What is a Doodle Dog?
What is a Goldendoodle, Labradoodle, or Double Doodle?
Doodle dogs are everywhere these days! Intelligent, cuddly, and lovably silly, with the added benefit of being hypo-allergenic, it’s not hard to understand why they are fast becoming the family dog of choice for so many Americans.
There are many kinds of Doodle dog breeds of various sizes depending on the Poodle variant they are mixed with, but the following are the most popular:
The Goldendoodle which is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Standard, Miniature, or Toy Poodle;
The Labradoodle which is a cross between a Labrador and a Standard, Miniature, or Toy Poodle;
The Double Doodle, also known as a North American Retriever, is a cross between a Goldendoodle and a Labradoodle.
Since Doodle dogs are purebred hybrids, they are not recognized by any kennel club; however, their genetic diversity gives them “hybrid vigor” and results in a hardier dog that is resistant to the predisposed health problems of its purebred forebears.
Are You Ready for a Doodle Dog?
If you are looking for a smart, athletic, trainable dog that thrives on human companionship, then a Goldendoodle, Labradoodle, or Double Doodle may be the right fit for you!
As adorable as they are, there are a few things to consider before adopting a Doodle dog:
Doodle dogs are a sporting dog breed that needs a lot of exercise and training
Labradoodles, Goldendoodles, and Double Doodles are derived from breeds originally used for hunting, so they require a lot of daily exercise and mental stimulation to be a happy house pet.
Because of their natural curiosity and intelligence, Doodle puppies require consistent training throughout their first year with you and benefit from basic and advanced puppy obedience training - not only to establish household rules and good manners but to provide them with the mental enrichment they crave - otherwise, they are prone to getting into trouble around the house when bored.
Ongoing obedience training throughout their life is the best way to strengthen and maintain your relationship with your Doodle dog, so incorporating training into your daily routine is the best way to ensure they remain well-mannered and get the daily enrichment they need.
Doodle dogs require regular grooming and flea medication.
Since their soft and silky coat is made of hair, not fur— a trait they inherit from their Poodle gene pool—Doodle dogs are known for having a low dander count and being minimal shedders.
These qualities make them an attractive choice for families looking for less upkeep around the house and a dog with a lower impact on allergy sufferers.
However, this also means they require regular grooming (otherwise their coat will quickly get matted) and their longer hair is a magnet for foxtails, fleas, and ticks.
That being said, be prepared to brush out your Doodle Dog’s coat almost daily and be ready to pay for a groomer, as well as good flea and tick medication, which can get expensive.
Doodle dogs need companionship and don’t do well when left alone.
Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, and Double Doodles need human companionship and don’t do well in isolation, so if you work long hours and love the nightlife, they will not fare well in your home (unless you can afford regular daycare, dog-sitting, or dog-walking services.)
Undesirable behaviors like excessive barking, destructive chewing, or separation anxiety will develop if they do not get the required attention, so ask yourself if you are ready to commit to the time needed to raise and train a Doodle Dog before getting one.
Doodle Dogs Make Great Family Pets
If you are willing to train your Doodle Dog to be a good citizen and have enough time to provide them with the daily exercise and enrichment they need to be happy, you will be rewarded with the perfect dog!
At Dog Savvy, we adore all Doodle Dog breeds - Goldendoodle, Labradoodle, and Double Doodle - and look forward to hearing from you if you want to get the best training for your dog!
About the Author:
Alexandra Bassett, CPDT-KA, is the lead dog trainer and behavior consultant at Dog Savvy Los Angeles, a private dog training company specializing in puppy training and treating problem behaviors like leash reactivity, resource guarding, and dog separation anxiety.
She is certified as Knowledge Assessed by the Council of Professional Dog Trainers (CPDT-KA) and is available for online dog training sessions via Zoom.