Do Irish Doodles Shed?

Irish Doodles have taken over the globe as one of the world’s most intelligent, energetic and family-friendly dogs! 

do Irish doodles shed
Do Irish Doodles shed?

Do Irish Doodles Shed?

Irish Doodles are very low-shedding dogs. But even a non-shedding doodle dog WILL shed a small amount.

To answer this question you can simply just ask yourself; does my Irish Doodle have hair? If so then it probably sheds. 

The truth is that all dogs shed, and the idea of a completely hypoallergenic dog is a myth. 

With that being said, there are absolutely some dogs that are more hypoallergenic than others, and Irish Doodles are very low-shedding dogs. Due to the traits they inherit from their Poodle parent, they are not going to shed nearly as much as other popular breeds. 

Even though no dog can be 100% hypoallergenic, Irish Doodles are technically labelled as hypoallergenic simply because they don’t shed very much at all. 

Most of the allergy-causing dander will stick to the dog’s fur, but since they don’t shed this dander won’t be released to the air or ground, and so you will be required to remove it. 

So even though there will be less hair to clean up around the house, it may require a little more work from you to keep the Irish Doodle breed fur clean and healthy. 

Irish Doodles generally carry very dense, long fur with wavy curls. Though much like other mixed breeds, the texture of the dog’s coat will depend heavily on which parent breed it resembles more of (Poodle or Irish Setter). The same can be said for the shedding, as the amount the dog sheds will depend entirely upon which parent’s shedding traits have been inherited by the Irish Doodle.

 

If they inherit more of the Poodle lineage, then they are more likely to end up with tighter curls, whereas if they inherit more of their Irish Setter’s traits, they are more likely to have a soft, and wavy coat. 

So, at the end of the day YES they do shed, but due to their Poodle lineage, they shed a whole lot less than many other popular breeds. And it is totally manageable given the proper tools, time, and training. 

How To Minimize Irish Doodle Shedding

Even though Irish Doodles do shed, but are typically considered low-shedding, there will certainly be times where you will need to clean up after the pup. If you do run into issues with shedding, there are numerous ways to help minimize it, and tips to make the entire process quick and easy!

A High Quality Diet Reduces Shedding

One lesser-known culprit for excessive shedding amongst dogs is providing them with a diet is unbalanced, and lacks important nutrients. If you notice issues revolving around excessive shedding, dandruff, or a dull/dry coat. 

Then your dog is probably not getting the proper diet they need. A proven way to help minimize the shedding of any dog is to replace their current diet with one that is healthier, and offers more nutrients. 

Also, bear in mind that a dog excessively shedding could also be a sign of dehydration, so always be sure to have clean drinking water nearby. 

Hypoallergenic Dog Shampoo to Reduce Shedding

Another tremendous option to help minimize shedding with your Irish Doodle is to invest in a shampoo that is specifically designed for sensitive skin, and to help minimize shedding. 

It is one of the best ways to ensure that your dog’s skin, and coat are as healthy as possible. Hypoallergenic shampoos typically contain fewer ingredients than traditional dog shampoo, making it less likely for your dog to be allergic, or react poorly to the product. 

They generally have no fragrance, as they are made with the removal of all harmful ingredients such as chemicals, fragrances, and dyes. 

Even though there is no scent with most hypoallergenic shampoos, and your dog therefore may not smell clean. Have confidence knowing that they feel clean. Investing in a good-quality hypoallergenic dog shampoo can go a long way in preventing unwanted shedding, and saving time in the cleanup department. 

However, as with any shampoo you want to make sure that you are bathing them no more than 1-2 times a month (at the most). 

Even though these types of shampoos are made with all-natural ingredients, if you bathe your dog too often with any shampoo, it can leave the dogs skin feeling dry, and irritable. 

irish doodle cost puppy price
How much would you expect to spend to buy an Irish Doodle puppy?

Do Little Bits of Irish Doodle Grooming Daily

What is likely to be the most important step for an Irish Doodle owner to take, is to GROOM DAILY! This may sound excessive at first but since all of the allergy-causing dander gets stuck to your Doodle’s fur (rather than on surfaces). 

It means that you will be required to brush, or comb out any unnecessary hair or blockage DAILY! As to help prevent any unwanted tangles or matting. This doesn’t mean you have to go overboard, and spend hours a day brushing your dog. 

But rather just once a day go through your pup’s coat with a comfortable, yet durable brush/comb, and it will surely save you a potentially pricey trip to a professional later on. Keep in mind that Irish Doodles LOVE the outdoors, and love to get messy. Their playful spirit is part of what makes them so loveable, but it can also mean more cleanup duty on your behalf. 

If your Doodle enjoys spending most of their time outside, this daily grooming session will become even more essential. 

Due to the low-shedding coat of an Irish Doodle, you won’t have to worry about clipping the dog until every 6-9 months. Although, as previously mentioned, they love the outdoors, and LOVE to play in the water. 

This can make them more vulnerable to ear infections, as dirt, grime, and bacteria can get caught in the creases if left untreated. Just be sure to keep an extra close eye on the dog’s ears, eyes, and teeth if they spend much of their time outside, as these areas are most prone to infection. 

Irish Doodle Shedding FAQs

Do Irish Doodles shed LESS than Goldendoodles/Labradoodles?

Many people in search of an Irish Doodle generally come across this amazing breed because they are in search of a hypoallergenic dog. But what about other popular hypoallergenic dogs like Goldendoodles or Labradoodles? 

Well, it turns out that Irish Doodles actually do shed less than their Poodle-mixed counterparts. Irish Setters typically shed less than Golden Retrievers or Labradors, and so depending on how much of the parental lineage is derived from the Setter. 

An Irish Doodle is likely to shed less than a Goldendoodle or Labradoodle.

Do Irish Doodles Shed When They’re Anxious?

Absolutely dogs can shed more when they are angry, stressed, nervous, anxious, or scared. The exact reason is somewhat unclear, but it is widely believed that some stress can trigger the release of chemicals like adrenaline, which is linked to things like panting, sweating, shivering, and shedding. 

Stress could arise from something as short-term as a trip to the vet, or long-term like separation anxiety, or loneliness from being by themselves for too long. This is why whenever you begin to notice your dog shedding more than normal, you should take note, and be aware that there may be something more serious at hand. 

Does Spaying or Neutering Reduce Shedding for an Irish Doodle?

While there is no evidence to support a spay or neuter procedure reducing the shedding of a dog. It is relatively well-known that some breeds can shed excessively after giving birth or after being spayed or neutered. 

It turns out that dogs can shed more immediately after being spayed or neutered, but to what extent will depend entirely on the dog. 

Irish Doodle History

They are one of the newer designer dogs, and much like other mixed breeds, there is relatively little history on the origin of the breed itself. Though it is widely believed that the Irish Doodle first came into existence over 30 years ago in the United States.

Irish Doodles are a cross between an Irish Setter, and a Poodle, illustrating the light-hearted, and friendly nature of the Irish Setter, combined with the loyal, and intelligent qualities of a Poodle. 

Irish Setters are beautiful dogs with long, and elegant builds, making them ideal hunters illustrating spectacular speed, and stamina. They are believed to be some sort of mix between a spaniel, pointer, and another setter. Irish hunters in the 1800’s were in search of a dog that was hard-working, fast, but big enough to spot from a distance, and had a keen sense of smell. 

These Irish Setters were the perfect mold, becoming incredible bird hunters, and were eventually adopted more and more as household pets. 

By the 1970’s they were one of the most popular breeds in the United States. Irish Setters approach everything in life with a burst of energy, and a good-natured attitude. They are very active breeds that need a ton of exercise, but are generally thought of as happy-go-lucky, energetic doggos that are fun to be around.  

Poodles are renowned for being extremely elegant, proud, and intelligent. While these traits carry both pros and cons, they are well-known to be very easy to train, and find great fulfillment in the entire learning process. 

The Poodle breed relies heavily on mental stimulation, and have been used historically for everything from hunting dogs, to show dogs. They are known to be extremely affectionate and loyal towards their family. It is for these reasons that many cross-breeds have Poodle parentage. 

Irish Doodles (Irish Setterpoo or Doodle Setter are the less common names) are tremendously popular all around the world because they carry much of these similar traits of both the Poodle and the Irish Setter. 

They are super friendly, super smart, super quiet, and super low-shedding. 

They are quite simply put, one of the best dogs for anyone regardless of your circumstances!

Irish Doodle Shedding Conclusions

To conclude, Irish Doodles are spectacular companion dogs. These doodle puppy dogs absolutely love to spend time with their family, and the love to learn new tricks. 

What separates them a little from most Poodle-mixed breeds, is the features they adopt from their Irish Setter parentage. Much like the Setter, an Irish Doodle is likely to be very active, affectionate, and carry a similar red, brown or apricot colour fur. 

However, since Irish Setters are considered to be very active dogs, and Poodles are considered to be moderately active dogs. There is a good chance that you’re going to end up with one energetic Irish Doodle. 

With that being said, the explosive energy the dog exudes can be easily dealt with by taking them on walks daily, and giving them at least 1 hour of exercise a day. 

The Irish Doodle takes on amazing traits from both parent breeds, presenting us with one of the more energetic, intelligent, sociable, and happy-go-lucky breeds you’ll ever find! And while they do shed, they are guaranteed to shed a lot less than almost any other breed out there.