Double Doodle

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 12-15 years
The Double Doodle is a cross between the Goldendoodle and the Labradoodle, two other cross breeds. He is therefore a combination of the Golden Retriever, the Poodle, and the Labrador Retriever. Like all hybrid breeds, the Double Doodle is less likely to inherit hereditary health conditions than his purebred counterparts. However, there is still the possibility that he can experience health issues common to any of his parent breeds.

The Double Doodle may experience joint problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia and patellar luxation. Both hip and elbow dysplasia are degenerative conditions resulting from malformed joints that can cause discomfort, pain, and limping. In more severe cases, arthritis or even lameness can result, and surgery may be required. Patellar luxation occurs when the knee joint slides easily into and out of place. This dislocation of the knee can also lead to problems such as discomfort, limping, arthritis, and lameness (often intermittent). Patellar luxation can be corrected with surgery, although this is not always an option.

Gastric torsion, or bloat, may affect some Double Doodles. Bloat is caused when the stomach fills with gas, fluid, or food, expanding and putting excess pressure on other organs. The stomach flips in some cases, trapping blood and preventing it from flowing to the heart and other crucial areas. Bloat can be fatal, so take your Double Doodle to the veterinarian right away if you notice symptoms such as pale gums, lethargy, excessive drooling, failed attempts to vomit, or a swollen stomach.

Hypothyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland does not produce sufficient amounts of hormone, is another possibility. It can lead to health problems such as lethargy, obesity, infertility, and hair loss. Hypothyroidism can be treated with daily medication for the duration of the affected dog’s life.

The Double Doodle can potentially experience eye problems such as cataracts and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA). PRA is the gradual degeneration of the retina, ultimately resulting in failed daytime vision. Although there is no cure for PRA, affected dogs generally continue to lead happy lives, and the gradual nature of the condition allows them to adjust to failing vision.

Other possible problems for the Double Doodle include skin problems, allergies, ear infections, and epilepsy. They also may have stomach troubles when experiencing stress.

The average lifespan for a Double Doodle is 12-15 years.

Temperament & Train-ability

The Double Doodle is loving, friendly, affectionate, and family-oriented. Although he is gentle and intelligent, he is also rather rambunctious and tends to be extremely social. Of course, like all hybrid breeds, his temperament may vary, but the average Double Doodle is a friendly and playful family companion.

If his owner is committed to ensuring he gets plenty of exercise, the Double Doodle can live in an apartment. However, a home with a large yard is ideal. An hour of exercise a day is recommended for this breed, with two thirty minute walks being the minimum. The Double Doodle also needs opportunities to run freely and makes an excellent companion for hiking, jogging, and running. Although he enjoys being outdoors, the Double Doodle’s home should be indoors with his family. He is extremely loving and lovable, and he thrives on human companionship. The Double Doodle may drool moderately, but he is mostly clean and well-behaved indoors.

The friendly Double Doodle tends to get along well with strangers, dogs, and other pets, although socialization is still recommended to ensure good behavior. He is especially good with children, because playing with kids perfectly utilizes his playful and affectionate nature. The Double Doodle has a tendency to energetically jump on people, so he needs to be supervised around smaller children. He is too friendly to be a good watchdog, since he is likely to even greet strangers warmly. Most Double Doodles also bark very rarely, eliminating them from contention if you are looking for a dog who will alert the family of danger.

The Double Doodle does best in moderate climates. Keep him indoors as much as possible in extremely cold weather, or have him wear a dog sweater. In very hot weather, try to keep him inside around fans or air conditioning, and provide plenty of water.

The Double Doodle comes from intelligent breeds and is eager to please his owner, making him relatively easy to train. He will learn quicker than most breeds and can be a good choice for a first-time dog owner. Use good training techniques such as positive reinforcement and firm, fair consistency, and training the Double Doodle should be a pleasant experience.

Grooming

The Double Doodle’s coat texture and appearance can vary. If he inherits the Poodle coat, he will shed minimally or not at all. If he inherits the Retriever coat, he may shed quite a bit. Either way, the Double Doodle should be brushed daily to eliminate mats and remove any debris that has gotten lodged in his coat.

Bathe the Double Doodle as needed. Be prepared for his coat to take a long time to dry after each bath. Trim his nails regularly, and check his ears each week for signs of infection such as redness, tenderness, and odor. Brush his teeth a few times a week to prevent bad breath and ensure healthy gums.

Diet

On average, the Double Doodle should consume 2.5-3 cups of high quality dry dog food daily.

Take preventative measures against bloat by ensuring he does not eat too rapidly and not allowing him to drink excessive amounts of water directly before or after eating. Also impose a waiting time between eating and exercising, and do not feed him from a raised bowl unless your discussed with your vet.

Clean, fresh drinking water should be available for your Double Doodle at all times, especially in very hot weather.
 

Find A Double Doodle Breeder

Double Doodle Puppies For Sale

Adopt A Double Doodle

Cost

The price of a Double Doodle varies widely, ranging from $650-$1,800. Cost will depend on variables such as gender, breeder location, and pedigree.
Adopting a Double Doodle may cost up around $200 in adoption fees.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. The Double Doodle ranks a 2. He is generally healthy, gets along well with people and pets alike, and is relatively easy to train. He can live in an apartment and is typically quiet and well-behaved indoors. However, his owner must be prepared to provide an hour of exercise daily and to brush his coat often.

 

Goldendoodle

Labradoodle

Golden Retriever

Poodle