A Spoodle is a cross between a Poodle and a Cocker Spaniel, making it a unique and lovable companion.
Spoodles are known for their intelligence and trainability, thanks to their Poodle heritage, which allows them to learn quickly and pick up commands easily.
Their friendly and outgoing personalities, inherited from their Cocker Spaniel side, make them great with families and children.
Spoodles typically weigh between 20-45 pounds and stand between 14-17 inches tall, making them a great size for apartment living or homes with small yards.
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What Is a Spoodle
A Spoodle is a crossbreed between a Poodle and a Cocker Spaniel. They are often considered a hybrid breed.
Spoodles typically have a low-shedding coat, which makes them a great choice for people with allergies. Their coat can be curly, wavy, or straight, and it requires regular grooming to prevent matting.
Spoodles are known for being friendly, outgoing, and affectionate dogs. They are highly social and love to be around people.
Definition
A Spoodle is a crossbreed dog, specifically a mix between a Poodle and a Cocker Spaniel. They're often referred to as a Cockapoo, but technically, a Spoodle is a Poodle-Cocker Spaniel hybrid.
Spoodles are known for their low-shedding coat, which makes them a great choice for people with allergies. This is due to the Poodle's influence, which contributes to their low-shedding trait.
Their coat can come in a variety of colors, including black, white, and brown, and often has a curly or wavy texture.
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Description
A Spoodle is a crossbreed dog that combines the Poodle with another breed, often a Cocker Spaniel. They are known for their low-shedding coat, making them a great choice for people with allergies.
Spoodles can grow to varying sizes, depending on the size of the Poodle used in breeding. A Miniature Spoodle typically weighs between 20-40 pounds and stands about 14-18 inches tall.
Their intelligence and trainability make them a popular choice as family pets. With early socialization and training, Spoodles can learn to behave well in a variety of situations.
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Spoodles usually have a lifespan of 12-15 years, which is relatively long for a crossbreed dog. This means they can be a long-term companion for many families.
Their low-shedding coat requires regular grooming to prevent matting and tangling. This can be a bit of a challenge for some owners, but it's a small price to pay for the many benefits of owning a Spoodle.
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Physical Characteristics
The spoodle is an adorable dog breed that's hard to resist. Their puppies look like little teddy bears, with floppy, long ears and big, brown eyes.
Spoodles are a sturdy, well-balanced breed with a square appearance and large, round brown eyes. They have a long, soft, and wavy coat that sheds very little to no hair, making them an ideal pet for people with allergies.
Their coat comes in a wide variety of colours, including black, tan, cream, white, silver, roan, beige, red, spotted, and mixed colours. They can weigh between 5-11 kg and stand between 25-40 cm tall.
Size
The spoodle's size is one of its most distinctive features, and it's determined by whether they're crossed with a toy poodle, miniature poodle, or standard poodle.
The spoodle comes in three main size variations, each with its own unique characteristics. The smallest of these is the Toy Spoodle, which typically stands between 30-40 cm tall and weighs around 5kg.
You'll also find the Miniature Spoodle, which grows to be between 40-51 cm tall and weighs around 7kg. The Standard Spoodle is the largest of the three, standing between 51-66 cm tall and weighing approximately 9kg.
Some breeders are now experimenting with breeding Teacup Toy Spoodles, which are much smaller than the Toy Spoodles, weighing around 2kg.
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Appearance
The Spoodle's adorable appearance is a major part of their charm. Their puppies are irresistible and look like little teddy bears.
One of the most distinctive features of Spoodles is their long, floppy ears, which they inherit from their Cocker Spaniel heritage. They also have big, brown eyes that are full of intelligence and expression.
Spoodles come in a wide variety of colours, including black, tan, cream, white, silver, roan, beige, red, spotted, and mixed colours. They may be one solid colour or have white patches or other patterns.
Their coat is long and soft, with a wavy texture that's a mix of the Poodle's tight curls and the Cocker Spaniel's straight hair. This unique coat makes them a great choice for people with allergies, as they shed very little to no hair.
The weight of a Spoodle typically ranges from 5 to 11 kg, while their height ranges from 25 to 40 cm.
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Temperament and Behavior
Spoodles make wonderful family pets with a great temperament and loving nature, making them suitable for people of all ages.
They enjoy interacting with other pets, even cats, as long as they are socialised with them from an early age.
Spoodles have a high tendency to bark when they see a stranger, but they are too affectionate to ever be aggressive.
Spoodles are described as being affectionate, sweet, loving, easy-going, patient, and loyal, and they love and accept everyone.
Temperament
Spoodles are wonderful family pets with a great temperament and loving nature, making them suitable for people of all ages, including children and the elderly.
They enjoy interacting with other pets, even cats, as long as they are socialised with them from an early age.
Spoodles have a high tendency to bark when they see a stranger, making them good guard dogs.
However, they are too affectionate to ever be aggressive, which is a great trait for families with young children.
Spoodles are very intelligent dogs with a high level of curiosity, which means they can be very active and enjoy playing with larger dogs.
They also love to cuddle up on the sofa with their owner and watch a movie or three.
The adaptable Spoodle is just as happy living in an apartment, on large acreage, or anything in between, as long as their social needs are met by spending lots of time with their families.
Spoodles love to play around with a ball in the backyard, which is a great way to get some exercise and have fun.
They are outgoing dogs that enjoy interacting with their families and other pets, which is why socialisation from an early age is so important.
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Care and Maintenance
Spoodles require regular grooming to stay healthy and happy.
Their fur needs to be brushed weekly to remove tangles, and it's a good idea to do this at home.
Every six weeks, take your spoodle to a professional groomer to have their hair washed, trimmed, nails cut, and tear stains wiped from their eyes.
Their ears need to be cleaned out often to avoid ear infections, so make sure to keep an eye on this.
Brushing your spoodle's teeth regularly at home or feeding them dog dental treats can help prevent gum disease.
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Grooming
Spoodles require regular grooming, just like all other oodle dog breeds. Their grooming needs can vary depending on their parents' fur.
You'll need to brush your spoodle weekly to remove tangles from their fur. Regular brushing helps prevent matting and keeps their coat looking healthy.
Spoodles need to see a professional groomer every six weeks for a full grooming session, which includes a bath, trim, nail cut, and tear stain removal. This helps keep them clean and looking their best.
Don't forget to clean your spoodle's ears often to avoid ear infections. This is an important part of their grooming routine.
Brushing your spoodle's teeth regularly at home or feeding them dog dental treats can help prevent gum disease.
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Health Issues
Health issues can arise in Spoodles, and it's essential to be aware of the potential problems. Cataracts can cause vision impairment, so if your Spoodle is suddenly running into walls, take them to the vet.
Some common health issues in Spoodles include cataracts, patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, allergies, and liver disease. These conditions can be treated with medication, surgery, or lifestyle changes.
Cataracts can be removed surgically, which can greatly improve your Spoodle's quality of life. Patellar luxation is often mild and doesn't require treatment, but severe cases may need surgery.
Hip dysplasia can be treated with anti-inflammatory medications for less severe cases, but surgery is often necessary for more serious cases. Allergies can be treated by removing the allergen from your Spoodle's environment or with medication.
Liver disease can be caused by copper toxicosis or chronic active hepatitis, and symptoms include weight loss, loss of appetite, and vomiting. If you notice any of these symptoms, take your Spoodle to the vet immediately.
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Here are some common health issues in Spoodles and their potential treatments:
- Cataracts: surgery
- Patellar luxation: mild cases don't require treatment, severe cases may need surgery
- Hip dysplasia: anti-inflammatory medications for less severe cases, surgery for more serious cases
- Allergies: removal of allergen or medication
- Liver disease: treatment varies depending on the underlying cause
Puppies
A pet spoodle puppy will cost between $2,500-5,500 from a breeder.
Most breeders will require you to put down a deposit and go on a waitlist due to high demand.
Choose a registered breeder and don't hesitate to ask lots of questions.
Visit the home where the puppies live to ensure they're treated well.
Most breeders will sell their puppies when they are 8-12 weeks old.
By then, they should have already seen a vet and received their first vaccinations.
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Ownership and Breeding
Spoodles are a popular crossbreed, but their ownership and breeding can be a bit complex.
They are often bred from a Poodle parent to create a low-shedding, hypoallergenic coat that's perfect for families with allergies.
Spoodles can be registered with kennel clubs, but this is not always the case as they are a crossbreed.
Their breeding can vary, with some owners opting for a F1 (first-generation) Spoodle or a F2 (second-generation) Spoodle.
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Origin
The Spoodle, a hybrid breed, dates back to the 1960’s, making it one of the first “designer dogs”. This is a significant fact, as it predates other popular Poodle hybrids like the Moodle, Cavoodle, Labradoodle, and Groodle.
The Spoodle is the result of cross-breeding the Cocker Spaniel with the Poodle, with two distinct types: the Cockapoo from the American Cocker Spaniel and the Spoodle from the English Cocker Spaniel.
The first Spoodles were likely accidental crosses, but their gentle and loving nature soon made them popular, leading to the establishment of the breed.
The Cockapoo (Spoodle) Club of America formed in 1999 to formally acknowledge the breed and create a breed standard, recognizing the Spoodle's unique characteristics.
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Breeders
If you're looking to bring a spoodle into your family, you'll want to find a reputable breeder. Spoodles date back to the 1960s.
You can find spoodle breeders through various sources, including online directories. Pine Hill Oodles, for example, specializes in spoodles and cavoodles in Australia.
Before choosing a breeder, research their experience and reputation. Look for breeders who prioritize the health and well-being of their dogs.
Spoodles are known for their friendly and outgoing nature, so it's essential to find a breeder who shares these values.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a cockapoo and a Spoodle?
The main difference between a Cockapoo and a Spoodle lies in their parent breeds, with Cockapoos typically bred from American Cocker Spaniels and Spoodles from English Cocker Spaniels. This distinction affects their characteristics and traits, making each unique in its own way.
What is better, Cavoodle or Spoodle?
If you're looking for a more energetic companion, a Spoodle might be the better choice, while a Cavoodle is ideal for those seeking a smaller, more laid-back pet. Ultimately, both breeds make wonderful family dogs, but it comes down to your lifestyle and preferences.
Sources
- https://www.coopsandcages.com.au/blog/spoodle/
- https://www.coopsandcages.com.au/oodle-dog-breeds/
- https://rachelhenwood.wordpress.com/2008/08/12/what-is-a-spoodle/
- https://allgroom.co.nz/blogs/breed-guides/oodle-grooming-guide-labradoodle-cavoodle-spoodle
- https://bowwowinsurance.com.au/dogs/dog-breeds/spoodle-cockapoo/
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