15 Types of Doodle Dogs Explained, by Experts, Trainers and Me (a Totally Non-Biased Doodle Owner)
Some little girls dream of a prince coming to sweep them away, but I never did. I wanted a goldendoodle—a crossbreed of a golden retriever and a standard poodle that I could walk, pet and just you know, ride off into the sunset with. And, unlike all those disappointed little girls and their frog princes, my golden doodle Roy made me happier than I’d anticipated. I like to think that it’s his breed that really delivers in terms of intelligence, affection and handsomeness…so much so that, a year after Roy arrived, my family went to the animal rescue league and came home with a second doodle, this time a cocker Spaniel and poodle mix. Cockapoo Gus is a bit barkier and slower-witted than his older brother, but he’s a fetch-playing dynamo that always makes me smile.
So, I’m qualified (or, perhaps way too biased) to weigh in on these types of doodle dogs, among the most popular dog breeds in the U.S. Unofficially speaking, that is, since the dozens of “designer dog” poodle mixes that have snowballed in popularity since the 1980s are not recognized as purebreeds by the American Kennel Club or the Westminster Kennel Club. That’s because successive generations of doodles don’t appear uniform, in other words, they can vary in size and coat from their forefathers. However, in my experience, the gamble you take with your doodle trait expression—for example, I would have preferred Roy’s coat be of the smoother variety as opposed to the curly coat he wore—all this was more than made up for by the dog’s stylish gait, predilection for hugs and infectious grin. So, while I never ran him through a dog DNA test, he was 100 percent doodle through and through. When he passed last month, after a long and happy life, I was gutted, but cheered that I still had another doodle to cheer me up—there’s Gus now, reminding me that there’s still a jaunty game of fetch I have to share.
So, in memory of Roy—and in honor of Gus and all the doodle lovers already sharing fuzzy, funny games with their mixed breeds out there, I’ve consulted experts and authorities for all the doodle stats and facts about their finer points. Ranging from 5 to over 100 pounds, in colors ranging from white to black and parti (that’s a special name for poodle coloration that’s part white, part black/brown/red/blue), here’s a look at some of the most popular poodle mixes in the U.S. today.
The 18 Best Chew Toys for Dogs That Are Vet-Approved
Meet the Experts
1. Golden Doodle (Golden Retriever + Poodle)
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Height: 12 to 21 inches
Weight: 20 to 80 pounds
Personality: friendly, reliable, trustworthy and well-rounded; even-tempered around children, the elderly and the disabled, so a suitable service dog
Activity Level: active dogs that enjoy exercise and outdoor activities, highly trainable
Shedding Factor: non- to low-shedding
Life Expectancy: 10 to 15 years, longer for smaller breeds
2. Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever + Poodle)
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Height: 22 to 25 inches
Weight: 50 to 75 pounds
Personality: energetic, eager to please, intelligent
Activity Level: recommended two 45-minute walks a day
Shedding Factor: non to low-shedding, depending on inherited traits
Life Expectancy: 12 to 14 years
3. Schnoodle (Schnauzer + Poodle)
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Getty Images/ Devon and Cornwall Photography
Height: 10 to 26 inches
Weight: 5 to 70 pounds
Personality: social, intelligent, vocal
Activity Level: energetic and loves to play
Shedding Factor: minimal, but requires brushing
Life Expectancy: 8 to 12 years
4. Maltipoo (Maltese + Poodle)
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Getty Images/Evrymmnt
Height: 8 to 14 inches
Weight: 5 to 20 pounds
Personality: loving, social, can bark a lot
Activity Level: medium
Shedding Factor: minimal, benefits from daily brushing
Life Expectancy: 10 to 15 years
5. Cavapoo/Cavoodle (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel + Poodle)
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Height:
Weight: 12 to 20 pounds
Personality: snuggly, gentle, craves companionship
Activity Level: medium
Shedding Factor: minimal
Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
6. Peekapoo (Pekingese + Toy/Miniature Poodle)
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Getty Images/ Teresa Lett
Height: under 11 inches
Weight: 4 to 20 pounds
Personality: loyal, playful, tends to be barky
Activity Level: high
Shedding Factor: low
Life Expectancy: 10 to 15 years
7. Sheepadoodle (Sheepdog + Poodle)
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Getty Images/ Ozgur Donmaz
Height: 16 to 22 inches
Weight: 65 to 85 pounds
Personality: obedient, easy-going, friendly, gets lonely
Activity Level: high
Shedding Factor: low-shedding
Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
8. Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel + Poodle)
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Getty Images/Brighton Dog Photography
Height: 8 to 18 inches
Weight: 5 to 35 pounds
Personality: playful, loyal, adaptable
Activity Level: high-energy
Shedding Factor: low-shedding
Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
9. Bernedoodle (Bernese Mountain Dog + Poodle)
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Getty Images/ Timothy Guarderas
Height: 23 to 29 inches
Weight: 45 to 110 pounds
Personality: intelligent, gentle, loyal, social
Activity Level: moderate
Shedding Factor: low-shedding
Life Expectancy: 12 to 18 years
10. Aussiedoodle (Australian Shepard + Poodle)
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Getty Images/ Steve Bruckmann
Height: 19 to 24 inches
Weight: 30 to 70 pounds
Personality: intelligent, friendly, attention-loving
Activity Level: high
Shedding Factor: minimal
Life Expectancy: 10 to 14 years
11. Whoodle (Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers + Poodles)
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Height: 14 to 20 inches
Weight: 20 to 45 pounds
Personality: enthusiastic, intelligent, cuddly
Activity Level: high
Shedding Factor: low, but requires brushing
Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
12. Shih-Poo (Shih Tzu and Toy Poodles)
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Getty Images/ mariakbell
Height: 8 to 18 inches
Weight: 8 to 18 pounds
Personality: eager to please, affectionate
Activity Level: moderate
Shedding Factor: low
Life Expectancy: 13 to 17 years
13. Westipoo (West Highland White Terrier + Poodle)
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Getty Images/ John Alabaszowski
Height: 11 to 17 inches
Weight: 25 to 35 pounds
Personality: fun-loving, social, affectionate
Activity Level: high
Shedding Factor: low
Life Expectancy: 12 to 15 years
14. Yorkipoo (Yorkshire Terrier + Poodle)
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Getty Images/Wirestock
Height: 7 to 15 inches
Weight: 5 to 15 pounds
Personality: energetic, cuddly, vocal, intelligent
Activity Level: high
Shedding Factor: low
Life Expectancy: 10 to 15 years
15. Irish Doodle (Irish Setter + Poodle)
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15. Irish Doodle (Irish Setter + Poodle)
Height: 24 to 28 inches tall
Weight: 15 to 70 pounds
Personality: sweet, smart, gentle, energetic, willful
Activity Level: high
Shedding Factor: low
Life Expectancy: 10 to 13 years
What Are Doodle Dogs Like?
Besides an overarching propensity for intelligence and cuteness, personalities of types of doodle dogs are as individualized as the breeds they encompass. That is, they are not all gentle giants like my standard poodle golden retriever mix Roy was, and they’re not all anxious like my little cockapoo Gus. For example, according to Doodle Pro Corinne Gearhart, Gus is a shy doodle: “Your doodle is a little nervous around new people and places. They are highly sensitive to their surroundings and may be hesitant to try out different activities.” (I highly recommend taking the dog trainer’s speedy and insightful dog personality test.) Your doodle’s personality and preferences will be their own, but for a sense of their tendencies, look to their parent’s breeds.
