The Best Poodle Mix to Suit Your Lifestyle Increasingly Popular Pets

Over the last decade or so, best poodle mixes have become increasingly popular pets. Apart from being absolutely adorable, the best poodle mixes can be bred to be hypo-allergenic and low-shed, which makes them ideal for people with pet allergies.

The problem we’re faced with today is too many excellent choices! There are so many poodle mix breeds out there. Choosing one can feel impossible! 

Luckily for you, we’re here to help! We’re going to highlight different poodle breeds that suit different personalities and lifestyles. This should give you a good place to start in the search for your next family pet.

Top Poodle Mix for Active People

If you’re the type of person who loves to get out and about and explore the world, you’ll want a suitable athletic poodle mix dog. In general, you’re looking for a dog with a lot of energy to be able to keep pace with you. 

Whether you are looking for a working dog and poodle that can keep up with you on your daily bike ride, or one that will enjoy a vigorous hike in the mountains, these poodle mixes have the amount of energy and stamina to stick by your side. 

The Aussiedoodle

Also known as an Aussiepoo, these dogs are a mix between Australian shepherds and poodles. Australian shepherds were originally herding instinct dogs, though they are now considered one of the most popular companions dogs well with other pets. 

The Aussiedoodle has plenty of stamina thanks to its working background. They’re also great Pyrenees with kids, which means you can take them on family adventures.

You can even pick the size of Aussie doodle mixes that best suits your lifestyle and environment:

• Toy Aussies are typically under 20 lbs
• Mini Aussiedoodles get between 20-30 lbs
• Standard Aussiedoodles will be over 30 lbs 

Toy or miniature poodles and mini Aussie doodles can adapt to apartment life so long as they are given daily exercise needs and mental stimulation. Standard Aussie doodles are the most energetic of the three. They are an excellent partner in crime if you are a true outdoor enthusiast who loves to answer the call of the wild. 

Boxerdoodle

Boxer dogs are incredibly loyal and loving but also energetic dogs and hyperactive! When paired with Wheaton terrier breeds and poodles, you get an adorable, fluffy ball of energy!

Boxerdoodles love being outside. They can run, jump, swim, and play for hours on end. They make great hiking companions or jogging buddies.

As a larger crossbreed, boxer doodles thrive in a larger environment with lots of room to run and play. They are people dogs, so plan to spend a lot of time with them. They can play until they drop, so a balance of both mental and physical activity is required to keep them satisfied. 

Popular Poodle Mixes for Seniors

If you are looking for a well-known poodle mix that will mesh well with a less active or home-body lifestyle, then we have a few great suggestions for you. There are plenty of poodle mixes out there that would just love to curl up next to you and snooze the day away.

Cavapoo

One of the better-known poodle mixes, cavapoos are a mix between Cavalier King Charles cocker spaniels and poodles. Depending on their poodle parent age, they can be a small or medium family dog.

Cavapoos love nothing better than lounging around the house. They’re happy enough with a brisk walk around the block and don’t need to be exercised for hours as a first-time dog. If you want a snuggle buddy, cavapoos is a great choice! 

Another perk is that they are relatively low shedding. Though they require weekly brushing, their grooming routines are minimal compared to other poodle mixes. Being a lazier mixed breed, cavapoos are prone to weight gain, so it’s important to avoid overfeeding or over-treating them. 

Bernedoodle

A bernedoodle is a cross between a Bernese mountain dog and a poodle. They are one of the fluffiest and cutest dogs you’ll ever meet! Despite their enormous size, the bernedoodle are calm and fairly lazy dogs. They like to pretend to be lap dogs and will hog the sofa!

They make excellent family companions animals, too and thrive in a more relaxed and low-traffic household. If you want a big, huggable, and a little drooly pooch, then bernedoodles are the designer dog breeds for you. 

Best Poodles Mixes for Apartments

Not every dog will thrive in a small living space like an apartment setting or condo. Terrier and poodle mixes are usually high-energy and require the space to exercise regularly. The living situation in a congested urban setting can put some limitations on your dog’s activities, so it’s best to look for a terrier and poodle mix that can adapt to the apartment life span easily. 

Maltipoo

This toy poodle breed combination is one of the smallest on our list, capping out at below 10 lbs, but also one of the most loving. Maltipoos are a cross between a Maltese and a poodle.

Their small dog size and moderate energy levels make them well-suited to apartment living while still being able to enjoy casual outdoor activities. They are attention-seeking dog breeds, so even though they thrive in a smaller setting, they don’t love being left alone for long periods of time. 

Maltipoos are also a very highly intelligent dog breed, and they love to please, so they are easy and fun-loving dog trainers. Their exercise routines can be supplemented with training and puzzle games that provide fun mental stimulation. 

Best Low Maintenance Poodle Mixes

If you’re after a dog that won’t require hours of grooming needs or months and months of training, then hypoallergenic poodle mixes aren’t always the best choice. Fortunately, there are a few doodles that are slightly less high maintenance. Here’s our favourite:

Doxiepoo

This pint-sized poodle/dachshund mix is one of the more unpredictable poodle mixes. What we mean is that it’s hard to predict which poodle parent characteristics the pups will inherit. This means that some doxiepoos inherit the shorter dachshund fur baby that is much easier to groom compared to regular poodle fur.

These best poodle mixes are also easy to train. They catch on quickly, require less repetition, and are always eager to learn. They respond well to both treat training and clicker training because they are so attentive. 

Safest Poodles Mixes for Families

If you love having friends and family members around, you’ll need a suitably social dog to match your lifestyle. Luckily, you have plenty to choose from when it comes to poodle mixes. Many poodle mixes are comfortable in a busier setting, around kids, and love to play and meet new people.

Labradoodle

These guys are the OG doodles and are partly responsible for the popularity of the dog breeds. A cross between a Labrador retriever and a poodle parent breed, Labradoodles are loving, affectionate dogs and loyal, and highly social.

They are a larger breed, so it’s important to set boundaries around young children, but most Labradoodles will consider your kids as siblings. They will also take direction from the whole family allowing everyone to be involved in the training process.

Golden Doodle dogs

Another old faithful, the golden doodle is a cross between a golden retriever and poodle parent breeds. They often get confused with Labradoodles because they can look quite similar, but there are some notable differences in personalities.

They will make friends with anybody! Literally anybody. So expect every walk to take a few extra minutes so your pooch can meet and greet everyone you pass. They are also really good with kids and will follow them around for attention and the crumbs.

Poodle Mixes You Can Showoff

If you’re looking for a dog you can train, show, and compete with, then doodles are a great choice! Many of these mixes inherit the intelligence and people-pleasing traits of their poodle parents. This makes them ideal dogs for agility, flyball, obedience training, and other competitions.

Bordoodle

What do you get when you mix two of the smartest dogs on the planet? You get a bordoodle that’s practically capable of doing your taxes and taking the best in a show in one afternoon. As a cross between a border collie and a poodle, bordoodles have massive brain energy levels. 

They are quick to learn and eager to please, making them well-suited for service dog training, or you can just teach them a ton of cool tricks. Bordoodles make great family pets but are better suited to active family dogs for families that can keep up with the mental and physical activity that this athletic crossbreed requires. 

Shepadoodle

A cross between a German shepherd and a poodle, shepadoodles have laser-like focus. When they’re learning a trick or a task, they pick it up quickly and focus on the challenge in front of them.

Shepadoodles are one of the largest doodle dog mixes on our list. They are typically between 60-90 lbs but get over 100 lbs depending on their breeding. Don’t let their size fool you, though, they can learn agility dog sports and keep up with many of their smaller poodle mix cousins.

The Possibilities are Endless

The poodle mixes on our list are just a few of the crosses that you can find. Check out welovedoodles.com for all the info you need to find the right poodle mix for you. While cross-breeds aren’t registered as popular and well-known dog breeds, they are getting more and more popular. 

Make sure you look into how the poodle mix is bred, as their pedigree can help you decide what behaviours, appearances, dietary grooming needs, and genetic traits your new dog care will have. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What are Poodle mixes, and why are they gaining popularity as pets? 

Poodle mixes, often referred to as "doodles," are crossbreeds between Poodles and other dog breeds. These mixes combine the Poodle's characteristics with those of another breed, resulting in a unique, charming, and appealing pet.

How do I choose the right Poodle mix for my lifestyle? 

Selecting the right Poodle mix involves considering factors like size, energy level, grooming needs, and temperament. Matching your lifestyle to the dog's needs is key to a successful partnership.

Are Poodle mixes hypoallergenic like purebred Poodles? 

While Poodles are known for their hypoallergenic coats, many Poodle mixes do not inherit this trait. It largely depends on breeding. Some Poodle mixes, like Labradoodles or Goldendoodles, can have varying coat types within a litter. 

What kind of grooming do Poodle mixes require? 

Grooming needs depend on the type of coat your Poodle mix inherits. If they have a Poodle-like coat, regular grooming is essential to prevent matting. 

Are Poodle mixes good with families and other pets? 

Many Poodle mixes have friendly and sociable temperaments, making them well-suited for families and other pets. 

What kind of exercise and mental stimulation do Poodle mixes need? 

Poodle mixes are often intelligent and energetic, inheriting these traits from their Poodle lineage. The amount of exercise required varies among different Poodle mixes, so research the specific mix's energy levels to ensure a suitable routine.