Breeds / Large
Irish Doodle puppies
The Irish Doodle is a sweet, outgoing and affectionate cross of the Irish Setter and the Poodle that tends to love people and other animals alike. They have huge energy and a long puppyhood, which can be too boisterous for very small children.
The facts
- Size class Large
- A cross of Irish Setter and Poodle
- Country of origin Not published
- Adult weight 22.7 to 31.8 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 50 to 70 lb
- Adult height Not published
- Energy level Very high
- Grooming High
- Coat type Long wavy to curly
- Typical lifespan Not published
- Good with children Not published
- Good with other dogs Not published
About the Irish Doodle
The Irish Doodle crosses the Irish Setter with a Miniature or Standard Poodle. This is a recent mix without a breed standard. PetMD expects full grown Irish Doodles to weigh 22.7 to 31.8 kg, while those bred from a Miniature Poodle may be closer to half that. The coat is long and wavy to curly, usually in shades of red. PetMD gives no life expectancy for the cross, only for the parents: 12 to 15 years for the Irish Setter and 10 to 18 for the Poodle.
Both parents are working breeds, so expect energy and drive that suit an active family with room to run. The hunting instinct means outdoor play belongs on a lead or in a securely fenced area. The coat needs brushing and then combing, ideally every day, plus regular trips to a groomer, and mats should be picked apart rather than cut out with scissors. Ask about the parents' eyes, hips and thyroid before buying, and learn the signs of bloat, which is an emergency in a deep chested dog.
A cross, not a breed. The Irish Doodle is a cross rather than a standardised breed, so size, coat and temperament vary and can favour either parent, and puppies from one litter can differ. Mini Irish Doodles bred from a Miniature Poodle may be around half the weight of the standard figures given here.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Irish Doodle puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A large breed puppy at eight weeks looks deceptively normal sized and will roughly double every few weeks for a while. Keep exercise short and low impact, the growth plates are wide open. This is a very high energy breed. The mistake owners make is trying to tire them out physically. Training, scentwork and puzzles will do more than distance ever will. Grooming needs are high. Start daily brushing and short, positive handling sessions at eight weeks, well before the adult coat arrives, or the first professional groom will be traumatic. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Bloat (gastric dilatation and volvulus), an emergency in a deep chested dog
- Hip dysplasia, screened by hip scoring radiographs of both parents
- Idiopathic epilepsy, diagnosed after other causes of seizures are ruled out and managed with medication
- Progressive retinal atrophy, detectable by DNA test and eye examination
- Hypothyroidism, most common in middle age, diagnosed on a thyroid blood panel
- Sebaceous adenitis from the Poodle side, suspected from scaling and hair loss and confirmed by skin biopsy
- Von Willebrand disease, an inherited clotting disorder detectable by DNA test and important to know before surgery
Your Irish Doodle puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Large for a Irish Doodle.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 22.7 to 31.8 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 36 inch (36 x 24 x 26 in, 91 x 61 x 66 cm) for an adult of up to 31.8 kg; chew toys made for large breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other large breeds
More on the Irish Doodle
Previous: Icelandic Sheepdog · Next: Irish Red and White Setter
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- petmd.com for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- Health notes from Irish Doodle breed information at https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/irish-doodle. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
No published figure for adult height, life expectancy, the good with children rating, the good with other dogs rating and country of origin, so nothing is shown rather than a guess.
Photo: Photo by Derek Ramsey ( Ram-Man ), CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.