Do you love fluffy, happy, cuddly dogs that you just want to hug? If your answer is yes then a double doodle could be the perfect dog for you. Would you care for a Doodle Dog? “Yes I’d like a Doodle Dog please! Wait, make mine a Double Doodle!” So, what is a double doodle?
A double doodle is a hybrid dog breed and is typically a cross between a Goldendoodle ( a Golden Retriever bred with a Poodle) and a Labradoodle ( a Labrador Retriever bred with a Poodle). In other words, the Goldendoodle and Labradoodle are bred to produce the Double Doodle. The Double Doodle is quickly gaining in popularity. There are other dog breeds crossed with Poodles that are also becoming popular double doodles.
Why Double Doodles are Becoming So Popular
Double Doodles are adorable, playful dogs resembling fluffy teddy bears. They are extremely intelligent and learn quickly. The ability to be trained quickly can help a family become more attached and happy that they chose a double doodle.
The popularity of the double doodle is likely due to the fact that they are such great family dogs. They are typically gentle, intelligent, and friendly. They also tend to have a low shedding coat, which is great for people who suffer from allergies.
Double Doodles have a gentle, loving personality. This means they are good with kids and make great cuddle buddies. They tend to be energetic and athletic which makes them a terrific family dog. Double Doodles thrive with daily exercise making them ideal for kids. Without regular exercise they can get into mischief so it’s important to exercise them regularly.
The Most Popular Double Doodle is Comprised of Three Purebred Dogs: The Poodle, the Golden Retriever, and the Labrador Retriever
When considering a double doodle for your family keep in mind dogs from the same litter can vary greatly in terms of shedding and personality. Although Poodles shed very little the Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever are both considered heavy shedders. Therefore pups from the same litter can shed very little or can be heavy shedders. Some of the pups may have thick wavy hair and others short hair.
Knowing this information influences how hypoallergenic the dog will be if you have a family member that has allergies. It’s important to ask the breeder their opinion of the puppies.
Characteristics of Each Breed:
Poodle:
Poodles are very low shedding and are considered the second smartest dog breed in the world after the Border Collie. Poodles are also considered to be hypoallergenic, which is very important to many families that want a dog and have a family member with allergies. This is why Poodles are a popular dog to cross breed with other types of dogs to yield a low shedding, hypoallergenic, smart cross bred dog. These traits makes them a great choice as a family pet.
The Poodle is known as an intelligent, athletic, elegant dog and is a crowned champion of many dog competitions. The Poodle was the number one most popular dog breed for 22 years in a row from 1960 to 1982 according to the American Kennel Club and is still in the top 10 to this day.
The Poodle is the 2nd smartest dog in the world after the Border Collie according to a groundbreaking study by Dr. Stanley Coren. Dr. Coren is a neuropsychological researcher and psychology professor highly praised for his understanding and research of the human – canine bond and canine behavior. His most referenced research was his book, “The Intelligence of Dogs”, published in 1994. The book was again published in 2006 and ranked the intelligence of over 100 dog breeds.
One of the criteria he used was the understanding of new commands in less than 5 repetitions and to obey the first command 95% of the time or better.
Poodles come in 3 sizes:
Standard Poodle: Over 15 inches tall (average height at the withers is 18″- 24″) weighing 45 to 70 pounds
Miniature Poodle: 10 to 15 inches tall weighing 12 to 20 pounds
Toy Poodle: Under 10 inches tall and weighing 5 to 7 pounds
Poodles are energetic, fun loving dogs and are sometimes just silly clowns! They have a wonderful prance when running and like to play fetch. They are good family dogs and Standard Poodles are used as companion dogs. They do require frequent grooming as their hair will grow long and become matted. The need for frequent brushing and grooming can become expensive unless you’re a do it yourselfer. My 3 year old Standard Poodle can vouch for frequent grooming. She is a playful, active member of the household.
Poodles were originally bred over 400 years ago in Germany as a retrieving water dog for hunters. They were later adopted as the national dog of France. Poodles are the 6th most popular dog in the United States for the year 2020 according to AKC.
Golden Retriever:
Golden Retrievers are known as the friendliest, most gentle dog breed in the world. Always ready to please, these wonderful, beautiful dogs make great companions. Golden Retrievers are typically from 21 inches to 24 inches tall and weigh from 55 to 75 pounds. They are quite versatile and are used as therapy dogs, drug-sniffing dogs, and service dogs. Yes, they make great cuddle buddies. I had one for 13 years, her name was Ginger, and she was right by my side when I recovered from surgery ready to provide comfort. All of our visitors loved to see Ginger when they came to our house. She was a wonderful family member!
Golden Retrievers, similar to the Poodle are very smart dogs. They are considered the 4th smartest breed in the world according to Dr Coren’s book.
Golden Retrievers are very gentle with kids and tend to be protective of their family members. Their life expectancy is from 10 to 12 years. One negative for the Golden Retriever is they tend to be heavy shedders. This is why Goldens are bred with Poodles to yield a low shedding dog. Golden Retrievers are the 4th most popular dog in the United States for 2020 according to AKC.
Labrador Retrievers:
The friendly, energetic Labrador Retriever is the number one most popular dog in the United States for the 30th year in a row according to AKC including the year 2020! The Labrador Retriever originated in Newfoundland, Canada. These very popular dogs were known as working dogs and were used as fisherman’s helpers. They would retrieve fish, haul nets, and fetch ropes from the water. Labrador Retrievers are still water lovers today and are happy to go swimming with you.
Labrador Retrievers are typically 22 to 23 inches tall and weigh 55 to 80 pounds. Labs are good with children making them a natural member of the family. They do need to be exercised regularly to burn off excess energy. Being a retriever it’s not unusual to see a Labrador Retriever carry around a favorite toy. They have short hair but tend to be heavy shedders. Again, breeding them with the Poodle tends to yield a lower shedding dog.
The Labrador Retriever is also a top 10 intelligent dog coming in at number 7 according to Dr Coren.
Other Double Doodle dogs Gaining in Popularity:
Ausiedoodle (Australian Shepherd bred with a Poodle) crossed with a Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever bred with a Poodle)
Aussiedoodle (Australian Shepherd bred with a Poodle) bred with a Bernedoodle (Bernese Mountain dog bred with a Poodle). The result is a colorful dog.
Bernedoodle ( Bernese Mountain Dog bred with a Poodle) bred with a Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever bred with a Poodle)
The Double Doodle – A Great Family Dog
The double doodle is a fluffy teddy bear you wanna hug with a friendly personality and makes a great family dog. With a wonderful blend of traits from the Poodle, Golden Retriever, and the Labrador Retriever these dogs make a natural addition to most any family. Of course, now there is a growing list of double doodles becoming available.
Since they prefer companionship and are trainable, these fun loving teddy bear dogs with sometimes quirky personalities are rising in popularity by leaps and bounds. (Pun intended!)