7 Things to Consider Before Getting a Doodle

1. What is a Doodle and why are they so popular?

The popularity of Doodles, a cross between a Poodle and another breed, has surged in recent years, with its history a bit mirky. While Goldendoodles and Labradoodles were the dominant types of doodles 15 years ago, Doodles are now being bred in all sizes to fit various lifestyles. The initial surge in popularity stemmed from the belief that doodles were hypoallergenic, although I've seen discussions questioning the validity of this claim. Despite this, the love for doodles has continued to grow as they make fantastic pets that can adapt to a wide range of households.

2. What do people love about their Doodles?

Doodle dogs possess a plethora of lovable qualities that endear them to their owners. They are characterized by their joyful and silly personalities, intelligence, trainability, eagerness to please, and compatibility with other dogs and children, with an added bonus of no shedding and they are adorbs!

3. Is a Doodle the right dog for you?

Doodles can be energetic, exuberant, goofy and did I mention energetic? If you're not up for logging several miles a day, you may want to consider a smaller doodle, like a Cavapoo or Shih-Poo.

Grooming costs can get expensive, and all Doodles need regular grooming.

4. Doodle Cons

Like us humans, no dog is perfect, though dogs are much closer to perfect than us humans. 

A couple of common issues I've heard are pica and separation anxiety.

Other than that, the complaints were related to grooming needs -  their beards can be be messy, and their grooming needs can be a bit much. The good news is, they can just be shaved down every 6 weeks, and the beard and faces can be shaved as well.

5. Choosing your Doodle

They are all cute, so how do you choose the type of doodle that's right for you? 

Take the time to research and consider which other breed is right for you. To make an informed decision, start by assessing your lifestyle, living situation, and the type of temperament you're looking for in a pet. Consider factors such as the size of the dog, and exercise requirements. Keep in mind that each doodle breed has its unique traits and characteristics, so it's vital to learn as much as possible about the breed you're interested in to ensure it's a good fit for you and your family. By doing your research and taking the time to make an informed decision, you can select the perfect doodle dog that will bring joy and companionship to your home for years to come.

6. Genetics matter

As mentioned above, choosing the other breed is important, because of the heritable traits. But, if you're going through a breeder, it's also crucial to research reputable breeders and to take the time to visit and interact with as many related dogs as you possibly can. Genetics matter and challenging traits, like pica and separation anxiety are heritable.  

It's not uncommon for the breeder to only have the female on the premises, so don't be surprised if you cannot meet both parents. But you should meet every dog in the household who is related.  If possible, other dogs produced by the breeder, and talk to the owners about how they are to live with, health issues, etc.

You'll want to look up the common health issues for both breeds and confirm the breeder has done the appropriate health testing for both breeds.

If you're rescuing your doodle, you may want to do a test like Embark to learn about the other breed. Knowing the genetics behind your dog's behavior can be helpful.

7. Grooming

Yes, I mentioned grooming above, but grooming is going to be important. So before you commit to a Doodle, find yourself a groomer - preferably through a referral from someone you trust. 

Be prepared to take your puppy to your groomer at a young age. It's important that your Doodle is comfortable being handled by other people so that every grooming day isn't traumatic and a horrible experience. 

Good luck!