Doodle has become a popular word to refer to some mixed breed dogs that have a Poodle as a parent. This word is often combined with the other parent breed to form a new word for the dog.
Goldendoodles and Labradoodles are among the most popular ones that you may have heard of. Both of them have a Poodle as one parent and a different breed of dog as the other parent.
So why are Poodle mixes referred to as doodles?
Poodle mixes are called doodles simply because it is a way to refer to the Poodle part of the mix. The Doodle term began with a Labradoodle that was bred from a Poodle and Labrador Retriever and has become a popular term for all Poodle mixes since.
What Breeds are Crossed with Poodles?
Many Poodle mixes have the term doodle in their name. The following table will show you some of the most popular doodle dogs today.
Examples of dogs with the “doodle” term in their cross-breed name
- Airedoodle = Airedale Terrier + Poodle
- Bernedoodle = Bernese Mountain Dog + Poodle
- Bordoodle = Border Collie + Poodle
- Boxerdoodle = Boxer & Poodle + Poodle
- Cockerdoodle = Cocker Spaniel + Poodle
- Dalmadoodle = Dalmatian + Poodle
- Goldendoodle = Golden Retriever + Poodle
- Irish Doodle = Irish Setter + Poodle
- Labradoodle = Labrador Retriever + Poodle
- Newfoundlandoodle, Newfydoodle = Newfoundland + Poodle
- Pyredoodle = Great Pyrenees + Poodle
- Rottweilerdoodle, Rottiedoodle = Rottweiler + Poodle
- Saint Berdoodle = Saint Bernard + Poodle
- Sheepadoodle = Old English sheepdog + Poodle
- Shepadoodle = German Shepard + Poodle
- Springerdoodle = Springer Spaniel + Poodle
- Weimardoodle = Weimaraner + Poodle
- Wheaten doodle = Wheaton Terrier + Poodle
Many poodle mixes are close to being doodles but their name rolls off the tongue better with simply oodle. The list below contains a few of the popular ones.
Examples of dogs with the “oodle” term in their cross-breed name
- Bassetoodle = Basset Hound + Poodle
- Chipoodle = Chihuahua + Poodle
- Schnoodle = Schnauzer + Poodle
- Scoodle = Scottish Terrier + Poodle
- Whoodle = Wheaton Terrier + Poodle
- Yoodle = Yorkshire Terrier + Poodle
Note that nearly any Poodle mix can take on the doodle name in some way. Although many mixes take on the “poo” name instead, like the Yorkipoo or Cavapoo, doodle has become a term that just sounds better with many breed mixes and adds to the cuteness of the resulting teddy bear dog.
Temperament of Poodle Mixes
No matter what the doodle, anything that is mixed with a Poodle carries some of the same behavioral traits. They typically make great dogs and are nearly always on the highly intelligent side.
Let’s talk about a few specific mixes to learn about the temperament of these great dogs.
Labradoodle
A Labradoodle is the result of Poodle and a Labrador retriever. Since these two breeds are among the smartest, the Labradoodle is a very smart dog; sometimes too smart for its own good.
They are fun-loving and playful and they also tend to be protective and they get that from their Poodle lineage.
Goldendoodle
Goldendoodles are among the most popular Poodle mixes and can be found in all different sizes. A standard Doodle can get rather large but a miniature one is a great size for being a lap dog.
Goldendoodles are extremely smart and the standard size ones tend to be high energy and playful. They tend to be a bit mischievous since they have such high intelligence.
They make great family pets and fit in well with children and other animals living in the household.
Bordoodle
A Bordoodle is one of the most intelligent mixed breed dogs you will ever encounter. Since its parents include two of the most intelligent dogs in the world, it’s no wonder that this crossbreed is super smart.
They also tend to be friendly and pleasant to be around. They make great family pets but do tend to be a bit protective.
Sheepadoodle
Not only are Sheepadoodles super cute, but also very smart and loving like most other Poodle mixes. They are available in different sizes including standard, miniature and toy and can weigh upwards of 85 pounds.
They tend to be very playful and calm tempered. They are easy to train and make great family pets.
Bernedoodle
Another intelligent crossbreed is the Bernedoodle. This great family dog tends to be friendly, loving and social. They are obedient and gentle and do well in families with children.
They also need a moderate amount of activity and enjoy going on walks.
Schnoodle
Schnoodles can inherit traits from both parental breeds. From the Poodle, they may get a high amount of intelligence and protective traits and from the Schnauzer, they may inherit the high energy and loyalty traits.
I have had both, a Poodle and a Schnauzer in my family and can say that both of these breeds have a temperament that is great for families.
By mixing them both together, you have a recipe for a great family dog that will be intelligent, loyal, playful and overall good-natured.
Why Mix the Poodle with Other Breeds?
This is a fair question since many people are concerned with only having purebred dogs. The term designer breed is used for Poodle mixes since breeders have basically designed a new breed from two purebred dogs.
Why would anyone want to do this? There are many reasons that one might mix this great breed with other breeds.
One of the main reasons for the mixing of the Poodle is to gain the hypoallergenic qualities of the breed.
Poodles have hair that sheds very little. They do not have an undercoat and thus do not shed and carry as much dander as many other breeds that do.
This makes the perfect dog for people with allergies and those who do not want a dog that sheds constantly in their house.
When mixing the Poodle with other breeds, the resulting crossbreed is likely to inherit this great quality as well as other great qualities from the other breed.
Other reasons that one might want a dog that is mixed with a Poodle might include:
- The high intelligence level of the Poodle is often inherited – Poodles are among the smartest dog breeds on the planet. Only a Border Collie regularly gets recognized as being smarter.
- You can determine the size of the dog. Since Poodles come in different sizes, breeding them with other dogs can result in a smaller size.
- A healthier resulting dog. When breeds are mixed, it is the usual belief that they will be healthier than the parent breeds with less disease and fewer health problems overall.
Adopting a Doodle
Unfortunately, many Poodle mix dogs end up in shelters as owners discover traits and issues that they do not want to work with. A dog is not a product that you buy and can expect to act or perform a certain way.
Instead, they are real, breathing, living beings just like you and I. Each has a different personality and they come with quirks and issues that you’ll have to deal with.
No matter what type of doodle you are interested in bringing home, it will not be a perfect road to happiness.
Many people are unwilling to work with their doodles and so they end up re-homing them, or worse, end up surrendering them to a shelter to be adopted by another family.
This can be a sad situation and have a lasting effect on the dog but it is also a chance for them to find a more suitable owner that will work with them and accept them as part of their family.
Consider adopting a doodle because there are many of these types of dogs that will make great pets if given a second chance.
Living With a Doodle
I have lived with my Mini Goldendoodle for 13 years now and have learned quite a bit about the cross-breed over the years. It has not been easy but with her intelligence and willingness to learn and be obedient, she has become the best dog I have ever known.
The time I have spent with her is something I cherish and she has touched my soul at a level that I had never experienced before. She has a fun personality and keeps me smiling regularly.
She is extremely smart, well-behaved (for the most part) and makes the perfect friend that shows me unconditional love.
Some of our favorite things to do include going for walks, playing hide and seek and playing chase around the house as she tries to keep me from getting her toy.
We keep coming up with new games to play and it has been fun being a part of her life.
Final Thoughts
Doodles make great pets and often inherit the personality of the Poodle which many of us have come to love. The doodle name is just a name but no matter what type of doodle, they have the potential to become an important part of any family.
Most of them do well with children, have a long healthy lifespan and will make your life better in many ways.
If you like Poodles, have allergies or simply want an extremely intelligent dog, a doodle may make a great pet for you and your family.