A poodle mix is any dog that’s an offspring of a purebred poodle with another purebred dog or a poodle mix. Poodle mixes are also known as doodles, how cute is that? Doodles have become very popular in recent times as they give you the best of both worlds or should I say best of both breeds. Mixed poodles are hybrid/mixed/crossbreed dogs. They are also known as designer dogs. These hybrids are a result of intra-species mating as all dogs belong to the same species. Poodles are among the most popular and preferred dog breeds in the world.
Mixed poodles are sometimes a result of accidental mating but most poodles are intentionally crossbred for acquiring desired traits in their offspring. The offspring has positive traits and looks of both breeds which is known as hybrid vigor. It implies that when 2 unrelated dogs reproduce, it reduces or prevents the chance of inheritable diseases.
Poodles are one of the most intelligent dog breeds in the world and when crossed with another breed their positive traits amplify, shedding, and dander reduce leading to fewer allergies for their human parents. You can also thank the hybrid vigor for their longer life when compared to other dogs of their size.
But there are always some negatives, the larger varieties may be prone to issues like hip dysplasia or joint problems whereas the smaller ones may be prone to heart disease or blindness. They are very intelligent and active dogs so they require a great deal of exercise and mental stimulation.
History Of Poodles
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Poodles are popularly known to be German in origin but some debates exist claiming their french ancestry. Poodles were originally bred to hunt birds in water games, so they are not only known for their looks but also for their traits like swimming and hunting. Their dense hair which is a cause of extreme fluffiness and cuteness protects their vital organs from cold water during swimming.
A poodle is known as Pudel in German and Caniche in French. Mixed poodles or doodle mixes come in a variety of sizes that include:
- Toy poodle: these are the smallest and can be crossed with other small breeds. They are around 10 inches in height and weigh up to 3kgs.
- Miniature poodle: they make the most popular poodle mixes. They are up to 15 inches tall, weighing 4.5 to 7kgs.
- Medium poodle: they are also used for crossbreeding that creates poodle mixes. They are up to 18 inches tall, weighing 9 to 16kgs.
- Standard poodle: they are the largest ones reaching 24 inches in height and weighing around 18 to 31 kgs. They can be crossbred with other medium or large-breed dogs.
Best Poodle Mixes
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I’ll share with you some of the most popular and adorable types of poodle mixes and help you find the best fit for your family.
Here are some quick suggestions but I’ll explain the traits of each kind as we move further.
- If you want a poodle for your apartment, I recommend you to go for a small poodle mix like toy Maltipoo, cockapoo, Yorkipoo.
- If you’re looking for a family dog then I’d suggest you go for a Goldendoodle, Cavapoo, or Labradoodle.
- If you want a dog to be your kid’s best friend, Cavapoo, Newfypoo and cockapoo are the best choices.
- If you love dogs but hate having hair all around the house, you should go for a Goldendoodle or Labradoodle.
All doodles have a loving personality, good temperament, agility, intelligence, and lots of energy. Their coats need special attention and must be groomed regularly as they have curly hair. One thing you must always remember before getting a dog is that ‘A dog is for life.’ They are a pack of love and happiness but they also need constant attention and care for life.
Let’s See Some Most Popular Types of Poodle Mixes in No Particular Order:
Cockapoo
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It’s one of the smaller poodle mixes. Cockapoo is a mix of cocker spaniel and poodle. They are a perfect fit if you have a small apartment or a place with kids running around.
They are one of the oldest poodle mixes. They are fond of interaction and attention and expect a lot of it. They are affectionate dogs and do not shy away from showing it. As they are half poodles, they are very intelligent and their people-pleasing nature makes them easy to train.
You can get a cockapoo by breeding spaniels with either small, miniature, or standard poodles which result in the consequent size of the offspring. They tend to live a long life but are prone to blindness in old age.
Yorkipoo
Source: Dogbreedexpert.com
As the name suggests they are a poodle terrier mix. This cross between a poodle and a Yorkshire terrier is a well-known designer breed. They are a mix of two toy breeds and do not require a lot of exercise. With the right amount of love and attention, they remain on their best behavior.
If you are allergic to hair or live in a small apartment, this is the perfect fit for you. Their hair is hypoallergenic and their small size makes them good for small spaces. They have cheerful and vocal personalities.
Golden Doodle
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They are a mix of two extremely adorable breeds. They can weigh up to 35 kgs depending on the size of the poodle used for breeding. They are suitable for houses with a lawn to run around. You can go for a toy Goldendoodle if you don’t have an outdoor space.
These are very family-oriented dogs but less suitable around kids because they are energetic and unaware of their strength. They do not shed like purebred golden retrievers at all and only require regular grooming to keep the fur clean. They have cute ears like that of a retriever.
They are playful, affectionate, energetic, and smart along with their good looks. They are prone to hip and joint issues which can be prevented by proper diet and supplementation
Maltipoo
Source: Dailypaws.com
Another choice for a small home is a mix of Poodle with Maltese. They adapt well to new places and with new people and require a lot of attention. They hate being left alone for a long time. They are easygoing, friendly, and intelligent. They don’t shed much, don’t require a lot of exercise,s and are hypoallergenic.
Saint Berdoodle
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A combination of Saint Bernard and a poodle makes a perfect family dog. Smartness and intelligence with a large cuddly body, what more could we ask for? They are sweet gentle giants.
They are extremely social and get destructive due to anxiety when left alone. Parent supervision is needed when they are around kids as they are huge and may hurt a kid unintentionally by knocking them down during play.
Cavoodle or Cavapoo
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A family dog and a best friend for your kids. They are a mix of Cavalier King Charles spaniel and poodle. They love being around people and may experience social anxiety when left alone. They love to play fetch and require mental stimulation.
They can be a bit hard to train due to their tricky personality but nothing a little positive reinforcement cannot fix. Regular grooming is a must to keep their fluff nice and shiny.
Labradoodle
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A cross between a labrador and poodle, they are family dogs. They are hypoallergenic and barely shed. They are famous for being one of the best poodle mixes. They are easy to groom due to their short coat and being from a retriever family, they love water.
They have a good temperament, intelligence and are very affectionate in nature.
Also Read: Large White Dog Breeds: 10 Cute & Big White Fluffy Dogs
Newfypoo
Source: hellobark.com
A combination of poodle and Newfoundland, their hearts are as big as they are. They are gentle around kids and require a lot of exercise and attention. They are suitable for houses with open space.
They can grow up to 45 kgs. If socialized at a young age, they’ll be perfect around both kids and strangers. Their coat needs less attention than Newfoundland’s but definitely more than most poodles. They are extremely loyal and have a calm temperament.
Irish Doodle
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A mix between a poodle and an Irish setter they are also known as the Irish poo. They are both playful and skilled. Irish doodles are equipped with traits like retrieving, hunting and playfulness.
They need socialization, obedience training, mental stimulation, and lots of exercise. They do well around other dogs and kids. They are suitable for apartments.
You can get a small poodle mix, a large poodle mix, or a poodle crossed with almost any other breed out there. There’s a perfect fit for everyone. All of these mixes may look different, have different coat colors and textures, different sizes but what you’ll find common in all of them is cuteness, loyalty, love, and affection because these traits come with the entire canine species. No matter what your dog looks like, it’ll definitely add joy to your life.
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