The Big Doodle Dog is a beloved breed that's perfect for families and active owners. They're a cross between a Poodle and another breed, which makes them highly intelligent and trainable.
Big Doodle Dogs are generally medium to large in size, with some varieties reaching up to 20 inches in height. Their coats require regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling.
These dogs are known for their friendly, outgoing personalities, which make them great companions for people of all ages. They're also relatively low-shedding, making them a great choice for those with allergies.
Their high energy levels mean they need regular exercise to stay happy and healthy, which can include daily walks, playtime, and training sessions.
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What is a Big Doodle Dog?
A Big Doodle Dog is a mixed breed that's a cross between a Standard Poodle and another larger dog breed, like the Old English Sheepdog.
These dogs are known for their non-shedding fur, loving and playful temperament, and adorable teddy bear face.
They can range in size depending on the variant of the Poodle used, but they're often larger than smaller doodle breeds.
Big Doodle Dogs are highly social and get along well with everyone, making them great family pets.
What Is a?
So, you're wondering what a Big Doodle Dog is? Well, it's actually a term that can refer to several different breeds of dogs that are a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle.
The term "Big Doodle" is often used to describe a Goldendoodle, which is a hybrid breed that combines the best traits of both Golden Retrievers and Poodles. These dogs are known for being friendly, social, and highly intelligent, making them excellent family pets.
One of the reasons why Big Doodle Dogs are so popular is because they are highly trainable. In fact, Doodles are generally easy to train due to their intelligence, but they can also get bored easily and start to push boundaries. They may need more attention from their owners, which can mean more time is spent training them.
Big Doodle Dogs come in a range of sizes, from miniature to standard, and have a diverse range of coat types, including curly, wavy, and straight. Many of them have hypoallergenic or low-shedding coats, which can be suitable for people with allergies.
Here are some key characteristics of Big Doodle Dogs:
- Intelligent and trainable
- Friendly and social
- Hypoallergenic or low-shedding coats
- Active and playful
- Loyal and affectionate
- Versatile and adaptable
Overall, Big Doodle Dogs are a popular choice for families and individuals looking for a loyal and loving companion.
What is a Doodle?
A Doodle is a mixed-breed dog created by breeding a Poodle with another dog breed.
To create a Doodle, you take a Poodle and mate them with another dog breed. The resulting puppies are Doodles.
The unusual names for Doodles come from the non-Poodle breed in the mix, such as a Golden Retriever bred with a Poodle being a Goldendoodle.
The names for Doodles can get confusing, making it harder to recognize the non-Poodle breed.
Poodle and Wheaton Terrier mixes are called Whoodles, while smaller dog breeds bred with Poodles are generally referred to as Poos.
Examples of Poos include the Pomapoo (Pomeranian), Jackapoo (Jack Russell Terrier), and Maltipoo (Maltese).
History and Types
The Goldendoodle, a larger Doodle breed, was first bred in the 1990s with the goal of creating a low-shedding coat and intelligent, friendly nature.
The Goldendoodle is still a relatively young breed, and most are the result of first-generation breeding between Golden Retrievers and Poodles. This means that breeding between Goldendoodles themselves is rare.
The Goldendoodle has gained popularity, especially in Australia, but there is no breed club or registry yet. However, online communities for Goldendoodle owners and enthusiasts are growing.
Here are the top 3 most popular types of Doodles based on Google Trends data from 2020 to 2021:
- Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever + Poodle)
- Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever + Poodle)
- Cavapoo (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel + Poodle)
These breeds are often selected as service dogs due to their temperament, trainability, and hypoallergenic qualities.
History
The Goldendoodle breed has a relatively short history, with breeding beginning in the 1990s. This was after the success of other "Doodle" breeds like the Cockapoo and Labradoodle.
Most Goldendoodles are the result of first-generation breeding between Golden Retrievers and Poodles. This means they don't often have Goldendoodle parents, which is unusual for a breed.
The Goldendoodle has gained some popularity, especially in Australia, but it's still a relatively new breed with no breed club or registry.
What Are the Most Popular Types?
The Labradoodle and Goldendoodle are the clear winners when it comes to popularity. They were far ahead of their counterparts in our analysis, which is likely due to their temperament, trainability, and hypoallergenic status.
These two breeds are commonly selected as service dogs, which is a testament to their excellent qualities. Their popularity is also reflected in search trends, with Google Trends showing a significant spike in searches for these breeds.
Here's a list of the top 12 most popular types of Doodles, based on our analysis of Google Trends data:
- Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever + Poodle)
- Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever + Poodle)
- Cavapoo (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel + Poodle)
- Bernedoodle (Bernese Mountain Dog + Poodle)
- Scoodle (Scottish Terrier + Poodle)
- Aussiedoodle (Australian Shepherd + Poodle)
- Sheepadoodle (Old English Sheepdog + Poodle)
- Schnoodle (Miniature Schnauzer + Poodle)
- Shih Poo (Shih Tzu + Poodle)
- Irish Doodle (Irish Setter + Poodle)
- Yorkipoo (Yorkshire Terrier + Poodle)
- Pomapoo (Pomeranian + Poodle)
The Labradoodle and Goldendoodle's popularity is likely due to their friendly and outgoing personalities, making them great family pets.
F1, F2 - Genetic Classification
F1 Doodles are the result of breeding a purebred Poodle with another purebred dog.
The "F" in F1 stands for first generation, indicating that the dog is a cross between two purebred parents.
F1 Doodles can be bred together to create an F2 Doodle, where both parents are F1 Doodles.
This means that F2 Doodles are a mix of multiple breeds, including the original breed used to create the first F1 Doodle and the breed used to create the second F1 Doodle.
F1b and F1bb
F1b Doodles are bred by crossing an F1 Labradoodle with a Poodle, resulting in 75% of their genetics coming from Poodle and 25% from Labrador. This increases the chances of the offspring having hypoallergenic coats.
Backcross breeding is used to achieve this, and F1b Doodles can be bred with another Poodle to create F1bb Labradoodles, which have even more Poodle genetics.
The original breeder of Labradoodles, Wally Conron, found that not all F1 Labradoodles had hypoallergenic coats, so he used backcross breeding to increase the chances of the offspring having this trait.
F1b Doodles can be bred with another Poodle to create F1bb Labradoodles, which have 87.5% of their genetics from Poodle and 12.5% from Labrador.
Take a look at this: Golden Doodle Dogs Hypoallergenic
Health and Grooming
The Goldendoodle and Sheepadoodle breeds require regular grooming to prevent matting and keep their coats in good shape. They're considered non-light shedders, but still need some grooming to stay healthy and looking their best.
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Brushing is essential for both breeds, with the Goldendoodle requiring a weekly or bi-weekly brushing, and the Sheepadoodle needing regular brushing to prevent matting. You can use a high-quality pin brush, like the one recommended for Sheepadoodles, to make the process easier and more effective.
A good brushing routine can also help you detect any potential health problems early on, such as redness, tenderness, or inflammation on the skin, nose, mouth, eyes, and feet. Regular nail trimming is also crucial, with the Goldendoodle needing to have their nails trimmed once or twice a month to prevent painful tears and other problems.
Here's a quick guide to help you keep your big doodle dog's grooming needs in check:
Do Shed?
Sheepadoodles are known to be moderate shedders, but the frequency and amount of shedding can vary depending on the individual dog.
Our vet suggested giving our Sheepadoodle Greenies every few days to help with tartar control and his breath, which he enjoys chewing on for a few minutes.
Regular dental care is essential to prevent tartar buildup and promote healthy teeth and gums in Sheepadoodles.
Health and Grooming
Your Goldendoodle or Sheepadoodle's grooming needs are essential to their overall health and well-being. Regular grooming helps prevent matting and tangling, which can be painful and even lead to skin infections.
To keep their coat in top shape, brush your Goldendoodle about once every week or two, or daily if you want to prevent gum disease and bad breath. Brushing your Sheepadoodle regularly will also help prevent matting and tangling.
A good brushing session should take about 10-15 minutes, and it's best to start when they're a puppy. Handle their paws frequently, as dogs are touchy about their feet, and look inside their mouth to get them accustomed to being examined.
If you don't want to clip their coat, a good brushing every few weeks will keep it in shape. However, if you do choose to clip, you'll still need to brush their coat regularly to prevent matting and tangling.
Sheepadoodles may require regular baths, every 3-6 weeks, depending on their activity level and environment. A bath alone can cost around $50, while a full cut and bath can cost up to $90 plus tip.
Here's a quick guide to regular grooming tasks:
Remember to check your dog's ears weekly for redness or a bad odor, which can indicate an infection. Wipe them out with a cotton ball dampened with gentle, pH-balanced ear cleaner to help prevent infections.
Regular grooming also helps you spot potential health problems early, such as sores, rashes, or signs of infection on the skin, nose, mouth, eyes, and feet.
Care and Feeding
The big doodle dog needs regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. Aim for 20 to 30 minutes of daily exercise, which can be a combination of walks and playtime in the backyard.
A Goldendoodle's energy level is average, so they don't require a lot of exercise to stay satisfied. However, they do need room to move and should have a home with a fenced yard.
Swimming is an excellent way to provide exercise for your big doodle dog, as they love water. Just be sure to introduce them to swimming gradually and make it a fun experience.
To prevent destructive behavior, it's essential to train your big doodle dog with positive reinforcement. Harsh corrections can damage their confidence and make training more challenging.
Socialization is also crucial for big doodle dogs, especially to discourage shyness or timidity. They're gentle dogs, so they can be instrumental in helping other dogs feel more at ease.
Measuring your dog's food and feeding them twice a day can help keep them in good shape. You should be able to see a waist when looking down at them, and feel but not see their ribs without pressing hard.
Feeding your big doodle dog several small meals per day can also help prevent gastric torsion or bloat, a condition that can be inherited from their Golden Retriever parent.
Training and Behavior
Training a big doodle dog requires patience and consistency. They are generally easy to train, but their intelligence can sometimes make them test boundaries.
Big doodle dogs tend to get bored easily, so they need plenty of attention and mental stimulation. Crate training can help with this, especially for housebreaking, which Sheepadoodle puppies can learn in as little as 13 weeks.
To prevent nipping, it's essential to redirect the behavior early on. Give your dog plenty of bully sticks to chew on instead of their hands or clothes. Consistency is key, so make sure to not allow nipping from the beginning.
Here are some ways to control herding behavior:
- Learn basic commands like sit and stay to control their urge to herd.
- Stop herding before it begins by intervening sternly.
- Make sure your dog understands that herding is disapproved by their owner.
Big doodle dogs are known for their high emotional IQ and playful nature, making them a great family dog. With their love of children and socialization, it's no wonder they're such a popular breed.
Temperament
Sheepadoodles are incredibly intelligent dogs, thanks to their Poodle heritage. They have a high emotional IQ, which makes them easy to train and interact with.
Their playful nature is one of their most endearing qualities. They love to play and socialize, and enjoy a good game of roughhousing.
Sheepadoodles are also very affectionate and love to be around their owners. They thrive on attention and will often do anything to please their family.
In fact, Sheepadoodles are so eager to please that they can become quite attached to their owners. This is especially true for children, who can form strong bonds with their Sheepadoodle companions.
Here are some key traits to keep in mind when interacting with a Sheepadoodle:
- Playful and energetic
- Affectionate and loving
- Intelligent and trainable
- Can become attached to owners and children
As with any dog, it's essential to respect their boundaries and personal space. This means not disturbing them while they're sleeping and avoiding taking their food or toys.
Training Doodles
Training Doodles can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it does come with its own set of challenges. Doodles are generally easy to train as they tend to be extremely intelligent, picking up commands quickly.
However, their intelligence can also make them prone to boredom, which can lead to pushing boundaries and finding their own entertainment. This means that they may require more attention from their owners, which can mean more time spent training them.
One of the most important things to remember when training a Doodle is that they are herding dogs at heart. This means that they have a natural instinct to herd animals, and even humans, which can be challenging to manage.
To control this instinct, it's essential to teach basic commands like sit and stay, and to intervene early when you see them wanting to herd. This will help them understand that herding is not approved behavior.
Nipping is another common behavior issue in Doodles, particularly in puppies. This is because they are herding dogs and have a natural instinct to nip to keep their "sheep" in line.
Redirecting their behavior by giving them bully sticks to chew on can be an effective way to manage nipping. Consistency is key, so it's essential to not allow nipping behavior to continue.
Here are some key tips to keep in mind when training your Doodle:
- Teach basic commands like sit and stay
- Intervene early when you see herding behavior
- Redirect nipping behavior with bully sticks
- Be consistent in your training and behavior management
Exercise / Socialization
Sheepadoodles need regular exercise to keep them happy and healthy. A good starting point is a walk or two a day.
They require more than just a casual stroll, though - full-sized Sheepadoodles need serious speed and playtime to get their energy out.
High-energy activities like running and playing keep away with a ball are perfect for Sheepadoodles. They live for this kind of playtime!
A great bonding experience for families is playing together in the yard. This regular playtime can help strengthen the bond between Sheepadoodles and their owners.
Sheepadoodles have a particular fondness for toys that fly through the air, like the Chuck It Toy. This toy is indestructible and perfect for a game of fetch.
Tug-a-war with a favorite toy is also a great way to get your Sheepadoodle's energy out.
Recommended read: Toy Breeds Dogs
Owning a Big Doodle Dog
Owning a big doodle dog can be a wonderful experience, but it's essential to be aware of the unique challenges that come with it. Big doodle dogs, like Sheepadoodles, can grow up to 75 pounds and require a lot of space to move around.
They need a large, fenced-in backyard where they can run around and get exercise. If you live in an apartment or have a small yard, a big doodle dog might not be the best fit for you. Their large size also means they have a big appetite, which can be expensive to feed.
Big doodle dogs are highly social and love to be around people, but this also means they can get destructive if left alone for too long. They need to be trained out of herding behavior and nipping, and some may have chewing issues. With proper training and attention, however, they can make wonderful family pets.
Here are some estimated costs to consider when bringing a big doodle dog into your family:
Regular grooming is also a must for big doodle dogs, as their fur can mat if not properly maintained. With the right care and attention, however, a big doodle dog can be a loving and loyal companion for many years to come.
Owning a Pet
Owning a Big Doodle Dog can be a wonderful experience, but it's essential to consider the unique needs of these lovable companions.
They can grow to be quite large, with some Sheepadoodles reaching up to 75 pounds, making them a giant breed.
A big doodle dog requires a spacious living area, with a good-sized fenced-in backyard being ideal.
They need regular exercise, with 20 to 30 minutes of daily activity, such as walks or playtime in the backyard, to keep them happy and healthy.
Some big doodle dogs, like Sheepadoodles, can be prone to separation anxiety, which can lead to destructive behavior if left alone for long periods.
With proper training and socialization, big doodle dogs can thrive in a family environment, making them great companions for singles or families alike.
Here are some pros and cons to consider when owning a big doodle dog:
Overall, owning a big doodle dog can be a rewarding experience, but it's crucial to be aware of their unique needs and challenges.
Research Breeders Carefully
Research breeders carefully, as poodle mixes and doodle dogs are often sold by puppy mills and unscrupulous breeders.
Potential owners should determine the parents of the puppy and ask for complete information to ensure the dog's well-being.
It's essential to visit the breeder to assess the temperament and health of the parent dogs, especially the female parent.
Powers advises using the same principles as when purchasing any puppy to avoid online puppy scams and find a safe, reputable breeder.
By being diligent in your research, you'll be more likely to find a responsible breeder who prioritizes the dog's well-being.
Additional reading: Puppy Dogs Drawings
Rescue and Breeding
If you're considering bringing a big doodle dog into your family, you may be surprised to learn that they can end up in shelters or rescues. Some people purchase Goldendoodles without knowing what owning one entails.
You can start by checking out shelters dedicated to Golden Retrievers and Poodles, as these breeds are often the foundation of Goldendoodles. IDOG Rescue Inc. is a great resource to look into.
Goldendoodle-specific rescues may be hard to find, but you can also search with a rescue database to see if any big doodle dogs are available for adoption. This can be a great way to give a loving home to a dog in need.
Here are some resources to get you started:
- IDOG Rescue Inc.
- Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue
- California Doodle Rescue
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the largest doodle breeds?
The largest Doodle breeds include the Great Pyredoodle, which can weigh up to 100 pounds, and other large mixes like the Bernedoodle and the Aussiedoodle. If you're looking for a gentle giant, these breeds may be the perfect fit for you.
What is the maximum size of a doodle dog?
A full-grown Goldendoodle can weigh up to 90 pounds and stand 24 inches tall. Maximum size varies depending on Poodle lineage, with some doodles reaching larger heights and weights.
Why is Brodie the dog so big?
Brodie's owner wanted a big dog and gave him lots of love, which made him grow even bigger. His growth is likened to Clifford the Big Red Dog, where love fuels his size.
Sources
- Brodie The Goldendoodle (tiktok.com)
- F1B (happygodoodle.com)
- grooming tools (nbcnews.com)
- desire to chase (hillspet.com)
- California Doodle Rescue (californiadoodlerescue.org)
- 32 Types of Doodles & Poodle Mixes [Ranked By Popularity] (highlandcanine.com)
- How Big Do Mini Goldendoodles Get? Average Weight & ... (dogster.com)
- Goldendoodle Association of North America (goldendoodleassociation.com)
- Share (facebook.com)
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