Poodle or poodle cross

[olivehater]

Been thinking of getting a poodle for a while now. DS is desperate for one. He has ADHD and I think it will really help calm him, occupy him and allow him to expel some of his energy energy. He is great with other peoples dogs.
Unfortunately he and I also have allergies.
So thinking of a poodle or poodle cross. I know nothing is completely hypoallergenic. But we plan to only allow it downstairs and starting to think the reward to his mental health outwieghs the risk to his health.

Any advice greatly received. In an ideal world I want a medium size dog that is intelligent enough to train properly but not super anxious and able to go in kennels eventually as we have no family to help us when we do go on holiday. I think a pure poodle would be more of a guarantee of a the right kind of coat but worry about some of the quirks of the breed. would a standard or miniature be better ( my perfect dog would be in between those in terms of size). Or Would a doodle be better?

As long as you know, it is a highly intelligent working breed and needs a lot of mental stimulation and is not a fix for your child

Depending on what doodle cross you get, they are arguably, just as bad or worse in terms of their needs

Miniature poodle all the way! I don’t understand how people believe if you cross a poodle with anything you are getting the best of both breeds. I have a cocker spaniel, out in the countryside, with acres of land and can’t imagine how anyone is managing to keep such a challenging breed in an environment with more limited space. They are so ‘busy’ and if under stimulated will set about destroying everything they can access, it’s a bizarre breed to cross a poodle with and claim to be a great pet. Im no poodle expert but I worked at a vets for many years and never met a bad one, I have a soft spot for them ❤️

We have huge garden and live semi rurally. With a popular dog walkers path backing onto our garden. I work part time and Dh comes home at lunch time from work. There is also the potential for him to bring the dog to work if it suits the dog. I have had collies as a child so used to busy working breeds. I have waited it out while the kids were very young but I feel like it’s a good time in our life to welcome a dog. Three kids total. All late primary, early high school age. I know it isn’t a fix for him and know the ultimate responsibility will fall with us.

Why are you considering getting an unpredictable poodle cross when you have a child with special needs? Who presumably needs a predictable dog?

I have met lots of lovely doodles on walks. I’ve met a fair through absolutely crazy ones, particularly cockapoos with nasty resource guarding behaviour who aren’t best to be round a child who might be impulsive.

I know two nice cavapoos owned by the same family. Sweet natures, but no nicer than your average toy and they have got all of the cav illnesses.

Poodles are perfect dogs. They come in three different sizes. I grew up with standards, which are a lot of dog and a big grooming commitment.

Toys can be princesses because they are bred to be lapdogs but my old girl would run for miles.

if you want a predictable, clever, easy to train, robust little dog- I would get a miniature poodle.

Don't go for a cross, go for a Poodle.

Only considering it as an option as that’s what seems to be popular around where I live. So putting the research in before I do anything. Hence the thread as well as excessive googling. Would never get a cockapoo as my friend has a spaniel and it’s far too jumpy for me. I am thinking about a labradoodle. I know what that is crossed with a miniature poodle and it seems a lovely temperament.

As for special needs. He has ADHD. He is 11 and amazing and extremely intelligent . I would nt call him special needs. He just has a lot of energy.

I being swayed towards a poodle though.

@olivehater without wishing to rain on your parade, I have dog allergies. I’m bizarrely not allergic to my Leonberger (a fact my canny child worked out when we used to stay with friends who had one) and suspect it’s because they’re double coated so the dander doesn’t really rise to the top. They’re also not licky (I’m definitely allergic to dog saliva). My neighbour breeds standard poodles and I’m allergic to them (I have to take antihistamines to go round for coffee/drinks etc). Before you even commit to a particular breed, you both really need to spend time in a close environment with one to be certain that you don’t have an adverse reaction even when you think you might be fine. My worst reactions are from Labradors and cocker spaniels (based on dogs of close family/friends) so for me, that’d rule out those crosses if I could even tolerate a poodle in the first place. You also need to consider what a poodle is crossed with. My neighbour who breeds poodles is also a dog groomer and is frustrated when presented with poodle crosses where a non-shedding dog (poodle) is crossed with a ‘must shed’ dog (like a Bernese mountain dog). She sees dogs like these with hot spots under the coat due to the genetic mix incompatibility regarding coat health (one set of genes wants to shed the coat and the other set is fighting to hold on to it) they look fab, but it’s not great for the dog. Family friends have an American standard poodle which I would kindly label as ‘wily’ but the dog is super intelligent and an absolute escape artist. I hope you find what you are looking for, but you need to research very carefully before committing for everyone’s benefit.

Poodles are very much family dogs, they can suffer from separation anxiety when left. They are very vocal, so I hope your DS doesn’t mind noise.
And don’t forget to add in the grooming and ear plucking needs. They can suffer with their teeth more than others, so regular brushing is needed.

Poodles are amazing!! Im torn between staffy or poodle myself when it comes to getting a family dog in a few years time.
Im quite allergy prone but ive had staffys in the past and not reacted.
Has he actually got a dog allergy? Or he just a little allergy prone in general?

@Netaporter yes this, if son is allergy prone he needs to spend time with each breed to see how he reacts. It isnt as simple as poodle = less chance of reaction.
Like I said in my post, im very allergy prone (plants, dust, chemicals) yet I could share a bed absolutely fine with a staff!
Did lots of hoovering though and had hard floors, that helps.

Yes he has pet allergies as do I. Different with different dogs and would spend time with one before I got one.

going to google leonberger now.

Beware my DH is allergic to dogs inc poodles.
Before you commit to a poodle ask to spend time in poodle company.

Huskys apparently have a different type of coat, which can also be hypoallergenic. DH hasn't tested the theory.

Intesting comment up thread about double coated dogs. He grew up wiyh a double coated dog which didnt bother him.

Good luck op. I hope you find the right one for your family. Nothing better than a family dog x

Leonbergers are enormous! Very different to a poodle!!

I'd personally get a miniature poodle, have had one before, but even in a family setting, he definitely decided he was MY dog.
I have met a few Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers ( one of which was a companion for a SEN child, apparently they are good at that) and don't shed either. Not sure about hypoallergenic coat though. Also very nice, fun dogs.

My adult DD has a toy poodle and she is a fabulous little dog. So friendly and happy and sociable. They live in a city & she goes everywhere with her - bus, trains, cafes, pubs, parks. Everyone she meets adores her, she is super friendly. So I think poodles are wonderful - on my vast experience of one dog!

For the record, I’m not recommending a Leonberger..somewhat different in size to any poodle 😂 just illustrating the fact that sometimes you find the answer in unexpected ways. Leonbergers are physically enormous but lovely dogs if trained properly. Absolute nightmares if unsocialised. They are also giant Velcro mud-magnets, so don’t consider one if having clean floors or walls is importaht to you. Or a clean car… good job I love mine because owning one is quite the ride 😂

One thing to factor in, mini poodles, and their various crosses, are barkers. You can train “quiet” (stop barking) but a) that takes time (and after 4 years, my dog still struggles with this command, she understands it if she hears it but often when stressed can’t focus on my instruction) and b) they will still often bark first then be quiet when told to stop. Delivery drivers, people in thr path outside the house, cats, squirrels and the dreaded pigeons all trigger an alert response and a poodle will feel the need to bark about it.

Some people who are ND do struggle with loud noises like a dog barking because someone’s put a flyer through the door. If this might be a factor for your DC, then I believe standard poodles have a reputation for being less vocal, but one to discuss with a breeder as to the mums temperament.

People need to stop making out all poodle crosses are the same and are the work of the devil. We recently lost our standard labradoodle at the grand old age of 15 and I can probably count on one hand the amount of times she barked and even then it would be one singular bark each time. She was naturally intelligent, needed very little training and had the sweetest loving nature. The only problem was when she forgot she wasn’t lap dog size and tried to get on your knee.
Getting back to the OP have a google of breeders because there are a few who breed what is called a moyen poodle, which is a cross between a miniature and standard poodle and may be more the size you are after

@JustChillin70- miniature poodles are known for being barkers- not all will be, in the same way my grandmother ended up with a really thick cocker spaniel while everyone will tell you they are a bright breed that needs stimulation.

You might have been that person who got lucky with a cross, Labradors are more chill than poodles so you may well have got the dream of the lab personality and the poodle curl!

You are right though, MN likes to say if you buy a cross you will always get the worse of both breeds, but in reality, you often do get the best. (And within a litter you get different personalities.)

But if the OP is deciding between a pedigree mini poodle and a pedigree standard, the difference in typical behaviours might be worth considering.

We have no issues with noise. He’s robust and sporty. Just has a lot of energy and very physical, craves a lot of touch.

off to google moyen Poodle.

This is really interesting @Netaporter because I'm asthmatic with dog allergy but fine with our breed which is also also a giant double coated moulter, similar to the Leonberger, and I too react badly to Labradors and poodles. I absolutely would NOT recommend my breed to the OP by the way, because its a 50-60 kg guarding breed, but just saying because I am not at all convinced by the hypoallergenic breed claims. My asthma is also triggered by short haired cats but not long haired ones. Allergies often defy logic.
I would avoid a crossbreed for various reasons, not least the skin issues that you mention.

I think you really need to consider what sort of dog you want, and what sort of characteristics you absolutely cannot live with or your son will not be able to cope with if you do want to get a dog.

For example, lots of people under-estimate just how bad mouthing can be if you get a gun-dog. It's not just puppy biting - it will likely last that dogs entire life. And, of course, if your son is high energy he may over-excite and wind up a puppy/older dog, and the mouthing will get worse and possibly be a lot harder than the dog means to (over-excited/stimulated dogs bite harder than they mean to - and can draw blood, even if it's not intended to be vicious).

If you live near a public footpath, you probably don't want a dog that is predisposed to barking at every noise - your neighbours will not thank you, and it will eventually drive you crazy.

Whatever you get, a well bred-pedigree will almost certainly always be healthy and more predictable in terms of temperament than a 'doodle.' The problem with many 'doodle' breeders is there is no after-care on top of the bad breeding - which means if your dog ends up with significant health issues, or behavioural issues, they are not going to offer you any support or possibly even take the dog back.

There are some haters of poodle crosses on this board, but my Minatare Australian Labradoodle is just about perfect and, from your description, would suit you well. He is great with the kids, easily trainable, and can be left for 4/5 hours happily (probably more in an emergency). The only fur I see not on a brush is in his basket. He's 14kg, which is not big but not tiny either. They were bred by Guide Dogs Australia to make the most trainable hypoallergenic dog they could.

They are all multigenerational to at least seven generations (they are trying to establish it as a recognised breed and have a parallel breed register). This means that what you get is pretty predictable, which a first-generation cross between a poodle and something else won't be, you hope for the best of everything and may get the worst.

There are six breeds that they originate from - three are poodle, Labrador, and spaniel, so sometimes you see a labradoodle mated with a cockerpoo passed off as one - they're not one, and you may get an unexpected mix of characteristics, so do read any adverts carefully.