Looking through a list of the most popular Doodles, you have probably seen the Springerdoodle. They seem joyful, affectionate, and fun to be around. But you might be wondering what’s it like to own a Springerdoodle? How are they different than any other Doodle? Keep reading to find out why you need one today.
What Is A Springerdoodle?
A Springerdoodle is half Poodle and half English Springer Spaniel. The Poodle side gives the Springerdoodle it’s hypoallergenic coat. And since the Poodle originated as a hunting breed, it also makes this Doodle intelligent and loyal.
English Springer Spaniels are hunting dogs that specialize in capturing birds. The Spaniel half brings a fun-loving and eager to please touch to the Doodle. They are also intelligent and kind natured dogs that make them prime candidates to be Doodled.
Springerdoodle Temperament
What’s it like to own a Springerdoodle? It’s like having a best friend around that always knows how to cheer you up. Having a Springerdoodle makes life fun and more full. You will find that your Doodle is the most loyal and caring dog. They pay special attention to your mood and hidden emotions and adjust accordingly to cheer you up.
But more than that, they are also playful and full of life. Your kind-hearted puppy will love to romp around and spend time with the whole family. And they also love cuddling. Having a Springerdoodle is the best of both worlds.
Intelligence
Springerdoodles are highly intelligent dogs. They love to do anything that might please their owners. So use this to your advantage and use positive reinforcement styles for better success. Your Springerdoodle is a fast learner, and there isn’t anything too challenging for them.
You might even find that your Springerdoodle gets bored quickly with slow training. To prevent this, you will want to change it up often and throw in new tricks.
What Are Their Energy Levels?
You can expect a Springerdoodle to have moderate to high energy levels. But what does that mean exactly? For dogs, this means that they need lots of mental and physical exercise. You can expect to spend about an hour a day walking your Springerdoodle around the neighborhood. It also means that you will have to spend 30-45 minutes playing one-on-one with your dog.
In addition to physical exercise, you need to be sure that your dog doesn’t get bored. Regular training sessions are a great way to work and mold their minds. And when you are at work, giving them brain teaser toys and puzzles are a great way to prevent boredom.
If you love to get out of the house and do activities, a Springerdoodle is right up your alley. They love to do outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, and running. It’s not uncommon to see a Springerdoodle hunting too.
Coat Type And Grooming Needs
Springerdoodles have a lush hypoallergenic coat that sheds little to none. You will typically find that Springerdoodles have either wavy or curly hair. If having a non-shedding coat is essential to you, you might opt for an F1B Springerdoodle with curlier coats. These Doodles have the curly non-shedding coat of a Poodle and the temperament of a Springerdoodle.
And they come in a variety of different colors to pick and choose from. You can get a white Springerdoodle and every color down to black. You can even get them in beautiful parti or tri-colors.
But what is included in Springerdoodle grooming? For starters, a hypoallergenic coat might not shed, but it’s high maintenance. If you own a Springerdoodle, you will find that you need to brush almost daily to keep it manageable. Brushing a Doodle daily keeps small knots from turning into huge mats.
Brushing your dog should only take 10-15 minutes. But if it has been a while since you last brushed, it could take longer. To brush, all you need are a few simple tools: a comb, slicker brush, and dematting rake. First, gently comb through the hair to find all the knots. Once you know where the knots are, you can use a dematting rake to break through them quickly. Then finish up with a slicker brush to make your puppy look nice and fluffy.
But grooming doesn’t stop there. You also need to take your Springerdoodle to the salon regularly. Since a Doodle’s hair doesn’t shed, it grows like human hair. And just like us, they need a trim every 6-8 weeks to keep from becoming shaggy. Your groomer will give them a cut, bath, and nail trim to keep them in top shape.
You might be wondering how soon this needs to begin. Should you start the day you bring them home? Wait six months? What is the best time to start grooming? Grooming your puppy should start from the moment you bring them home. Touching their toes, paws, ears, and tail gets them acclimated to handling that groomers do. Daily combing should also happen around this time to train them to sit still.
And as soon as your puppy has had all of their shots, they can begin grooming appointments every 6-8 weeks. They might not need full trims, but getting them familiar with their surroundings and baths is always important.
Size And Lifespan
These Doodles come in two sizes: mini and standard. Mini Springerdoodle size is anywhere from 20-30 pounds, and a Standard Springerdoodle full grown is 30-45 pounds. But these sizes can vary depending on your breeder. So if you are expecting a specific size, express your concerns with your breeder. They will show you the parents and past litter to ease your mind.
What’s it like to own a Springerdoodle of both sizes? For the most part, they are the same. Smaller dogs are a little cheaper to care for and live longer. But larger dogs are great for hunting and intense physical activities.
Some might claim that mini breeds act differently than standards, but that isn’t true. Both sizes have the same temperament and energy levels. So you won’t notice a difference there.
But the average Springerdoodle lifespan is anywhere from 10-15 years. You will find that minis tend to lean towards the 15 years and older category. With good breeding and care, any breed will live a longer, healthier life.
Common Health Conditions
You might have heard about a Doodle’s hybrid vigor. Some breeders like to lead you on to think that means a Doodle is immune to diseases. But no breed is resistant to any health condition, especially Doodles.
But there are a few things you can do to ensure that your puppy is healthy. The most crucial step is to buy from reputable breeders only. These breeders cost more than most, but they have a guarantee. Respected breeds will get DNA tests to prove that their breeding dogs are of the best health and don’t carry genetic markers for disease.
The next part has to do with what you can do at home. Feeding a high-quality pet food and daily exercise will prevent obesity and other diseases related to that. This simple step could easily add five years to your dog’s lifetime.
And finally, semi-annual vet visits are crucial to spotting any abnormalities quickly. Your vet will perform a checkup that includes bloodwork, looking for signs of aging and a dental exam. You should also have their teeth cleaned yearly to prevent gingivitis and other dental diseases. All of these screenings could catch the early signs of deadly diseases and stop them in their tracks.
But you should also educate yourself on diseases common in Springerdoodles. Knowing what signs to look for will let you know when it’s time for a vet visit.
Common health issues include:
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease
- Hip dysplasia
- Arthritis
- Skin ailments
- Eye diseases
- Epilepsy
- Hypothyroidism
- Cushing’s disease
- Addison’s disease
- And von Willebrand disease
Price Of Springerdoodle Puppies
Our last point is how much a Springerdoodle is going to cost you. The price of a puppy depends on where you are. In most states, the average Springerdoodle price is anywhere from $800-$1,500. But in areas where breeders are few and far between, you can expect to pay as much as $1,800.
But this is just the price of the puppy. You will still need to buy all the basics to bring your puppy home. Things like a bed, crate, toys, food, leash, collar, and chew toys. You should budget another $1,000-$2,000 to get these things and more.
If you don’t want to go through a breeder, another option is to adopt. There are plenty of reputable Doodle rescues that help Doodles of all kinds find new homes. Most of them even have waiting lists for specific Doodles. But if your state doesn’t have a Doodle rescue, check online. There are plenty of rescues with an online catalog or Facebook pages dedicated to finding loving homes for Doodles.
So What’s It Like To Own A Springerdoodle?
It’s like having a fun best friend that is not only intelligent but considerate. Your Springerdoodle will keep you in shape and brings calm to the house. They are incredible pets that have so many great qualities. Getting a Springerdoodle will make your life feel more complete.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!
