7 Calmest Doodle Breeds (with Photos)

Reviewed and Fact-Checked by Veterinarian Charlotte Stiles (DVM)

(LinkedIn)

There are many different Doodle breeds, which is a cross between a Poodle and another dog breed. While they all have their own unique personalities, some are noticeably calmer than others. 

Doodles came along in the 1990s, starting with Goldendoodles and Labradoodles

calmest doodle breeds
7 Calmest Doodle Breeds (with Photos)

People tend to appreciate Doodles, regardless of their higher price, because of their hypoallergenic fur and super cute appearance. They are also friendly, witty, clever, and highly entertaining. 

However, Poodles can be pretty energetic, so you might be worried that they will be high energy if you get a Doodle. 

If you’re looking for a low-key dog that doesn’t need a lot of exercise and will sleep a good portion of the day while you’re busy out of the house, one of the following calmest Doodle breeds may be perfect for you.

cockapoo labradoodle and sheepadoodle
A Cockapoo, Labradoodle, and Sheepadoodle side by side

1. Goldendoodle

The Goldendoodle is one of the most well-loved, popular, and calmest Doodle breeds. There are plenty of reasons people seek them out, even though they can be a bit pricey. 

A mix of Golden Retriever and Poodle, they are gentle and loving and make great family pets. 

Goldendoodles don’t need to partake in many exercises, but they love to play fetch or go on walks

They tend to be curious and may cause some trouble while they’re young, but they are relatively easy to train to be calmer around humans and other dogs. 

mini goldendoodle sitting on a bench
A red Mini Goldendoodle sitting on a park bench

2. Labradoodle

Labradoodles are also very calm and loving and are an excellent choice for families, couples, and individuals. 

Labradoodles, a mix of Poodle and Labrador Retrievers, don’t need a significant amount of exercise after a certain age but do appreciate playing and going on long walks.

Keep in mind that you’ll have to wait for them to calm down, as, between birth and age three, these pups can be quite excitable. However, they tend to calm down and maintain more self-control after the age of three. 

owner holding a golden labradoodle
A happy woman holding her lovely golden Labradoodle in her arms.
“Don’t forget, your dog’s level of calm is also affected by their evironment and training too.'”

Veterinarian Dr Charlotte Stiles (DVM)

3. Australian Labradoodle

The Australian Labradoodle is a slightly smaller Doodle breed that is also calm and gentle, with a particular eagerness to please those around them. They make great family pets and are perfect for those who don’t have a lot of space. 

Australian Labradoodles love to play and go for walks but don’t need as much exercise as some of the other Doodle breeds.

The later generation of Australian Labradoodles is generally well-balanced, although the puppies may need training at first. 

australian labradoodle
Australian Labradoodles are a different breed the Labradoodles (although similar!)

4. Bernedoodle

Bernedoodle, a mix of Poodles and Bernese Mountain Dogs, is another calm and gentle Doodle breed perfect for families with children. 

They are very social dogs and love to play, but they don’t need a lot of exercise.

Bernedoodles are classified as working dogs because the breed has a particular job based on physical training instead of mental capacity. 

f1bb bernedoodle dog smiliing
An F1BB Bernedoodle is 87.5% Poodle – but still retain the Berner personality

5. Sheepadoodle

Sheepadoodles, a mix of Old English Sheepdogs and Poodles, are relatively calm, cuddly, and docile after age four to five, and these dogs make great family pets because they are gentle but still love to play along. 

They enjoy walking, fetching, and cuddling. They also love children and are even-tempered around them, which makes them even more of an ideal family dog. 

Plus, Sheepdoodles are known to get along well with other animals if introduced slowly and gradually. 

Sheepadoodle and balls
A Sheepadoodle is sitting on the grass with his blue balls.

6. Cavapoo

The Cavapoo, a mixture of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Toy or Mini Poodle, is a social dog that loves to play and go for walks. 

Cavapoos don’t need an enormous amount of exercise, but owners should still walk them every day because they can lean towards the energetic side, especially as pups. 

Cavapoos have various personalities depending on the specific dog, but they can grow up into calm and well-mannered adult dogs with training and some patience, especially after two to three years old. 

fashionista cavapoo chilling outside
A fashionista cavapoo chilling outside.

7. Bichpoo

The Bichpoo is a rarer mix between Bichon Frise and Poodle and is a calm dog due to the Bichon Frise side of its genetics, as Bichon Frises are the most relaxed of all the Bichon breeds. 

They are gentle, kind, and loving to everyone, thus making great family pets. Bichpoos don’t need a lot of exercise, only requiring about 30 minutes of walking and running a day. 

Specifically, they might enjoy a few walks around the block in the morning and a little backyard playtime. 

bichpoo begging for a treat
Bichpoo begging for a treat on her owner.

Doodle Frequently Asked Questions

Now that you have a few options for calm doodle breeds, here are some frequently asked questions about Doodles to help you decide which breed might be the perfect fit for you or your family.

Which Doodle Breed is the Easiest to Train?

This question is challenging to answer, as different Doodle breeds may have different levels of trainability. 

However, many Doodles are known for being very intelligent and easy to train, making them perfect for families who are looking for loyal and obedient pets. 

Some of the most popular Doodle breeds that are known for being easy to train include the Goldendoodle, Labradoodle, and Portuguese Water Dog. 

What is the Most Intelligent Doodle Breed?

There is no surefire answer to this question as different people may have different opinions. 

According to this book on Poodles, this breed is one of the most intelligent. It is known for its intelligence, obedience, and trainability.

Other breeds that often rank high in intelligence tests include the Border Collie and the Golden Retriever.

Thus, it makes sense to say that you can expect a Bordoodle and a Goldendoodle to be comparatively intelligent Doodle breeds. 

shepadoodle puppy sitting down outside
Sully the Shepadoodle sits patiently on a forest walk. Image: Used with written permission from the beautiful Sully’s Instagram.

Which Doodle is the Healthiest?

Luckily, most Poodle crosses tend to be quite healthy and can expect to live a long and fruitful life of about 12 years for standard-sized Doodles and 14 years or longer for toy Doodles or mini Doodles. 

This truth is in part due to the fact that hybrid dogs, or “mutts,” tend to be healthier overall than purebred dogs, given their genetic variety. The smaller the gene pool for dogs, the more likely health concerns and ailments are. 

Why Do Poodle Mixes Make Good Dogs?

Poodles are known for a variety of impressive characteristics and personality traits, including intelligence, loyalty, trainability, and alertness. 

They pay attention and are relatively easy to train compared to other dog breeds, which makes them a highly sought-after dog breed to own, especially for families. 

Additionally, Poodles are hypoallergenic, which is especially helpful for people with slight fur allergies that still want to have a furry friend around. 

For these reasons, Poodle mixes are often great, family-friendly, healthy, and easy to train dogs. They might be a bit hyper during their early years, but they will likely start to temper out after two to four years, depending on the specific mix. 

Conclusion

maltipoo vs toy poodle
Maltipoo vs Toy Poodle [Comparison with Photos]

If you’re looking for a relaxed, easy-going, low-key dog, one of the calmest Doodle breeds may be perfect for you.

All of the breeds listed above are gentle, well-mannered, and loving, without needing a lot of exercise throughout the day. 

Suppose they are not naturally as calm and gentle, either due to their specific breed or unique personality from birth. Training can often make an anxious Doodle more relaxed since Doodles are brilliant, attentive, and trainable. 

Additionally, Doodles will still be friendly, upbeat, and playful when the time is right so that you can reasonably get the best of both worlds! 

So if you want a calm and easy-going pet, one of these Doodle breeds is sure to fit the bill – and be an adorable, family-friendly, safe, and healthy companion!