Hey Woofa’s,

A few people I’ve spoken with lately have mentioned that they want to buy a dog.

Nothing wrong with that, they’re people who have had dogs before so they know what they’re getting into.

So I proceed to ask, ‘what kind of dog are you looking at?’

And it’s always an ‘oodle’ breed!!!

Having never had an ‘oodle’ breed before I then ask, ‘have you thought about all the extra grooming that needs to go into this breed?’

And the answer is always, ‘what do you mean?’

*sigh*

First thing’s first……………..

WHAT’S AN ‘OODLE’ BREED?

Someone out there may crucify me when I say this but an ‘oodle’ breed is a cross breed.

This means that it’s any other breed out there crossed with a Poodle.

For example – Cavoodle = Cavalier King Charles crossed with a Poodle.

Labradoodle = Labrador crossed with a Poodle.

Groodle = Golden Retriever crossed with a Poodle.

Moodle = Maltese Terrier crossed with a Poodle.

Shoodle = Shih Tzu crossed with a Poodle.

Spoodle = Cocker Spaniel crossed with a Poodle.

I think you get the gist you take another breed and cross breed it with a Poodle = ‘Oodle’ Breed.

WHY ARE ‘OODLE’ BREEDS SO POPULAR?

The belief is that these ‘oodle’ breeds do not shed hair.

And this may be the case, however it also depends on how much Poodle ends up in the cross breed.

See it’s the Poodle hair that doesn’t shed, which means the dog doesn’t drop hair everywhere.

Which supposedly means – no dog hair mess.

NOW this may be true HOWEVER what people are not realising is that you need to groom these dogs regularly.

WHY DO ‘OODLE’ BREEDS NEED TO BE GROOMED SO MUCH?

Poodle hair is pretty much made up of tight curls.

If you know anyone who has hair like this – I have at least two friends with tight curly hair – and it’s high maintenance hair.

You can’t just run your fingers through it and it’s done.

As said above Poodle hair does not shed, it doesn’t fall out all over the place.

HOWEVER, it doesn’t mean you can ignore it and it takes care of itself.

The hair needs regular brushing, because left unbrushed it ends up matting really easy (tight knots that end up in clumps of knots).

Hair still needs to come out of the coat, and because it’s not dropping out naturally it needs to be brushed everyday.

If you don’t want to do this or can’t do this, then you have to pay a Dog Groomer to do this for you and your dog.

This then requires regular trips to the Dog Groomer which means more money being spent.

HOW DID THE ‘OODLE’ BREED START?

I only ‘heard’ this but it does make sense.

I was told that a young boy needed a guide dog, but was allergic to dogs (dander).

He couldn’t have a Labrador breed because it caused him allergic reactions.

So a breeder decided to cross the Labrador with a Poodle (because the Poodle’s don’t shed hair therefore no loose dander).

And there you have the Labradoodle.

The boy got his guide dog without any allergic reactions.

Which is a sweet story.

Then everyone else jumped on the band wagon and here we are – ‘oodle’ breeds being very popular.

TRAITS OF AN ‘OODLE’ BREED!

Generally, when you have a dog breed you know the basics of the traits coming with that breed.

i.e Border Collie is generally a working dog so will need a lot of exercise while it’s young.

However the dogs can have individual traits as well!

While one Border Collie maybe hyperactive and needs a lot of exercise, you may find a lazy one?

Who knows?

Regardless of this, over the years of Dog Grooming I’ve had relaxed Poodles and I’ve had many who are hyperactive when it comes to being groomed.

Now I haven’t groomed show dogs, these dogs are groomed from a young age very regularly and are accustomed to it so are relaxed about being groomed.

I’ve also had ‘oodle’ breeds that are relaxed in being groomed but also ones who are hyperactive about it.

Some owners say they’re dogs are like that at home as well.

So when you’re crossing breeds, you may end up with certain traits that aren’t ideal.

LET ME BE CLEAR!

I am by no means saying that these dogs are a bad dog at all!!!!!

The two in the picture are gorgeous dogs and other ‘oodle’ breeds that I groom are as well.

All I’m saying is be AWARE of the amount of grooming that is required to maintain these dogs’ coats.

Every 8 weeks at the Groomer if you’re not going to brush them everyday yourself.

I had to shave a 6 month Cavoodle the other day.  It broke my heart!

Normally I’d suggest an introduction Puppy Grooming, tidying up the face, feet, bottom, toilet areas and brushing out the coat etc.

But no, this one had to be shaved off straight up because of it not being brushed, it had knots all over it.

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?

If you want to buy a dog that is crossed with a Poodle, be aware of the amount of Grooming that type of hair needs.

This dog will need to be groomed regularly for the rest of it’s life.

Are you up for that?

IN THE COMMENTS BELOW – BILLY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW – HOW OFTEN YOU GET YOUR ‘OODLE’ DOG GROOMED?