Here’s Why Poodle Mixes Are So Special

Scroll through any pet rescue site, and you’ll see lots of Poodle mixes for adoption. Poodle mixes — aka Doodle dog breeds — are extremely popular. But what makes Poodle mix breeds so special? The magic ingredient in Poodle mixes is the Poodle. Interested in adopting a Poodle or Poodle mix? Read on to learn more about their traits, as well as the care you’ll need to give them.

TL;DR: Poodles have many desirable traits, from their low-shedding and hypoallergenic coats, to their intelligence and trainability, to their friendly and affectionate personalities. They come in many sizes, which vary by their Poodle parents (Toy, Miniature, Standard). Poodles are generally eager to please and trainable, but need mental stimulation to prevent boredom behaviors.

Poodle breed origins

Shortly after I married, my husband and I were looking to adopt a dog. My husband is allergic to dogs, so the breed we chose had to be somewhat hypoallergenic. As I researched dog breeds, I found myself coming back to the Poodle. 

• Poodles have a lot going for them. First, they come in three sizes, so there’s a Poodle for everyone’s preferences. Standard Poodles range between 40 and 70 pounds, so some are considered large and others are considered medium-sized. Miniature Poodles are smaller, weighing 10 to 20 pounds. Toy Poodles are the smallest, weighing four to 10 pounds. 

• Poodles also have a low-shedding curly coat that’s mostly hypoallergenic, which is a huge draw for people, such as my husband, with less severe dog allergies — as well as those who simply prefer a cleaner home that won’t be covered in hair. Keeping a Poodle in a shorter clip cuts down on brushing, but the hair grows continuously like human hair, so you must keep up with the haircuts.

• Poodles are also highly intelligent and trainable. They are widely considered the second-smartest dog breed after the Border Collie. Poodles enjoy learning and love to please their people. They are also athletic, which makes them great agility dogs and hiking companions.

• Poodles of all sizes tend to be friendly and social, getting along well with people of all ages and other pets, including dogs and even cats (when raised with them). They are highly adaptable as a breed, and can live in most any environment, including apartments and condos, as long as they get enough daily exercise. 

In the end, my husband and I adopted a black Miniature Poodle, and he was the best dog I’ve ever had.

AdrieDee / AdobeStock/

Why you should get a Poodle mix

Because Poodles are mixed with nearly every breed imaginable, you can find small Poodle mixes, mini Doodle dogs, large Poodle mixes, and everything in between. 

It’s important to understand that each Poodle mix is different — even when you’re looking at individual dogs mixed with the same two breeds. Poodle mixes are not standardized like purebred dogs, so traits such as size, friendliness, intelligence, coat, and energy levels can vary. 

To get clues about what a specific Poodle mix might look like and how they may act, consider the typical traits of Poodles, as well as those of the other parent breed. Below, are some things to think about.

Family-friendliness

Many Poodle mixes are friendly, adaptable, and get along well with kids and other pets. For kids younger than five, some very small Poodle mixes (less than 10 pounds) might be too fragile to be around them, and some very large or energetic Poodle mixes might be too boisterous. 

Intelligence

Poodle mixes often inherit smarts and trainability from their Poodle parents. If the other parent breed is also known for being intelligent and trainable, this is all but guaranteed. On the flipside, if the other parent breed is known to be stubborn or challenging to train, the Poodle mix might get some of those genes.

Coat type

Some Poodle mixes are (mostly) hypoallergenic, but not all are. Mixing a Poodle with another breed doesn’t guarantee that the puppies will have the Poodle’s low-shedding, hypoallergenic coat, especially if the other parent breed sheds a lot. However, if the other parent breed also has a somewhat hypoallergenic coat, you can expect that the Poodle mix will be friendly to those with less severe allergies.

Energy levels

Knowing how much exercise a dog needs is important to making a good match. Depending on their breed variations, Poodle mixes might have moderate energy, or lots of energy. All Poodles are active dogs, but smaller Poodles and Poodle mixes may be content with daily walks and playtime. Large Poodle mixes, especially those mixed with higher-energy breeds such as Labrador Retrievers, Australian Shepherds, or Bernese Mountain Dogs, need one or more hours of vigorous exercise daily to stay calm and well-behaved.

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What you should consider when adopting a Doodle

Doodles and Poodle mixes are wonderful dogs, but they might not be for everyone due to certain care requirements. 

High-maintenance grooming

The grooming needs of most Poodle mix breeds are high. Most Poodle mixes and Doodles need a lot of brushing, consistent professional grooming, or both. Although a Poodle mix would ideally have a low-shedding coat like a Poodle, not all Poodle mixes inherit a curly, somewhat hypoallergenic coat. Many Doodles shed and become matted without daily brushing and combing, and most also need professional grooming, which can be costly.

Social needs

Most Doodle dog breeds bond tightly with their human families and don’t like to be left alone for long periods. In some cases, Doodles might even develop separation anxiety, which can cause barking, chewing, escape attempts, or house-soiling.

Above-average exercise needs

Small Poodle mixes are easy to exercise with daily walks, but some large Doodles, especially those with a high-energy parent breed, will need hours of daily exercise.

What kind of Poodle mix dogs are there?

The list of possible types of Doodle dogs is nearly endless, but some Poodle mixes are more common than others. Their sizes generally depend on the Poodle parent’s size, yielding multiple ranges in Doodles. Here are some of the most popular Poodle mixes you’re likely to find in rescues and animal shelters.

Trinette Reed / Stocksy/

Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever and Poodle)

Labradoodles make for affectionate and sociable companions.

• Sizes: Miniature (15 to 25 pounds), medium (30 to 45 pounds), and standard (50 to 65 pounds)

• Personality: Friendly, energetic, exuberant

• Best for: Active families and individuals, first-time dog parents

Victoria Andrews / iStock/

Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever and Poodle)

Goldendoodles are intelligent, loving, and friendly.

• Sizes: Miniature (15 to 35 pounds), medium (35 to 50 pounds), and standard (50 to 75 pounds)

• Personality: Social, trainable, loving

• Best for: Active families and individuals, first-time dog pet parents

Chelsea Victoria / Stocksy/

Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel and Poodle)

Cockapoos are intelligent, highly trainable, and form close bonds with their family.

• Sizes: Toy (six to 12 pounds), miniature (13 to 18 pounds), and standard (19 to 30 pounds)

• Personality: Affectionate, gentle, playful 

• Best for: Families, seniors, first-time dog parents

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Maltipoo (Maltese and Poodle)

Maltipoos thrive in various environments, including apartments, and are very friendly.

• Sizes: Toy (five to 10 pounds) and miniature (10 to 20 pounds)

• Personality: Playful, affectionate, social

• Best for: Families, seniors, first-time dog parents

Toma Evsuvdo / Stocksy/

Cavapoo (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle)

Cavapoos are loving and friendly companion dogs that require only moderate exercise.

• Sizes: Toy (seven to 13 pounds) and miniature (13 to 20 pounds)

• Personality: Gentle, loving, eager to please

• Best for: Families, seniors, first-time dog parents

Cobra Nicole / Shutterstock/

Bernedoodle (Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle)

Bernedoodles are great companions but require a more experienced pet parent.

• Sizes: Toy (10 to 24 pounds), miniature (25 to 49 pounds), and standard (70 to 90 pounds)

• Personality: Energetic, affectionate, sensitive

• Best for: Active families and individuals, experienced dog parents

Danita Delimont / Alamy Stock Photo/

Schnoodle (Miniature, Standard, or Giant Schnauzer and Poodle)

Schnoodles are intelligent, lively, and friendly, although some may be reserved around strangers.

• Sizes: Toy (four to 10 pounds), miniature (10 to 20 pounds), standard (20 to 60 pounds), and giant (60 to 110 pounds)

• Personality: Intelligent, energetic, alert 

• Best for: Families, seniors, first-time dog parents

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Yorkiepoo (Yorkshire Terrier and Poodle)

Yorkipoos are playful, curious, and very loving; they do well with families that have older kids.

• Sizes: Toy (three to six pounds) and miniature (10 to 15 pounds)

• Personality: Affectionate, playful, alert

• Best for: Families, seniors, first-time dog parents

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Aussiedoodle (Australian Shepherd and Poodle)

Aussiedoodles are small to medium-sized dogs with high energy who love to play and require a lot of mental stimulation.

• Sizes: Toy (six to 15 pounds), miniature (15 to 35 pounds), and standard (40 to 70 pounds)

• Personality: Intelligent, trainable, energetic

• Best for: Active families and individuals, experienced dog parents

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Sheepadoodle (Old English Sheepdog and Poodle)

Sheepadoodles make great family dogs but require a good amount of daily exercise and consistent training.

• Sizes: Toy (10 to 15 pounds), miniature (25 to 50 pounds), medium (35 to 60 pounds), and standard (50 to 85+ pounds)

• Personality: Energetic, patient, independent

• Best for: Active families and individuals, experienced dog parents

Lim Tiaw Leong / Shuterstock/

Shi Poo (Shi Tzu and Poodle)

Shih Poos are very affectionate dogs and make great, friendly pets for older kids.

• Sizes: Toy (eight to 12 pounds) and miniature (13 to 20 pounds)

• Personality: Happy, affectionate, playful

• Best for: Families, seniors, first-time dog parents

Mary Swift / Shutterstock/

Pomapoo (Pomeranian and Poodle)

Pomapoos are little dogs who are affectionate and sociable, thriving in nearly any home environment.

• Size: five to 15 pounds

• Personality: Loving, playful, alert

• Best for: Families, seniors, first-time dog parents

Where can I adopt a Poodle mix?

Although you may see many breeders selling “designer” Poodle mixes (frequently referred to as Doodles), shelters and rescues offer the same Poodle mixes for hundreds to thousands of dollars less, and they’ll probably come spayed/neutered, vaccinated, chipped, and sometimes even trained in basic skills. (Many of these organizations also have a training staff who can give you advice on training your new pup.) As a karmic bonus: You’ll be saving a life, and opening up shelter or rescue space to help another pup.

If you’re ready to bring a Poodle mix into your life, use a pet adoption site, like Adopt a Pet, to search for one in your area. Whether you’re looking for small Poodle mixes or large Doodle dogs, you’ll find many pups of all ages, sizes, and personalities. Adopting a pet typically requires a small adoption fee, which covers the costs of caring for the pet before adoption. 

Commonly asked questions

What is a Doodle dog?

A Doodle dog is a designer dog created by breeding Poodles and another breed. Two of the best-known Doodle dogs are the Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever and Poodle) and Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever and Poodle). But there are many different Doodle dogs, including the Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel and Poodle), Maltipoo (Maltese and Poodle), and Yorkipoo (Yorkshire Terrier and Poodle). 

What is a double Doodle dog? 

A double Doodle dog is a mix between two Doodle breeds, for instance, a Labradoodle and a Goldendoodle. As a mix of two mixed-breed dogs, double Doodles tend to have even less predictability in physical and temperamental traits than regular Doodles, and much less standardization than purebred dogs.

How much do Poodle mixes cost? 

The cost of Poodle mixes will vary, depending on whether you’re buying a puppy from a breeder or adopting a Poodle mix from an animal shelter or rescue group. Buying a puppy from a breeder can cost $500 to $3,000 or more. Adoption fees for Poodle mixes vary by organization but are typically $50 to $300.

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