The doodle is popular all over the world. Many dog breeds have been mixed with them. This article covers some of the popular doodle mixes.
Below are the most popular Doodle breeds:
- Labradoodle
- Goldendoodle
- Bernedoodle
- Cavapoo
- Maltipoo
- Schnoodle
- Sheepadoodle
- Aussiedoodle
- Cockapoo
- Yorkipoo
- Shihpoo
- Westiepoo
This article will tell you what breed is on the other end of your (potential) Poodle mix. A few character traits will be named for every Doodle, as well as size, exercise needs, and potential health risks. Later on, the “hypo-allergenic” character trait of all Doodles will be discussed, as well as mental stimulation.
1. Labradoodle
The Labradoodle is a mix between the Poodle and a Labrador. It is the first Doodle ever bred and was originally intended as a hypoallergenic guide dog. To this day, it is one of the best-known doodle mixes across the globe. The height of Labradoodles can range from 10 to 26 inches high. It depends on whether you’re getting a miniature or a standard Doodle.
The Labradoodle makes for a friendly dog that can adapt to its environment quickly. It’s a confident yet affectionate dog. It does have lots of energy which requires owners to commit to meeting their exercise needs daily. It will need to be exercised for 30 to 60 minutes a day. Sadly the breed has also inherited some health risks, including Hip- and Elbow- Dysplasia, Ear Infections, and PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy).
2. Goldendoodle
The Goldendoodle is a Golden Retriever and Poodle cross. The popularity of this Doodle breed is comparable to the popularity of the Labradoodle. Its friendly nature makes it suitable for families with kids and anyone that prefers a social companion to spend their days with. Besides being very friendly, it’s a playful and affectionate dog. Goldendoodles are found with a height between 13 and 24 inches.
Like the Labradoodle, Goldendoodles need proper exercise daily. On average, they need 30 to 60 minutes of physical exercise a day. To keep your Goldendoodle happy, it’s also advisable to provide it with enough mental stimulation. Like the Goldendoodle, the Labradoodle will benefit from this as well. Health risks for the Goldendoodle breed include skin and eye disorders, patellar luxation, and hip- and elbow- dysplasia.
3. Bernedoodle
When crossing the poodle with a Bernese Mountain Dog, the Bernedoodle comes out of the mix. It’s a calm and gentle dog but ready to play nevertheless. Height-wise, it’s a little harder to find a smaller-sized Bernedoodle since the Bernese Mountain Dog is large. However, they can be found between 12 to 29 inches tall.
Despite the Bernedoodle being a moderately active dog, it does need about two hours of exercise daily, especially the Bernedoodles on the large end of the spectrum. Health risks for the labradoodle include hip and elbow dysplasia, and eye and skin conditions. But Bernedoodles have a lower risk of developing these conditions.
4. Cavapoo
The Cavapoo is a mix between the Poodle and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniël. It’s a friendly, calm, and quiet dog. It has a playful nature and all of this makes it a great pet. This particular Doodle is not a very big dog, as their Poodle parents are often toy or miniature, and will become between 9 to 14 inches high on average.
To keep your Cavapoo happy, it should be taken outside for at least 30 minutes daily. And while most dogs benefit from adventures outside, keeping your Cavapoo in a small living space makes the need for proper daily exercise even more important. When getting a Cavapoo, there is always the risk of your dog developing PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), a Luxating Patella, or Congenital Heart Conditions.
5. Maltipoo
Another small Doodle breed is the Maltipoo, which is a Poodle mixed with a Maltese. With its gentle nature and loving personality, it’s another great family dog. Maltipoos are good with kids and, due to their small size, they are a great fit in lots of situations. They can be found at heights between 8 and 13 inches tall.
Despite their small size, they do best with at least 40 minutes of daily exercise. Maltipoos can have quite some energy, and giving them a proper outlet for their excess energy will keep both the dog and owner happy. Like most dog breeds, Maltipoos can encounter a number of health issues. They can include White Shaker Syndrome, Portosystemic Shunt, and Legg Calve Perthes Disease.
6. Schnoodle
The Schnoodle is a cross between the Schnauzer and the Poodle. They are affectionate and loyal dogs and therefore do well as family pets. The Schnoodle is another Doodle breed bred from toy sizes up to standard sizes and stands between 10 to 26 inches tall.
Depending on the size of your Schnoodle, they do well with at least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day. Especially with the toy sizes, it’s a good idea to break up their exercise needs into a few daily walks. But even when cared for properly, they can sometimes develop Skin Conditions, Canine Hyperlipidemia, or Patellar Luxation, among other health issues.
7. Sheepadoodle
Sheepadoodles are Poodles with Old English Sheepdogs thrown into the mix. These Doodles are loving and loyal dogs, but due to the temperament of the Old English Sheepdog, they can have some leftover herding instincts. This doesn’t make them an ideal dog to keep together with young kids. They can grow up to 13 to 27 inches tall, which depends on the use of toy- or standard-sized dogs in the breeding process. This can lead to encountering toy versions as small as 10 inches or less, but these are rare.
Because of this Doodle’s high energy, they need about 1 to 2 hours of exercise a day. Before getting a Sheepadoodle, you will need to make sure you are up to the task. They can develop some health issues, including hip dysplasia, Addison’s disease, and skin disorders.
8. Aussiedoodle
When mixing the Australian Shepherd with the Poodle, the Aussiedoodle is what you’re ending up with. Due to the Australian Shepherd that is mixed in, they are energetic and playful dogs. They may also come with a herding instinct. And while they aren’t unsuitable as a family dog, this is something that should be kept in mind. This Doodle again comes in a few sizes, ranging from toy to standard. They are usually found between 10 to 24 inches in height.
When exercising your Aussiedoodle, 60 minutes a day is a good rate. And while mental stimulation is important in every breed, it’s a great idea to stimulate your Aussiedoodle. Both breeds that are used to create this mix are very intelligent dogs and thus need to be challenged. Healthwise, they can develop a few issues that can include progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), hypothyroidism, and allergies.
9. Cockapoo
Cockapoos are a Doodle breed made up of the Cocker Spaniel and the Poodle. This mix is a very friendly and social dog, which makes it a great family dog. They can grow up to 18 inches tall and can be as small as 10 inches or less, because of the teacup Cockapoos being available.
Daily exercise for the Cockapoo should be 30 minutes at the very least. But even better is to take the Cockapoo outside for about 60 minutes a day. It’s, however, also dependable on its size. Teacup Cockapoos would do well with 30 minutes, while the standard size would do better with 60. They are at risk of developing gastrointestinal problems, as well as skin allergies and ear problems, to name but a few conditions.
10. Yorkipoo
A Yorkipoo is a cross between the Yorkshire Terrier and the Poodle. This small Doodle is very energetic and benefits greatly from being included in family activities. They also have a very gentle nature. But beware, they may tend to bark. Yorkipoos can be found between 7 and 15 inches tall and come in miniature and toy sizes.
When it comes down to exercising your Yorkipoo, it will do well on 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day. This exercise is best broken down into at least two to three walks or play sessions a day. Yorkipoos could get quite some health issues and eye problems. Low blood sugar and heart problems are some of them.
11. Shihpoo
The Shihpoo is a cross between the Shih Tzu and the Poodle. They are energetic and affectionate dogs, with a tendency to bark. Although it’s a very friendly dog, it is not very suitable in a family with young children. They do not tolerate everything and, with young children in the household, it could lead to problems. Because of the small size of the Shih Tzu, they are often mixed with toy Poodles. Because of this, they end up growing about 8 to 13 inches tall.
Shihpoos don’t need a lot of exercise. It is, however, a good idea to exercise them for about 30 minutes a day. While walking your dog is recommended for a little mental stimulation, they are also content with a daily exercise session in the yard. When caring for your Shih Tzu you should be aware of the possibility of them developing Joint Issues, Breathing Problems, or Eye Problems.
12. Westiepoo
Westiepoos are a mix between the West Highland White Terrier and the Poodle. This Doodle is another great family dog, as they are a good match with kids. They are loving and social dogs, but they are also very alert. While size-wise not being a great guard dog, they are sure to let you know when something is off. They can be found between 11 and 17 inches tall.
To meet their exercise needs, Westiepoos should be exercised for at least 45 minutes each day. Their high energy could lead to destructive or otherwise unwanted behavior if not given a proper outlet. Exercise is also important to counter possible obesity in the breed. But Westiepoos could also develop health issues such as liver disease or skin problems.
Doodle Characteristics
Any Doodle dog you come across is essentially a mix. Doodle breed dogs are Poodles mixed with another purebred dog and often end up with a name combining these two breeds into one. And since Doodles inherit part of their genes from the Poodle breed, they are often low- or non-shedding dogs. They are also advertised as intelligent (trainable) dogs with a friendly personality, which makes them great family dogs.
However, as with many mixed breed dogs, their characteristics are not set in stone. While there can already be differences in personality in purebred dogs, with mixed breeds, there is even less guarantee that you will end up with a dog that has the best of both breeds. Getting a later generation doodle can give you a little more certainty on characteristics, but it’s always a bet.
Is the Doodle a Hypoallergenic Dog?
Part of why the Doodle is such a popular dog is the fact that they are advertised as a hypoallergenic dog breed. But this is only partially true. People that are allergic to dogs mostly respond to dander and saliva coming into contact with their skin. However, there is still a misconception that the hair of a dog is causing a reaction. This leads people with allergies to assume low-shedding dogs are allergy-friendly, while this is not the case. To make matters more complicated, dog allergies can be very dependent on the individual. Some people will respond severely to one dog and not to another. Studies suggest that this can be linked to how many allergens a dog produces.
So does this mean it’s only relatable to the amount of produced allergens? The answer is no. Poodles and Doodles can be easier to deal with for an allergic person because of their fur. Low shedding dog coats cause less dander to fly around. Besides low shedding coats, some Doodles are said to have a non-shedding coat. Technically, these Doodles shed less, and what they do shed gets stuck in their coat. This doesn’t only mean less hair is lying around because the dander also gets stuck which leads to less of an allergic reaction when just being around the dog. The type of coat you are looking for in your Doodle to get this effect is the wool, Poodle- like coat. Yet it is still recommended to spend some time around the Doodle you want to get before assuming it will go well together with your allergies.
Mental Stimulation
Another trait across the Doodle breed is their intelligence. Poodles are highly intelligent dogs, and they pass this down to a lot of their offsprings. While some of the dogs used in Doodle mixes can get away with little mental stimulation, the intelligence of the Doodle breed is an important character trait to note. While this doesn’t mean that you immediately have to enter your Doodle into five different dog sports, it’s going to be beneficial for both you and your dog to pay some attention to mental stimulation.
Mentally stimulating your dog can be done fairly easily in the safety of your own home or on walks. Doodles are eager to learn, and you could start by teaching them some tricks. Keep this short and fun, and they’ll love it. Yet personalities may vary, and the alternatives of sniff mats, food toys, and food puzzles are just as fun and just as effective. Lastly, you can also provide mental stimulation on walks. Dogs gather information with their nose, and having the ability to sniff around outside instead of only walking for exercise is another great way to meet your dogs’ mental needs.
Final Thoughts
Doodles have become such a popular breed that there’s lots of variety to choose from. They can be mixed with great family dogs, some of which are described in this list, but there are also known Doodles mixed with less obvious choices like Dobermans and Great Danes. They will inherit character traits from both parents, and looking at the character of their parents will tell you a lot about what to expect.
Sizes can differ greatly depending on the type of Poodle used to breed with, and the variety in size on the other end of the mix. When trying to buy a Doodle, it’s a good idea to match your size expectations to the type of Doodle you want to get.
When choosing a Doodle breed, it’s also good to know how much exercise your new buddy is going to need. Dogs that are under- (or over-) stimulated can become quite the troublemakers, and picking a mix whose needs you can’t meet is unfair to both you and the dog. And while most health issues are reduced in mixed breeds, some Doodles still are prone to some health conditions. Keeping an eye for potential trouble could save you a lot of trouble in the long run.
Hi! My name is Joan. I’m 25 years old, and I live in The Netherlands. I work in healthcare and study applied psychology. Besides this, I am helping my dog Chester recover from a bad start in life.