Thinking About Getting an Oodle? Read This First

Thinking About Getting an Oodle? Read This First

(A Complete Guide)

Bringing an oodle into your family is an exciting decision, and it's one that's becoming more and more common across Australia. With their affectionate personalities, sharp intelligence, and low-shedding coats, oodles have earned their spot as one of the nation's favourite companion breeds.

But before you welcome your new best mate home, it helps to know what you're actually signing up for. In this guide, we'll walk through everything prospective oodle parents should know, from temperament and exercise needs to grooming, training, and how to pick the right oodle for your lifestyle.

What Exactly Is an Oodle?

"Oodle" is the catch-all term for any poodle cross breed, and there are more varieties than most people realise. Poodles are crossed with all sorts of breeds to create a range of oodle types, each with their own quirks and characteristics. Some of the most popular oodle breeds in Australia include:

  • Cavoodle (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel x Poodle) – gentle, cuddly, and one of the most sought-after oodles in the country. Typically small, around 23 to 33cm tall and 6 to 12kg
  • Moodle or Maltipoo (Maltese x Poodle) – small, affectionate, and full of personality. Typically toy to small, around 20 to 30cm tall and 3 to 6kg
  • Groodle (Golden Retriever x Poodle) – energetic, loyal, and great with families. Typically medium to large, around 50 to 65cm tall and 20 to 30kg
  • Labradoodle (Labrador x Poodle) – energetic, loyal, and great with families. Typically medium to large, around 50 to 65cm tall and 20 to 30kg
  • Spoodle or Cockapoo (Cocker Spaniel x Poodle) – playful and people-focused. Typically small to medium, around 30 to 45cm tall and 7 to 14kg
  • Bernedoodle (Bernese Mountain Dog x Poodle) – larger, gentle, and striking to look at. Typically medium to large, around 45 to 70cm tall and 20 to 40kg depending on whether they're bred from a standard or mini poodle

Poodles were chosen as the base for these crosses because of their intelligence and low-shedding, curly coats, which is why most oodles are considered a better fit for allergy-prone households than many other breeds. It's worth noting, though, that no dog is truly hypoallergenic, and coat type can vary even within the same litter.

Oodle Temperament: What to Expect

Most oodles inherit the poodle's cleverness alongside the temperament of their other parent breed, which usually adds up to a dog that's affectionate, sociable, and eager to please. Generally speaking, oodles tend to be:

  • Highly people-oriented and often prone to separation anxiety if left alone too long
  • Quick learners who respond well to positive reinforcement
  • Good with children and other pets, particularly when socialised early
  • Alert and sometimes vocal, especially the smaller varieties

That said, temperament isn't guaranteed by breed alone. Early socialisation, consistent training, and a stable routine all play a huge role in shaping how your oodle turns out. If anxiety or clinginess is something you're already noticing in your pup, gentle interactive toys and calming aids can make a real difference alongside training. A treat dispensing toy is a simple way to keep an anxious pup occupied and distracted during alone time.

Exercise Requirements

How much exercise your oodle needs depends largely on their size and the breeds in their mix. As a general guide:

  • Smaller oodles (Cavoodles, Moodles) usually do well with 20 to 40 minutes of walking a day, plus some mental stimulation
  • Medium to larger oodles (Groodles, Bernedoodles) often need closer to an hour of exercise, including off-leash time where possible

Because oodles are so intelligent, physical exercise alone often isn't enough. Mental stimulation matters just as much as a walk around the block. Puzzle feeders, snuffle mats, and interactive toys, like a hide-and-seek style toy, are brilliant ways to tire out a clever oodle brain and help prevent boredom-driven behaviours like chewing or excessive barking.

Grooming Needs

This is where oodles ask a bit more of their owners than some other breeds. Whether your oodle has tight poodle-like curls or a straighter, silkier coat, their fur still requires regular upkeep. Curlier coats are more prone to matting and need more frequent brushing to stay tangle-free, while straighter coats are a little easier to maintain but tend to shed more than a classic curly-coated oodle.

A few grooming basics to keep in mind:

  • Daily brushing helps prevent tangles and mats from forming, particularly behind the ears, under the legs, and around the collar
  • Professional grooming every six to eight weeks keeps the coat manageable and comfortable
  • Regular ear checks are important, especially for oodles with floppy ears, as trapped moisture can lead to infections
  • Nail trims and teeth cleaning should become part of your regular care routine

A group of Goodles pet grooming products including spray bottles, a brush, and a comb, styled with a groodle puppy on the left and a white background.

Investing in the right grooming tools from the start, such as a good slicker brush and detangling spray, will save you time, money, and a lot of frustration down the track. It's also worth using a good quality shampoo, conditioner, leave-in or detangler spray that are made with natural ingredients and formulated specifically for oodle coats. Oodle skin can be more sensitive than other breeds, and the right products help keep the coat soft, reduce matting between grooms, and avoid irritation from harsh chemicals.

Training Tips for a Happy Oodle

Oodles are smart, which is a blessing and a challenge in equal measure. They pick things up quickly, but they also get bored easily and can develop their own ideas about the rules if training isn't consistent.

A few tips that tend to work well:

  1. Start early. Socialisation and basic commands should begin as soon as your pup settles in
  2. Keep sessions short and positive. Five to ten minutes of focused training beats a long, dull session
  3. Use positive reinforcement. Treats, praise, and play work far better than correction-based methods for this breed group
  4. Address separation anxiety early. Because oodles bond closely with their people, gradual alone-time training from the start can prevent bigger issues later
  5. Stay consistent. Everyone in the household should use the same commands and boundaries
  6. Consider puppy school. If it's within your budget, a good puppy school is a great way to build structured training habits and get your pup socialised with other dogs early on. If puppy school isn't an option, plenty of owners have great success training their oodle themselves, with heaps of free, high quality training videos available on YouTube to guide you through the basics

Choosing the Right Oodle for Your Lifestyle

Not all oodles suit all households, and choosing the right one comes down to being honest about your lifestyle.

  • If you live in an apartment or have limited time for exercise, a smaller oodle like a Moodle or Cavoodle may suit you better
  • If you're active and enjoy longer walks or hikes, a Groodle or larger oodle cross could be a great match
  • If you have young children, look for breeders who prioritise temperament testing and early socialisation
  • If allergies are a concern, spend time with the individual dog beforehand, as coat type and shedding can vary even within the same breed mix

Whichever oodle you choose, look for a responsible, registered breeder. A good breeder will DNA test their breeding dogs for inherited health conditions, health test for hip and eye issues where relevant, and be happy to show you the results. They'll also raise puppies in a home environment, prioritise temperament and early socialisation, and be transparent about the generation and coat type of the parents. Taking the time to find a breeder like this will set you up for a much smoother start, and a much healthier pup in the long run.

Bringing Your Oodle Home

Once you've chosen your new family member, a little preparation goes a long way. Having the essentials sorted before pick-up day, things like a comfortable, calming bed, appropriate food, grooming basics, and a few enrichment toys, helps your oodle settle in with far less stress.

A small cavoodle sleeping comfortably inside a round, plush, shaggy light gray calming dog bed on a clean white background.

At oodlehood, Australia's dedicated online oodle store, this is exactly what we set out to make easier. Every product in our collection is chosen specifically with oodles in mind. Many are personally trialled and approved by our own resident cavoodle, Lizzy, before earning a place in our range, and for the rest, we hold them to the same high standards, backed by thorough research, trusted reviews, and brand reputation. From grooming essentials to anxiety relief and enrichment, we've done the homework so you don't have to.

Welcoming an oodle into your home is the start of a genuinely special relationship. With the right preparation, a bit of patience, and the right support along the way, you and your new pup are set up for many happy years together.

Lizzy, the Oodlehood brand dog, as a cavoodle puppy

- Lizzy, as a puppy

 

Written by Juliana, founder of oodlehood, with quality control from Lizzy 🐶💛

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