What is Up with Oodles of Doodles?

Why have Doodles become so prominent in the past few years?

Well, for one, Doodles are adorable cross-breeds between the Poodle and other dog breeds. (There are also “Oodles” and “Poos”; for example, the Schnoodle or the Cockapoo.) For many dog owners, Doodles are the ideal combination of smart intellect, cute looks, and playful spirit. Poodles bring intelligence and a fun-loving nature to the table, and those who breed Doodles usually intend to bring those qualities together with a characteristic of the other breed.

For example, a Goldendoodle is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. Golden Retrievers are the ultimate family dog. Their playful nature means that they’re great with kids and enjoy spending time outdoors in the yard. This means that Goldendoodles are often playful and great family dogs–the ideal dog for handling energetic children.

Doodles are happy lying around on the couch receiving cuddles, but it’s out in the yard where they shine. Most varieties of these mixed breeds love to play and learn. Your dog will enjoy a game of fetch and won’t give up until you decide to call it quits for the day. Doodles are also surprisingly athletic and agile.

Doodles are relatively new. The first Poodle cross was bred in the early 1980s with the goal of creating a hypoallergenic dog breed. This happened successfully with a Labrador and Poodle, and so the first Labradoodle was born.

The reason Doodles have become so popular is that they are often advertised as “hypoallergenic,” which really depends on the mix of genes as well as what people are sensitive to. But, most Doodles are low-shedding and laid-back, which makes them appealing for many dog owners.

If you’re usually allergic to dogs, then a Doodle might be the perfect dog for you. Poodles don’t shed, which reduces the likelihood that a Doodle will have fur that causes allergy issues. Of course, allergens are found in dog dander and saliva, so while Doodles are often expected to be hypoallergenic, know that there is no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog.

That being said, Doodles do inherit the best features of their parents’ coats. Their fur is often shaggier than their non-Poodle parent’s, but not as curly as the Poodle parent’s. Because they often don’t shed, it’s much easier to keep your home clean, and the wide variety of coat colors is a definite appeal of Doodle breeds–some Doodles come in dual or tri-color phases that look remarkable.

If you don’t have space at home for a big dog, Doodles come in miniature versions as well! Poodles might be bred with Miniature Schnauzers or Yorkshire Terriers, or larger breeds could be bred with Toy Poodles, to create a small and cuddly Doodle.

Doodles also can make for a fantastic service dog. They’re bright and attentive, with an emotional attachment to their owners that makes them hang around you all day.

Ask your friends if they’ve ever met a Doodle and they’ll tell you that they’re fantastic family dogs with a friendly nature. These dogs tend to get along with everyone, even cats and birds. One word of advice: don’t keep them as a watchdog–they’re likely to make friends with the burglars!