Irish Doodle: All About Irish Setter Poodle Mix

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Updated on: 08/06/2022

The Irish Doodle is a hybrid breed of dogs known for its friendly personality and shaggy cute looks. Breeders started to create the Irish Doodle in the early 21st century by crossing an Irish Setter with a Standard Poodle. The aim was to create a hypoallergenic dog that doesn’t shed as much hair as other dogs but still had all the best qualities of both parent breeds, such as being intelligent, active, and playful.

When the breed was created, it was intended to make the ultimate family dog that would be easy to train and very friendly with children and pets of all ages. And for the most part, this breed has succeeded in these aims! Irish Doodles are known to be very loving and affectionate with their families. They do best in households where someone is home most of the time as they love companionship and being involved in family life.

Photo by @lifeonwhite from Freepik

This guide will tell you everything you need to know about the Irish Doodle breed, from their history and appearance to their personality and care needs. By the end of this article, you will know if an Irish Doodle is the right dog for you and your family.

Characteristics:

Weight	40-75 lbs
Height	22-24 inches
Need for exercise	High
Hypoallergenic	Yes
Colors	Black, Red or Apricot
Coat	Long and dense with a wavy texture
Lifespan	10-15 years

The Irish Doodle is a dog known for having a fairly narrow head and square build. Their muzzle is usually black, and their noses are broad. The ears of an Irish Doodle are long and floppy, and they have a thick coat of curly hair that can be either red, cream, apricot, or brown.

This breed typically weighs between 40 and 75 pounds and stands 22-24 inches tall at the shoulder. The coat varies from dog to dog, but all have a long and wavy texture style.

The History of Irish Doodles

The Irish Doodle is a breed of dog made up of two very different breeds. The German poodle and the Irish setter. The German poodle originally came from Germany, as the name suggests. The German poodle was bred to be a working dog and was used for many different things such as hunting, herding, and even truffle hunting!

The Irish setter is a dog breed that comes from Ireland. This breed was also originally bred to be a working dog, and they were used for hunting and retrieving game birds that had been shot. The Irish setter is a very old breed of dog and is one of the oldest breeds in Ireland.

The first Irish Doodle was developed in the early 21st century by crossing an Irish setter with a German poodle. The aim was to breed a hypoallergenic dog that doesn’t shed as much hair as other dogs but still has all of the parent breeds’ most excellent features, such as being clever, active, and playful.

The Irish Doodle is an emerging breed of dog, but the Irish Setter has been around since the 1700s as a hunting dog, and the standard poodle was developed around the same time as a hunting and retrieval dog. Both breeds have coat styles that protect their joints and limbs from the brush as they go through wooded areas, and the Standard Poodle’s coat is mainly known to be hypoallergenic.

Through a combination of these two breeds, we get this hybrid breed which is not yet recognized by the American kennel club as a breed but could soon be considered one due to its popularity.

Photo by Thijs Scheper on Unsplash

Here are some other interesting facts about Irish Doodles:

They are also called Irish Doodle Setters, Irish setterpoos, Irish poo setters, and Irish Setterdoodles.
They don’t make great guard dogs because they are so friendly. It may be difficult for your dog to speak up during intrusion.
They don’t always have red in their coats; an Irish doodle could be cream-colored or even tan color.
The Irish Doodle needs constant grooming; this can mean daily brushing and regular trimming around the ears.
They can have some stubborn traits meaning plenty of repetition could be required during training.
A regular moderate walk 1-2 times a day should be sufficient for most of these dogs.

The Temperament and personality of Irish doodles:

The Irish Doodle is a sensitive and intelligent breed that thrives with regular human companionship. They are also very friendly, making them poor candidates for guard dogs. However, their relaxed nature around strangers means they get along well with other pets and children.

Irish Doodles are highly trainable and excel in obedience, agility, and other dog sports. They are also quick learners, so early socialization and training are essential to prevent them from developing any anxiety or aggression towards other animals. They can be a bit skittish with loud sounds or sudden and drastic changes in routine. This can be a common trait amongst poodle lines.

When it comes to their Temperament, it is playful, friendly, and loving dog. They make great family dogs and love being around people. They are also very intelligent and highly trainable. However, they will sometimes exude stubborn traits and require patience and consistency when training.

Even though they have a relatively high energy level, they require only 1-2 moderate daily walks. They are also not known for being vocal dogs, so they make good apartment dogs.

What activities are best for Irish Doodles?

Most Irish Doodles thrive with 60-90 minutes of daily walking or exercise. They are active dogs but don’t require a lot of strenuous activity. They enjoy walks, playing fetch, and swimming.

Agility, obedience, and other dog sports are also great activities for Irish Doodles. They are intelligent dogs and quickly learn new tricks. Socialization is also important, so taking them to a dog park and letting them run off some energy with other dogs is also a great option.

How to train your Irish Doodle:

Training your Irish Doodle requires plenty of positive reinforcement training with treats and a lot of repetition. They can be a bit stubborn, so it is important to be patient and consistent when training them.

Start with basic commands for obedience such as sit, stay, come, down, and leave it. Once your dog has mastered the first commands required, you can move on to more difficult tricks or training sessions.

It is also important to socialize your Irish Doodle early on. This means exposing them to different people, environments, and situations. This socializing will help Irish Doodles to become well-rounded dogs that are not afraid of new things. Taking them to obedience classes or local parks after they receive their shots can be a wonderful way to expose them to new stimuli and help them feel more comfortable growing up.

Having new tasks to focus on, such as learning new commands or taking on obedience training for agility, can also be a great way to focus the mind of your Irish Doodle. Committing to ongoing training and finding new ways to keep them engaged will prevent the chance that you could experience behaviors from a bored dog like scratching or destroying your home.

Health concerns for Irish Doodles:

Irish Doodles are generally a healthy breed with few health concerns. However, there are a few conditions that they may be more prone to, such as hip dysplasia, von Willebrand’s Disease, and Addison’s Disease.

Hip dysplasia is a condition that affects the hip joint and can cause pain and lameness. It is important to have your dog’s hips checked by a veterinarian before breeding.

Von Willebrand’s Disease is a blood clotting disorder that can be fatal if not treated. All dogs should be tested for this disorder before breeding.

Addison’s Disease is a condition that affects the adrenal glands and can be fatal if not treated. All dogs should be tested for this disorder before breeding. Dogs with this Disease often urinate more frequently and can grow lethargic.

Irish doodles can also be susceptible to bloat. Bloat is a condition where the stomach twists and can cause death if not treated immediately. It is important to be aware of the signs of bloat and get your dog to the vet immediately if you think they may be experiencing it. If you notice that your dog tends to eat very quickly, introducing a puzzle food bowl, introducing a wet diet, or finding a way to slow down their eating can help to prevent bloat.

How to groom an Irish Doodle?

Grooming an Irish Doodle often requires a soft bristle brush and a slicker brush. They also need to be trimmed every 6-8 weeks.

Start by brushing your dog’s coat with a soft bristle to remove any dirt or debris. Next, use a slicker brush to remove any tangles or mats in the coat. Be sure to go slowly and gently use the slicker brush, as Irish Doodles have sensitive skin.

When trimming your dog’s coat, start by trimming their ears. Then, move on to their face and neck. Next, trim the hair on their legs and body. Finally, trim any hair that is around their anus or genitals. It is important only to trim the hair that is around these areas, as trimming too close can cause irritation.

When bathing your Irish Doodle, use a mild shampoo, and rinse all the soap out of their coat. It is also essential to remove any excess water from their coat after bathing to prevent skin irritation.

If you are looking for a groomer, make sure they have experience with poodles, as this will give them the best chance of knowing how to groom your Irish Doodle properly.

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Feeding an Irish Doodle:

When feeding an Irish Doodle, it is important to use high-quality food designed for dogs with sensitive skin. It is also important to feed them multiple small meals throughout the day rather than one large meal. This will help to prevent bloat.

When choosing a food for your Irish Doodle, look for one that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. This will help to keep their energy levels stable and their skin healthy. You should also avoid foods that contain artificial colors or flavors, as these can cause skin irritation.

If you are unsure on what you should be feeding your Irish Doodle, take a look at what your breeder would recommend for their adult dogs and consult with your vet to see if that food would be a good option for your pup.

Where to adopt and rescue Irish Doodles:

Rather than going to a breeder for your new Irish Doodle, plenty of wonderful dogs are available for adoption or rescue. Start your search with a local Irish Doodle Rescue, this can be an excellent way to find only this specific breed of dog. You can then expand your search to other dog rescue facilities across the country.

Several online resources can help you find an Irish Doodle needing a home. Try searching for “Irish Doodle Rescue” or “Irish Doodle Adoption” online and browse through the results. This can be a great way to find dogs that are located near you.

Your local humane society may also have Irish Doodles available for adoption. Call or visit your local facility and inquire about any dogs that fit this description.

Photo by Chris Maldonado on Unsplash

When adopting an Irish Doodle, be sure to ask about their health history and whether or not they have been tested for any of the more common conditions in this breed. You will also want to learn about their Temperament and whether or not they have been obedience trained. Adopting an adult dog with some training can be a great way to avoid starting from scratch. Prospective owners can less want some litters because of their’s coat. Irish doodle pups with undesirable coat patterns or that come out as miniature poodles may find themselves in adoption.

Plenty of wonderful Irish Doodles are waiting for their forever homes if you are interested in rescue or adoption. With a little bit of searching, you are sure to find the perfect dog for your family.

Breeders and the cost of an Irish Doodle:

Many breeders across North America now specialize in breeding Irish Doodles. The cost of an Irish Doodle from a breeder can range from $1200-$2500, depending on the breeder, the coat color and pattern, and whether or not the dog is show quality. Irish doodle puppies might be available in your community, or you can also check for mini Irish doodles. Irish Setterpoo breeders may be in your area too.

When looking for a reputable breeder, always be sure to do your research. Ask for references from other dog owners that have purchased dogs from the breeder, and visit the facility to meet the dogs and see the conditions they are being kept in. A reputable breeder will be able to provide you with health clearances for the parents of the puppies and will be open and honest about any health concerns that may be present in the litter. Dog breeds can all have their traits, and even though your Irish doodle puppy is not a designer dog, they can inherit traits from their poodle parent or Irish setter parents that present concerns.

If you are interested in purchasing an Irish Doodle from a breeder, be prepared to pay a premium price. If parent dog breeds are awarded show dogs, your Irish setterdoodle may come with a higher price tag. However, by doing your research and ensuring that you are dealing with a reputable breeder, you can be confident that you are getting a healthy puppy that has been well-cared for.

Conclusion:

Overall, the Irish Doodle is a beautiful dog that makes a great addition to any family. They are bright, pleasant, and quick to train. They can live long if properly looked after and fed with good quality food. If you are considering adding an Irish Doodle to your family, be sure to do your research and adopt or purchase from a reputable source. With a little knowledge and preparation, you will surely find the perfect Irish Doodle for your home.