An Irish Doodle is a smart, energetic, and friendly family dog popular in the United States. They are intentionally bred in other terms referred to as designer dogs. They are as a result of crossbreeding an Irish Setter and a Poodle.
The parents are known for their prowess in hunting. The result, an Irish Doodle, is therefore exceptional in hunting and retrieving skills. Also, they are good at tracking and obedient during training.
This guide will provide you with important information on how to keep an Irish Doodle healthy and happy.
The Appearance of The Irish Doodle
These hybrids are medium-sized dogs with a height ranging from 22 inches to 28 inches. They may weigh between 40 and 70 pounds if properly taken care of. The muzzle is long and can either be straight like that of a poodle or sturdy and square like that of an Irish Setter.
The eyes color could be medium to dark brown eyes with oval or almond shapes. The ear-level is slightly below eye level as the flaps hang over the sides of the face.
Irish Doodles’ coats may vary from one dog to the other in terms of both color and composition. The Poodle parent has a soft and curly single layer coat, while the Irish Setter has a double coat of soft and glossy hair. The hybrid coat comes in apricot, red, black with patches of white all over.
Behavior and Personality
They are one of the gentlest home dogs known, and I do not know where to start with the positives. Irish Doodles show affection, loyalty, and devotion to their owners. These dogs will welcome your friends and family. They are always ready to please and possess high intelligence.
When it comes to being a watchdog, Irish Doodles do not growl or bark a lot to scare intruders. However, you can still count on them to alert you when something goes amiss. They are not there just to look cute.
Does not forget easily
Irish Doodles do not forget what their owners teach them. This trait is got from the Irish Setter parent, which is quite important. You will teach them important good manners to which they will adhere. Be careful not to show them destructive behaviors like getting into the kitchen cabinets.
The Poodle provides the genes for friendliness with the children. Sometimes they may become oversensitive to sudden touch and loud noises by the children. It is therefore important you teach them to socialize with the kids as early as possible.
They are more prone to separation anxiety as compared to other dog breeds. Do not leave them alone for long periods because they may develop destructive and undesired behaviors. Give them enough attention, and you have a near to perfect companion dog.
Caring for The Irish Doodles
Just like any pet, the Irish Doodles have requirements and needs that have to be met. Nutritional needs, health concerns, personality needs, and activity needs have to be kept in front of your mind. This will help you provide your dog with a healthy and happy life.
Food and Diet of the Irish Doodle
Irish Doodles are medium-sized dogs and thus should be fed enough food that meets their daily energy levels. Keep in mind other factors like the sex of the dog, metabolism level, and age that may impact the amount of food taken. Make sure the food is high-quality.
You can feed them dry food, wet food, or a mixture of both from the shops. Give them 2 to 3 cups of the food divided into two meal sessions a day. You can then assess if your dog requires more or less food to maintain a healthy life.
Consult where necessary
Not all dogs are the same nature as some may have an immense appetite. It is thus important to consult an experienced vet who will help identify the specific dietary needs. Take your dog to the vet for a checkup so that you can give him a happy life.
The puppies should be fed high-quality puppy food to give them a strong foundation for adult life. Puppies have smaller stomachs; thus, they do not take in large food quantities at a time. Feed them 3 to 4 smaller meals a day compared to the adults and 2 before they turn six months.
Be careful not to overfeed your dog as obesity is a common health problem for them.
Grooming an Irish Doodle
These dogs are considered hypoallergenic as they do not shed that much. Of course, no dog is 100% hypoallergenic, but the Irish Dogs cause fewer allergic reactions. The other allergens can be found on the skin and salivary glands.
Before your dog turns six months old, trimming or cutting the coat should never be thought of. Brush the coat gently every day to prevent matting and knotting. Knots in the paw pit or groin area cause a lot of pain to your dog when he jumps or runs.
Those that are already more than 6 months old with a long coat can be trimmed. The face and the tail are short-trimmed, while the body is long-trimmed. This helps avoid distorted vision on the face and dirt settling on the tail. The body is not over-trimmed to provide enough heat cover for the dog.
No air drying!
The coat should not be air-dried after a bath as it will cause matting. You have to, therefore, blow-dry the coat after a bath. Those that like long and fluffy coats will need the help of a professional groomer every few weeks.
Regular ear cleaning will help avoid infections. The large ears flop over the ear canals providing the right conditions for infections to occur. Check them regularly, if not every day. Also, trim the hair inside there to avoid dirt collections.
For dental health, do not forget to clean the mouth once a week. Imagine their beautiful look being ruined by a set of decaying teeth. A smelly mouth sends away anyone giving them attention.
Training an Irish Doodle
An Irish Doodle is quite an unpredictable dog breed and can become hard to train. The Irish Setters are hard to train and get bored easily compared to the other parent, the poodle, which is easier to train. So, it all depends on which gene the Irish Doodle inherits when it comes to training them.
You will need to be consistent and patient to train an Irish Doodle properly. The good thing is that once you succeed, they tend not to forget what they are taught. Make sure you use positive reinforcements and encouragement.
Being tough will not guarantee control over your pet. They may take it as abuse. The best approach is to establish yourself as the alpha, but with a gentle touch.
It is advised that you train your dog while they are still a puppy. This will improve the training process and help retain what they learn longer. If you lack experience with such dog breeds, seek help from an experienced trainer.
You should also train them to socialize at an early age. Expose them to different people and pets to help them learn what to expect in different scenarios. The temperament will be improved when they are fully grown.
Exercise for Irish Doodles
The Irish Doodle does not require a lot of exercises but rather enough amounts of activity for the day. You can take long walks and allow them to walk around freely in a fenced ground at least once a day.
Spare some time to play with them inside or outside the house to maintain a connection. Also, provide plenty of toys for them to play with when no one is around.
Health Concerns for an Irish Doodle
Hybrid dogs are generally hardy dogs and suffer fewer health problems. The hybrid vigor helps them become more resilient than the parents.
However, health concerns that affect the parents may find their way to the hybrid. The following are health concerns for the parents of an Irish Doodle;
- Bloat
- Cushing’s Disease
- Addison’s Disease
- Hypothyroidism
- Patellar Luxation
- Legg-Calve’-Perthes Disease
- Panosteitis
- Hypertrophic osteodystrophy
- Sebaceous Adenitis
- Osteochondritis Dissecans
- Von Willebrand Diseases
The future health of a dog cannot be predicted. You should therefore keep an eye on the general health concerns for all the canines. This includes;
- Hip dysplasia
- Blindness
- Deafness
- Elbow Dysplasia
These will get more evident as your dog gets older. Regular visits to the vet will help spot problems early and get solutions to them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the possible Life Expectancy of an Irish Doodle?
The average lifespan is about 10 to 13 years under proper care.
Do Irish Doodles Bark and Growl A lot?
No, the Irish Doodles tend to be gentle dogs, but they will alert you when they notice anything is amiss.
How Good are Irish Doodles with kids?
Irish Doodles are good with kids, provided you train them to associate with them at an early age. They are also loyal to the other family members.
Conclusion
Once an Irish Doodle Lover, you will always be a fan of Irish Doodles. Their gentle nature, affection, and loyalty make them perfect family pets. They are mostly easy to take care of and obedient to the instructions given. Who would not want such a pet?
Their prices are different in different countries. You can, however, get them at the nearest pet store or order online. I guarantee you will not regret getting such a sweet companion.
Dr. Elsey's Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter, 40 pound bag ( Pack May Vary )
14% Off
Seresto Large Dog Vet-Recommended Flea & Tick Treatment & Prevention Collar for Dogs Over 18 lbs. | 8 Months Protection
$59.98 (as of April 13, 2025 16:56 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Benebone Wishbone Durable Dog Chew Toy for Aggressive Chewers, Real Bacon, Made in USA, Medium
5% Off
Milk-Bone Mini's Flavor Snacks Dog Treats, 36 Ounce
21% Off
Leave a Reply