The 10 Healthiest Poodle Mixes (With Pictures)

Poodle mixes have become increasingly popular over the past ten years. There is now a myriad of poodle crossbreeds available for dog owners to choose from. However, due to their relative newness, many potential dog owners are concerned that the breeding of these newer mixed breeds resulted in health issues in these beautiful dogs. So are poodle mixes healthy dogs?

Poodle mixes are generally very healthy dogs. Mixed-bred dogs have higher genetic diversity than purebreds and thus have a better chance of circumventing genetic disease. However, it’s important to check with a reputable breeder to better understand the genetic health of the parents before purchasing your dog.

The ten most healthy poodle mixes include:

1. Labradoodles
2. Goldendoodles
3. Bernedoodles
4. Sheepadoodles
5. Schnoodles
6. Cavoodles
7. Irish Doodles
8. Great Danoodle
9. Dalmadoodles
10. Bordoodles

Of course, it cannot be that easy. You are most likely wondering what precautions can be taken to be sure that your dog is the healthiest he can be as well as which poodles mixes will typically be the healthiest. We will answer those questions and more below, so read on.

What are the Healthiest Poodle Mixes?

There is no one answer to this question but I will do our best to give you a clearer picture as you are looking to decide which mixed breed of poodle you will be going with.

It’s almost inevitable that your dog will experience a health concern at some point in life.

Below, I will cover ten of the healthiest poodle mix breeds here and touch on some of the common medical concerns, as well as lifespans for each breed.

The ten healthiest poodle mixes include:

1. Labradoodles 

Labradoodles are healthy poodle crossbreeds that come in several different sizes, ranging from 15-60 pounds. With a healthy lifestyle and regular physical activity, Labradoodles can live for 15 or more years. As far as health problems, Labradoodles can be at risk of hip and elbow dysplasia, leading to arthritis. Additionally, their floppy ears can be more prone to ear infections.

2. Goldendoodles

The Goldendoodle is another lively, robust breed that can vary in size from 15-90 pounds. Their average lifespan is typically 10-15 years, with the smaller dogs having a longer lifespan. Goldendoodles are more prone to hip dysplasia, skin diseases, and eye diseases.

3. Bernedoodles

Bernedoodles are a mix between Bernese Mountain Dogs and Poodles. Bernedoodles range from toy to standard size, and range from 10 to 90 pounds. They have few genetic problems and boast an average lifespan of 12-15 years. The biggest concern for these dogs is hip dysplasia and arthritis, which is common in all big dogs as they age.

4. Sheepadoodles

A sheepadoodle, the mix between a sheepdog and a poodle, varies in size from 15-85 pounds and has an average lifespan of 12-15 years. They are usually very healthy but can be prone to hip dysplasia, diabetes, and gastric dilatation. 

5. Schnoodles

Schnoodles are a mixture of a schnauzer and a poodle, and they can vary in weight from around 7 pounds all the way up to 75 pounds. This breed typically sees a lifespan of 12-16 years as long as they are healthy and active. 

In terms of medical conditions, they typically will tend to have eye problems as they get older. These can manifest as cataracts or progressive retinal atrophy. A lot of times, this can cause them to go blind.

6. Cavoodles

Cavoodles are smaller, as they are mixed between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle. They will weigh in at 20 pounds at their heaviest, which results in a longer average lifespan of about 12-14 years. While cavoodles are healthy overall, they are, unfortunately, more prone to medical conditions such as congenital heart failure, progressive retinal atrophy, and skin diseases.

7. Irish Doodles

Irish Poodles are a mix of a Poodle and an Irish Setter. These dogs will weigh anywhere from 40-70 pounds and live 10-13 years on average, which is among the shortest of the poodle breeds. They can be prone to hip dysplasia, blindness, and epilepsy. 

8. Great Danoodles

A Great Dane and a Poodle mix is just one big dream come true. Emphasis on big. These dogs are, predictably, on the larger size as they can weigh anywhere from 75-100 pounds. 

Although great danoodles do not suffer from many health issues, larger dogs tend to have shorter lifespans. As a result, danoodles typically live between 8-13 years on average. As is typical with larger breeds, these dogs can be susceptible to joint dysplasia and arthritis, cancer, and epilepsy.

9. Dalmadoodles

Mixed with a Dalmation and a Poodle, these poodles are usually anywhere from 40-70 pounds. On average, they live anywhere between 11-14 years.

Although not common, their dalmation parents have been known to carry genes that will result in loss of hearing and/or sight. This condition can be passed on to puppies, so it is important to screen any breeders and get puppies tested when they are young.

10. Bordoodles

Bordoodles are a mix between a Border Collie and a Poodle. They are around 50-70 pounds and have a typical lifespan of around 10-15 years. Bordoodles are one of the newer mixes of a poodle, so there is much less known about potential medical conditions for these dogs. However, Collies have been known to have eye problems and allergy issues.

It is important to remember that there are other aspects to consider when looking to add a poodle to your family. All of these dogs have different benefits and traits that would make them a great fit based on your preferences. 

There are currently over 20 breeds of poodles recognized, but that list seems to be ever-growing. Researching the breeds and parents of any dog you are considering is common practice and can help identify any potential issues before they get to be a problem.

What Health Problems do Mixed Breed Poodles Have?

As we have touched on previously in this article, there are still some health problems that can come about with mixed breed dogs. So much of it will depend on the breeds that they are mixed with, so it is important to check with the breeder to understand the health of the parents.

With poodles, there are five health issues that you need to keep an eye on that can manifest themselves. These may become a problem for poodle mix breeds as well, so be sure to ask the breeder about whether or not the parents of the puppy experienced any of these conditions.

Common health conditions that affect poodle mixes include:

1. Bloat

Bloat is an illness that can become dangerous if not taken care of quickly. Typical symptoms of Bloat that you need to keep an eye on are Dry heaving, expanded and firm stomach, excessive drooling, or restlessness. This can turn deadly if not addressed quickly.

2. Addison’s Disease

Addison’s Disease is another one that is fairly common for a poodle crossbred. This is a disease caused by defective adrenal glands that cannot produce enough cortisol. Symptoms of Addison’s Disease include vomiting and diarrhea, along with a lethargic attitude and depression. 

This can show itself in a lack of appetite or excessive thirst. It is a treatable disease that can be taken care of with oral medication daily.

3. Thyroid Problems

Thyroid problems can typically show themselves when poodle or poodle mix begins to age. Thyroid issues are caused by vitamin and nutrient deficiencies which can result in longer recovery times from injuries and a deteriorating immune system. A poodle mix can show these symptoms as changes in behavior or as physical manifestations.

4. Hip Dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia is another common ailment that can occur as your poodle mix ages. This occurs when the hip socket wears down, and there are frequent dislocations and relocations. 

Dogs will show discomfort by walking gingerly or being slow to rise off the floor. Anti-inflammatory medicine can be a treatment for this issue when the dogs get older, but should only be used when under the care of a qualified veterinarian.. Keeping your dog fit and active throughout his life will help to lower the chances of developing this disease..

5. Epilepsy

Another potential ailment is epilepsy. This can be a very startling experience for both the dog and the owner. When your dog is experiencing an epileptic seizure, it is important to remain calm and try to place a pillow gently beneath its head. Once finished, you will want to report the duration and intensity of each seizure to your veterinarian to determine if you will need to medicate, or further treat your dog. 

There are plenty of measures you can take to try to prevent these ailments. An important aspect of being a dog owner is making sure that you have researched the best ways to care for your canine, and that starts with diet, exercise, and regular vet visits. Making sure your dog receives the correct meals and dental care will also ensure that your dog is in the best physical shape it can be in.

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How Can You Make Sure Your Poodle Mix is Healthy?

As is the case with just about any dog, the key to the overall health of your pet is directly proportional to the care you provide. When you are looking into adopting a poodle mix, it is important to research each breed you will be considering to understand the different health issues that may be associated with those breeds.

As mentioned previously, the diversity of the poodle parent’s genes give it a better chance at stellar health. This is measured through something called the Coefficient of Interbreeding. The lower this number, the better, as that means there is great genetic diversity with the breed. So, with poodle mixes, they will gain great genetic diversity when mixed with breeds they are not related to.

Why does this matter? I will give you an example. If one dog parent is has developed heart problems, any puppies have a higher chance of developing heart problems. 

When dogs are mixed with a breed that does not have a history of heart disease, then the puppies have a better chance of not developing heart disease during their lives.

With so many different breeds of poodles, it can be difficult to determine which is the best fit for you for a multitude of reasons.

Are Poodle Mixes Healthier than Purebred Poodles?

The genetic health of any poodle mixed-breed dog is often dependent on their non-poodle parent.

While purebred poodles are typically healthy dogs, poodle mixes are generally more healthy than their poodle parent. Poodle mixes enjoy greater genetic diversity and experience a lower risk of genetic disease than purebred poodles. However, your dog’s health will be contingent on the genes of each contributing parent.

Again, the COI is key here. Standard poodles COI have an exceptionally low number (2.3%), with toy poodles also being low at 4%. From there, it is important to find a non- poodle breed that also has a low COI .

As we mentioned above, diversity is great with keeping a COI low and diversifying the gene pool to lower the risk of genetic diseases with dogs. However, there are some risks that can run with mixed breed dogs, namely inbreeding.

Inbreeding in dogs is most detrimental when both breeds/parents are prone to the same health conditions. This will raise the probability that the offspring will develop the affected condition. This is why research is key when considering poodle breeds. 

If you mix two breeds that are prone to hip conditions, then the possibility that your dog will develop hip conditions is twice as high, as they could inherit those genes from both the mother and father.

The reverse is also true, of course, in that dogs can inherit the best genes from their parents. So, finding poodle mixes with breeds with other strong, desirable characteristics will go a long way in making sure that your furry friend lives a strong, healthy life.

Why Are Poodle Mixes So Popular?

Poodle mixes have become some of the most popular “designer breeds” in the world over the past ten years. Poodle breeds are known for being loyal and intelligent companions and are generally healthier than their parents. Additionally, many poodle crossbreeds are hypoallergenic, perfect for families with allergies.

One of the biggest benefits of a poodle mix dog is that they are hypoallergenic and, as a result, are safe to own for people who have dog allergies. This is also helpful as these dogs typically will not shed as much or have as much dander. This is a result of the curly, poodle hair that so many of these breeds have.

Additionally, poodle mixes are very, very smart. Poodles are very well known for being dogs of high intelligence. Many of the dogs that they are mixed with form poodle breeds that are intelligent as well. One of the breeds that are perhaps the smartest is the Borpoodle, which is a mix between a Border Collie and a Poodle. Border Collies are also one of the smartest dog breeds which makes the combination an extremely intelligent mixture.

Where Can I Get A Poodle?

Poodle Mix dogs are in extremely high demand, seeing as they have the benefits of being hypoallergenic along with their friendly personality. This makes it a bit harder to find them, Breeders are the best option in order to find a healthy poodle to join your family. 

It is extremely important to vet out the breeder who you will be adopting from, as their care for the poodle can be the difference between a healthy puppy and one who may have some health issues.

However, there are definitely options for anyone who is looking to rescue a poodle. This is a resource that contains a great list of options for places where you can rescue a poodle for the family. Some folks are unable to maintain the lifestyle that a lot of poodles require as well as some of the extra costs that may be associated with the grooming of the dog. 

Once again, you will want to do your research even when you are going the rescue route so that you will be able to understand what the health background is for the puppy. This is important to make sure that you are properly equipped for whatever it is that the dog may require in the health department.

Final Thoughts

This is a personal question! Whether or not a poodle is the best fit for you depends on the type of lifestyle that you live and the type of companion that you are looking for when it comes to your dog. Make no mistake, a lot of these dogs require a great deal of physical activity as they are energetic dogs and need to get that energy out.

In addition to the activity requirements that come along with these dogs, there are also definite monetary investments that are more than usual. The fact that they are hypoallergenic definitely comes with big-time benefits when it comes to clean-up and allergens, but it comes at a price.

On top of a higher price to adopt one of these dogs, with some Poodles going for $3,000 or more. This is only the start, as there are also the costs that come along with the grooming needs for these dogs. Since they do not shed, their coats will get increasingly shaggy. You will need to get their coats cut on a regular basis, and those costs can definitely add up.

At the end of the day, there will always be increased costs associated with adopting a dog and bringing it into your family. If you can afford the price associated with the dogs, you will be rewarded with a loyal, friendly, and intelligent companion that will fill your life with love and joy.