It seems you can’t stroll through a dog park or grab a coffee from you favourite café without tripping over a poodle crossbreed these days. So, why are labradoodles, cavoodles and cockapoos so popular right now? There are a few reasons, not least being that these dogs are just so damn cute.
Poodle crossbreeds are the puppies of purebred poodles and another pure breed. Reputable breeders crossbreed dogs to produce a pup with the desirable traits of both breeds, and the poodle is a great breed to start with because of its intelligence and hypoallergenic coat. Like all crosses, though, not every pup in a litter with inherit both desirable traits, and then they don’t always pass on these traits to their pups. These crossbreeds aren’t recognised by the major kennel clubs, but that hasn’t affected the desirability of these pets, with owners clamouring to pay big bucks for these loveable animals.
So let’s look at some combinations.
The cavoodle (which is also known as a cavapoo) is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel cross. The cavoodle has been around since the late 1990s and is now one of Australia’s most popular breeds thanks to their low-shed coats, hardiness and fantastic temperaments.
The labradoodle, which is the offspring of a Labrador and Poodle, was created as a low-allergy guide dog. Not all labradoodles are hypoallergenic, and the qualities possessed by the pups of the Labrador and poodle are unpredictable. As such the appearance and temperament of labradoodles varies from one dog to another. Some have straight hair, others have wavy hair, while other dogs have curly, woollen coats. Most labradoodles are, however, friendly, enthusiastic and good around children, so make lively, fun family pets.
The cockapoo mixes a Cocker Spaniel with a Poodle (generally a miniature or toy Poodle). They inherit the outgoing Cocker Spaniel personality, so need regular exercise, and are great at retrieving games. Like Cocker Spaniels, cockapoos are often very needy, so are suitable for owners who spend most time at home, or take their dogs with them when they go out.
When you mix a Golden Retriever with a Poodle you get a goldendoodle. With the Poodle’s intelligence and the Golden Retriever’s ability to be easily trained, goldendoodles have been used as low-allergy guide dogs, therapy dogs, rescue dogs, and of course, loving family pets.
A Yorkshire Terrier crossed with a Poodle makes a yorkipoo, a pup that has the Poodle’s intelligence and the Terrier’s confidence and energy. If well bred and socialised as a pup, the yorkipoo will become a playful and loving pet. They love to be trained, and although they are energetic, most yorkipoos don’t require much exercise and therefore make good house pets. They like a cuddle, though aren’t as needy as some Poodle crosses, and they are generally very friendly to strangers. Yorkipoos do, however, have a reputation for being barkers.
A schnoodle is the product of a Poodle and a Schnauzer, a dog known for its affectionate, protective, intelligent nature. Schnoodles are very active dogs, so need regular exercise. Given their protective, intelligent temperaments they make devoted family pets.
Families with allergies wanting a small dog could do a lot worse than adopting a poochon, the offspring of a Poodle and a Bichon Frise. They are popular family pets thanks to their robustness, fantastic temperament and non-shed coats.
