Breed Tips

Top Doodle Dog Breeds

Someone somewhere in the world thought that it would be great to mix a Poodle, the elegantly curly and intelligent breed with every other dog they can get their hands on. And this time god did not have any other plan. The idea turned out to be great and today we have over 40 different types of Poodle mixes, or what you searched for – Doodles! 

That somewhere, someone was actually Wally Conron from Australia, who mixed a Labrador and a Poodle to create a hypoallergenic guide dog. The request came from a blind Hawaiian woman whose husband was allergic to dogs. Wally tried to train Poodles for 3 years to become a guide dog but failed. This is when his boss asked him to cross a Labrador and Poodle. Fast forward to now and we have a whole line of Doodles. Looks like people do love ‘Doodling’.

What is the Best Doodle Dog to Get? 

The best Doodle would be subjective here. While almost all doodles are hypoallergenic because of the Poodle, depending on the other parent, the characteristics, temperament, energy levels, etc. can differ. 

Goldendoodle - The Heartthrob

Goldendoodle

Goldendoodles are like your favorite dog breed that just stepped out of a high-end doggy salon. They are athletic, intelligent and obedient. They come in brown, red, gold, cream, black, and white. It’s difficult to not have goldendoodles in the list of best doodles. 

Labradoodle - The Original Doodle

Labradoodle

Talking of both parents being among the most popular dog breeds! Labrador Retriever has topped most of the popular dog breed lists for years. Highly intelligent, affectionate and calm – there was no chance for us to exclude Labradoodles from the list.

Bernedoodle - The Anywhere Doodle

Bernese Mountain Dog Health Problems

This cross between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Poodle created a dog that has a love for outdoor activities but would also love to sit in bed and snuggle with you. Bernedoodles are also highly intelligent and hence trainable. 

Other Doodles that you can look at are – 

  • Cavapoo (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel + Doodle)

  • Aussiedoodle (Australian Shepherd + Doodle)

  • Foodle - Toy / Wire / Smooth-Haired Fox Terrier + Poodle

  • Noodle – Poodle + Nougat…Just kidding  

What is the Smartest Doodle Dog to Get? 

Many Doodles can appear on the smartest breeds of all time because of the intelligent genes from their parents. Labradoodle, for example, has very high intelligence levels because of the mighty Labradors. But if you want the best of the best then it has to be the Bordoodle (Border Collie + Poodle). The credit here fully goes to the Border Collies. They are considered to be the smartest dog breeds in the world. They are so smart that they can learn and understand up to 1000 commands. An average dog can go up to 300. (2)

Both Border Collies and Poodles have their IQ in the range of 150 on the dog scale. Average doggies are at around 100. Bordoodles got a genetic lottery from both their parents! (2)

Which Doodle Barks the Least? 

We have a list of Doodles that relatively bark less than their counterparts. It includes- 

  • French Boodle (French Bulldog + Poodle)

  • Bordoodle (Border Collie + Poodle)

  • Bernedoodle (Bernese Mountain Dog + Poodle)

  • Irish Doodle (Irish Setters + Poodle)

  • Shih Poo (Shih Tzu + Poodle)

But if we were to give an award to the least barking one, it would be to the extremely cute, white ball of fur, the Dalmadoodle. Dalmatians are known for their silent nature. Most won’t even bark at strangers. So, if you’re looking for a doodle that barks the least, Dalmadoodle is the answer! (3)

Which Doodles Don’t Shed?

Up to 30% of the people in the US have an allergy to dogs. (5) We understand your ask. Now there are two types of dogs you can look at here – hypoallergenic or non-shedding. These are not exclusive to each other as some breeds can be both.

Doodles are considered to be hypoallergenic because of the hypoallergenic genes from the Poodle. However, do note that there is no completely hypoallergenic dog breed out there. So, if you are looking at doodles that shed minimal, here’s your list – 

  • Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel + Poodle)

  • Maltipoo (Maltese + Poodle)

  • Shihpoo (Shih Tzu + Poodle)

  • Yorkipoo (Yorkshire Terrier + Poodle)

  • Schnoodle (Schnauzer + Poodle)

You basically have to look for both non-shedding parents.

More About Spot Pet Insurance

Doodles may seem like the perfect combination dog breed – the best of 2 worlds. And they are. But unfortunately, even they are prone to certain medical conditions in their lifetime just like any other dog. These include – (6)

  • Skin infections

  • Kennel cough

  • Urinary Tract infections

  • Parvovirus

  • Dental problems

  • Obesity, etc. 

During such times, your savings can take a serious hit if the illness turns out to be severe. With pet health insurance, you can save up to 90% of all the costs. 

Spot accident and illness plans can be used with any licensed vet in Canada or the U.S. Whether you are home, or traveling to the U.S., veterinary services your pet receives for the diagnosis, treatment, or management of covered conditions can be eligible for reimbursement. Spot’s accident and illness plans can help cover a variety of conditions including broken bones, lacerations, aggression, kidney disease, diabetes, and more. With the addition of Wellness Riders for an extra cost, you can also receive reimbursements for wellness exams, certain vaccinations, dental cleanings, and more. 

Learn more about dog insurance or get a free quote!

Sources

  1. Npr. (2019, September 27). Labradoodle creator laments his work that made the breed. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2019/09/27/765186490/labradoodle-creator-laments-his-work-that-made-the-breed

  2. tresilla@raggydogs.com.au. (2023, June 29). 10 Must Have Quiet Poodle mixes that don’t bark too much. Raggy Dogs Blog - Educate, Inspire, Support. https://raggydogs.com.au/blog/poodle-mixes-that-dont-bark/

  3. Elwin, W. (2023, May 16). Doodle Dogs Breeds that Don’t shed - Lover Doodles. Lover Doodles. https://www.loverdoodles.com/doodle-dogs-breeds-that-dont-shed/

  4. Stregowski, J. (2024, May 20). Common dog diseases and health issues. The Spruce Pets. https://www.thesprucepets.com/common-dog-health-problems-1117863

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