Spoodle puppies are a cross between a Poodle and a Cocker Spaniel, making them a popular breed for families and first-time dog owners. They're known for being intelligent and easy to train.
Spoodle puppies are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they can be prone to certain health issues. Hip dysplasia is a common problem in Spoodles, especially if they inherit it from their Poodle parent.
Spoodles come in a variety of sizes, from Toy to Standard, making them a great choice for families with different living situations. Their low-shedding coat is also a plus for people with allergies or who prefer less dog hair.
With proper training and socialization, Spoodle puppies can grow into well-behaved and loving companions.
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Breed Characteristics
Spoodles are friendly and affectionate companion dogs, known for being intelligent, loving, and outgoing. They have a gentle disposition, making them wonderful family pets.
They interact well with people and other animals, and are very intelligent, making them easy to train. Spoodles are highly adaptable and easily fit into households, with or without existing pets and/or children.
Their physical appearance is quite endearing, with a medium-sized build, a round appealing face, and an athletic body. They have a high set tail, friendly expression, and semi-long coats ranging from fleece to wool.
Size
Spoodles come in a variety of sizes, depending on the Poodle parent. The height and weight ranges vary significantly across the different sizes.
The miniature Spoodle, for example, has a height range of 30-40 cm and a weight range of 15-18 kg. This is determined by crossing a Springer Spaniel with a Miniature Poodle.
The Spoodle's size can also be classified into three main categories: Toy, Miniature, and Standard. Here's a breakdown of each size:
Some breeders are now also breeding Teacup Toy Spoodles, which are approximately 2 kg.
Physical Attributes
Spoodles are squarely built and well-balanced dogs, weighing anywhere between 6 and 25 pounds. They come in a variety of sizes, including Toy, Miniature, and Standard varieties.
The height and weight ranges for each size vary, but here's a quick rundown:
All three varieties have a large round head with well-spaced eyes, giving them an alert expression. Their coats can be curly, wavy, or straight, and come in a wide range of colors, including solid colors and patterned varieties.
Care and Maintenance
Spoodle puppies require regular grooming to stay healthy and clean.
You'll need to brush your Spoodle every day or at least 3-4 times a week to prevent matting and tangling.
Regular brushing will also make their coat more manageable, especially if they have long fur.
Spoodles need to be bathed once a month to keep their coat clean.
Don't forget to clean your Spoodle's ears regularly to prevent infections.
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Coat Maintenance
Spoodles have two main coat types, fleece and wool, both of which are non-shedding and low allergenic.
The fleece coat has a soft silky texture and can have a straight or wavy look. It's extremely rare for a fleece coat to shed.
The wool coat is more dense and resembles the coat of a sheep or lamb. It's also extremely rare for a wool coat to shed.
You'll need to clip your spoodle's coat 2-3 times a year, either yourself or with the help of a professional groomer. Regular grooming will also make the coat more manageable.
A good weekly brush should be sufficient for most spoodles, but you may need to brush them more frequently if they have long fur.
What to Feed a Dog
Feeding your dog the right food is crucial for their health and happiness. You should start by feeding your puppy the same kibble or raw puppy food it was eating at the breeder.
It's a good idea to soak the kibble in water before feeding it to make it easier to digest. Your puppy will need at least 3-4 meals a day.
As your dog grows into adulthood, you can switch to adult dog food. Your vet or breeder can guide you on the best food for your pet.
Most Spoodles do well with 2 meals a day, but this can vary depending on their activity levels and overall health. Look for high-quality food that's free from preservatives, dyes, and fillers.
Some dogs are allergic to dairy, gluten, and certain proteins, so it's essential to choose a hypoallergenic, grain-free food. You can also try novel protein, a protein your dog hasn't eaten before.
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Health Expectancy
Spoodle puppies are known for their overall good health, thanks to crossbreeding which reduces the likelihood of genetic diseases. This is a significant advantage over purebred dogs.
On average, a Spoodle's lifespan is 12-14 years, but with proper care, some Spoodles can live up to 15 years. Regular veterinary check-ups are essential to ensure your Spoodle stays healthy.
First-generation Spoodles are less prone to major health complaints, but it's essential to be aware of potential issues that may arise. These can include dental problems, eye issues, allergies, hip dysplasia, liver disease, ear infections, and dislocating knee-caps.
Here are some common health issues to watch out for in Spoodles:
- Dental problems
- Eye issues - hereditary cataracts, PRA, corneal ulcerations, and glaucoma
- Joint issues - luxating patella, hip/elbow dysplasia
- Ear problems - often linked to allergies and yeast infections
- Skin problems - often linked to allergies
Training Your
Training your spoodle puppy is a breeze, as they are highly intelligent and quick learners. They can pick up basic commands in just a few weeks.
Spoodles love to please, and with patience and persistence, they'll pass training with flying colours. However, they can be a bit headstrong, especially if they have more Poodle-like tendencies.
Early socialisation and obedience training are essential for all puppies, including spoodles. This will help them grow into confident and friendly adult dogs.
Spoodles are naturally wary, thanks to their Cocker Spaniel genes, so training them requires a gentle and positive approach. Never shout at or punish them, as this can lead to aggression, shyness, or fearfulness.
Spoodles are highly trainable, and with the right methods, they can learn many tricks and excel in obedience. They thrive on mental challenges and love to cuddle and relax with their owners.
To prevent separation anxiety, it's crucial to train your spoodle to be alone early on. This will help them develop into well-behaved dogs that don't exhibit destructive behaviour when you're away.
Spoodles are outgoing dogs that enjoy interacting with other pets, including cats, as long as they're socialised with them from an early age. The more things you expose your pet spoodle to, the more confident and friendly it will become.
Spoodles have a high tendency to bark when they see strangers, but this can be a good thing as it makes them excellent guard dogs. However, they're too affectionate to ever be aggressive.
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Exercise and Activity
Spoodle puppies love to run and play, so regular exercise is a must. A 15-30 minute walk on the leash is ideal as daily exercise for a puppy.
As Spoodles grow into adult dogs, they'll enjoy accompanying their family in all sorts of play and activities. This can include a daily walk, backyard play, swimming, or a trip to the dog park.
Spoodles are high energy dogs, especially the standard sized variety, so they need plenty of exercise to wear them out both physically and mentally. A daily walk to the dog park will exercise them and allow them to interact with other dogs.
Smaller Spoodles can handle smaller living spaces, but bigger Spoodles will need a larger backyard to run around in.
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Purchasing and Ownership
If you're ready to bring a spoodle puppy into your family, you'll need to do some research on where to buy one. Researching reputable breeders and animal rescue shelters can help you find the perfect furry friend.
A reputable breeder might charge anywhere between $2000 and $5000 for a spoodle puppy, depending on the breeder's costs and services offered. This cost can increase if the breeder trains their puppies or needs to ship your dog to you.
Adopting a spoodle from an animal rescue shelter can be a more affordable option, with adoption fees in the USA ranging from $200 to $500. Many shelters also cover the pup's vaccinations, spaying/neutering, and other essential services.
Colour Choices
Our Spoodles come in a range of colours including red, blue, and yellow. These colours are often associated with the parent breeds, the Poodle and the Cocker Spaniel.
Red Spoodles are a striking choice, but be aware that their coat requires regular maintenance to prevent matting.
Blue Spoodles have a beautiful, calming effect, and their coat is generally low-shedding.
Yellow Spoodles are a happy and energetic choice, and their coat is often described as "fluffy".
Breeders NSW
If you're looking for a reputable breeder in NSW, you'll want to do your research. Spoodles for Sale is a great resource to start with, as they'll help you find a trustworthy breeder who can provide you with a healthy and well-socialized puppy.
Spoodles are highly adaptable dogs, making them a great fit for households with or without existing pets and/or children. They interact well with people and other animals, and are even known to be very tolerant of children.
When choosing a breeder, look for one that has a clear understanding of the breed standard, such as Springbank Spoodles, who reserve the right to change the stabilising breed at any time. This shows they're committed to producing a uniform breed that can be easily recognised as a Spoodle.
Spoodles are highly valued for their intelligence and affectionate nature, and are often described as being intelligent, loving, and outgoing. They're also highly social animals, which makes them a great breed for families who want a dog that will fit in with their lifestyle.
Cost Estimate
When buying a Spoodle from a reputable breeder, you can expect to pay anywhere from $2000 to $5000 for a puppy. This cost can vary depending on the breeder's services.
If the breeder trains their puppies, that's an additional expense to consider. You could also face higher costs if the breeder needs to ship your dog to you.
Adopting a Spoodle from an animal rescue shelter is a more affordable option, with adoption fees ranging from $200 to $500 in the USA.
General Information
Spoodles are friendly and affectionate companion dogs, known for being intelligent, loving, and outgoing. They make wonderful family pets as they interact well with people and other animals.
They are very intelligent dogs, making them easy to train, and are extremely sociable, curious by nature, and have a happy-go-lucky demeanor. Spoodles are highly adaptable and easily fit into households, with or without existing pets and/or children.
Spoodles have a non-shedding coat and are classed as hypoallergenic, making them suitable for people with dog allergies.
Important Information
To secure your puppy, a $500 holding deposit is required, which is not refundable.
You'll receive updated progress photos of your puppy every two weeks after placing the deposit.
Our puppies are raised in a loving family environment on a rural farm, where they have plenty of space to run around and be puppies.
They live a wonderful life with lots of love, stimulation, and socialisation with both people and other animals.
You can meet your puppy between 6-7 weeks of age, when they're up and walking, and have had their first vaccination.
We use Qantas Freight for interstate puppy transport, which offers competitive prices and great care for our puppies.
For NSW buyers, we may also be able to assist with delivery using Goulburn as a delivery point.
You won't need to make final payment until pickup, unless your puppy requires shipping, in which case final payment is due the week of delivery.
Flights are usually booked 5 working days before the flight date, and you'll receive a booking confirmation and request for final payment after flights are booked.
Breed Stabilisation
Breed Stabilisation is a crucial process in creating a uniform breed.
Over the last nine years, breeders have strived to produce a consistent Spoodle breed.
To achieve this, a third breed is infused to stabilise positive characteristics and create a breed standard.
Initially, the Springer Spaniel was crossed with the Standard Poodle, resulting in many variations in size and appearance.
The infusion of the Curly Coated Retriever and/or Cavalier King Charles Spaniel into Poodle breeding lines eliminated undesirable traits and produced consistency in the progeny.
This process also resulted in a more desirable coat and a well-rounded face.
By adding more of the Springer Spaniel temperament, breeders have created a more well-rounded Spoodle.
Springbank Spoodles reserve the right to change the stabilising breed at any time.
Dog Breeds
Spoodles are highly valued for their intelligence and affectionate nature, making them a great addition to many families. They're a hybrid of a cocker spaniel and a poodle, and date back to the 1960s.
Spoodles are known for being easy-going, gentle, and lively, with a playful intelligence that's hard to resist. They're very rarely aggressive and extremely tolerant of children.
They're easily trained and very social animals, which makes them a great fit for families with kids. Spoodles are also very long lived dogs, with good health being a common trait.
Their non-shedding coat makes them a great choice for people with dog allergies, as they're considered hypoallergenic.
History
The Spoodle has a rich history that dates back to at least the 1960s in the USA.
They were first bred as a hybrid dog, and some breeders have been selectively breeding them for several generations to create a recognized breed.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) does not currently recognize the Spoodle as a breed, but that's not stopping dedicated breeders from working to change that.
Their low-to-no-shedding fur is a major draw for many potential owners, and it's also a bonus that it's free from that characteristic doggy odor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is better a Spoodle or a Cavoodle?
For active families, Spoodles might be a better fit due to their higher energy levels. However, Cavoodles are ideal for those seeking a more laid-back companion.
Is a Cockapoo the same as a Spoodle?
Yes, a Cockapoo and a Spoodle are the same hybrid dog breed, resulting from a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle.
Sources
- Our Springbank Spoodle Puppies (springbankspoodles.com.au)
- The Ultimate Spoodle Dog Breed Guide (coopsandcages.com.au)
- The Complete Guide to the Poodle Cocker Spaniel Mix Breed (raggydogs.com.au)
- Spoodle | Dog Breed Information (pawshake.co.nz)
- Spoodles (purina.com.au)
- puppy buyers guide (rspcapuppyguide.com.au)
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