Is A Doodle Dog Right For You? | Pant the Town Photography (2024)

Are you looking to bring a designer “Doodle” into your home? I’m here to share the pros and cons of owning a Doodle so you can make the decision if it’s the right fit for you and your family.

Disclaimer: I have never owned a “doodle” dog.

I have photographed an abundance of Doodles, from Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, and Bernedoodles. Are there others? I found 60 doodle mixes, including a Huskydoodle, Newfipoo and Pyredoodle.

I’m not going to start a debate. I’m a fan of rescue and ethical breeding. I”m also a huge fan of getting a breed or mix that fits your lifestyle. Doodles do come in all sizes from the littlest nuggets to a big Doberdoodle.

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Pros

1. Friendly and Social

Are you looking for the perfect dog to join you at the local winery patio or pub? Doodle dogs are known for being friendly, social, and good with children and even other pets that you might have in your household. The love to be the center of attention.

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2. Hypoallergenic

Do you have horrible allergies? They have a low shed rate and hypoallergenic coat. As I have a husky, I have no idea what’s it’s like to not have fur on EVERYTHING! This “pro” might make the top of your list!

3. Smart

Doodles pick up on things pretty quickly! They are very trainable. Do you love teaching tricks to a dog? Many of the doodles that I met enjoy giving a paw or high five!

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4. Healthy

Being “hybrids”, doodle dogs are less prone to genetic health issues that purebreds might have.

5. Energetic

This may be a “con” if you are looking for a couch potato! But… If you are looking to get off your butt and develop a healthy fitness routine, a doodle could be a great companion! Yes, there require regular exercise, which is a great motivator to get in shape.

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Cons

1. High Maintenance Grooming

I get my haircut 2-3 times a year, so I spend about $200-$250 a year. I’m fortunate I don’t have too much gray!

A doodle? I recently had this discussion with a client and the cost was $180 every 6 week or so, making it around $1500 a year. I will stick to shed and monthly $10 nail trims at my local pet boutique!

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2. Separation Anxiety

I have met a few doodle owners that struggled with this during the pandemic… and once they had to leave more for work. Yes, this can happen to any dog if not left for increasing periods of time, but doodles do have more “destructive” tendencies. Also, doodles get very attached to their owners. Again, this is from my experience in dog training and chatting with my photography clients.

Here is great post about doodles and separation anxiety that I found while searching.

3. Price

Yup, you will spend! Doodles will be expensive if you purchase from a breeder, costing several thousands of dollars. If you do plan to purchase from a breeder, please do your research to find a reputable breeder.

What about adoption? Yes, I have seen doodles come through rescue. There is a poodle rescue in New England: Poodle Rescue New England. I have also seen doodle come through the MSPCA Nevins Farm , where I have taught dog training classes and photographed adoptable pooches over the years.

The two Goldendoodle below, Luna and Haley, are actually littermates! Luna is more golden retriever and Haley definitely got the poodle genes. I have enjoyed photographing these two over the years and their mom and dad do continuous training classes with them!

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4. Health Concerns

Yes, I put this under “cons”, too! While hybrid strength may make doodles less prone to certain genetic health issues, they may still be prone to health concerns such as hip dysplasia or ear infections.

From my first hand experience talking with doodle owners, stomach issues seem to be very problematic.

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Are you ready for a doodle?

What do you think? Is this the dog for YOU? No matter what you decide, remember all dogs require time and patience. Do the research. Find the best dog that meets your lifestyle so that you can develop an amazing connection that only strengthens more and more over the years.

Around the Circle

This post is part of a pet photographer’s blog group where we tackle a new topic each week. If you follow along, you will learn a lot more about doodles as that is the topic of the week. Next up is Canovas Photography, from Hamilton, ON sharing some highlights of a sweet Doodle photoshoot session. Enjoy!

Is A Doodle Dog Right For You? | Pant the Town Photography (2024)

FAQs

Is a doodle the right dog for me? ›

Generally speaking, Doodles are high-energy dogs that need a lot of mental stimulation and exercise. They may not be a good fit for people who don't have time or resources for regular exercise. For example, herder breeds like border collies, Australian Shepherds, and Old English Sheepdogs require very high energy.

What are the downsides of Goldendoodles? ›

Cons
  • Energy: Some Goldendoodles have a lot of energy and require daily exercise to keep them happy and healthy. ...
  • Grooming: Goldendoodles require regular grooming to keep their coats healthy, shiny and free of mats. ...
  • Separation Anxiety: Goldendoodles are specifically bred to want to be with humand.

Why not to get a doodle dog? ›

Being a combination of Poodle and another working breed, such as Golden Retrievers, Australian Shepherds, Labradors, Sheepdogs, Bernese Mountain dogs, they are high-maintenance, high-energy dogs. They can and will become destructive if they are bored. They will require training, and quite a lot of it.

Why does everyone want a doodle dog? ›

Many people who are interested in doodles seem to gravitate toward the breed for their non-shedding reputation or their affable personalities. The hope is that the dogs would bring the best of both breeds into their offspring.

What is the calmest doodle dog? ›

Goldendoodles, in particular, stand out in the calm Doodle category. Known for their intelligence, they respond remarkably well to training, often excelling in obedience and socialization from a young age.

What is the calmest Poodle cross? ›

Pyredoodle. The Pyredoodle is a cross between the Great Pyrenees and Poodle. If you want a calm, sweet dog with lots of love to give, this mix fits the bill.

Why do goldendoodles have a bad reputation? ›

Despite being a hybrid of two breeds, the Goldendoodle has its fair share of hereditary based issues inherited from the Poodle and Golden Retriever. These include things like Addison's Disease and hip dysplasia.

What not to do with a Goldendoodle? ›

Punishments such as hitting or shouting at a Goldendoodle are not recommended and can inhibit the Doodle training process. Crate training and alone time training are highly recommended, as Goldendoodles can suffer from separation anxiety.

Are goldendoodles good for seniors? ›

Overall, Goldendoodles are known for their gentle temperament, making them ideal for households with kids and elders. “They especially benefit from having a strong bond with their human family and being part of the daily routine,” Whoriskey says.

Why don't groomers like doodles? ›

The hair shafts are curly. The results can become a groomer's nightmare when bred to a retriever or some other breed with a heavily–shedding double coat. In many cases, the doodle coat is so thick that it is nearly impossible to get a clipper through it, even when properly prepped.

What is the controversy with doodles? ›

Detractors argue that these mixed breeds are as predictable as a squirrel in a dog park, inheriting the worst traits of their lineage. They dismiss Doodle breeding as nothing more than a cash-grabbing trend, conveniently forgetting that all dog breeds were essentially custom-made to fit human desires.

What do vets say about Goldendoodles? ›

Goldendoodles might encounter issues related to their hips and elbows through their adult and senior years that are genetic predispositions from both their Golden Retriever and Poodle backgrounds. In this case, the Golden Retriever's genetics might be more to blame for issues with abnormal joint growth and discomfort.

Why do doodles put their paw on you? ›

Many dogs will put their mouth and paw on us – not with any intention to hurt, but more to attract play and affection. This is known as mouthing and pawing. This most commonly occurs with puppies, but often continues into adulthood.

Are doodles losing popularity? ›

The analysis shows: Doodle popularity is up, and Doodle parent breed popularity is down. Poodle crosses increased as a relative share of Nationwide's pet health insurance policies, while the relative share of the parent breeds fell.

What is the best type of doodle? ›

Goldendoodle

Arguably the most popular Doodle breed, the Goldendoodle is a cross between the Golden Retriever and the Poodle. They are sometimes referred to as “the golden child”. The Goldendoodle comes from two intelligent breeds and the combination results in an extremely smart one.

What do doodles tell you about a person? ›

An arch shape for instance can indicate someone is secretive, while retraced doodles are often a sign of being overworked. Criss-crosses can be a sign of anxiety, straight lines suggest someone is a “no nonsense” type and pointed shapes can indicate an ambitious and competitive nature.

Which doodle has the best personality? ›

Goldendoodle

The Goldendoodle comes from two intelligent breeds and the combination results in an extremely smart one. Due to their inherent intelligence, Goldendoodles can follow a wide variety of training regimens. They are eager to please nature, making them ideal for first-time owners.

Do doodles bond to one person? ›

And while Mini Poodles and Doodles are bright, loving, and intelligent, they do tend to bond more closely with just one family member. They are also not well suited to spending long hours alone, as they can be prone to separation anxiety and can become destructive.

Do doodles like to cuddle? ›

Energetic and playful, Goldendoodles love to exercise. They're happy to laze around on the sofa (and they make great cuddle buddies), but agility is where they shine.

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