The O.G. poodle mix that led to the doodle moniker was the popular labradoodle (Labrador retriever x poodle), but poodles are now bred purposely with many other breeds, including the golden retriever, Bernese mountain dog, Old English sheepdog, Australian shepherd, and Irish setter. Doodle genetics are complex, because each breeder dog may be purebred—creating first-generation puppies—or a breeder dog may already be a mixed-breed, producing puppies who look different with each litter. In addition, the poodle breed comes in three sizes, which adds to the complexity and huge trait variety across doodle mixes.

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Are doodles healthier than purebred dogs?

Yes and no. Any mixed-breed dog can develop diseases associated with either parents’ breeds. However, this situation does not double the chances of their offspring developing an inherited disorder, because each gene has two copies—one from mom and one from dad. Some diseases develop only if a puppy has two abnormal copies. So, mixing breeds can—in a sense—dilute some harmful gene combinations’ effects, but other diseases (i.e., dominant disorders) require only one bad gene copy to cause a problem. To ensure you get a doodle who will potentially avoid developing a breed’s inherited diseases, purchase your pooch from a reputable breeder who is likely to screen breeder dogs for known harmful gene variants. Keep in mind that not every illness or disease has traceable genetic causes, so even the best-bred pets can still develop an adverse health condition.

We cannot discuss every doodle breed here, because the list is far too long. Rather, we will focus on the two most popular, oldest doodle breeds—the labradoodle and the golden doodle—and discuss their common health concerns.

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Labradoodle health concerns

The sweet labradoodle is playful and loyal, however, this mixed breed can develop conditions that douse their mischievous spark. Labradoodles’ most common inherited Labrador health problems include:

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Orthopedic issues

Hip and elbow dysplasia are common in large-breed dogs, especially the Labrador retriever. Dysplasias cause joints to form abnormally, increasing forces during normal movement, which results in arthritis and joint degeneration—sometimes at an early age. To help rule out joint dysplasias before breeding, the breeder should ensure a breeder dog has X-ray screening, which requires the dog to be sedated. In addition, small- and medium-sized labradoodles can experience patellar (i.e., kneecap) luxation, which can be inherited from smaller-sized poodles.

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Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

‍Retinal tissue lines the back of the eye, processing light and images, and sending them to the brain. The retina of a dog with PRA degenerates, causing progressive—and eventually complete— blindness. Genetic testing can detect PRA’s likelihood, but nothing can prevent or stop the disease.

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Von Willebrand’s disease

‍This inherited disorder occurs in a handful of different dog breeds whose blood lacks a clotting factor. Dogs with this disease are more likely to bleed excessively after minor trauma.

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Poodles’ intellect helps make labradoodles easily trainable, but, as with the Labrador retriever, inherited health conditions can cause problems. Labradoodles’ most common inherited poodle health concerns include:

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Addison’s disease

Poodles have an increased risk for Addison’s disease, and veterinary experts continue to research the reason for this. Addison’s disease prevents the adrenal glands from producing the stress hormone cortisol and other hormones responsible for electrolyte and water balance. Addison’s disease causes vague illness that can wax and wane for years, or cause a sudden medical crisis. The disorder can be tricky to diagnose, but lifelong medications can help affected pets live relatively normal lives.

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Gastric bloat and gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV)

‍The standard poodle is the breed most at risk for GDV because they have a deep, narrow chest. This disorder causes a dog’s stomach to fill with air and twist on itself, which can be life-threatening. Prophylactic stomach tacking, often performed at the time of a pet’s spay or neuter surgery, can help prevent this condition from occurring in larger, deep-chested labradoodles.

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Hyperuricosuria ‍

This genetic disease causes uric acid to accumulate in urine, resulting in a dog having an increased incidence of urine crystals and bladder stones. Pets who have hyperuricosuria require a special diet and may need to have the stones surgically removed.

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Goldendoodle health concerns

The goldendoodle is a mix of the golden retriever and poodle breeds. Goldendoodles’ most common inherited health problems are similar to the labradoodle, such as hip dysplasia, PRA, and Addison’s disease, but also include:

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Subvalvular aortic stenosis

This heart condition can partially obstruct blood flow. Dogs with mild cases generally do fine, but dogs who have more severe cases can develop clinical heart disease, which causes exercise intolerance, cough, and fluid buildup in the lungs.

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Degenerative myelopathy (DM)

DM is genetic, and causes progressive muscle weakness and incoordination in a dog’s hind legs.

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Cancer ‍

Golden retrievers are well-known for their propensity to develop cancer, and a goldendoodle may also have an increased risk.

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Final notes

Health concerns regarding doodles can be unpredictable because of their wide genetic variety. Our Dr. Treat team can help you determine your doodle’s health risks, and membership in Dr. Treat One™ ensures you have access to unlimited in-person veterinary visits and 24/7 virtual care to address concerns as they arise. Learn more about our Dr. Treat One™ membership program, or click here to schedule an appointment with our team.