The Doodle Factor: What You Need to Know About Doodle Dogs

Over the years, a variety of Doodle Dogs have quickly become beloved by pet parents across the country. These dogs are certainly charmers with their cute faces and adorable names, but what has helped endear them to so many people? Let’s break down where these cute canines came from, why they’re so popular, and what you should consider when looking to welcome one into your family.

Where Doodle Breeds Came From

The Doodle Dog revolution began in the 1980s after a woman from Hawaii reached out to Australian breeder Wally Conron. The woman was in a bind – she needed a guide dog to help her, but her husband was allergic to dog fur. Conron came up with the idea to breed a non-shedding Poodle with a loyal working dog like a Labrador Retriever. Thus, the Labradoodle was born.

Once Labradoodles became popular, many other types of Doodle Dogs followed soon after. These days, there are many mixed Doodle breeds, including:

• Goldendoodles (Poodles and Golden Retrievers)
• Aussiedoodles (Poodles and Australian Shepherds)
• Bernedoodles (Poodles and Saint Bernards)
• Schnoodles (Poodles and Miniature Schnauzer)
• Whoodles (Poodles and Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier)

Why People Love Doodles

A big part of why Doodles have grown in popularity is the same reason Conron bred Labradoodles in the ‘80s – to combine desirable traits from both Poodles and another breed. To start, Poodles offer multiple appealing characteristics:

• They don’t shed
• They are one of the most intelligent dog breeds
• They enjoy working
• They are typically easier to train
• They are highly responsive, playful, and affectionate

If these are traits that appeal to you, you’re not alone. These characteristics play a part as to why Doodles continue to grow in popularity. Other breeds can also add certain characteristics as well. For example, Australian Shepherds also tend to be very intelligent and trainable, which can help instill those traits into Aussiedoodles. Saint Bernards tend to be gentle, loving, and eager to please, making the typical Bernedoodle a great potential family dog when socialized. Add in the potential to limit shedding and Doodles can be a great fit for many families.

Another benefit of Doodle Dogs is that Doodles come in all shapes and sizes. In addition to character traits, you can find a Doodle that is the right size for you and your family. For example, a Westiepoo could be roughly 20 to 30 pounds, while a Newfypoo can easily weigh more than 100 pounds.

Another key reason that people love Doodle breeds is because they’re flat out adorable. Thanks to the natural curls of a Poodle, Doodles share that adorable wavy fur style that can make them look a bit like living teddy bears. Certain Doodle mixes can also have stunning multi-colored coats. Either way, it’s hard not to see a Doodle Dog and want to give them a big hug.

What You Can Do to Find the Perfect Doodle for You and Your Family

Weigh which characteristics are important to you

One of the great aspects of Doodles is that there are so many different types of Doodles that each offer a variety of desirable traits. The key is identifying which Doodle Dog is the best fit for your family.

Whether you’re looking for a certain size dog or specific characteristics, you’ll want to figure out what is most important for your household. Do you want a dog that’s typically more affectionate and social? A Goldendoodle sounds like a great potential fit. Need a dog that gets along with children and other dogs? Whoodles may be a natural fit.

As with all mixed breed dogs, it’s important to note that although certain breeds tend to have particular traits, that does not always mean that a breed mix has all of the traits of either breed.  If you are looking for a Doodle mix since one of your family members is sensitive to dogs or allergic, it doesn’t mean that all Labradoodles are hypoallergenic and don’t shed. There can be a lot of variation in how those breed mixes come together.

Remember that every personality is different

Even after you do some research into different types of Doodle breed mixes, it’s important to remember that every furry friend is different. While Poodles and other breeds may have some typical character traits, each individual dog can have a very distinct personality. This means that you shouldn’t assume that every Aussiedoodle will be easy to train. Initial research will help you learn more about typical traits, but you won’t know how a dog will be until you meet her for the first time.

Find the perfect food for your Doodle

The right dog food plays a critical role in supporting your furry friend. Dogs have a range of dietary needs, so it’s important to give them food that not only offers high-quality nutrition, but also delicious taste.

It’s valuable to note that you don’t need a breed-specific dog food to address your best friend’s nutritional needs. In fact, Doodle Dogs can vary so much from mix to mix that a singular Doodle breed formula wouldn’t be versatile enough for every dog. Instead, you’ll want to base your dog food decisions on some key traits:

• Size when full grown
• Age
• Food sensitivities or other factors

Basing your choice of kibble on these factors will help you identify a dog food formula that best addresses your Doodle’s specific needs. For more information on how to identify what your dog needs, check out our post on what it takes to pick the perfect dog food for your best friend.

Learn More About Your Best Friend

Whether you have a Doodle or another adorable four-legged friend, there’s always more to learn. Join our Best Friends Club today to receive our exclusive email newsletter full of articles on training tips, healthy habits, and members-only discounts on Bil-Jac dog food, treats, and other products.