Doodle breeds
Six Doodles, six different dogs
They share a Poodle parent and little else. Here is what each cross is actually like to live with — the size, the energy, the coat and the honest truth about who they suit.
01
Goldendoodle
Golden Retriever × Poodle
The Goldendoodle is the breed that started the Doodle era, and it remains the benchmark: biddable like a Golden, bright like a Poodle, and almost comically devoted to its people. They thrive on training, tolerate family chaos with good humour, and need real daily exercise — a bored Goldendoodle redecorates.
Medium–Large · 20–32 kg
High
High
Low
Best for: Active families who want a sociable, eager-to-please shadow.
02
Labradoodle
Labrador Retriever × Poodle
Bred first as a hypoallergenic guide dog, the Labradoodle pairs the Labrador’s enthusiasm with the Poodle’s coat and brain. Expect a dog that wants a job — retrieving, swimming, learning — and a puppy phase that lasts a joyful, chaotic two years. Coats vary more than any other Doodle, so meet the litter before you commit.
Medium–Large · 22–35 kg
Very high
High
Low–Moderate
Best for: Outdoorsy households that walk, hike or swim most days.
03
Bernedoodle
Bernese Mountain Dog × Poodle
The Bernedoodle brings the Bernese Mountain Dog’s placid, devoted nature into a lower-shedding package. They are famously goofy, deeply attached to their family, and generally the calmest of the large Doodles — though that Berner stubborn streak means training should start early and stay fun.
Large · 25–40 kg
Moderate
High
Low
Best for: Families wanting a big, steady, affectionate presence at home.
04
Cockapoo
Cocker Spaniel × Poodle
The Cockapoo predates the Doodle trend by decades and has earned its staying power: a merry, forgiving temperament in a manageable size. They slot into flats and family homes alike, ask for a good walk and a warm lap, and are among the easiest Doodles for first-time owners to train.
Small–Medium · 6–12 kg
Moderate
Moderate–High
Low
Best for: First-time owners, smaller homes and anyone wanting a portable companion.
05
Cavapoo
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel × Poodle
The Cavapoo inherits the Cavalier’s legendary sweetness and adds a dash of Poodle wit. This is a companion dog in the truest sense — content with gentle walks, devoted to its person, and prone to pining if left alone too long. Ideal for quieter homes where someone is usually around.
Small · 5–10 kg
Low–Moderate
Moderate
Low
Best for: Calm households, remote workers and older owners wanting closeness.
06
Aussiedoodle
Australian Shepherd × Poodle
Two of the cleverest herding breeds in one dog: the Aussiedoodle is brilliant, busy and not remotely a couch ornament. Without daily mental and physical work they invent their own — herding the children, usually. In the right hands, they are extraordinary; in the wrong ones, overwhelming.
Medium · 15–30 kg
Very high
Moderate–High
Low–Moderate
Best for: Experienced, active owners who enjoy training and dog sports.
Still torn between two?
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