Doodle dogs have become incredibly popular of late, and it’s really no surprise! With their sharp intelligence, energetic dispositions and low-shedding, hypoallergenic coats, these handsome hybrids are now highly sought after (and come with quite the hefty price tag). If you’ve just become the proud new pet parent of a Doodle dog, we’ve got you covered. Stay tuned for all things Doodl-icious, including essential information and tips for the new Doodle Mama or Papa, as well as your very own New Doodle (Noowdle?) Essentials Shopping List.
First, let’s quickly clarify exactly what a Doodle is, for those who may not be completely sure. Broadly speaking, a Doodle is any poodle cross. Where a standard poodle is involved, a medium or large crossbreed dog will typically result, whereas if a miniature or toy poodle is used for the cross then the offspring will grow up to be of smaller stature.
Reportedly the most popular types of standard poodle cross are the Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever + Standard Poodle), Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever + Standard Poodle) and Cavapoo (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel + Standard or Miniature Poodle)…but a great many other “flavors” of Doodle exist, too!
To help you locate the best products for your Doodle, the Essentials Shopping List below is broken down by size. This is important, because of course, a 5lb Yorkiepoo will require very different products and a very different diet from a 90lb Bernedoodle!
Small Doodles (5-15lb)
Examples:
Shih-Poo (Shih Tzu + Miniature or Toy Poodle)
Yorkipoo (Yorkshire Terrier + Miniature or Toy Poodle)
Foodle (Fox Terrier + Miniature or Toy Poodle)
Top Diet Pick
Small breed dogs have very different nutritional requirements compared to their larger canine counterparts, as well as benefiting from a smaller kibble size from a practical point of view when it comes to apprehension and chewing. For small breed Doodle puppies, as a veterinarian I recommend Hills Science Diet Small & Mini Puppy Dry Food. There’s also an equivalent food for those already in adulthood.
Whilst wet and dry foods both have their pros and cons, for small breed dogs (who tend to be more prone to dental disease) a kibble works best as the mechanical action of chewing the kibble can help prevent tartar formation.
Best Bedding Option
Small Doodle dogs will benefit from a more enclosed bed in which they can feel safe. This Mixjoy bed provides exactly that, along with a practical, washable cover, and a non-slip base; a must-have for when your super energetic Doodle bombs their way into their bed at the end of a busy day!
Top Toy Pick
Whether puppy or adult, petite Doodles will benefit from toys that may help assist with dental health. These ABRRLO teething chews are targeted at pups, but are perfectly suitable for adult mini-Doodles too. Plus they are frankly mega cute – never a bad thing!
Medium Doodles (15-50lb)
Examples:
Cavapoo (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel + Standard or Miniature Poodle)
Whoodle (Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier + Standard Poodle)
Schnoodle (Standard Schnauzer + Standard Poodle)
Top Diet Pick
For adult medium Doodles, I recommend this Eukanuba adult kibble, which contains targeted active ingredients to support healthy brain, joint and muscle function; imperative for these active and energetic doggos. And for baby medium Doodles, you really can’t go wrong with Eukanuba Premium Performance puppy food.
Best Bedding Option
Medium Doodles tend to be more highly strung compared to small or large Doodles, and will benefit from a calming dog bed that encourages rest and relaxation. This MFOX calming dog bed is a solid choice. Do note that multiple size options are available, so be sure to select the correct option for your Doodle dog.
Top Toy Pick
Medium Doodles are arguably the most intelligent of all the Doodles, due to the fact that typically in these cases the mega-brainy Poodle has been crossed with similarly smart pooch such as a terrier or other working dog breed. As such, medium Doodles will enjoy puzzle toys such as this Nina Ottosson Interactive Brick toy. Highly recommend!
Large Doodles (50lb+)
Examples:
Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever + Standard Poodle)
Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever + Standard Poodle)
Bernedoodle (Bernese Mountain Dog + Standard Poodle)
Rottle (Rottweiler + Standard Poodle)
Top Diet Pick
Large breed puppies have exceptionally high nutritional demands to support healthy growth. What’s more, since large Doodles – like other large dogs – are prone to the development of bone and joint disease, it’s especially important to select a diet which focuses on this important aspect. Contrary to the increasingly popular misconception that raw food diets can be helpful, the reality is that such diets are often nutritionally unbalanced. A good quality, cooked commercial dog food such as Acana’s Wholesome Grains Large Breed Dog Food (puppy and adult options are both available) is a far more suitable choice.
Puppy:
Adult:
Best Bedding Option
Bigger dogs are prone to orthopaedic problems, and large Doodle breeds are no exception. As well as benefiting from space to spread out, a memory foam or “ortho” dog bed is the perfect fit for these gentle giants. This one from Furhaven is a real winner.
Top Toy Pick
Every pet parent knows that the Kong is a classic, and for those newbie pet parents out there, you’ll surely soon learn! Large breed Doodles have greater caloric requirements than smaller Doodles, and so toys that can be stuffed with treats are a great shout. As well as providing mental stimulation, these toys can help ensure your pet’s nutritional needs are being met on a daily basis.
Top Doodle Tips for New Pet Parents
- Train from a young age if possible.
Poodles are the Einsteins of the dog world, and they pass this incredible intellect on to their Doodle offspring. For best results you should start training your Doodle puppy as soon as you bring them home at 8 weeks of age. If you’ve adopted an adult Doodle, there’s no reason not to start training now, too. It’s a myth that an old dog can’t learn new tricks, although it may take a little more time and perseverance.
- Establish Routine
Whatever the size and age of your new Doodle, once you’ve bought them home you’ll want to establish a routine as quickly as possible. This is because like many of us, dogs thrive on routine and find it reassuring. A routine will help your Doodle settle in faster. It will also make it easier for you to pick up on things if they aren’t right, for example, if your usually-keen Doodle suddenly turns his or her nose up at a walk, game of tug of war, or favorite treat. And the sooner a problem is noticed, the sooner veterinary help can be sought, saving both money and stress.
- Start ear-ly when it comes to ears
A downside to Doodle ownership is that these beautiful hypoallergenic hounds somewhat ironically do tend to suffer with skin and ear problems more often than their non-Doodle counterparts. For one thing, most Doodles are prone to waxy buildup inside their ears, and if left unchecked, this can and will lead to the development of ear infections. Prevention is certainly better than cure: whatever size of Doodle you own, I recommend cleaning his or her ears using Epiotic Advanced Ear Cleanser. Start with a frequency of twice weekly, and adjust upward or downwards as required.
