The spoodle is one of the most loyal breeds, so it is easy to see why it is so popular in Australia. The spoodle is a combination of a poodle and a cocker spaniel. Since it has been crossbred, the dog is less likely to encounter problems associated with these two breeds.
Spoodles are available in many sizes, including teacup, toy, standard, and miniature. The dog is immensely popular in Australia because it is sociable, smart, and very energetic.
It is believed that spoodles originated in the United States sometime in the 1950s. In the 1960s, the dog was often called the cockapoo.
Dogs Australia does not recognize the spoodle as a purebred dog. Nevertheless, it remains one of the most sought-after breeds in the country.
What Is A Spoodle?
| Suitable for: | Families with Children | Singles and Seniors | First-time Dog Owners | People Looking for a Low-shedding Dog |
| Height: | 10 to 20 inches |
| Weight: | 12 to 50 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12 to 15 years |
| Colors: | black, white, cream, gold, and sometimes a mix of these colors |
| Temperament: | Friendly and affectionate nature. They are also intelligent, playful, and can be quite social. Great with kids and other pets. |
Before getting into the specifics of this breed, it’d be a good idea to learn more about its origins. In basic terms, the spoodle is created when a cocker spaniel is bred with a poodle.
As mentioned previously, the dog was first recognized in the United States around 1950. In the 1960s, it was called a cockapoo. In Australia, Dogs Australia does not recognize the spoodle as a purebred dog.
Many people believe that a cockapoo and a spoodle will have significant differences. Truthfully, this isn’t the case. The names are used interchangeably. In general, people in the United States call this animal a cockapoo. In Australia and Europe, these dogs are often called spoodles.
You may also encounter the term cavoodle. Although these dogs have many similarities, there are a few differences. For instance, the Cavoodle has different parents. This dog is created by breeding a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Toy Poodle.
Spoodle Characteristics
It is vital to learn more about the characteristics of the spoodle. Don’t adopt this dog until you know how it will behave in your home. Are they very energetic and loyal? Will these dogs blend well into families with elderly members and children?
Remember that a dog’s behavior will vary depending on its training and background. Nevertheless, it is common for spoodles to be very friendly and playful. They always love having fun and playing.
These dogs have endless energy reverses, so they can play for hours and hours. They can also be described as yappers because they’re going to bark often. They bark to alert their owner if they hear any little noise.
On the other hand, these dogs don’t shed much, so you don’t have to pick up hairballs too often. Regarding spoodle energy levels, these dogs are more energetic than others.
The spoodle intelligence level is high, so these dogs have no trouble learning new tricks. In terms of the spoodle temperament, these dogs are very affectionate. They’ll cuddle up in your lap and beg for a treat. They also love being stroked.
Spoodle Appearance
Spoodles are popular because they have a cute appearance. People like their curly hair and small stature. Some people have described them as looking like a cute, cuddly bear.
They have long ears that will flop when they’re running. Their eyes are usually wide and brown, thanks to being crossbred by a poodle. Usually, spoodles are not going to grow taller than 17 inches.
In some cases, they can weigh up to 70 pounds. However, the smaller spoodles are only four pounds. They have medium to long coats. Their fur can be curly, straight, or wavy.
The grooming requirements will depend on the type of fur your spoodle has. Regardless of the spoodle coat type, it is not common for these dogs to shed excessively.
The spoodle colors are vast, with the most common being black, red, white, chocolate, and golden. The selected parents often determine the color. Refer to the spoodle size chart below to find out how big your spoodle will be.
- Toy spoodles tend to grow up to 40cm or 15 inches. They weigh up to 5kg.
- Miniature spoodles grow up to 51cm or 20 inches. They weigh up to 7kg.
- Standard spoodles grow up to 66cm or roughly 26 inches. They weigh up to 9kg.
Mini Spoodle Guide: Size, Lifespan, Temperament, and Adoption Tips
Spoodle Health And Lifespan
Being a spoodle owner is usually good because these dogs tend to be very healthy. Since they’re crossbred, they’re less likely to encounter problems associated with the parent breeds.
Nevertheless, there are still risks involved. Some of the most common spoodle health issues include hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, allergies, and liver disease. These dogs also experience ear infections regularly.
Unfortunately, spoodles can gain weight rapidly, so it is important to avoid overfeeding them. You’ll also need to ensure that your spoodle gets plenty of exercise.
The average spoodle lifespan is 10 to 12 years. If properly cared for, the animal could live for a few more years. However, there is always a risk that the dog will pass away sooner.
As a spoodle owner, avoiding taking the dog for granted is always wise. Spoodle care requirements are extensive, so you’ll have your work cut out for you. For instance, you’ll have to brush the dog’s coat weekly and clip its coat every six weeks. It may be best to let a professional groomer handle this because spoodles can be fussy.
The dog’s teeth, ears, and eyes should be checked daily. Properly care for your dog’s coat to keep it looking beautiful and shiny.
Spoodle Grooming And Maintenance
Spoodles are loyal dogs that will shower you with love. However, you need to go above and beyond to care for the spoodle’s coat to ensure that it looks great. If the dog has curly fur, this is even more important.
Otherwise, you’re going to encounter tangles. If this happens, the dog’s fur may have to be cut. Adult dogs tend to have trouble getting groomed because they were groomed as puppies.
Avoid this problem by taking your spoodle puppy to a groomer regularly. Grooming is vitally important for a number of reasons.
Obviously, it makes the coat look better. On top of that, proper grooming can help prevent serious health issues. These dogs are considered hypoallergenic, but they still require a lot of care and attention. For instance, their coat should be brushed regularly.
Spoodle grooming is an ongoing process since the fur will never stop growing. Spoodle haircuts can be tricky if your dog hasn’t been to the groomers often.
Spoodles can have a variety of haircuts, such as the Continental cut, lamb cut, English saddle cut, and more. Talk to your preferred groomer to find out which options are available to you.
When compared to other animals, spoodle shedding is minimal. Still, the dog is going to shed some hair. If you have severe allergies, you’ll need to take steps to deal with the hair and dander. Brushing helps. You should also use a pet vacuum to take care of the stray hairs.
Training And Socialization Spoodle
When a spoodle is properly trained, the animal is going to behave well in public and around strangers. It won’t cause any problems when encountering other dogs.
However, it should be noted that any dog can become a problem when it hasn’t been thoroughly trained. Spoodle dogs are easy to train, but they still require a lot of effort and patience.
If you want to train your spoodle, you should start by using short training sessions. When spoodles are exposed to lengthy training sessions, they become overwhelmed.
Keep the sessions around 10 minutes or less. Spoodle training is very important because these dogs will have obedience problems otherwise. One of the biggest spoodle behavior problems is being bossy. If you fail to train your dog, it’ll soon become your owner. Plus, it’ll bark at everything.
You’ll have to be diligent to break these habits before they turn your life into a nightmare. Thankfully, spoodles are smart and engaging, so they enjoy short training sessions. Spoodle socialization is usually straightforward because these dogs are so intelligent. They require significant exercise and stimulation because their energy levels are high.
If you don’t want to be kept up all night, ensure your spoodle enjoys many long walks.
Young Spoodle Nutrition
Understanding how critical proper nutrition is during the developmental years of a Spoodle’s life is crucial. Do not make the mistake of relying on popular breed misconceptions to raise a Spoodle puppy.
It is best to familiarize yourself with the breed’s special nutritional requirements in advance. Seek the advice of a licensed veterinarian prior to adoption. No one knows canines better than Australia’s vets.
The nutritional requirement for a puppy is significantly higher than an adult dog’s. A Spoodle puppy can grow into a healthy diet with proper exercise and a nutritional diet. When the canine reaches adulthood, it will be another milestone that requires a dietary change.
Spoodle puppies need at least one workout a day in 20-minute intervals. Veterinarians advise against too much exercise within the first four months of the puppy’s life.
A Spoodle puppy’s diet will depend on weight. For example, a 5-pound puppy diet should include no more than a ¾-cup of dry food. The daily allowance scales upward to 2-1/4 cups of dry food for up to 10 pounds.
Adult Spoodle Nutrition
Muscle, bone, eye, heart, lungs, and teeth maintenance depends on the Spoodle’s dietary needs and exercise. Adults need special nutrients like fiber, carbohydrates, protein, and fats to live a long and healthy life.
Nutrition is the backbone of every aspect of your Spoodle’s life. A recommended adult diet is between ¾ and 1 cup of premium-quality dry dog food.
Specialized spoodle food is recommended because this food is designed to cater to the breed’s unique dietary needs. Any of the top brands should suffice. Spoodle portion sizes will depend on the dog’s age and size.
It is best to provide an ounce of food per pound of body weight when feeding homemade food. Alternatively, you can give your spoodle a cup of kibble and a cup of mince. Do this twice in the morning and twice at night. When you first bring your spoodle dog home, there is a chance that it won’t want to eat.
Rest assured, knowing that this is normal since the dog needs time to adjust to its new environment. You may be tempted to add raw food to your spoodle diet. However, this may not be a good idea because it could expose the dog to dangerous bacteria.
Spoodle As A Family Dog
The Spoodle is a mild-natured breed. People with children will find the Spoodle a great companion to their children. Parents are encouraged to educate their children on how to properly handle a Spoodle puppy.
Discourage unnecessary roughness and interference during mealtime and naps. Proper care and treatment will guarantee a confident, friendly canine.
Spoodles raised with cats and other dogs should not be aggressive around other animals. Exposing an adult Spoodle to a new home with other pets may or may not create an issue.
While the breed is sociable and mild-natured, incompatibility is always possible. It is always best to test the temperament in advance before placing a Spoodle with other pets in public and private settings.
The Spoodle family dog tends to attach itself to one household member. The primary care provider is almost always the Spoodle’s favorite person. Owners should encourage playtime with every member of the family to achieve the best results.
Spoodles with kids make for loyal companions. Children with asthma and other respiratory conditions may be able to live in homes with Spoodles. The breed is popular among adults with are light shedders.
Spoodle Breeders And Adoption
As the popularity of Spoodles continues to grow throughout Australia, breeders are popping up everywhere. Like every type of public service, canine breeders are not all created equal. Experts recommend in-depth research to determine which Spoodle breeders are reliable, trustworthy, and genuine.
The best way to locate Spoodle breeders in Australia is a Google search. To maximize the search results, it is recommended to start with your location. For example, someone living in Sydney, Australia, should direct their Spoodle puppies for sale search to Sydney.
If a Google search doesn’t render a local breeder, you should contact your friends, family members, co-workers, and acquaintances. Word-of-mouth references tend to be more reliable than online reviews.
Interested Australian Spoodle breeders must register with their local council by the Domestic Animals Act 1994. The application fee is $3,180 as of July 1, 2023. Consumers should never adopt or buy a puppy from an unregistered breeder. Spoodle adoption is an easy process that requires both the adoptee and breeder to be involved.