Popularized by dog lovers and families that need a low-shedding dog, doodle dog breeds of many kinds can be found in homes around the world. These fluffy breeds come in many sizes and colors, and they all have one thing in common—poodle genetics.
Doodles are a cross between a poodle and another dog breed and are intentionally bred to pass on the favorable qualities of each breed to the puppies, including low-shedding traits (but remember that no dog is truly hypoallergenic).
Learn more about these 15 doodle dog breeds.
- 01 of 15
Goldendoodle
Goldendoodles are one of the larger kinds of doodles. Getty Images/Genevieve Morrison
One of the most popular types of doodles, the goldendoodle is a cross between the family favorite—but heavy shedding—golden retriever and the poodle, either the miniature or standard poodle.
This doodle dog breed is popular because of all of the endearing traits of the parent breeds. They have an active, intelligent, and obedient personality, and they are also calm, affectionate, and gentle. For these reasons, they can work as therapy dogs, guide dogs, and more.
Breed Overview
Group: Designer
Height: 20 to 22 inches
Weight: 50 to 80 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, loyal, playful
Energy Level: High
Coat and Color: Wavy to curly; cream, golden, red, black, parti, and others
Life Span: 10 to 15 years
02 of 15Sheepadoodle
Sheepadoodles are big and fluffy dogs! Getty Images/Logan Swenson
Fluffy is an understatement when it comes to describing a sheepadoodle. This big and cuddly designer dog breed is a cross between an Old English Sheepdog and a standard poodle. These dogs have a wonderful personality, as they are friendly and outgoing as well as patient and gentle with kids.
It is unclear when this doodle dog breed was created. Some think that the breed was created by the U.S. Army in the 1960s. But the parent breeds’ histories are well-known, with poodles dating back to the 1600s and Old English sheepdogs dating back to the 1700s.
Breed Overview
Group: Designer
Height: 16 to 27 inches
Weight: 65 to 85 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Intelligent, energetic, affectionate
Energy Level: High
Coat and Color: Straight to wavy; white and gray
Life Span: 12 to 15 years
03 of 15Labradoodle
One of the most popular kinds of doodles, Labradoodles are great family dogs. Getty Images/Purple Collar Pet Photography
Labradoodles are some of the most popular kinds of doodles. Labrador retrievers and miniature or standard poodles are combined to create this popular dog breed. These dogs are intelligent and athletic, and they love being around the people they bond with. They’re also devoted and playful, making lovely family pets.
This doodle dog breed doesn’t shed very much. However, this dog should still be brushed on a regular basis in order to keep their coat healthy and free of mats. A professional groomer can also trim the coat on a regular basis.
Breed Overview
Group: Designer
Height: 21 to 24 inches
Weight: 50 to 65 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Smart, playful, loyal
Energy Level: High
Coat and Color: Wavy to straight; black, yellow, gold, red, chocolate, and others
Life Span: 12 to 16 years
04 of 15Maltipoo
Part Maltese, part Miniature or Toy Poodle, the Maltipoo is all fluff. Getty Images/marketlan
If you're looking for a smaller doodle, the Maltipoo may be for you. This little dog is a cross between the Maltese and a miniature or toy poodle. These friendly dogs make great family companions. They get along with kids and other pets.
If you don’t want a high-energy breed, the Maltipoo is a good option to consider. These dogs need about 30 minutes of exercise daily. When it comes to training, they are eager to please but can be stubborn. And because their coat can be prone to matting, brushing them daily is important.
Breed Overview
Group: Designer
Height: 8 to 14 inches
Weight: 5 to 20 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Social, smart, friendly
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Straight to curly; white, cream, apricot, chocolate, and others
Life Span: 10 to 16 years
Continue to 5 of 15 below05 of 15Bernedoodle
Bernedoodles come in a tri-color pattern like Bernese Mountain Dogs. Getty Images/Timothy Guarderas
Bernese mountain dogs and standard poodles are combined to create this big doodle, the Bernedoodle. If you love the look of a Bernese mountain dog but don't love the shedding and drooling, a Bernedoodle could be a fit for you.
This doodle dog breed is easygoing and up for anything, whether that’s snuggling on the couch or heading outdoors for an adventure. They’re also friendly and loving, and because they can get along with kids and other pets, they make great family dogs.
Breed Overview
Group: Designer
Height: 23 to 29 inches
Weight: 50 to 90 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Loyal, calm, stubborn
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Straight to curly; tri-color, black, black and white, and others
Life Span: 12 to 18 years
06 of 15Aussiedoodle
Full of intelligence and energy, the Aussiedoodle is a very active breed. Getty Images/IKPhotography
High energy and intelligence breed true in this cross between an Australian shepherd and a standard poodle. Aussiedoodles are perfect for active households that don't want to deal with a lot of fur.
These dogs need both physical exercise and mental stimulation every day to remain happy and avoid boredom. This shouldn’t come as a surprise since the parent breeds are both active. In terms of training, Aussiedoodles shouldn’t be difficult to work with because they are intelligent.
Breed Overview
Group: Designer
Height: 20 to 25 inches
Weight: 60 to 75 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Playful, intelligent, friendly
Energy Level: High
Coat and Color: Straight to curly; merle, tri-color, chocolate, fawn, cream, and others
Life Span: 10 to 14 years
07 of 15Schnoodle
Edwin_Butter / Getty Images
If the Maltipoo is a little too small and the goldendoodle is a little too big, you may find that the schnoodle is just right. This designer breed is a mix of a miniature schnauzer and a miniature poodle.
This doodle dog breed loves kids and family life. They are good lap dogs, but also enjoy other activities that make them the center of attention. And they can even make good watchdogs because they are protective and vocal.
Breed Overview
Group: Designer
Height: 10 to 12 inches
Weight: 10 to 30 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Friendly, loyal, vocal
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Curly; black, brown, white, gray, apricot, and others
Life Span: 10 to 16 years
08 of 15Cockapoo
The American Cocker Spaniel and Minature Poodle are combined to make this breed. Getty Images/Gary Yeowell
Cocker spaniels and miniature poodles are combined to get the endearing cockapoo. Like other doodles, the cockapoo was developed to get the best out of both breeds. They are easygoing, social, and like being the center of attention, to the point that they can develop separation anxiety.
Because they are active, cockapoos need daily exercise, and because they’re intelligent, they like to learn. They respond well to positive reinforcement training and are eager to please.
Breed Overview
Group: Designer
Height: 10 to 15 inches
Weight: 15 to 25 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Friendly, outgoing, trainable
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Straight to curly; white, brown, apricot, and others
Life Span: 12 to 15 years
Continue to 9 of 15 below09 of 15Yorkiepoo
Yorkiepoos are like fluffy little Yorkshire Terriers that come in a variety of colors. Getty Images/Renphoto
Small and sassy, the little Yorkiepoo is a fluffier version of the Yorkshire terrier. A miniature or toy poodle can be bred with a Yorkshire terrier to get this designer breed. The result is a dog who can live comfortably in an apartment or small home, thanks to their size. But they do bark a lot, so that’s something to consider if you live close to your neighbors.
Yorkiepoos are a great doodle dog breed because they are affectionate, intelligent, and friendly. They can be clingy and experience separation anxiety, though, so be sure you can give them the time and attention they require.
Breed Overview
Group: Designer
Height: 7 to 15 inches
Weight: 5 to 15 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Playful, friendly, outgoing
Energy Level: High
Coat and Color: Straight to curly; chocolate, gray, blue, tri-color, and others
Life Span: 10 to 15 years
10 of 15Cavapoo
Cavapoos are a cross between a Miniature Poodle and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Getty Images/chrisuk1
Cavalier King Charles spaniels are popular small dogs, but they can be heavy shedders and are prone to some health issues. The Cavapoo combines a Cavalier King Charles spaniel with a miniature poodle to help decrease the incidence of both of these concerns.
Cavapoos were bred in Australia in the 1990s. This doodle dog breed is known for their intelligence and loving personality. They are also often used as therapy dogs.
Breed Overview
Group: Designer
Height: 9 to 14 inches
Weight: 8 to 25 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Gentle, playful, friendly
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Wavy to curly; cream, apricot, black, brown/chocolate, and others
Life Span: 10 to 15 years
11 of 15Pomapoo
Some Pomapoos look more like Pomeranians than Poodles but they all look cute. Getty Images/Wirestock
Both Pomeranians and poodles are fluffy dogs but they are very different kinds of fluffy. No matter if a Pomapoo has inherited more poodle or Pomeranian, they're going to be a small but lively addition to your home.
Because of their size, these dogs can do well in apartments. Also, they thrive on activity and attention because they are intelligent, active, playful, outgoing, and curious. They don’t need a lot of exercise, and you can use training sessions to keep them mentally stimulated.
Breed Overview
Group: Designer
Height: 8 to 12 inches
Weight: 5 to 15 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Gentle, friendly, sassy
Energy Level: High
Coat and Color: Straight to curly; apricot, cream, black, chocolate, and others
Life Span: 12 to 15 years
12 of 15Shih-Poo
Shih-poos can look a lot like Shih Tzus. Getty Images/Wirestock
Shih-poos are a cute combination of shih tzus and miniature or toy poodles. If you're looking for a little dog that sheds very minimally, this doodle dog breed might be perfect for you. However, they can be problem barkers, and training them might be a bit challenging if they inherit the stubbornness of the shih-tzu.
If you are looking for a dog that will always want to be around you, the shih-poo is a good choice. These sweet dogs are affectionate and friendly, and make wonderful companions for individuals and families.
Breed Overview
Group: Designer
Height: 8 to 15 inches
Weight: 7 to 20 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Playful, affectionate, friendly
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Straight to curly; chocolate, black, white, apricot, and others
Life Span: 10 to 17 years
Continue to 13 of 15 below13 of 15Whoodle
Whoodles are active and happy dogs. Getty Images/MDoculus
This doodle dog breed not only has a fun name but a fun personality, too. A soft-coated wheaten terrier is bred with a standard poodle to get the active and intelligent whoodle. The result is a dog that looks like a teddy bear and acts goofy and playful.
These dogs are great for active families because of their high energy level. They are smart and learn quickly, too, so they are enjoyable to train and can be taught tricks. Positive reinforcement is the best technique to use when training whoodles.
Breed Overview
Group: Designer
Height: 17 to 20 inches
Weight: 30 to 45 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Intelligent, active, friendly
Energy Level: High
Coat and Color: Wavy to curly; apricot, cream, and others
Life Span: 12 to 15 years
14 of 15Chi-Poo
Courtesy of apricotpoochipoo / Instagram One of the smallest types of doodles and not to be confused with the shih-poo, the Chi-poo can look more like a Chihuahua or more like a poodle. This little dog is great for someone who wants a low-shedding toy breed.
The Chi-poo can be a lap dog, and because of their small size they can live comfortably in an apartment. But they also need a good amount of activity and exercise every day, so they can release their energy by playing outside and playing with various toys.
Breed Overview
Group: Designer
Height: 5 to 15 inches
Weight: 5 to 20 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Active, playful, aloof
Energy Level: High
Coat and Color: Straight to curly; black, white, apricot, cream, tri-color, and many others
Life Span: 12 to 15 years
15 of 15Doxiepoo
Doxiepoos can look a lot like a fluffy Dachshund. Getty Images/Wirestock
Dachshunds have a signature look with their long bodies and short legs, and crossing them with a poodle gives them that signature curly hair. Like other doodle dog breeds, they inherit qualities of their parent breeds. Therefore, they tend to be affectionate, playful, and confident.
These adorable dogs enjoy being with family. But doxiepoos bark a lot, so if you live close to your neighbors, they might be disturbed by your dog’s barking—even though they are small, they aren’t best for pet parents living in apartments.
Breed Overview
Group: Designer
Height: 5 to 15 inches
Weight: 5 to 30 pounds
Personality/Temperament: Driven, athletic, vocal
Energy Level: Medium
Coat and Color: Straight to curly; dapple, black, cream, brown, and many others
Life Span: 10 to 18 years
Breed Characteristics
Doodles are usually considered to be hypoallergenic dogs because they are bred with poodles, but because there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog, they should be considered more allergy-friendly. Depending on the kind of dog they are crossed with, some doodle dog breeds will shed very little and not cause a problem for people who are otherwise allergic to dogs.
Despite the minimal shedding, doodles require regular haircuts and grooming appointments to maintain their high-maintenance coat. If you don't want the cost of regular grooming, these are not the dogs for you.
More Low-Shedding Dog Breeds
If you're interested in other low-shedding dogs, you might want to consider one of the following:
- Bichon Frise
- Chinese Crested
- Portuguese Water Dog
FAQ- What makes a dog a doodle?
A doodle dog breed is created when a standard, miniature, or toy poodle is crossed with another breed, such as the Labrador retriever, Yorkshire terrier, or golden retriever.
Why are doodle dogs so expensive?class="comp sources mntl-block">Doodle dogs are expensive because they are in high demand. Also, reputable breeders take steps to ensure the parents are healthy, and this involves checking them for conditions that could be passed on to offspring.
What is the downside of doodles?Doodles are mixed breed dogs because they’re a cross between a poodle and another breed, so it can be difficult to predict what their temperament will be like, especially if the parent breeds have differing traits. They may also be prone to the health problems of both parent breeds.
By Diana
