If you’ve decided to enlarge your family to include a canine member, and you have children, you may be wondering what’s the best breed of dog for your family situation. Do you want a small, medium, or large dog and what kind of living situation are you adopting for? A home with a yard or city apartment living?
When you bring a dog into your family, it’s a big commitment, so you don’t want to complicate matters by selecting a breed that doesn’t fit your lifestyle or space. Poodle mixes are ideal in practically every situation, and they are super family dogs.
The parent Poodle is exceptionally intelligent and easily trained. A poodle fur coat also cuts down on shedding and is more hypoallergenic than other breeds, although no dog is 100% hypoallergenic.
So, if there is another breed that you love, why not consider a Poodle mix?
Mixed breeds can be healthier and may inherit less pure-breed genetic disorders but will feature physical and temperament traits from both parent dogs. They are unique with no two looking the same and quirky coats, colors, and markings will have a mixed breed standing out in a crowd.
Labradoodle
Labrador Retrievers and Poodles are both highly intelligent and trainable canine breeds. Labs love humans and play, so expect an energetic, affectionate dog. Because Labs have a high level of activity, expect to take lots of walks and engage in playtime daily. Ideally, this mix does well in homes with yards where it can run off excess energy. Because they are smart, they will need stimulation. A bored dog can get into all kinds of mischief.
The standard Labradoodle can weigh as much as 65 lbs., but a smaller version is available in the Mini Labradoodle which will weigh about 15lbs., so if 65 seems like a lot, don’t give up! There are smaller Labradoodles. If you expect your dog to offer some watchdog service, don’t choose a Labradoodle as they are friendly to just about everybody and are particularly good with children regardless of age.
Goldendoodle
A Goldendoodle is a cross between a Poodle and a Golden Retriever. These dogs are ideal choices for families with a very active lifestyle. With the retriever genes, expect that this Poodle mix will want to play lots of games involving “retrieving” like catching balls, toys, or frisbees. They are perfect for camping trips, swimming, hiking, or anything that involves the human members of their pack.
Goldendoodles can weigh up to 100 lbs. and rarely less than 50 lbs. They may feature curly, straight, or wavy fur coats in a variety of colors. Exceptional intelligence and a laid-back demeanor characterize this Poodle mix, although they can be talkative, they enjoy barking. But these dogs are easy to train and brilliant in following commands. They are not good watchdogs due to their friendly and affectionate nature.
Cavapoo
The Cavapoo is a great companion dog. This is the result of a Poodle being bred with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They are a smaller Poodle mix, so if space is a consideration, consider a Cavapoo as they weigh in at 9 to 25 lbs. If your dog will be alone for part of the day because you are at work and the children are in school, know that Cavapoos can suffer from anxiety when left alone for too long, so you may want to consider another breed if this mirrors your family situation.
The Cavapoo is talkative, especially when seeking attention, so if you have neighbors that don’t appreciate the noise, another mix may be a better choice, especially in apartment living. This Poodle mix does very well with other canines and even felines when properly socialized. Even if small, these dogs do require daily exercise, both mental and physical.
Maltipoo
Another small Poodle mix is the Maltipoo. A cross between a Toy Poodle and a Maltese, this pooch will weigh somewhere between 5 and 20 lb. They are friendly and outgoing as well as intelligent and affectionate. Maltipoos are easily trained and are considered companion dogs. Both the Poodle and the Maltese have fur coats that are considered hypoallergenic, making this dog the ideal choice if you have a child with allergies. When left alone for too long, they suffer and can engage in destructive behavior from anxiety.
Aussiedoodle
A cross between an Australian Shepherd and a Standard Poodle, these are highly intelligent canines that can weigh up to 70 lbs, making them one of the larger Poodle mixes. This canine mix is very family-oriented and loyal to a fault meaning it will develop a special bond with its family members. They have a high energy level because the Australian Shepherd parent is a herding dog used to working. This mix will require daily exercise and mental stimulation. They have a stubborn streak but are very trainable and can exhibit herding instincts and behaviors.
All Things Considered
When choosing a Poodle mix for your family, selecting can be challenging because of the
numerous options. The important thing to remember is that mixed dog breeds inherit physical and personality traits from both parent dogs and exactly which traits are anybody’s guess. These will begin to be apparent at birth but will develop as the dog nears maturity.
A Poodle mix may favor one parent more than the other but will be unique with distinctive personalities and features. All dogs require attention, love, care, and commitment as well as a bit of training, but whatever doodle you choose in the end, he or she will enrich your life and that of your family for years to come.
Article written by Author: Elsa Smith
