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? ...

[Lorraine Bromley]

I wonder if the reason that they are mixing berneise mountain dogs with poodles is that the life span of a berneise is so short. They are beautiful dogs but I do know people who have lost their younger dogs and it is so sad to have such a beautiful dog and family member gone so soon. Adding another genetic cross like the poodle may help in their longevity?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

No, that's not why, and it wouldn't be the way to do it. The reasons for shorter lifespans, especially among very large breed dogs, has many factors, including genetics. Bringing in genes from another breed would not really help the longevity, it would depend on both dogs' genetics. The way to do it would be very selctive breeding of the Bernese Mountain Dog lines which are known to have lived longest.

Golden Retrievers are known to be very prone to cancer, and I cannot tell you how many applications I have seen in recent months from people who have lost their 4, 5, and 6 year old Goldendoodles to cancer. The poodle genes sure didn't help there.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Wait a sec. You mean to say that doodles don't live forever?? because Sophie Bear will live forever, right?

:-\

Oh No. this is someting that I have never even considered.

[Lorraine Bromley]

Thanks Karen, I wasn't sure if it would matter or not so thanks for clearing that up.

 

[Lorraine Bromley]

When it comes to the what makes up a doodle I think of the fur the funny smiling face, the paws and how they love to use them as hands, the way the look for another wrestler at the dog park. How they love everything even to a fault, their ability to feel your emotions and know when you need them, how smart they are as they learn so fast, its the goofieness the playfulness, its the zoomies after their baths, its how they love their favorite toy, its the way that they become a family member not a pet, its making us feel lost without them so we take them everywhere. Its rearranging our lives to include our doodle! I am talking about my golden doodle but I have seen labradoodles the same way. I think I know a shepadoodle that was the same way although he was  a rescue so I CAN'T be sure.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

so well said Lorraine!

[Lindsey]

Lorraine- My shepadoodle is def. all of the above :-)
Gotta love a doodle!

[Shelly Gouvas]

Does your Shepadoodle shed?