Doodles not only have a cute name, they’re also adorable dogs that come in an array of sizes and mixes—from labradoodles to Cavapoos. By the way, to clear up a common misconception, because they’re mixed breeds—ie. many breeds can and have been mixed with poodles—doodles are not technically recognized as a breed of their own by the American Kennel Club.
Now, you may have heard a lot of things about these crossbreeds—especially concerning their health, temperament, and whether they’re good for people with allergies—but we’re here to sort the facts from the misconceptions so you understand exactly what a doodle is and whether one is a good fit for your family.
Ahead is our guide to doodle crossbreeds and what you should know about them.
Easy answer: “It’s a poodle mix, usually with the goal of achieving a dog that sheds less,” says Katy Nelson, DVM, senior veterinarian at Chewy. Potentially, any breed can be mixed with a poodle to create another type of crossbreed dog.
Doodle dogs first appeared in the 1980s, when the puppy breeding manager for the Royal Guide Dog Association of Australia was asked if he could provide a guide dog that would not shed for a woman whose husband was allergic to dogs.
The result was a cross between a Labrador retriever and a standard poodle, which was then called a “Labradoodle.” However, when the puppies were tested, the allergy results were mixed. Only some of the dogs did not cause allergy symptoms. Nevertheless, the breed took off, with many other poodle mixes soon appearing.
You’ve probably heard that doodles are great if you have pet allergies. Well, maybe—or maybe not!
“Allergens are carried in dander (dead skin cells), saliva, and urine, so they are impossible to fully avoid,” says Dr. Nelson. “Some dogs produce fewer allergens or shed less than others, but no dog is completely free of allergens.”
Simply put, there are no guarantees that you won’t react to a doodle if you have pet allergies. “Allergy sensitivities vary from person to person, and dogs vary individually in their levels of allergens, so you never truly know if, or how badly, you will react to a certain dog,” says Dr. Nelson.
Plus, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the proteins found in a pet’s dander, skin flakes, saliva, and urine are not affected by the length of hair or fur, nor the amount of shedding. Research has also shown that there’s no difference in the levels of allergens between so-called hypoallergenic breeds, such as doodles, and non-hypoallergenic breeds.
Not necessarily. “Due to the wide variety of mixes, there’s no simple way to generalize health or behavioral issues associated with doodles,” says Dr. Nelson. “Poodles themselves are prone to certain disease conditions and are considered to be a highly intelligent breed of dog. But depending on what they’re mixed with, and how many generations removed the poodle is from the current line, the result will vary greatly.”
In fact, at least one study showed that the rate of hereditary eye abnormalities was significantly greater among Labradoodles than Labrador retrievers. Another study showed that purebred standard poodles and Labradoodles are both at increased risk of Addison’s disease, a serious endocrine disorder.
When it comes to temperament, there’s also still a lot to be understood about the links between behavior and genetics. While crossbreeding may combine favorable characteristics from two breeds, it’s not really known how temperament and personality can change when crossing two purebred dogs.
All things considered, doodles can be unpredictable, but they may be perfect for your family! When considering any dog or specific breed, you should do your homework ahead of time so you understand the commitment required.
While bringing home a new fur baby is a very personal decision, Doodle Trust, a doodle-focused rescue agency in the UK, says that educating yourself about doodles is the first step to figuring out if these crossbreeds are right for you.
Doodles can be wonderful companions, but Doodle Trust suggests you take into consideration these key points before adopting:
Doodles require 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day to stay happy and healthy.
They do shed, no matter what you’ve read.
Doodles are not hypoallergenic.
Doodles are super-smart, so they need training—because, like all dogs, they aren’t born with manners!
They thrive on companionship and aren’t happy being left alone for hours and hours.