Poodle Vs Doodle [Which Way To Go?]

Are you trying to decide whether to bring home a Poodle or a Doodle? Or, perhaps you’re still trying to wrap your head around the difference between these two breeds?

In either case, I’m here to help you sort through the similarities and differences between Poodles and Doodles. Read on for details.

Table of Contents

Breed Appearance of Poodle vs. Doodle

Poodles are purebred dogs that range in size from toy to standard. They have square features with a long neck and a straight back. Their tail is shorter than average but long enough to wag when greeting their loving owners.

In contrast, there’s no one appearance-fits-all type of situation when it comes to Doodle dogs. That’s because Doodles are Poodles mixed with another dog breed. Below are some common types of Doodles, with their name indicating their breed mix.

Goldendoodle
Labradoodle
Aussiedoodle
Bernedoodle
Schnoodle

Needless to say, if you decide to welcome a Doodle into your home, you can expect them to have a combination of Poodle features and appearances from their non-Poodle parent.

happy poodle and a labradoodle — A happy gray Poodle and a Doodle dog.

Coat Types of Poodle vs. Doodle

Poodles have coarse coats with tight curls. As a result, it’s essential to keep them on a regular grooming schedule, with daily brushing and a trip to a professional groomer once every approximately six weeks.

One of the most attractive characteristics of Poodles is their hypoallergenic features. Although some studies show that hypoallergenic dogs don’t have as strong of an anti-allergen property as once believed, they still are an excellent fit for some people. Plus, they shed less than many other dogs.

In fact, it’s the hypoallergenic nature of a Poodle’s coat that sparked the creation of the Doodle.

Given that breeders pair so many different dog breeds with Poodles, there’s no set rule for how your Doodle’s coat will turn out.

However, you can expect them to be a combination of a Poodle coat and whatever coat the other parent has.

two doodle best friends on a deck — Two Doodle dog best friends posing on a deck.

Size Difference in Poodle versus Doodle

Poodles come in three main sizes with the following measurements:

Toy Poodle: Up to 10 inches; 6 – 9 pounds
Miniature Poodle: 11 – 15 inches; 15 – 17 pounds
Standard Poodle: 15 – 22 inches; 45 – 70 pounds

Naturally, a dog inherits its size from both parents. So, the size of your Doodle will depend on a combination of the size of the Poodle the breeder used and the breed they combined it with.

If you’re buying a Doodle puppy and are hoping for your dog to stay within a set size, it’s essential to ask the breeder for size information in the puppy’s lineage.

Alternatively, an advantage of bringing home an adult Doodle is that you won’t have to play the waiting game to see if you underestimated how large of a crate to buy for them.

brown poodle with stick and a doodle dog sitting — Brown Poodle biting a stick and a Labradoodle sitting on the ground.

Temperament and Personality in Poodles and Doodles

Poodles have a fun-loving personality and are exceptionally loyal to their owners. They get along well with children, strangers, and other dogs, and they’re also quick learners.

As a result of how much they love humans, they have a higher-than-average chance of experiencing separation anxiety when you’re away. So, using a crate and teaching them to be away from you at a young age is crucial for their emotional wellbeing.

Of course, a Doodle’s temperament and personality are only half dependent on their Poodle heritage.

So, when deciding what kind of Doodle to bring home, it’s essential to assess the other breed’s characteristics.

For example, do you want a large, gentle giant? The Bernedoodle could be a great fit, thanks to the Bernese Mountain Dog’s calm personality.

In contrast, if you want a high-energy smaller dog, the West Highland White Terrier mixed in the Westiepoo might be just what you’re looking for.

f2b bernedoodle generation on the beach — The F2b Bernedoodle generation can have that distinct Bernese Mountain Dog color coat

Health and Longevity [Do Poodles or Doodles live longer?]

Poodles have a lifespan of 12 – 15 years. So, you’ll need to factor this lifespan in with that of the other breed of your Doodle.

If you have a large Doodle and you’re comparing it with a Toy or Miniature Poodle, the Toy Poodle will statistically have a longer lifespan.

That’s because, according to research, smaller animals within any species typically outlive their larger companions of the same species.

The bottom line? If you want to spend as many years as possible with your Doodle, buy a smaller Doodle variety.

labradoodle friends — Happy Oodle friends (Max the happy Mini Labradoodle in the middle)

Breed-Specific Health Problems

Although Poodles are hardy dogs, no breeds are immune to health issues. Some common health problems that Poodles have a higher chance of experiencing include:

Addison’s disease
Gastric torsion
Hip dysplasia
Thyroid problems
Progressive retinal atrophy

For Doodles, you’ll need to consider these health problems in addition to those that their other breed often experiences.

In addition, some common health scenarios that dogs of all breeds may face as they get older include:

Arthritis
Cancer
Cataracts
Diabetes

That said, you can often catch and manage many of the health conditions on these lists by taking your Doodle to an annual vet checkup.

red mini Labradoodle — A Red Miniature Labradoodle looks happy in the studio.

Poodle and Doodle Needs and Training

Poodles love training. Their combination of intelligence and people-pleasing ways makes training a game for them.

Because of how smart Poodles are, it’s important to change your training style to keep their attention. You should also make training increasingly difficult while always using positive reinforcement training techniques.

How eager and quickly your Doodle picks up on your training cues will depend on the breed of their other parent. Of course, the quality of training has an impact, too. So, if you don’t have experience with dog training, it’s time to enroll you and your new pup in a training course.

running cream labradoodle — An energetic cream Labradoodle puppy ZOOMS

Cost Comparison

Of the Poodle breed, Standard Poodles are the cheapest variety. These large dogs start at around $600. Toy and Miniature Poodles are more expensive, with their initial price tag between $1,000 – $2,000.

That said, high-quality show Poodles go for $10,000 or more.

In contrast, Doodles often start at around the same price as Standard Poodles, assuming that there’s nothing noteworthy about their parent’s genes and their parent is the Standard variety.

Don’t be surprised if you see a Doodle selling for a few thousand dollars, though, as these dogs are in high demand.

Standard Poodle puppy wearing harness outdoor — The Standard Poodle puppy wears a harness outdoors for his training. (Image: Instagram/@poodleabelincoln)

Final Thoughts

Poodles are loving and intelligent companions. However, if you want a combination of the Poodle’s qualities with the qualities of another purebred dog, choosing a Doodle breed is an excellent option.

Before you settle on a Doodle, I recommend researching the traits of the other parent’s breed. Whether you choose a Poodle or a Doodle, you can expect your house to fill with more love and excitement once you bring them home.