What is a Double Doodle dog? It’s a breed mix of Labradoodle and Goldendoodle that kind of takes the concept of “designer dogs” to the next level. Usually, a designer dog is a mix of two purebreds. The Labradoodle is a mix of Labrador Retriever and Poodle. The Goldendoodle is a mix of Golden Retriever and Poodle. The Double Doodle is a crossbreed of two crossbreeds! Some would call the Double Doodle nothing more than a mutt, but the “breed” does enjoy popularity. Keep reading to learn more!
Double Doodle Overview
The Double Doodle is a friendly, energetic, intelligent crossbreed dog, bred down through two generations of other crossbred working dogs. The Labrador Retriever was originally bred to hunt and retrieve waterfowl and to assist fishermen with their nets. The Golden Retriever and the Poodle were also bred as waterfowl dogs. Accordingly, the Double Doodle has a strong background in hunting and retrieving.
Since the Double Doodle draws on three different breeds, characteristics can vary quite a bit. Coat color can be anywhere from cream to brow, with several variations in between. The coat can be very curly, or completely straight, but usually is somewhere in between – curly and wiry. Usually, Double Doodles have wide snouts and big eyes. They weigh anywhere between 30 and 70 pounds and typically stand between 23 and 25 inches.
Although Double Doodles are typically healthy, they can be prone to certain health conditions that they inherit from the parent breeds. These include a propensity to hip dysplasia, eye diseases (progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, and retinal dysplasia), patellar luxation, ear infections, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, Addison’s disease, collapsed trachea, ear infections, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, bloat, arthritis, skin problems, and cancer.
It’s worth noting that these are simply things that you should be aware of – not necessarily things that are going to happen to your Double Doodle. Also, most of these conditions are very treatable if caught early. The best way to ensure your Double Doodle’s health is to make sure that he has regular veterinary checkups and feed him high-quality dog food.
Double Doodle Puppies
Double Doodle puppies are very energetic, and if not properly trained and socialized, can be difficult to handle as they get older. An adult Double Doodle can weigh up to 70 pounds and that’s a lot of dog to deal with if he decides to be stubborn!
Begin training your Double Doodle puppy as soon as you get him settled in. He needs to learn the basics – sit, stay, down, come and so on. Make sure to work on socialization as well. Socialization is very easy – just take your Double Doodle puppy with you wherever you go. If you’re heading out to get groceries, spend some time in the parking lot with your car window down. You can bet that people will want to come over and pet your little guy! Visit family and friends, and once your best buddy’s shots are fully up to date, take him to the dog park to meet people and other dogs.
Of course you’re going to want to work on potty training as well. If you’re always at home, this is a simple matter of taking your Double Doodle puppy outside every couple of hours to do his business. If you have to be away from home, for work or other matters, recruit a friend, family member or neighbor to do it for you. Your Double Doodle puppy can also spend some time in a crate while you’re away – dogs don’t like to soil their living quarters. Just make sure that your little fellow isn’t in the crate for long periods – eventually, his need to pee or poop will take over, and then he’ll be a very unhappy puppy. It’s your job to make sure he doesn’t mess in his crate, not his.
Double Doodle Breeders
You might be surprised to know that Wally Conron, the originator of the Labradoodle (one of the Double Doodle’s parent breeds) deeply regretted ever creating a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. His intention, when he created this “designer dog” was to provide a guide dog for a friend whose husband was allergic to dogs. Mr. Conron came to feel that he’d created a breed mix that was generally unstable and should never have been bred.
Many people disagree with Mr. Conron when it comes to the temperament of the Labradoodle, and I am one of those people. I do, however, agree with him on the next part of his statement of regret, which was to the effect that he’d opened up the door to all manner of irresponsible breeders – puppy mill operators who jumped on the “designer dog” bandwagon and began breeding any and every type of crossbreed, often in horrible conditions, and without regard to the health and temperament of the dogs being bred.
If you’re looking for Double Doodle puppies, you absolutely must avoid puppy mills. Deal only with breeders who want you to visit the mother and the rest of the litter, and who, in fact, insist on it. Never buy from a pet store.You want to avoid puppy mills at all costs. This includes avoiding pet stores.
Good Double Doodle breeders will practically demand that you visit them. They’ll want you to see the kennel so you can be assured that your Double Doodle puppy is raised in clean, healthy conditions. They’ll probably ask you for references and might even demand a criminal record check. They’ll have lots of questions for you, and they’ll expect you to ask a lot of questions as well. If you perceive disinterest on any level, bail. You’re not dealing with a good breeder.
Double Doodle Price
It’s a mystery to me why crossbreed dogs often command a higher price than purebred dogs, but it’s often the case. Usually, a Double Doodle puppy will cost you anywhere from $1,000 to $1,800. You could pay even more depending on availability in your area.
Related Content:
Breed Spotlight: Golden Doodles
Bernedoodle Dog Breed: Puppies, Breeders, Price, Rescue, Size & More (Video)
The 5 Best Goldendoodle Foods
Double Doodle Rescue
As far as designer breeds go, the Double Doodle is fairly rare and unlikely to end up in a rescue facility. This is the case with a lot of mixes. If you’re looking to rescue a Double Doodle, check out your local rescue facilities and shelters. You might also consider rescuing either of the more common parent breeds – the Goldendoodle and the Labradoodle.
Crayola Mess Free Double Doodle
Sometimes when I’m researching dog topics, I come across some pretty strange stuff. I’m just throwing this out because I thought it was funny the way it came up. This has nothing to do with dogs, but it came up on my search! “Crayola mess free double doodle” is actually a two-sided doodle board for kids. Who knew? LOL!
Double Doodle Grooming
Double Doodles don’t require a whole lot of grooming unless they inherit the long hair of the Lab in the parent breed. Usually, it’s enough to brush a few times a week.
Double Doodles can, however, be prone to ear infections. Accordingly, you should examine your Double Doodle’s ears during regular grooming to identify redness or discharge.
Double Doodle Temperament
To fully understand a mixed breed dog, you have to consider the parent breeds. In the case of the Double Doodle, that means that you look at the Labrador Retriever, the Poodle, and the Golden Retriever.
Labs are active, cheerful dogs. They’re smart, and they need a lot of mental stimulation. They can be mouthy – they love chewing!
Golden Retrievers are a bit less active, but not by much.
Poodles are energetic and highly loyal but might be a bit reticent around strangers.
When you take all those breeds and blend them into a Double Doodle, what you end up with is a dog that is active, intelligent, and loves people once properly introduced. They’re great working dogs, but not wonderful when it comes to guarding. A Double Doodle is likely to invite a robber into your home, show him where the valuables are, and then demand a belly rub before the robber leaves.
As to children and other pets, Double Doodles fit the bill. They’ll love children to distraction, and protect them. They’ll adapt very easily to other pets, especially if they’re introduced when they’re puppies. It should go without saying, though, that you should never leave a child alone with a dog of any breed. If you’re asking “Do Double Doodles make good family dogs,” the answer is “Yes.”
Double Doodle Lifespan
Double Doodles are typically long-lived dogs, with a lifespan of anywhere from 12 to 15 years.
Common Questions
How to train a Double Doodle?
Double Doodles are very sensitive dogs and don’t respond well to harsh handling. It’s very important to be kind and gentle when training a Double Doodle. They have their feelings hurt easily.
Are Double Doodles Hypoallergenic?
There is no such thing as a genuinely hypoallergenic dog. However, if the Double Doodle takes on more of the coat characteristics of the Poodle in the mix, he can be a good choice for people who are sensitive to dog hair and dander.
Do female Double Doodles stay smaller than males?
Usually, they do. This is the case with all dog breeds and breed mixes – females are typically a bit smaller than males.
Do you remove dew claws on Double Doodles?
With some breeds, the dew claws are removed for show purposes. The Double Doodle, not being a purebred dog, is not eligible for show. I would not advise removing the dew claws, as there is a school of thought that suggests dew claws serve to help with balance and gait.
How big is a Mini Double Doodle?
A Mini Double Doodle would have Miniature Poodle in the mix, and would be on the low end size-wise – probably no more than 30 pounds.
Do Double Doodle dogs shed?
All dogs shed, but Double Doodles don’t shed all that much.
What is the best Doodle dog?
Poodles have been crossed with virtually any other breed of dog you could think of. The best Doodle is the one that speaks to your heart.
Are Double Doodles hyper?
They can be. They make great watchdogs in that they will bark when they perceive a threat to you or your family. They are also very active dogs. Sometimes this translates into hyperactivity, but it’s easily “trained out” with lots of training and positive reinforcement.
What is a F2 Double Doodle?
It’s the result of breeding two first-generation Doodle dogs together.
What is a Flandoodle?
It’s a cross between a Bouvier des Flandres and a Poodle.
At what age do Goldendoodles calm down?
Some never do. However, it’s usually a safe bet that once your Goldendoodle is a year old, he’ll begin to settle down a bit.
Can Goldendoodles be left alone?
No dog, be it Goldendoodle, Labradoodle, Double Doodle or any other breed, should ever be left alone for long periods. Dogs want to be with their humans, and if left chained out in a yard or locked up in a kennel, are going to develop depression and anxiety. If you love your dog, bring him inside to be with the rest of his family.
Conclusion
Double Doodles are great dogs for active owners and for people who have a lot of time to spend with a dog. If that sounds like you, then the Double Doodle might be just what you’re looking for. If you’re away a lot of the time, though, a Double Doodle will be very unhappy and you might want to consider another breed.
Loving and good-natured, the Double Doodle is a great family pet. Do you have what it takes to give his delightful crossbreed what he needs? If you do, then you’ll be guaranteed years of love and happiness with a companion that knows no limits when it comes to devotion and loyalty.
Related Content:
Breed Spotlight: Golden Doodles
Bernedoodle Dog Breed: Puppies, Breeders, Price, Rescue, Size & More (Video)
The 5 Best Goldendoodle Foods
Sources:
“https://thehappypuppysite.com/double-doodle/“
“https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/25/us/labradoodle-creator-regret.html“
“https://simplyfordogs.com/puppy-mills/5-reasons-puppy-mills-must-stopped/“
“https://www.dogbreedslist.info/all-dog-breeds/Double-Doodle.html“