14 Best Doodle Breeds: Which Should You Get?
When I used to attend dog shows and country fairs with my dog treats business, I was lucky enough to meet many, many lovely doodles. For the most part, a doodle – a poodle mix with another breed – results in a cute dog with added advantages such as being low-allergy and having minimal shedding.
There are as many doodle mixes as there are dog breeds, so which is best, and what are the features of the most popular doodle breeds?
WHAT IS A DOODLE?
A doodle is a poodle crossed with another breed of dog. Doodles are currently the most popular choice of dog: partly, this is due to fashion. However, it’s also because there are some fantastic mixes possible by crossing a poodle and another breed.
Poodles come in 3 sizes: toy, miniature and standard. The toy is tiny – less than 28cm / 11′ tall. Next up in size is the miniature. Finally, from 38cm /15″ tall and above is the ‘standard’.
Some standard poodles are very tall, making them an ideal cross for larger breeds such as labradors, retrievers and even great danes. Likewise, the miniature poodle is an ideal size to breed with medium size dogs like spaniels. And the toy poodle is perfect to cross with other tiny – or teacup – breeds, such as the chihuahua.
Given the large range of sizes in poodles, it means there is a suitable poodle size to be crossed with most other dog breeds. Apart from the ‘cuteness’ factor, doodles have also become fashionable recently as they are seen as a healthier option (for us hoomans) than purebred dog breeds.
DOODLES COMPARISON TABLE
Since doodles are cross-breeds, there is much variation in coats, size and personality. This table outlines some helpful pointers, but be aware that each doodle dog is unique!
| Doodle name | Typical Coat | Size | Personality |
| Airedoodle (Airedale Terrier+ Poodle) | Med-long, varies soft / course | Large | Higher energy levels |
| Bidoodle (Bichon Frise + Poodle) | Fluffy | Small | Confident, friendly |
| Cavapoo (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel + Poodle) | Long | Small | Friendly, low prey drive, attention seeking |
| Chow Poo (Chow Chow + Poodle) | Fluffy | Medium | Insightful, trainable |
| Cockapoo (Cocker spaniel + Poodle) | Silky | Small | Higher energy level, happy, attention seeking |
| Corgipoo (Corgi +Poodle) | Soft, wavy | Small | Playful, friendly, energetic, loving |
| Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever + Poodle) | Long, silky / fluffy | Varies, med-large | Higher energy level, good-natured |
| Labradoodle (Labrador + Poodle) | Varies, short curls | Med-large | Happy, excitable, |
| Maltipoo (Maltese + Poodle) | Long, fluffy | Small | Demanding, Loving, attention seeking |
| Pomapoo (Pomeranian + Poodle) | Fluffy | Small | Playful, good companions |
| Shipoo (Shih Tzu + Poodle) | Varies | Small | Can be stubborn, lower energy levels |
| Schnoodle (Schnauzer + Poodle) | Low shedder, coat varies | Varies | Happy, can be hard to train, high energy |
| Springerdoodle (Springer spaniel + Poodle) | Thick, med-long | Medium | Smart, playful, higher energy levels |
| Yorkipoo (Yorkshire Terrier + Poodle) | Long | Small | Likes hunting, energetic, independent |
Doodles with a higher energy level can be entertained not just by daily walks but also with activities that allow them to use their brains. Try nosework games and enrichment Free Work to keep them mentally fulfilled and happy.
WHY GET A DOODLE?
Doodles are a popular choice as they offer the potential to combine 2 aspects of the poodle – low shedding of a poodle and high intelligence – with the traits of another breed.
However, there is no guarantee that a doodle will be a low shedder. The combination of poodle + other dog breed could result in fur ranging from wiry to soft.
What’s more, it is impossible to guarantee that an entire litter will be the same, as there are often variations within a litter. As a pup grows, its fur changes too, so a pup that doesn’t shed any fur could later become an adult that sheds as much as a labrador.
Another factor is whether the cross is a first generation cross (F1) , or F2, F3 etc.
IS A DOODLE GOOD FOR ASTHMA SUFFERERS?
Whilst some doodles may be described as hypoallergenic, and might be ‘allergy friendly’ (ie, they may present fewer risks to an allergy sufferer), not all doodles will be suitable for asthmatics.
Each dog is different, as is each person. You would need to spend time with your proposed new dog to see whether you develop a reaction. Bear in mind too, that your response to a puppy is entirely different to an adult dog: puppies don’t affect people in the same way as adult dogs do.
If you are considering a dog from a rescue, try to visit the dog 2 or 3 times and spend some time with it – including letting it lick you – to see what reaction that might cause. Make sure you have your medication to hand!
ARE DOODLES / POODLE MIXES HYPOALLERGENIC?
ALLERGIES TO DOGS
Many people believe that having a doodle means they won’t have any allergic reactions to their dog. Sadly, this is often not the case.
Pet allergies, more often than not, are caused by dander – the dead skin that naturally flakes off – not the actual hair. So, regardless of whether a dog is long or short-haired, there is still the risk of an allergic reaction.
What’s more, people with pet allergies are also often allergic to a dog’s saliva and urine. Now, whilst you might well be able to avoid your dog peeing on you, avoiding saliva isn’t so easy.
What pet parent hasn’t been licked by their dog? Writing this article makes me realise just how grateful I am not to be allergic to dogs.
However, a friend of mine who is dog crazy, manages her allergies well. She doesn’t let the dogs lick her face and if she does get licked elsewhere, she simply washes herself. She does take anti-histamines, but this is a step she’s prepared to take in order to have dogs in her life.
Whilst mild allergies are manageable, if you have an extreme allergy to dogs, getting a doodle is unlikely to be the answer to your prayers. There are no guarantees that you won’t suffer a serious reaction to your beloved dog as he or she grows.
DOES A DOODLE SHED HAIR?
Some people also hope that having a doodle means no more vacuuming up dog hair.
But, since a doodle is a cross, it may well have the same type of fur as the non-poodle parent. Golden retrievers, for instance, shed a lot of fur, so a ‘goldendoodle’ (Golden Retriever + Poodle) would not be the best choice for someone looking to reduce their household cleaning.
However, if you were to cross a doodle with another dog that sheds very little, you’re much more likely to end up with a dog that doesn’t have you dragging the vacuum round the house every day.
BEST DOODLES FOR MINIMAL SHEDDING
BEST DOODLES FOR FAMILY DOGS
BEST TEDDY BEAR DOODLES
BEST TERRIER MIX DOODLES
CONCLUSION
Doodle dogs come in all shapes and sizes, not to mention colours and fur types. There is no guarantee that a doodle will be hypoallergenic or low-shedding. It will, however, most likely be a loving, loveable and cute combination!