Why Are Doodles So Popular? Here Are The Top 3 Reasons

The popularity of doodles has exploded in the past decade making them one of the most common breeds in America. If you have had the privilege of owning a doodle, chances are you are well-versed in why they are such a special breed.

But if you’ve yet to experience the magic of owning one you may just left scratching your head at the sudden abundance of curly-coated dogs walking through your neighborhood! While nothing can quite explain the experience and adventure of owning such a clever, devoted companion we do our best to answer this question in a more succinct format!

Doodles' Coats Are One Reason Why They're So Popular

Anyone who has owned a “non-doodle” dog can likely attest to the copious amounts of fur found around the house. It’s on the furniture, all over the floor, on your clothing and sometimes found in your food! Owners often come to us after owning the “non-doodle” version of their preferred breed such as Golden Retriever or Bernese Mountain Dog.

The story is always the same…they absolutely loved and adored their previous dog but simply “can’t deal with the hair again.” They are eager to hold onto some of the characteristics of their favorite breed with a non-shedding coat by adopting a Goldendoodle or Bernedoodle!

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Poodles have been prized for centuries for their curly, non-shedding coats. Breeding some of America’s most popular breeds to a poodle creates the magic of doodles. For example, by breeding a Golden Retriever to a Poodle, you will produce a dog that sheds significantly less than a retriever but still has some of the other traits that make Golden Retrievers so special (obedience, soulful eyes, etc.)!

Keep in mind not all doodles are created equal when it comes to the non-shedding nature of their coat. While all should shed a bit less than their non-doodle counterparts (lab, golden retriever, etc.), some will still shed quite a bit depending on genetics and generation. Those looking to minimize shedding would do best to avoid the “F1” and “F2” generations. The curlier the coat, the less the dog will shed. 

The curly-coated doodles shed very little — you can expect to see some hair in the brush when you brush or comb your doodle but will rarely if ever find fur on your furniture and floor.

Along these same lines, doodles are a highly recommended breed when it comes to allergy-sufferers. Their thick, curly coats help trap the dander that causes most allergy symptoms. Less shedding means less dander free floating through your house. The vast majority of those allergic to dogs find that their symptoms are greatly lessened when interacting with a doodle as compared to a shedding breed!

Another Reason Why Doodles Are Popular? Their Temperament

Doodles have a great reputation for being a family-friendly breed and rightly so. The Standard Poodle was originally bred as a retrieving dog (specifically for the water). So Standard Poodles are quite athletic, moderately active and extremely intelligent. Retrieving is a skill that requires dutiful obedience on the part of the dog, and the standard poodle is no exception.

The poodle makes a smart, sensitive but very patient companion. The most common breeds of doodles are bred with other well-known family-friendly breeds such as the Labrador or Golden Retriever. So doodles are typically a combination of two smart and friendly breeds and as a result, doodles are typically tolerant, gentle and do well with kids. They are energetic enough to keep up with family activities but also highly trainable and easy to keep in the house.

Doodles also just have a certain wit and charm about them. You can tell a doodle's temperament early on. We have countless examples of the doodle’s cleverness and wit from learning to organize and clean up their own toys to operating the light switch.

Doodles tend to be intelligent, easy to train and extremely loyal and devoted to their people. They are frequently used as therapy dogs, emotional support dogs and can even excel in the athletic arena (we break down doodle exercise needs in this post.)

People Love Doodles' Versatility

Many people love that doodles come in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes! The Poodle has many wonderful qualities and in and of itself is a wonderful breed to own but by crossing different breeds with the Standard Poodles, the possibilities are almost endless and add a little differences and nuances in each doodle breed’s personality.

For example, our Goldendoodles tend to be incredibly affectionate and laidback based on the Golden Retriever in their heritage while an Aussiedoodle will have a greater intensity that makes him a great choice for agility or other mentally challenging activities based on his herding background.

While the possibilities for doodle breeds are almost endless, reputable breeder are careful about which breeds they cross ensuring that the parent dogs are similar enough in size and structure to produce healthy offspring. And most have focused on dog breeds that are known to be smart, trainable and family friendly. Still, there is great versatility within the world of doodles, as a result, you can likely find a doodle to fit whatever your temperament preferences or needs are.

But even within a specific breed of doodle such as the Goldendoodle there are a variety of colors and sizes to choose from. Using a Toy or Miniature Poodle can produce smaller versions of this breed. The smallest Goldendoodles can be less than ten pounds, while those bred with standard poodles can be as large as 80+ pounds. (Check out our doodle size and weight chart here.)

The poodle coat comes in a huge variety of colors including solids, sable, phantom, merle and more! As a result, any of the doodle breeds have a large variety of colors.

Many families find the versatility of the breed to be a huge selling point. One owner may be a dedicated runner and hiker who needs a companion that can keep up with him. While another family may be attracted to a smaller dog that can fit under the seat in an airplane! Either way, the doodle is a great fit! We love matching the right breed and size of doodle to each family depending on their needs. And the exciting color wheel is an added bonus.

In conclusion, we aren’t shy about the benefits of owning a doodle! It is easy to see why they have become one of the most popular breeds so quickly. As breeders we appreciate the low-shedding, hypoallergenic coat, the versatility and most importantly the temperament of our beloved doodles! Contact us if you're looking for available doodles, and read our tips for safely buying a puppy.

Jenna and the JLDD Team

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