Double Doodle Dog Breed Guide
📍 Origin: United States, late 1990s to early 2000s
The Double Doodle is a designer hybrid dog created by crossing a Goldendoodle with a Labradoodle, combining genetics from Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and Poodles. It is not recognized by the American Kennel Club and traits can vary significantly between individual dogs depending on which parental genes are expressed.
| Breed | Double Doodle |
| Size | Medium (30–70 lbs) |
| Height | 20–29 inches |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years |
| Temperament | Friendly, Intelligent, Playful |
| Energy Level | High●●●●○ |
| Good With Kids | ✅ Yes |
| Grooming | High Maintenance |
| Training | Very Good |
| Shedding | Light |
| Best For | Beginners & Families |
🐕 Double Doodle Overview
Double Doodles are sociable, energetic, and typically good-natured dogs that tend to inherit the best qualities of their three founding breeds. Because they are a multigenerational hybrid, no two Double Doodles are identical in coat type, size, or temperament, and prospective owners should be prepared for some unpredictability. They thrive in active households that can provide daily exercise, consistent training, and regular grooming attention.
📜 History & Origin
The Double Doodle emerged in the United States during the late 1990s and early 2000s as demand grew for low-shedding family dogs beyond the first-generation Labradoodle and Goldendoodle. Breeders began crossing established Doodle hybrids to create a dog that combined the gentle nature of the Golden Retriever, the trainability of the Labrador Retriever, and the low-shedding coat of the Poodle. The breed has no formal breed standard or registering body, so lineage, coat type, and health guarantees vary greatly between breeders.
👀 Size & Appearance
🐶 Male
- Weight: 30–70 lbs (14–32 kg)
- Height: 20–29 inches (51–74 cm)
🐕 Female
- Weight: 25–60 lbs
- Height: 19–27 inches
Coat type: Wavy to curly, medium length, low to moderate shedding depending on generation and parental genetics
🧠 Temperament & Behaviour
With Children
Double Doodles are generally excellent with children. Their patient, gentle nature makes them reliable family companions. Always supervise interactions with very young children.
With Other Dogs & Pets
Generally sociable with other dogs and pets when properly socialised from puppyhood. Early introductions are recommended.
🏃 Exercise Needs
Double Doodles are high-energy dogs that require at least 60 minutes of vigorous exercise daily. This includes brisk walks, off-leash running, fetch, or swimming. Without adequate exercise, they can become destructive or develop behavioural problems.
⚠️ Apartment living: Not ideal. A house with a garden is strongly preferred.
🍗 Food & Diet Guide
🐶 Puppy (8 weeks – 12 months)
- Feed a large/medium breed puppy formula
- 3–4 small meals per day up to 6 months
- Reduce to 2–3 meals from 6 months onward
- Look for AAFCO "complete and balanced for growth" statement
- Avoid overfeeding — controlled growth prevents joint issues
🐕 Adult (Double Doodle)
- Daily amount: 2.5 to 4 cups per day, split into two meals, adjusted for weight and activity level of quality dry kibble
- Split into 2 meals per day
- Choose AAFCO-compliant food for adult maintenance
- Monitor weight monthly — adjust portions as needed
- ⚠️ High obesity risk — measure portions carefully
Always consult your veterinarian for a feeding plan specific to your dog's age, weight, and health status.
🏅 Training Guide
Basic Commands
Start sit, stay, come, and leave it from day one. Positive reinforcement with treats works best. Keep sessions to 5–10 minutes.
Toilet Training
Take puppy outside every 2 hours and immediately after meals, play, and sleep. Reward immediately after they go outside.
Leash Training
Start with a flat collar and short sessions. Reward loose-leash walking. A front-clip harness helps dogs that pull.
Socialisation
Expose to different people, sounds, and environments between 8–16 weeks. This is the critical window for confident adult behaviour.
✂️ Grooming
Brushing
Daily brushing required to prevent matting and tangles.
Bathing
Bath every 4–6 weeks or when dirty. Over-bathing strips natural coat oils.
Nail Trimming
Trim nails every 3–4 weeks. If you hear clicking on hard floors, they are too long.
Ear Cleaning
Check ears weekly for redness, odour, or discharge. Clean gently with a vet-approved ear cleaner.
🩺 Health Problems
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Preventive Health Tips
- Annual vet checkups (twice yearly for dogs over 7)
- Keep vaccinations and deworming up to date
- Maintain a healthy weight — obesity worsens most conditions
- Ask your breeder for OFA/PennHIP health clearances on parents
⏱ Lifespan
The average Double Doodle lifespan is 12–15 years. Smaller breeds often live longer than larger breeds. Individual lifespan depends heavily on genetics, diet, exercise, and veterinary care.
Tips for a Longer, Healthier Life
- Feed a balanced, high-quality diet appropriate for age and size
- Maintain a healthy weight throughout life
- Regular exercise matched to age and health status
- Annual vet visits for early detection of health issues
- Dental care — dental disease affects overall health significantly
💷 Puppy Price
United Kingdom
Pedigree KC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Pakistan
Pedigree puppy from registered breeder
India
Registered breeder, health-checked pup
Estimated Monthly Cost (UK)
Prices vary by breeder, location, and pedigree quality. Always buy from a health-tested, reputable breeder — never from puppy farms.
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Active families with children
- First-time dog owners willing to commit to grooming
- Households with other pets
- Owners with a yard or regular outdoor access
- Excellent with children
- Suitable for first-time owners
❌ Cons
- Apartment dwellers with limited outdoor space
- Owners seeking a dog with predictable, standardized traits
- Requires significant daily exercise
- High grooming maintenance and cost
- Prone to obesity — portion control essential
🆚 Double Doodle vs Other Breeds
✅ Double Doodle wins at
The Double Doodle typically brings a slightly broader gene pool from three foundation breeds, which may support greater hybrid vigor in some lines.
✅ Labradoodle wins at
The Labradoodle has a longer documented breeding history, more established breed standards among reputable breeders, and more predictable coat and size outcomes.
✅ Double Doodle wins at
The Double Doodle adds Labrador Retriever influence, which can contribute slightly higher energy tolerance and a more versatile working drive.
✅ Goldendoodle wins at
The Goldendoodle is one of the most widely bred and studied designer dogs, giving buyers more access to health-tested parents and reputable breeders.
🏠 Who Should Own a Double Doodle?
✅ Great Choice If You Are:
- Active families with children
- First-time dog owners willing to commit to grooming
- Households with other pets
- Owners with a yard or regular outdoor access
- A family with children
- A first-time dog owner
❌ Consider Another Breed If:
- Apartment dwellers with limited outdoor space
- Owners seeking a dog with predictable, standardized traits
- You live in a small apartment without outdoor access
- You have a very sedentary lifestyle
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Double Doodle good for families?
Double Doodles are generally excellent family dogs, known for being affectionate, patient, and playful with children of all ages. Their social nature means they enjoy being part of family activities and rarely show aggression toward people or other animals. However, because they are energetic and can be large, supervision around very young children is always recommended.
How much does a Double Doodle puppy cost?
In the United Kingdom, Double Doodle puppies typically cost between 1,200 and 2,500 pounds depending on breeder reputation, lineage, and coat generation. In Pakistan, prices generally range from approximately 80,000 to 200,000 Pakistani Rupees, while in India buyers can expect to pay between 60,000 and 150,000 Indian Rupees. Prices vary significantly based on whether health testing has been completed on the parent dogs, so always ask for documentation before purchasing.
Is Double Doodle easy to train?
Double Doodles are considered highly trainable due to the strong influence of Poodle and Labrador Retriever intelligence in their lineage. They respond well to positive reinforcement methods such as treats and praise, and most puppies begin picking up basic commands quickly with consistent daily sessions. Socialization from an early age is important because their enthusiasm and size can make them boisterous if manners are not established early.
What food is best for a Double Doodle?
Double Doodles do well on a high-quality dry kibble formulated for medium to large breeds, with real meat listed as the first ingredient and no artificial fillers. Adults typically need between 2.5 and 4 cups per day split across two meals, though exact portions depend on the individual dog's weight, age, and activity level. Because this breed has a notable obesity risk, owners should measure meals carefully and limit high-calorie treats, and a veterinarian can help establish the right feeding plan.
Does Double Doodle bark a lot?
Double Doodles are moderate barkers that will alert their owners to strangers or unusual sounds but are not considered excessive or nuisance barkers by nature. With adequate daily exercise and mental stimulation, most Double Doodles remain calm and quiet indoors.
Can a Double Doodle live in an apartment?
Double Doodles can adapt to apartment living only if owners commit to at least 60 minutes of vigorous outdoor exercise every day, as their energy level is too high to be met through indoor activity alone. In general, a home with a fenced yard is a better fit for this breed, and apartment living without a strong exercise routine often leads to destructive behavior or anxiety.
🏆 Final Verdict
The Double Doodle is an excellent choice for first-time dog owners and experienced owners alike. With a lifespan of 12–15 years, high energy demands, and high maintenance grooming requirements, the Double Doodle is a wonderful family dog.
If you can meet their exercise, training, and care needs, the Double Doodle will reward you with years of loyal companionship.