What's in a Doodle?

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Hi DKers. I was just lying here on the sofa this morning musing about doodles. More specifically, what exactly is a doodle? Is there an official definition? We mostly think of goldendoodles and labradoodles as doodles. But what about other poo-crosses? Are they doodles too? The other day I met my very first Bernadoodle (Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle) and oh my goodness was she ever cute. Her name is Tilly and she looks and acts just like Sophie Bear. So is she a real doodle? And what of cockapoos and schnoodles? They're pretty cool too. Where does it end?

 

So basically I'd like to know what it takes to be a real doodle, Is anything with a little bit of poodle in it a doodle? Are poodles doodles? ...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I personally don't think there's any such thing as a "real" doodle. It's a made-up word.

The word Labradoodle is an actual combination of Labrador and Poodle . If you drop the "or" from Labrador and the "P" from poodle, you get Labradoodle. But Goldendoodle doesn't work that way. It's just what whoever first started breeding and selling them made up, maybe for marketing purposes, since the labradoodles were getting so much media attention.

Most poodle mixes are called something-poos, like Yorkie-poo, Malti-poo, etc. Schnoodle actually makes sense, because there again you have the SCH from Schnauzer with the OODLE from Poodle.

Where does it end is a good question. It's ridiculous that people are breeding anything to a poodle for so-called non-shedding puposes. In many of these cases, neither of the parent breeds shed, so what's the point? People are free to do whatever they want, but many true dog lovers who appreciate some of these breeds are appalled by it, and I count myself among them. I've only recently become aware of the fact that many people never realized there were pure breeds that didn't shed; there are actually people who got labradoodles and goldendoodles because they believed the combination was what was responsible for the "non-shedding" qualities and didn't understand that it's the poodle coat that's responsible.

And no, Poodles are absolutely not doodles, and I wouldn't say that within hearing of a poodle owner or breeder, lol.

 

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

I believe anything mixed with a poodle is a doodle. But in reality, it is all just made up to give credibility to a "breed" that is technically a mutt or mixed breed. That is how much of the dog world sees our dogs, anyway. Of course, to us, they are a wonderful mixture and many display the best of both (or more) breeds. And they won't admit it, but the "pure" breeds are also a mixture of something to create that breed too. They are just recognized by an "Authority." At Oodles of Doodles.org, we recognize, and list in rescue, all doodle breeds or Poodle-mixes.

[Shelly Gouvas]

Can I get a "Amen"

[Adina P]

I tend to agree with Karen on this.  Doodle isn't specific to a certain TYPE of dog because the ONLY common denominator in any 'doodle' is that there is some amount of poodle genetics.  And that isn't enough to be able to stereotype or classify a breed or be able to be sure in what to expect.  And aside from the naming issues (does 'doodle' really belong in a name of a dog that doesn't contain parts that would spell doodle on their own?--I say NO but it's too late to rename some), I do think it's a little silly to mix everything with a poodle.  But that doesn't make any individual mixed breed dog 'bad' or anything or less deserving. It just says that I don't think all the mixing is really done with a lot of thought to proper breeding. 

 

When I refer to doodle I generally am meaning "labradoodle" or "goldendoodle" since these are pretty well established mixes, with parent clubs that have breeding standards.  But I don't like to call everything else with poodle in it a 'doodle' because it just isn't very informative or useful and doesn't tell you anything about the dog or what the dog MIGHT be like.  All it says is 'it might be scruffy or curly.'

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Our previous dog was a poodle mix, a poodle mixed with another but we did not know what the other was, he was a resuce, back then he was considered a mutt. When I look at his pictures now he may very well have been a labradoodle - he looked an awful lot like Bandit of Suzann, Rosey and Bandit. He was certainly as cute. As soon as I get his photos scanned I intend to share them here. He passed 5 years ago at the age of 14, we still miss him.

Anyway now I would call him a doodle, a doodle of sorts.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Hi, thanks for you interesting replies. I hear what your saying totally, it is a bit over the top sometimes. But seriously, have you seen a Benadoodle? They are absolutely the cutest things. Cuteness must be a factor in being allowed to be called a doodle right? ;o)

 

 

A friend of mine just adopted what she calls an Aussiedoodle (Australian Shephard/Poodle) and will be bringing her home shortly. I wanted to know if she would be welcome on DK. I told her all about the site and she is definitely interested.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well, everyone is welcome here, no matetr what kind of dog they have. But we do have quite a few Aussiedoodle owners here already.

[Adina P]

We have an aussiedoodle group--so sure she's welcome!  Like Karen said, any dog lover is welcome here as long as they don't mind that our focus is labradoodles and goldendoodles =)

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

What's in a doodle?  Curls and mustaches, beards and wagging tails, mischief and cuddles, energy and the doodle sprawl, a expressive eyes and a kind heart, mats and laughing mouths - that is some of what is in a doodle

 

 

[Shelly Gouvas]

That is so sweet!I love my labradoodle Jake and that discribes him so well.

 

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

yea! Not to mention lots of sweet, sweet, doodle hugs and kisses!!

[Lindsey]

I have a Shepadoodle- She's half German Shepherd/ half standard poodle...and I fully consider her a "doodle"...even though "doodle" is just a made up term :-)

I also think it's silly, mixing every kind of dog known- to a poodle...however, I must say the GS/Poodle wasn't a bad idea. GS and Poodles are in the top three of most intellegent dog breeds. They also have many of the same characteristics.
I always thought I wanted a labradoodle or a goldendoodle- but after Molly...I love my Shepa"doodle".

PS. Everyone thinks Molly is a labradoodle however, she does look a lot like one. So, honestly, sometimes I just agree with them and say "yep" when they ask if she is one...just to keep from going into the whole story.