The Doodle and the fairy tale of the perfect family dog
Doodle dogs like Labradoodles and Cockapoos are popular family pets. However, a new British study of around 9,400 dogs shows that these poodle mixes exhibit problematic behavior more often than commonly assumed.
Poodle mixes like the Labradoodle resemble cute stuffed animals and therefore generally have the reputation of being child-friendly, easy to train, and adaptable – in short, the ideal dog breed for first-time owners. These four-legged friends are therefore very popular pets, especially with families. Doodle dogs – that is, dogs resulting from crossing a poodle with another breed – have been experiencing a real boom for several years. The demand for these designer dogs, especially puppies, is high.
This boom is primarily due to their cute, cuddly toy-like appearance and the widespread use of photos and videos on social media. In particular, people with little prior experience with dogs become aware of Doodle breeds on social media and decide to acquire one, believing the process to be very straightforward.
The myth of "the best of both races"
A research team led by Gina T. Bryson from the Royal Veterinary College in Great Britain wanted to clarify whether the popular poodle crossbreeds actually possess the hoped-for positive traits – or whether there are significant differences compared to the parent breeds.
The researchers compared the three most common poodle mixes in Great Britain – Cockapoo, Labradoodle, and Cavapoo – with their parent breeds, Cocker Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and Poodle, in various behavioral categories. This comparison was based on the standardized C-BARQ (Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire), which was developed to assess and research canine behavior comprehensively. It is considered an established scientific instrument for objectively measuring canine behavior based on information provided by owners.
The researchers analyzed assessments from 9,402 dog owners regarding their pets' behavior, including aggression, anxiety, separation anxiety, trainability, and attachment. Of the 9,402 dogs, 3,424 were designer crossbreeds (Cockapoo, Labradoodle, and Cavapoo) and 5,978 were purebred control dogs (e.g., Labrador Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, or Poodle). All dogs were under five years old and had been acquired as puppies (at a maximum age of 16 weeks).
Cockapoos, Cavapoos, and Labradoodles in detail
The result was clear: Doodle dogs exhibited problematic behavior more frequently overall than their parent breeds. In individual comparisons, the "designer dogs" performed worse than at least one of their parent breeds in 44.4 percent of cases, but better in only 9.7 percent; in 45.8 percent of cases, there was no difference.
Cockapoos showed differences compared to Cocker Spaniels and Poodles on 16 out of 24 behavioral scales – and performed worse on all 16 scales, for example, in aggression towards strangers and owners, dog-dog conflicts, various fears, separation problems, high excitability, and lower trainability.
Cavapoos differed from Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Poodles in 12 out of 24 comparisons, showing more undesirable behavior in 11 of them – especially greater aggression towards humans and dogs, greater fear, and greater stress upon separation, while only scoring better than Cavaliers in terms of trainability.
Labradoodles appeared more "balanced" at first glance: compared to Poodles, they showed less problematic behavior on six scales, including lower aggression, lower anxiety, and fewer separation anxiety issues. However, compared to Labrador Retrievers, they scored lower on five scales, showing more anxiety, more separation anxiety, higher excitability, and lower trainability.
The results of the current study thus challenge the widespread assumption that crossbreeds represent a "healthy middle ground" between the parent breeds – meaning they are neither particularly problematic nor particularly inconspicuous. According to the questionnaire analysis, many of the Doodle crossbreeds exhibit behavioral problems more frequently, especially in areas crucial to their daily lives together.
Misconceptions pose risks.
The breeding of Doodle breeds focuses primarily on appearance – their cute looks ensure high demand. Criteria such as the suitable temperaments of the parent dogs or breed-specific behaviors receive less attention in breeding and when purchasing a puppy. However, considering that Poodles were originally bred as hunting dogs – specifically for waterfowl hunting – and are extremely eager to learn and intelligent, it is clear that many Poodle mixes cannot simply be satisfied by being sent out to play in the garden. Chronic under-stimulation of these animals can lead to negative behavioral problems.
The authors warn that widespread assumptions based on their harmless teddy bear appearance, such as "Doodles are particularly child-friendly" or "Doodle dogs hardly need any training," are currently not supported by data and, on the contrary, can lead to risky misjudgments—for example, a higher risk of bites to children if training and supervision are neglected. "This new study shows that it is simply not safe to rely on the cute teddy bear appearance of Doodles and assume that these dogs behave like stuffed animals.
At the same time, the researchers emphasize that they are discussing statistical differences between groups, not about "good" or "bad" individual dogs; training, living conditions, and breeding practices always play a central role in a dog's development. Generalizations should be approached with caution.
The researchers emphasize the importance of realistic expectations: Their study underlines the need for all prospective and current dog owners to consult reliable sources of information before purchasing a dog to understand what to expect from different breeds, including mixed breeds. The immense popularity of poodle mixes suggests that these dogs will be with us for a long time to come. Those who rely solely on marketing promises risk a mismatch between dog and owner – resulting in frustration, behavioral problems, and, in the worst case, having to give up their pet.
The researchers therefore advocate that designer dogs be considered distinct breeds rather than marketed as "the best of both worlds." They argue for further research into their specific behavioral profiles and for better informing and preparing prospective owners about potential behavioral problems such as anxiety, aggression, and separation anxiety. A harmless appearance is no guarantee of a docile temperament. Prospective pet owners should therefore pay closer attention to breed-specific traits when choosing a dog breed, rather than focusing solely on appearance.