Are Doodles High-Maintenance? Yes, But They're Totally Worth It
- JennaLeeDesignerDoodles
- Oct 1, 2020
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 6
If you're thinking about bringing home a doodle, you've probably wondered: Are doodles high maintenance?
The short answer is sometimes—but probably not in the way you think.
Many people picture a Poodle with a fancy haircut and assume doodles are delicate, difficult dogs that need constant pampering. In reality, that's not what living with a doodle is like at all.
After raising and matching doodle puppies with families for years, we've found that doodles are low-maintenance in some areas and higher-maintenance in others.
Are Doodles High Maintenance? At a Glance
Category | Maintenance Level | What to Expect |
Grooming | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Brush several times a week and schedule grooming every 6–8 weeks. |
Exercise | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | Daily walks, playtime, and mental enrichment keep them happy. |
Training | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | Highly intelligent and eager to learn with consistent training. |
Health | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ | Generally healthy when purchased from a responsible breeder that performs health testing. |
Attention | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | Doodles love being with their families and don't enjoy being isolated for long periods. |
They're athletic, intelligent, and eager to be part of the family, but they also need regular grooming, exercise, and quality time with their people.
If you're prepared for those responsibilities, most owners will tell you it's worth every minute.
Are Doodles Physically High Maintenance?
One of the biggest misconceptions about doodles comes from their Poodle heritage.
At first glance, a Standard Poodle may look like a dog that's happier walking through a dog show than hiking through the woods. Truth be told, that's not the case.
Poodles were originally bred as water retrievers. They're athletic working dogs that were expected to swim, retrieve birds, and spend long days outdoors. Even the traditional
Poodle haircut wasn't created just for appearance—it helped protect important joints while making swimming easier.
That athleticism carries over into most doodles.
Whether you have a Goldendoodle, Bernedoodle, Sheepadoodle, or another doodle breed, chances are your dog will love adventures just as much as relaxing on the couch afterward.
Don't be surprised if your doodle happily runs through mud puddles, plays an energetic game of fetch, or joins you on a weekend hike.
They're far tougher than they look.
Compared to many breeds, doodles are also generally adaptable. They typically handle warm and cool weather well, enjoy outdoor activities, and aren't overly fragile or sensitive to everyday life.
So if you're wondering whether doodles are physically difficult dogs to own, the answer is generally no.
Grooming Is Where Doodles Require the Most Maintenance
If there's one area where doodles truly earn the "high-maintenance" label, it's their coat.
One of the biggest reasons families choose a doodle is because of their low-shedding coat. Less fur on your furniture and clothes is a huge advantage, especially for families dealing with allergies or simply wanting a cleaner home.
The tradeoff is that loose hair doesn't fall onto the floor—it stays trapped inside the coat.
Without regular brushing, those loose hairs begin twisting together and eventually form mats.
That's why we recommend brushing your doodle several times each week. Dogs with curlier coats may need quick brushing every day, especially around the ears, legs, tail, and collar area where tangles tend to form first.
The good news?
Once brushing becomes part of your routine, most doodles learn to enjoy the attention.
Spending just a few minutes with a brush a few times each week is much easier than trying to remove severe matting later on.
Professional grooming is also part of doodle ownership.
Unlike many breeds, a doodle's coat continues growing throughout its life. Most owners schedule professional grooming every 6–8 weeks to keep the coat clean, comfortable, and easy to maintain.
You'll also notice that curly coats are magnets for leaves, sticks, burrs, and mud. After a fun afternoon outside, it's pretty common to find your doodle bringing home half the backyard in its fur. That's just part of the package.
The upside is that a well-maintained doodle coat stays soft, comfortable, and sheds very little inside your home.
Doodles Need Exercise for Their Bodies—and Their Brains
Another reason some people consider doodles high maintenance is their intelligence.
Doodles don't just need physical exercise—they need mental exercise, too.
Poodles consistently rank among the smartest dog breeds, and many doodles inherit that eagerness to learn. Combined with breeds like the Golden Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog, you end up with a dog that genuinely enjoys having a job to do.
That's excellent news for training.
Doodles often pick up new commands quickly and usually respond well to positive reinforcement. Many families are surprised by how fast their puppy learns basic manners when training is consistent from the start.
But here's the flip side: a bored doodle will often find ways to entertain themselves—and those ideas aren't always your favorite.
Chewing shoes, digging in the yard, barking for attention, or stealing socks are often signs that a doodle needs more physical activity or mental enrichment.
As the saying goes, an idle mind is the devil's playground, and doodles definitely keep that saying alive.
Are Doodles Emotionally High Maintenance?
This is where many new owners are surprised.
Doodles don't just want a home—they want to be part of your everyday life.
They're the kind of dog that follows you from the kitchen to the living room, waits outside the bathroom door, and curls up at your feet while you work. Some people call them "Velcro dogs," and honestly, that's a pretty accurate description.
For most families, that's one of the biggest reasons they fall in love with the breed.
At JLDD, we've found that doodles thrive when they're treated like a true member of the family instead of a dog that's expected to entertain itself all day.
That doesn't mean your doodle should never spend time alone. In fact, teaching independence is an important part of raising a confident puppy. With proper training, most doodles learn to relax on their own for reasonable periods of time.
The key is finding the right balance.
Regular exercise, consistent routines, and positive independence training go a long way toward preventing attention-seeking behaviors or separation anxiety later in life.
Are Doodles Good for Busy Families?
It depends on what "busy" looks like.
If everyone is gone for 10 or 12 hours every day and the dog is expected to stay home alone with very little interaction, a doodle probably isn't the best fit.
On the other hand, plenty of busy families successfully own doodles because they make time for walks, training sessions, playtime, and family activities before and after work.
Doodles don't necessarily need someone entertaining them every minute of the day.
They simply want to feel included in your life.
Whether you're taking a walk around the neighborhood, loading up for a weekend camping trip, or relaxing on the couch to watch a movie, most doodles are happiest just being where their people are.
That's one of the reasons they make such wonderful family dogs.
Wrapping Up
The biggest responsibilities of doodle ownership are:
Regular brushing to prevent mats.
Professional grooming every 6–8 weeks.
Daily exercise and mental enrichment.
Consistent training from puppyhood.
Plenty of quality time with their family.
Outside of those needs, doodles are generally healthy, athletic, eager to please, and adaptable to many different lifestyles.
If you're looking for a dog that can spend most of the day alone in the backyard, a doodle probably isn't the right breed for you.
But if you want a loyal companion that's intelligent, affectionate, low shedding, and eager to join you wherever life takes you, you'll likely find the extra grooming and
attention are a small price to pay.
After all, some of the very best dogs ask for a little more from us—and they give even more back in return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are doodles harder to take care of than other dogs?
In some ways, yes. Doodles typically require more grooming than many other breeds because their coats grow continuously and need regular brushing and professional haircuts.
However, they're also highly trainable and generally healthy when responsibly bred, which can make other parts of ownership easier.
Why do doodles need so much grooming?
Unlike many breeds that naturally shed their coats, doodles hold onto loose hair within their curls.
Without regular brushing, that hair can form painful mats. Most doodles benefit from brushing several times a week and professional grooming every 6–8 weeks.
Are doodles good for first-time dog owners?
Yes. Many doodles are excellent choices for first-time owners because they're intelligent, eager to please, and highly trainable.
New owners should simply be prepared for regular grooming, daily exercise, and consistent training.
Can doodles be left home alone?
Most adult doodles can comfortably stay home alone for several hours when they've been properly trained and exercised.
Puppies, however, need more frequent potty breaks, supervision, and gradual independence training to build confidence.
Are doodles worth the extra maintenance?
For many families, absolutely. While doodles require more grooming than some breeds, owners often feel the tradeoff is worth it for their low-shedding coats, friendly personalities, intelligence, and strong bond with their families.
Authors: The JLDD Team provides expert guidance on Doodles, puppy care, training, and responsible breeding based on years of real-world experience.
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