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The Diverse Doodle: Separating Fact From Fiction

manningk87
Jan 45 min read

Updated: Jan 6

by Kristen Manning / January 4, 2025



I'm writing this from the perspective of a groomer who doesn't own a doodle but appreciates their charm. Having been in the grooming industry for as long as I have, the disconnect between groomers and Doodle owners is one I have never seen. Doodles are changing the grooming industry because of the variety of sizes and coats we see daily. The lack of regulation and laws, and widespread misinformation within the breeding community is making these issues worse. My goal with this blog is to inform current and future doodle owners about the groomer's perspective and explain why new rules are emerging in the grooming industry concerning the breed.


What Makes A Doodle So Darn Attractive


Narrowing down which doodle came first is difficult since doodles are not an AKC registered breed and the breeding is unregulated. Most sources state that the Labradoodle (Labrador + Poodle) was the first recognized poodle mix. Soon after came the Goldendoodle and then the array of poodle crosses soon exploded in the U.S! It is not hard to see why people are attracted to doodle when you look at the benefits of the breeds used to create them. Most doodle crosses are described as affectionate, fun, smart, silly and athletic. Some doodles come with a rustic, shaggy look that many people love while others coats can be sculpted like a poodles. Owners can now choose from different size ranging from 15 to over 80 pounds to fit their lifestyles.

Goldendoodles are Golden Retriever and a Poodle mix and the large doodle cross I see the most. Poodles have beautiful, long curly hair that doesn't shed, they are intelligent, easy to train and great with people. Goldens are great with people, energetic, smart and lovable - and who can resist that long golden hair! Mix them together and you have the best dog imaginable. I can only imagine the love and affection that an owner of a Goldendoodle experiences every time they come home. Other attractive traits to the Goldendoodle include low-barking, social with other dogs and hypoallergenic, low-shed coats,



The Cons To The Doodle From A Groomers Prospective



First, let's look at the basics of the breed. As with all dogs, mixed or pure bred, they have cons to their personality and coat upkeep requirements. Regarding the Goldendoodle again, the Poodle and the Golden Retriever require A LOT of mental and physical stimulation, meaning they get bored easily and can become rambunctious and naughty! The Poodles can become easily stressed by loud noises and chaotic environments. Golden Retrievers can have serve separation anxiety and even though they are low barkers, a groomer can tell you that that is not always the case when they see them. These personality traits together can mean a very difficult, time consuming and straining grooming session both mentally and physically for the groomer if the dog isn't being properly trained and mentally stimulated at home.


Second, and most important, the coat. Poodles have long, curly, low shed coats while Goldens have thick undercoats that shed heavily. Sometime this mixture can mean a ton a maintenance and grooming! If your Goldendoodle has a curly top coat like a poodle but an undercoat that sheds like a doodle, this can mean major matting if the owner does not keep up with grooming at home. However, here's the kicker! Both the personality and coat descriptions here apply to FIRST GENERATION Goldendoodles (or any doodle breed) only! Any other generation of doodle after the first is unpredictable in regards to their coat and personality (Glennon, 2023).

What most people don't understand is your dog may be labeled or bred as a Goldendoodle, but that does not mean it had a Golden Retriever and a Poodle as its parents. The breakdown of the doodle genetics is not well known unfortunately and because doodle breeding is not regulated, pet stores and breeders can simply label a puppy as a "Goldendoodle" and the new owner is unaware of it's linage or that it even makes a difference at all. Doodles are marketed as low-shed, hypoallergenic dogs but that is not 100% accurate. And as these doodle lines are breed down more and more, we are actually hearing more allergy issues reported from doodle owners.


  • Goldendoodles can have different F-Status


According to Weishaupt (2024), "14 Vet-Verified Goldendoodle Pros & Cons: What to Know Before You Get One. "Goldendoodles available for adoption or purchase usually have different types of F-statuses mentioned. It refers to “filial,” representing the generation or lineage a dog belongs to. Through the F-status, you can easily tell about the parents’ breed of a Goldendoodle puppy".

Weishaupt continues, "For instance, if a Goldendoodle has an F1 designation, it means they are a first-generation dog—a direct result of the Golden Retriever and Poodle breeding. An F2 Goldendoodle represents a dog bred from two Goldendoodle parents—the second-generation breed. Similarly, F3 status refers to any dog after the F2 breed. You may also see the F1B status on Goldendoodles. It represents back-crossing, meaning a Goldendoodle bred with either a Poodle or a Retriever".


Source: White Oak Doodle
Source: White Oak Doodle

These F-Statuses not only apply to Goldendoodles, but ALL doodle mixes. For a groomer, scheduling a new Doodle is often times unpredictable. We often times have no idea how to schedule accordingly or what to base an estimate off of. This leads to a lot of stress and frustration for the groomer and confusion and sometimes anger from the owner.


This does not mean that every groomer knows what the F-status means so please doodle owners do not call your groomer and start talking genetics with them!


In Conclusion




Doodle owners, please understand that although you may have the most amazing Doodle that is well trained and loves the grooming process for a groomer, not knowing what to expect, it can mean a lot of uncertainty, stress, anxiety and exhaustion leading to the appointment. Because we honestly see a wide range of doodle in ever size, shape and color day in and day out and none of them are the same! Also, please read and educate yourself about the breed before purchasing it and ask questions of your breeder! If they can't answer basic questions about their own dogs and their linage, then they don't have any idea what their selling you.

And as groomers, we need to understand that because these breeds are not regulated and breeders and pet stores aren't required to be truthful about linage, a lot of owners don't realize their dog isn't a "pure doodle". I can't count how many owners I have heard say they were told they were purchasing a "Mini Goldendoodle" and their dog is 80 pounds! I've heard about so many Facebook scam stories on Doodles online and in person-it's unfortunate and it is why our shelters are over filled.


We all need to be patient with each other and communicate. The dogs well-being is what matters and making sure they are as comfortable, healthy and happy as possible!





 
 
 

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