Springerdoodles/sproodles

[Karen S]

I'm looking for allergy information for springer x poodle.  My daughter is sensitive to some dogs and I want to try to get as much information about allergies as possible. It seems as though the dogs she has issues with shed.  Any input would be fantastic.  Thanks!

[Karen S]

I really love the Spaniel breeds, but I don't like the excessive shedding.  I also considered a Brittany mix, but they are super rare.  I am hoping for a medium sized dog 30-40 pounds.   I enjoy the breed's look and energy!  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I can tell you that mixing a heavily shedding breed with a poodle doesn't always help. It all depends on which combination of genes any individual puppy gets. My labradoodle sheds just as heavily as any purebred lab, if not more so, and there are many others here with heavy shedders. And any poodle mix can end up with a personailty more like the Poodle side of its heritage than the other breed. It's truly a crap shoot. 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Check out this group or really just a roll call for Poodle mixes who Shed.  You might be amazed what we have found so far

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/sheddingdoodles?commentId=2065244...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

And you really cannot tell how much a mixed breed puppy will shed as an adult. Their coats change from puppyhood to adulthood. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

There would not be any added bonus regarding allergies from this mix over a common doodle.  I have a Springer - actually I have had two.  They are not huge shedders (examples: labs, goldens, shepherds), but we always kept them cut in the Springer style.  However..... and this is just my opinion, I would consider the mix because our Springer is truly a high high energy dog - even at nine.  I have read about so many doodles being high energy also that you might end up with a dog that isn't what you want.  Both of our Springers have been the best dogs - non-agressive, non-barking, loving, sweet as apple pie, however we have met a few that had behavior (fear aggression, reactiveness) problems). The only reason we will not get another Springer is because of this high energy and our getting older and slowing down. Our current Springer is from a back yard breeder (before we knew any better) and he has had lots of health issues common to Springers.  I don't know if there are reputable Springer/poodle breeders who do health testing on both parents and therefore I would worry that you would end up with some of the same - and expensive - issues we are facing.  Our Springer has torn BOTH CCLs ($4,000 each), is extremely prone to ear infections (lots of vet visits and ear wash and meds), skin sensitivities requiring a specialist  allergy vet (lots more money), possible Cushings Disease (even more money in diagnosis and expensive lifelong) treatments and monitoring).

That being said in the negative, if you found a reputable breeder, and accepting that you would have a high high energy dog, the combination dog would be awesome personality-wise, but you would not be getting a Springer w/o the shedding.   If you really need a dog that would be more allergy friendly, I would choose from this list: 

http://www.justdogbreeds.com/low-shedding-dog-breeds.html

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have two ALDs that do not shed. Yet I have a friend who gets allergic reactions to the dogs.

[Pam & Trixie]

Is it really just the shedding that causes allergies?  I am asking because I dont have allergies & dont know much about them.  but I do own a doodle that does shed.  That being said...One friend who is allergic to dogs...Has symptoms within 5 minutes of entering my house & petting Trixie...So I just dont see how it is a shedding thing...isnt it the dander in their skin?

 

I too feel a Springer/poodle might end up to be a very high strung dog.  I grew up with Springers & had one for 16.5 years that was a reactive aggressive dog : (   I can understand wanting the mix though As I still love Springers.

 

I would go with a breed that does not shed at all (vs one that might not) if you are looking for a dog that your daughter would not be allergic to.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Dogs that shed throw off dander along with the shed hair. The heavier the shedding, the more dander that is also shed with the hair. Dander is just dead skin cells. And yes, it is the proteins in the dander that cause an allergic reaction. And before anyone says "it can also be the saliva", it's the same proteins in the saliva as in the dander. Some people can have contact allergies if a dog licks them, but that's a different form of allergic reaction. The kind that most people are talking about when they talk about being allergic to dogs involves inhaling the allergens, just like with pollen allergies. It's much more likely that proteins from dander would be inhaled than those in the saliva. 

Humans have dander, too, and dogs can be allergic to that, lol. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Also, some people with pollen allergies think that they are allergic to dogs because their allergies seem much worse around dogs, but that can be because the dogs bring the pollens into the house on their coats.

[Karen S]

I agree with the seasonal allergies getting in the way of a true 'dander' allergy.  My daughter has always had really bad spring-time allergies, so it is difficult, right now, to discern which is really causing her trouble.  I really just want to make a good decision.  Unfortunately, I am not really attracted to the more hypo-allergenic dogs.  I suppose that's why I've wandered into the poodle mixes.

[GBK]

I have met two Springer/Poodle littermates at the dogpark near my house.  They are adorable, playful and very friendly, just turned 7 years old.  The owner and I talked for a while Saturday, and they have been very healthy.  They have a curlier coat, and feel a little more woolly than either of mine.  I don't know where they got them, but I will ask next time I see them. 

[MF Cullen]

Hi Karen,

I have a 4.5 month old Springerdoodle that I am madly in love with.  SUPER smart, I brush him weekly and literally only come up with a tiny little ball of hair in the pin brush.  He is high strung though and requires a lot of exercise.  Beautiful dogs.