Yellow Double Doodle
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Double Doodle Dog Breed

Other names:
Double Goldendoodle
Golden Labradoodle
North American Retriever

The Double Doodle is a hybrid breed which is a cross between the Goldendoodle and the Labradoodle or various combinations of the Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever and the Poodle. This mix has also been called the North American Retriever and Golden Labradoodle. This breed is intelligent, well-rounded, and has been cited as an affable family pet.

As a hybrid dog the Double Doodle will inherit physical and behavioral traits of each of its three parent breeds. However, not all Double Doodles will inherit the same characteristics (even if from the same litter). It is recommended to familiarize yourself with the Poodle, Golden Retriever, and the Labrador if you are planning on adopting a Double Doodle as the breed can have more characteristics of one parent breed than the other.

Double Doodle Breed Details

Below are details and specs of the Double Doodle dog breed.

Type
Hybrid
Lifespan
10 - 12 yrs.
Height
20 - 24 in.
Weight
50 - 80 lbs
Friendliness
OverallFamily FriendlyChild FriendlyPet FriendlyStranger Friendly
Maintenance
Easy to GroomEnergy LevelExercise NeedsHealthShedding Amount
Behavior
Barks / HowlsEasy to TrainGuard DogPlayfulnessWatch Dog
Ownership
Apartment DogCan be AloneGood for Busy OwnersGood for New OwnersIntelligence

Double Doodle Breed Description

The double doodle is considered a large dog breed. Adult double doodles will generally be 20-24 inches tall (from ground to shoulder) and will weigh between 50-80 pounds. Their size and build makes them sturdy dogs without being so large they pose a threat to small children or fragile furniture.

Double doodles are excellent dogs for children and other household pets. The breed overall makes a great family pet, however due to their friendliness they will make a poor watch dog or guard dog as they will greet strangers and trespassers warmly.

The maintenance of the double doodle is largely dependent on which parent breed the dog inherits its coat characteristics from. Poodle genes will prevent the dog from shedding, but they will require frequent haircuts and brushing to keep the coat healthy. Labrador retriever and golden retriever coats both shed heavily and will need to be brushed daily to keep the coat free of dead hair. The double doodle will have a lot of energy, so 30 minute walk will be necessary at least one to two times per day. It is unlikely the breed will meet their exercise requirements playing fetch in the backyard and will need further physical stimulation.

Double Doodle Breed History

The Double Doodle is a fairly new dog breed and because of this the breed does not have a very detailed history. It is likely that Double Doodle was first intentionally bred in the last few decades when the popularity of designer hybrid dogs increased.

Double Doodle Appearance

As a crossbreed, the Double Doodle may inherit physical traits from any of its three parent breeds. Not all Double Doodles will inherit the same traits which means some Double Doodles may have more Golden Retriever characteristics, others may have more Labrador characteristics, some a majority Poodle, and some may show a rough mix of each.

Traits that are common amongst all Double Doodles are a long coat and tail, dark button eyes, a black nose and floppy ears that fall onto the cheek or side of the head. The texture of the coat can vary considerably depending on the traits inherited. Some of these dogs will have silky, wavy coats ala the Golden Retriever, while others may have more coarse, wiry coats like that of the Poodle.

Double Doodle Colors

The images below represent the coat colors and patterns associated with Double Doodles.

Brown
Cream
Gold

Double Doodle Variations

The Double Doodle is a doozy of a dog when it comes to explaining variations — and not just because of the multiple claims regarding who bred which dog with what in one country or another. As this "hyper"-hybrid is the cross-breeding of two hybrids (the Goldendoodle, which is a Golden Retriever / Poodle cross, crossbred with a Labradoodle, which is a Labrador Retriever / Poodle cross), some breeders consider it an F3 from the start whereas other breeders claim it is a mere hybrid in itself and thus starts at F1. Since the American Kennel Club (AKC) states that a hybrid cross production must reach F7 before even being considered a pure-breed. With that in mind, it can be easy to understand why two different hybrids being crossbred should technically produce an F3 (or at least an F2), but not an F1.

As such, the typical F1, F2, etc. generations may not apply to Double Doodles — at least not just yet.

Some breeders may advertise Mini Double Doodles; it is most likely the case that a size of Poodle smaller than a Standard has been used (Medium, Miniature). However, puppies irresponsibly bred down to achieve a certain size often come with serious health issues.

Double Doodle Temperament

The temperament of the Double Doodle is dependent on the behavioral traits inherited from its parents. Some Double Doodles will inherit a majority of traits from the Labrador, others the Golden Retriever, some the Poodle, and some will have a mix of behaviors inherited from each of its parent breeds. We recommend researching the temperament of each parent breed if you are planning on adopting a Double Doodle.

Traits that appear common amongst all Double Doodles are intelligence and sociability. These dogs are family oriented and love to be around people, including children. As long as they are properly socialized, Double Doodles should not have a problem getting along with other dogs or family pets such as cats. Consistent, firm training should be started as a young age to get the most out of this bright dog. Fortunately, these dogs are willing to please their owners and training should not present much of a hassle. Though these dogs are playful and like to run around, they should be fine in smaller living environments as long as they receive proper attention and exercise.

Double Doodle Maintenance

You can expect this dog to be a medium maintenance breed. They will require a moderate amount of exercise and their coats may require frequent care, depending on which breed they inherit from.

Grooming Requirements

The Double Doodle can inherit the coat from either the Poodle or the Labrador/Golden Retriever. Double Doodles that inherit the Poodle coat will likely be hypoallergenic and won't shed much but will need their coats clipped regularly and brushed each day to keep the hair from becoming tangled.

Individuals that inherit the silky Retriever coat type will need to be brushed at least 3 times a week to prevent mats and tangles. This coat type will shed year round so owners should consider investing in a nice vacuum cleaner to help keep fur from piling up around the house.

Exercise Requirements

These dogs are fairly energetic and should be exercised daily to prevent their excess energy from being used to fuel unwanted habits such as chewing, digging, and barking. Playing fetch in the yard will not be enough; these dogs will need a moderate to long walk each day.

Living Requirements

Given their aptitude for games, a home with a yard would probably be a Double Doodle's first choice, but these dogs can adapt to a wide variety of living environments. They can call somewhere home whether it's an apartment or a large estate, as long as they are able to meet their exercise requirements.

Double Doodle Health

As a hybrid dog breed, the Double Doodle will have more genetic diversity than its purebred ancestors which helps with the breed's health and hardiness. However, the breed does suffer from health issues common in both the Labradoodle and the Goldendoodle, including hip dysplasia, cataracts, and bloat. The life expectancy for this breed is 12-15 years.

Below are common health issues with the double doodle breed.

Double Doodle Health Concerns

Below are potential health concerns associated with Double Doodles.

Bloat
Cataracts
Hip dysplasia
Ear infections
Von willebrand's disease
Progressive retinal atrophy
Allergies
Epilepsy
Hypothyroidism
Elbow dysplasia
Osteochondritis Dissecans

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