You are probably unaware of the fact that poodles are hypoallergenic. That means they don’t shed, which is perfect for people suffering from allergies. They are also considered to be the second most intelligent dog breed. No wonder someone thought of crossbreeding them with other dogs. These new dogs are part of what is called the doodle breeds. Let’s look at some of them, so you can find the dog that is right for you and your family.
Choosing the Right Dog
Before deciding which puppy you should bring home, there are many elements you should take in consideration. For example, what size of dog can you afford to have? If you live in a relatively small apartment, where the dog will remain most of the time, the smaller the dog, the better it will be. A big dog will be sad, enclosed in such a small space. But before thinking about that, you should ask yourself if you have time and space for a dog. Keep in mind that it needs to be walked every day, many times, and that it cannot stay by itself for days, like a cat.
If you are still convinced that a dog will be a great addition to your family, and that you’ll be able to dedicate time to it, then choosing one from the doodle breed will be a wise decision. That is because doodle breed dogs are generally eager to please, easy to train and also easy to live with. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the Doodle breeds.
The Original One: The Poodle
Although the poodle is not a doodle, we cannot talk about these dog breeds without writing about the original dog that started it all.
Poodles come in three different sizes, but they are never considered big dogs. In fact, they are found at the other end of the scope with the toy poodle and the miniature ones. The first one reaches a height below 10 inches, while the second is between 11 and 15 inches tall. The standard poodle stands above 15 inches, but it never grows too big.
Poodles are quite surprising. Although they look like the friendly type, if you don’t assume the role of alpha dog rapidly, they will gladly play that role and it will become difficult to control it. They are also very protective of family members, but of its home as well. Anyone trespassing will find an angry dog barking, alerting its master of the presence of an intruder.
This said, their numerous qualities make them the perfect family dog. They are considered intelligent, loving and loyal. They love to play all kind of games and do it with great enthusiasm, even playing tricks on you. Because they are so intelligent, they need to be stimulated a lot, which is always good for humans as well!
A Quick Presentation of the Various Doodle Breeds
The Aussie Doodles
Mix between an Australian shepherd and a poodle.
This dog needs a lot of attention. You need to keep it busy at all time by playing and exercising. Otherwise, he can become bored and go on destructive rampages. It likes to bark, so keep that in mind if you live in a quiet neighbourhood.
Qualities: Strength, intelligence, agility, and speed.
The Berne Doodles
Mix between St. Bernard and a poodle.
By crossing them with a St. Bernard, breeders have created a much larger size poodle. It can grow up to 40 inches tall and weigh 50 lbs. Still, they are as gentle as the original poodle breed and perfect for children. You will also find that they are easy to train.
Qualities: Very calm, social, and only moderately active.
The Golden Doodles
Mix between a Golden Retriever and a poodle.
It is one of the two most popular doodle breeds (the other one is the Labradoodle), which makes sense since the two breeds most popular in the world. They are perfect as therapy dogs and show a playful character. They are eager to please and loyal to their owners.
Qualities: Extremely friendly, social, and affectionate.
The Labradoodles
Mix between a Labrador and a poodle.
This breed tends to be more protective of its owner than the other ones. They are not so friendly to strangers, but don’t become aggressive either (unless they have to). They like to be helpful, so give them a variety of tasks to do, and they will be happy.
Qualities: Friendly, affectionate, dependable and loyal to their family.
The Newfie Doodles
Mix between a Newfoundland and a poodle.
Compared to most of the other breeds (except the one mixed with the St. Bernard), it can be considered a giant. You are looking at a dog that can reach up to 100 lbs. And yet, it is probably the shiest one. However, if they become dominant, the relationship with human can be difficult to control.
Qualities: Working dog, good-natured (mostly) and great swimmer.
The Irish Doodles
Mix between an Irish setter and a poodle.
Irish setters are difficult dogs. They are hard to train, and they get bored easily. Therefore, they need a lot of attention from their owners. People who choose this breed usually do so because they are beautiful.
Qualities: Energetic, friendly, happy, loyal, and highly social.
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