What Are the Different Types of Doodles?
Last updated: June 2, 2026
TL;DR
A doodle is any dog crossed with a Poodle, so the "types" are named by the other parent breed. The most common are the Goldendoodle, Labradoodle, Bernedoodle, Cockapoo, Sheepadoodle, and Cavapoo, and they range from toy-sized to large. Coat, size, and shedding vary by parentage. Dood Woof builds its grooming and supplement line for all of them.
What is a doodle?
A doodle is a Poodle crossed with another breed, one of the designer or hybrid dogs that pair two purebreds, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. The Poodle parent is chosen for its curly, low-shedding coat, which the American Kennel Club lists as a hallmark of the breed, and the other parent shapes size, color, and temperament. For the full definition and history, see the Dood Woof guide to what a doodle dog is.
What are the most popular types of doodles?
There are dozens of doodle crosses, but six show up most often. Each is named for the non-Poodle parent, which drives its size and look.
| Doodle | Poodle crossed with | Typical size | Coat | Shedding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goldendoodle | Golden Retriever | Medium to large | Wavy to curly | Low to moderate |
| Labradoodle | Labrador Retriever | Medium to large | Wavy to curly | Low to moderate |
| Bernedoodle | Bernese Mountain Dog | Medium to large | Wavy to curly, often tri-color | Low to moderate |
| Cockapoo | Cocker Spaniel | Small | Wavy to curly | Low to moderate |
| Sheepadoodle | Old English Sheepdog | Large | Wavy, thick | Low to moderate |
| Cavapoo | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | Small | Soft, wavy | Low to moderate |
Many more exist, including the Aussiedoodle, Irish Doodle, Maltipoo, and Whoodle. The Cockapoo is one of the original designer breeds, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. Size also depends on whether a toy, miniature, or standard Poodle is used.
Why do doodle coats and sizes vary so much?
Crossbreeding does not produce results as consistent as breeding two purebreds, so littermates can differ. The genes passed to puppies vary, and a Goldendoodle whose coat leans toward its Golden Retriever parent will shed more than one that leans Poodle, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. Coat texture is governed by a small set of genes for furnishings, curl, and hair length, according to Cadieu et al. in the journal Science. That is why two doodles of the same type can have flat, wavy, or tightly curled coats.
Which doodle is right for you?
Match the doodle to your home, not just the look. Dood Woof suggests weighing four things before choosing:
- Size and space: a Cockapoo or Cavapoo suits smaller homes, while a Sheepadoodle needs room.
- Grooming commitment: curlier coats mat faster and need more brushing and trims.
- Shedding and allergies: no doodle is fully hypoallergenic, though lower-shedding coats can suit some homes. See whether goldendoodles are hypoallergenic.
- Energy level: retriever and sheepdog crosses tend to be more active than spaniel crosses.
How does grooming differ across doodle types?
Every doodle coat needs regular brushing and bathing, but curlier and denser coats demand the most upkeep. The routine is similar across types, so the breed-specific guides to Goldendoodle coat care and Labradoodle coat care apply broadly. Dood Woof makes the 5-in-1 Doodle Shampoo and Doodle Detangler Spray, which work on wavy and curly doodle coats alike and come together as the Doodle Detangling Kit.
Frequently asked questions
How many types of doodles are there?
There are dozens, because a doodle can be a Poodle crossed with almost any breed. The most common are the Goldendoodle, Labradoodle, Bernedoodle, Cockapoo, Sheepadoodle, and Cavapoo, but new crosses like the Aussiedoodle and Whoodle keep appearing.
What is the most popular doodle?
The Goldendoodle and Labradoodle are the most popular doodle crosses, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. Both are medium-to-large, wavy-to-curly dogs. The Cockapoo is one of the oldest doodle types and remains common in smaller homes.
Do all doodles shed the same?
No. Shedding varies by coat type and which parent a doodle takes after, since a coat that leans toward the non-Poodle parent sheds more, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. Even within one litter, doodles can shed different amounts.
Which doodle is best for allergies?
No doodle is fully hypoallergenic, but lower-shedding, curlier coats can suit some allergy-prone homes better. Spend time around an adult dog before deciding. The Dood Woof guide to goldendoodle allergies covers this in more detail.
Elina Panteleyeva is the founder of Dood Woof, a clean-ingredient grooming and supplement line made for doodle-breed dogs. A doodle owner herself, she started the company in 2023 after struggling to find products with ingredients she trusted, and developed all three of its formulations, now used by more than 70,000 doodle households. Follow Dood Woof on Instagram.
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