a must. These dogs are fantastic with kids and other family pets. They are super adaptable to any living arrangements and take change very well.
Size And Lifespan
A Standard Bernedoodle that we all think of will stand about 23-29 inches tall and weigh 70-90 pounds. These guys may be huge, but they are gentle giants that are perfect companions.
A miniature Bernedoodle has a miniature Poodle father and a Bernese mother. These generally stand 18-22 inches tall and weigh 25-50 pounds.
And lastly, the Bernedoodle also comes in a toy size. They range from 12-17 inches tall and weigh anywhere between 10 to 24 pounds.
No matter the size of these dogs, they all have the exact goofy, loving nature. With an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years, your Bernedoodle will give you all of its love and attention for a long time.
Medical Conditions
Bernedoodles are some of the most healthy Doodle breeds out there today. This healthy bloodline comes from care.
Close monitoring with breeding lines of Bernese Mountain Dogs, a hardy breed overall. If bred with a healthy Poodle, the Bernedoodle will only have the health concerns of hip dysplasia and arthritis.
Which is common in almost all larger breeds as they age into senior years.
Schnoodle
Temperament
The Schnoodle is a spitfire dog that loves attention and pleasing its owners. The Schnoodle is a cross of a Schnauzer (either miniature or giant) and a Poodle.
They tend to have the playful and activity levels of the Schnauzer parent and the loving and loyal characteristics of the Poodle.
These doodles are highly intelligent and love to be the center of your world. They are easy to train and are typically easy-going dogs. Smaller Schnoodles are great for apartment living.
They are social yet completely independent; this is good for people who work longer hours. When you are home, your Schnoodle will love to play and be right at your side.
Larger Schnoodles are bred with Giant Schnauzers, which can be temperamental and not so great with kids.
When mixing the Giant Schnauzer with a Standard Poodle, you never will know what personality you will get.
So if you get a Large Schnoodle, ask to see the parent Schnauzer to get a good idea of how it acts. If the Schnauzer is docile, that is usually a good term to breed them.
Size And Lifespan
Miniature Schnoodles weigh about 7-16 lbs and stand about a foot tall. A Large Schnoodle can weigh anywhere from 20 to 75 pounds and stand between 15-26 inches tall.
This may seem like a big weight difference, but it depends on how big the parents are and the random factor in genetics that determines their size.
Life expectancies of the Schnoodle are anywhere between 12-16 years with a healthy, active lifestyle. Smaller Schnoodles do tend to live longer than their larger counterparts.
Medical Conditions
The primary concern for Schnoodles medical-wise is that they tend to have eye problems as they age.
Most get cataracts or progressive retinal atrophy, which damages and degenerates the eye’s nerve cells, causing them to go blind.
Always ask to view the parents if you are buying from a breeder. Look them over very well and ask to see a medical report.
If they are a reputable breeder, they will already have the report and gladly give it to you.
Sheepadoodle
Temperament
A Sheepadoodle is a mix of an Old English Sheepdog and a Poodle. The Sheepadoodle is a cuddly and intelligent doodle breed that has risen to popularity in recent years.
These Sheepadoodles have been known to be very intuitive about their owner’s feelings. If you are feeling down, hence, these dogs will cuddle and try to cheer you up.
This intuition makes them excellent therapy dogs since they also are easy to train.
Size And Lifespan
A standard Sheepadoodle will weigh 65-85 pounds and will stand 18-27 inches tall when fully grown.
Moyen Sheepadoodles are much smaller and weigh only 35-55 pounds, and a Toy Sheepadoodle that gets no larger than 35 pounds.
There is a size for every family and house size. These Doodles have a lifespan of 12-15 years, with smaller breeds living the longest.
Medical Concerns
These breeds are healthy as long as they are properly cared for. But a few things that can arise as your Sheepadoodle gets older are hip dysplasia, diabetes, and gastric dilatation.
Gastric dilatation is caused by the overproduction of gas in the stomach that causes the stomach to bloat, twist, and shift.
Feeding smaller meals that are nutritionally balanced will help prevent this from happening.
Cavoodle
Temperament
This fun-to-say doodle is a mix of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle. These Cavoodles are so much fun with their goofy, fun-loving personalities. They are loyal and brilliant dogs that can easily be trained.
Size And Lifespan
This Doodle mix is a smaller breed overall. They only weigh up to 20 pounds and stand 12-14 inches tall, making them great for apartments and smaller children. The typical lifespan of a healthy Cavoodle is 12-14 years.
Medical Concerns
Cavoodles are more prone to medical conditions like congenital heart failure, progressive retinal atrophy, and skin diseases.
Most of these conditions stem from poor breeding in the Cavalier parents. When getting a Cavoodle, ask for a complete medical history of the parents and grandparents.
And ask if DNA testing has been done to ensure these traits are not being passed down.
Irish Doodle
Temperament
The Irish Doodle is a cross of an Irish Setter and a Poodle. This combination has made a medium-sized cute ball of joy. They are highly social and love all people and pets alike.
These social skills make them great for kids and apartment living equally. Training these Irish Doodles does take time and commitment.
They tend to take after the Irish Setter and get bored quickly. But, if you are consistent and patient, these dogs will be perfectly trained in no time.
Size And Lifespan
The Irish doodle stands 13-15 inches tall and weighs 40-70 pounds. Toy and miniature doodle breed sizes are uncommon and vary significantly in size and weight.
Viewing the parents to get a general idea of a small Irish Doodle is best. They are some of the shortest-lived Doodles, with 10-13 years of life expectancy.
Medical Concerns
Though these doodles tend to be healthy, they are still prone to hip dysplasia, blindness, deafness, and epilepsy.
Hip dysplasia can be passed on through poor breeding and predicted with x-rays. Blindness and deafness will be noticed early in life and can be determined by a DNA test. Epilepsy is harder to predict.
Great Danoodle
Temperament
What can be better than a Great Dane poodle mix? These Danoodles are such fun, easy-going, and obedient dogs. They are fantastic with kids, despite their rather large size.
Danoodles are smart and loving dogs that want to please their owners in any way possible. These traits make them easy to train.
Size And Lifespan
It isn’t any surprise that a Dane mix is a big dog. The Great Danoodle grows to 22-27 inches tall at the shoulder and can weigh anywhere between 75-100 pounds.
Great Danes do not have a long lifespan. This can be passed on to the Great Danoodle. Therefore, the average lifespan of a Danoodle is 8-13 years.
Medical Concerns
Some common medical problems in the Danoodle include joint dysplasia and arthritis, cancer, and epilepsy. These medical concerns are prevalent in larger breeds of all types.
Therefore, you cannot do much to prevent them except ensure that the parents don’t have these traits. Genetic testing can also be done to find likely genetic predictors for cancer.
Dalmadoodle
Temperament
The Dalmadoodle is a less common doodle mix of Dalmatians and Poodle. They are very playful and brave puppies.
These qualities continue into adulthood, which makes them very protective. The Dalmadoodle is a highly intelligent breed. They are easily trained, thus requiring a lot of attention and exercise.
Size And Lifespan
A standard Dalmadoodle can stand 15-19 inches tall and weigh 40-70 pounds. These Doodles do not typically come in a toy or miniature size.
Therefore, you can expect your Dalmadoodle to live anywhere between 11-14 years.
Medical Concerns
Dalmations have been known to carry genes for losing their hearing and inability to see. This can be passed on to their Doodle young.
These can be easily tested while still a puppy. A reputable breeder will also know if the Dalmation parent carries these genes. Dalmadoodles are also prone to skin diseases and joint dysplasia.
Cadoodle
Temperament
A Cadoodle is a hybrid of a Border Collie and a Poodle. A Cadoodle is an energetic, spunky, and focused puppy.
They require lots of exercise and room to run. These fearless pups turn into the most mellow and loving adults. They still love to play and keep your attention.
Size And Lifespan
Cadoodles range in size from 22-26 inches when measured to the shoulder. They weigh 50-70 pounds on average. There are currently no mini or toy versions of the Cadoodle.
Medical Concerns
Since Cadoodles are a newer doodle breed, they have no known medical predispositions. It is best to ensure that both parents are healthy and have no background in genetic defects.
Collies have primarily been known to have eye and allergy problems and bloat.
Adopt or Shop
You can often find doodle breeds in the shelter because their previous owners could not keep up with the care and cost of grooming.
These doodle breeds are just waiting for a fun and loving home. Some rescue groups specialize in placing doodles with families and educating them on their care.
The only downside to adopting is that you might not know your new dog’s exact age or medical background.
You can also find reputable local breeders selling their puppies directly to you. A reputable breeder will have an extensive application process and usually a waiting list for a puppy.
This is a good thing because it shows they care about breeding healthy dogs and where they are going.
There is no right or wrong answer regarding adopting or shopping. What matters is what is going to fit well with your family. Some people adopt because they don’t like the puppy phase.
Others purchase from a breeder because they can’t afford medical bills that might arise from an unknown background of an older shelter dog.
The choice is up to you and what works best for your family.
In Conclusion
All Doodle breeds are amazing, intelligent, and loving creatures. And there is no one way of how to get one.
You and your family will love your Doodle no matter what. We hope that we have helped educate you on the top Doodle dog breeds and have assisted in making the right decision for you.
With 28+ different types of doodle dogs, there is a breed right for everyone.
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