Irish Doodle: A Full Guide To The Irish Settler Doodle

The Irish Doodle is an international hybrid, it's also known as a designer dog. The Irish Doodle is a cross between two breeds. They are bred for their hunting and retrieving skills. Both breeds are typically intelligent, sensitive, and active animals with a great amount of love for humans.

The Irish Doodle is a great family pet; they are generally tolerant of children and other pets as long as they have had sufficient mental and physical stimulation. Their nature is charming, entertaining, and playful.

An Irish Doodle who is left to become bored or lonely will cause several problems. They do have a destructive side and can become rather anxious if they are bored or lonely. The crossbreed is such an agile and smart dog it can be used for many different tasks.

The parent breeds still use their skills in hunting today. Your new Irish Doodle will be more than capable of hunting and retrieving. They have also been known to shine in certain areas such as agility competitions, freestyle dance, and advanced obedience training.

Irish Doodle:

Height: 13–25 inches Weight: 50–70 lbs

Lifespan: 10–13 years Group: Not applicable

Best Suited For: Families with other children and pets, Singles, Seniors, and people who live in accommodation with a garden.

Temperament: Devoted, Loyal, Quiet, Social, Friendly, and Intelligent.

Comparable Breeds: Irish Setter and Poodle.

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Irish Doodle Basics

If you are looking for an energetic, smart, and family-friendly dog to introduce to your home, then this might be the one for you. The Irish Doodle has a variety of different names which is also known as, Irish Poo Setter, Irish Setterdoodle, Irish Setterpoo, and Irish Doodle Setter, to name a few.

Whichever you choose to call it, it’s super cute, light-hearted, friendly, and medium-sized. Yes, you might have noticed they have almost as many different names as they do adorable qualities.

If you are looking for a dog that doesn’t shed a lot and who will be a loyal member of the family, is also intelligent and sociable, then this is a perfect dog for you. Another huge positive is Irish Doodles will not bark at almost anything.

They will also just fit right in if you already have pets or young children. If you choose to get an Irish Doodle, you will wonder how you lived without one for so long.

The Irish Doodle can sometimes seem too good to be true. I can honestly say that this is not the case. If you ask owners or even read other dog-related articles, you will soon see they live up to the hype.

You may have noticed that people are beginning to combine adorable looks and attitudes. This idea of cross-breeding is getting more and more popular and also producing some amazing dogs.

Suppose you are still debating if this is the right dog for you and your home life. Keep reading, and I will try to answer as many questions as possible.

Where do Irish Doodles Originate

The Doodle is considered a designer breed, and it is one of the newest ones. The Poodle and the Irish Setter mix as you can imagine doesn’t have as much history as your other more typical dog breeds.

Before the 1980s and the introduction of the Labradoodle which opened a whole new world when it comes to hybrids, we must remember before this all mixed breeds were a product of accidental mating.

Mongrels as much as every dog lover loves them weren’t as sort after. But as times have changed so has the price of these new designer dogs.

Designer dogs can cost rather a lot more than their purebred parents; it really is fascinating how things can change in such a short period of time.

Like a lot of the desired designer dogs, they usually start in America. The Irish Doodle was probably discovered at some point in the last 25–35 years. It isn’t easy to put an exact time on the beginnings of the breed.

Breeders until recent years have rather lapsed with their record-keeping, it’s only as regulations, and best practices began to kick in that records became more routine.

You can however trace back the parent breeds of the Irish Doodle, which are the Irish Setters and the Poodle. The Irish Setter originated in 18th-century Ireland; the Poodle is an even older breed.

Some records take the history of the poodle back to 15th century Germany. As you can see, the Irish Doodle has a rich heritage, even though we might still be puzzled about its own exact origin.

Let’s have a quick look into the parent breeds of the Irish Doodle below.

Irish Setter

In the USA the Irish Setter is known as a sporting dog. Setters are a very active breed that needs long daily walks and plenty of stimulation. They are also very well known for being affectionate, which makes them great for families.

They do have a cheeky side and are very good at turning on their selective hearing. Their selective hearing can make training difficult sometimes.

Setters are generally bigger than your typical Irish Doodle, they grow to around 24–27 inches and can weigh anywhere between 55–75 lbs.

It’s essential to understand that Irish Setters thrive on human companionship; these dogs will not let you leave them alone for a minute. If you do leave them alone for extended periods of time, expect some destruction and distress due to their boredom.

They are also known to go in the opposite direction and can become hyperactive in response to stress.

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Poodle

Poodles are energetic and social. They can initially be rather aloof with strangers, but they usually soon warm to them and become good friends. Poodles love constantly having something to do, which is why many find themselves as they were originally intended for — gun dogs.

Poodles are also very fast, which catches a lot of people of guard they have kept up with whippets almost in some cases. Compared to other gun dogs, Poodles are well known for being independent and clever.

They are capable of solving problems independently. You really need to keep an eye on a poodle when training or they run circles around you.

Poodles vary in size depending on the type; standard poodles should be 15 inches or taller. At the same time, the miniature poodles should be between 10–15 inches in height.

When it comes to breeding, especially with mixes, poodles are loved because of their lower shedding coat.

Irish Doodle Puppies

When it comes to finding a breeder for these puppies, it can be not easy. They are not as common as other Doodle mixes which can make sourcing them harder.
Irish Doodle puppies are definitely worth the wait though!

It can be sometimes worthwhile registering with a rescue center if your thinking of rescuing one rather than buying one. This is always a nice thing to do.

It’s also worth noting it’s worth taking the time to find a reputable breeder. It should also be noted that most reputable breeders might have a waiting list.

When it comes to price these beauties can set you back anywhere between $1000 — $3000(USD)

Litter sizes for Irish Doodle litters vary from between 5–8 per litter. When it comes to choosing mating preferences, it doesn’t matter which parent is which sex.
Most Irish Doodles tend to be intelligent, easy-going, and friendly.

Daily exercise is important as they thrive on being kept busy. With their intelligence, they generally have a nature that is eager to please and are easily trainable.

It should be noted that if your puppy has inherited their Settler parent's selective hearing, then training may prove more difficult.

The best and most common way these dogs are summed up as clownish and extremely playful.

There is a negative that comes with their intelligence which is boredom, and as a result, this may lead to destructive behaviors. It’s worth keeping in mind that these dogs don’t like being left on their own for long periods of time.

It’s a common trait that if they are left alone for long periods of time, they tend to become escape artists.

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Family And Other Pets

My favorite characteristic of an Irish Doodle is how great they are with children. If they are raised together, it will be an amazing friendship for both parties involved.
They are also great dogs to integrate into a family unit.

Integrating a new Irish Doodle into a home with existing pets can sometimes be more difficult but not impossible. It can be easier if you have the dogs grow up together, but this isn’t always possible.

Single owners are also perfect candidates to become a pup parent as they can offer everything the Doodle needs.

If you own a farm or a great deal of land you would have one pleased Irish Doodle as they love the outdoors and space to play. The takeaway from this should be that Doodles are companion dogs, with beautiful easy-going nature.

They are highly trainable and active; their training and getting socialized are crucial to achieving these goals.

Irish Doodle Appearance, Size & Grooming.

Fully Grown

This can vary as they can come in two different sizes. The sizes are dependent on which Poodle is used when mating with the Irish Setter:

• Mini Irish Doodle: Between 30–45 lbs
• Standard Irish Doodle: Between 50–70 lbs

Standard Irish Doodles can take up to 18 months to mature whereas the minis take up to 12 months.

Appearance

They are often confused with the Goldendoodle, as they have a teddy bear look about them. Irish Doodles are elegant in their movement whilst being rather athletic.

As they grow, you will notice that their ears begin to drop and can end up inline with their beard.

Color

Colors vary throughout the Irish Doodles, but the most common is the Red Setter coloring. You can also come across golden brown tones which both collectively tend to be solid in their colorings.

You may have also seen some with various color types the most common is white chests or socks.

Coat

The parents play a large part in which coat your Irish Doodle will get; it can either be tight like a Poodles or more commonly you will see a soft and wavy coat. One great thing about this dog is they barely shed any hair; this is due to their low shedding coat.

You won’t find mounds of hair under your kitchen table, but they still do shed a small amount.

How Should You Groom Your Doodle?

The consensus seems to be by most owners to have their Irish Doodles clipped this is usually for lower maintenance when it comes to trimming if you’re looking to do it yourself it's recommended to wait until your Doodle is around 9 months old.

Also, the usual style most Doodle parents go for is to trim the body and legs short and leave the face and tail longer.

When it comes to brushing your Doodle, it varies on which option you have chosen in regards to clipping.

If you choose to keep a clipped coat, then you should be able to get away with brushing 2–3 times a week which will keep you on top of it. If you are letting your Doodles coat grow out, then you will need to brush daily, this is essential.

Your Doodles curly coat can become matted rather easily; it will definitely become knotted if you don’t brush daily. If you choose not to brush daily, it can lead to problems if your Doodle gets knots or matting in their groin or paw pits.

You will know if they have problems with their coat as these knots will cause pain when they move.

Let’s take a look at your Irish Doodles ears and teeth:

Ears

It’s essential to check your Irish Doodle's ears regularly; it’s even more important to check them if your dog loves playing in the water. The amount of hair that is around your Doodles ear makes it extremely easy for them to get infections.

Poodles are also well known for suffering from ear problems; if you get your puppy into a routine of cleaning ears from a young age, it will make it a lot easier. This will also help you to understand better when something is wrong.

Teeth

An often overlooked aspect of dog health is their teeth. I was guilty of this a few years ago I thought giving my dog a Denta stick daily would be enough but it's not the case.

If you can manage to brush your dog’s teeth several times a week, that should be really good. Your main goal when brushing their teeth is to keep the plaque at bay if you notice any build-up that you cant shift mention it to your vet.

As mentioned in ears the earlier you can introduce grooming to your dog the easier it will be, building a routine is an important part of owning a dog.

Irish Doodle Care Guide

As I have already mentioned your potential Doodle will flourish in an active home.
I wouldn’t recommend getting an Irish Doodle if it is your first dog, the main reason for this is because of their intelligence.

They will outsmart most first-time dog owners, especially when it comes to training and behavior. It’s also a large commitment for a first-time dog owner they require a lot of exercise and grooming.

It really is worth weighing up if you can provide an Irish Doodle with what they need.

Food & Diet Requirements

You need to make sure your Irish Doodle is getting his daily nutritional requirements; you should choose the best food for your budget. When it comes to what to feed your dog, you can experiment to see what they prefer.

Your options are dry, wet, or raw; you should mix up their food from time to time. The most important thing is that their daily intake consists of meat. A great source of protein for dogs can be found in tuna if served properly and in the right amount.

I wrote an article, Is Tuna Good For Dogs? Feel free to check it out. When it comes to treats and vegetables, treats shouldn’t account for more than 10% of their daily intake and vegetables 25%. The average Irish Doodle will need to consume around 900 calories per day.

You can feed your adult Doodle when it’s convenient for you, but twice a day either morning and evening or afternoon and evening.

When it comes to feeding a puppy, it is wise to spread the meal up even more. It would help if you were looking to split your puppies meals up into 4 over the course of the day. The main two reasons for this are firstly you don’t want to overstretch your puppy's stomach by feeding them too much in one sitting.

The second reason is that we all know puppies love to run marathons after eating, which usually ends with you getting covered in their kibble.

The last and most important thing whether it's a puppy or fully grown Doodle you should always have a freshwater source available for your dog. This bowl is also just as important to clean as the food bowl, water bowls over time can build up some risky bacteria if not cleaned properly.

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What About Exercise

As previously mentioned, Irish Doodles have two very active parents, so it's no surprise that they have a lot of energy to burn off.
If you are a fan of the outdoors and hikes, a fully grown Irish Doodle will be the perfect dog for you. It’s recommended that you give them upwards of 60 minutes of exercise per day. They love trekking, hiking and swimming don’t forget to check their ears if they have been in the water.
When it comes to sports they will pick up most kinds very quickly; they are great for agility related sports. If you haven’t already got one, it will be worth getting a ChuckIt Pro Launcher. Check the latest prices on Amazon here!

A great rule of thumb when it comes to walking your puppy Irish Doodle is to stick to the 5-minute rule until they are fully matured. This means that you should stick to 5 minutes of walking per day for each month of age.

Whilst your puppy is growing, it’s worth holding off on the excessive exercise such as hikes or running until their growth plates have had time to fuse. The main reason why this is important is that like all bigger breeds; they are at higher risk of developing skeletal disorders. This risk is higher if you overwork your Doodle in its younger years.

It’s also worth noting that you should keep your puppy on a lead or training lead to start with. Even though they are super-trainable, they can inherit their Setter parent's selective hearing, which can make recall rather challenging at times. As with any type of training, it's always better to be safe than sorry and sometimes take the slower route.

Irish Setter Doodle Training

This won’t surprise you; the Irish Doodle responds best to positive reinforcement and reward-based behavior. When it comes to starting, consistency and socialization should be your priorities.

Just like with humans, if you repeat an action with your dog, they begin to learn, and this creates a new path in their brain. Repetition is key; the more you do it, the stronger this path will get.

The simplest and most effective way to train a dog is to focus on positive wanted behavior as this is the kind we want to see, so we repeat it. The bad behavior we don’t want, this bad behavior should be seen as an opportunity to be replaced with the good behavior we want more of.

As you begin to understand your new dog more, you will pick up the 6th sense for when it comes to them acting up, jump on this opportunity to change their preempted bad behavior, and ask them to perform more wanted behavior.

If you want your Irish Doodle to be the happy go lucky dog they are supposed to be; you must socialize them as much as possible as they continue to grow and develop.

As you begin to introduce them to the world, it is important to do this in moderation; you don’t want to overwhelm your new puppy.

Health Problems

As I mentioned earlier, it is important that with any cross-breed that you go to a reputable breeder. You want to know that the parents are healthy and well looked after as well as the litters.

When it comes to issues to be aware of, you should have the following orthopedic tests carried out to check for any issues:

A common problem for the standard sized is dysplasia; this is usually in the hips or elbows. The mini can also suffer from their own issues due to their small size a common issue is luxating patellas.

When it comes to their eyes, either size of Irish Doodles can have issues with their eyes. If you are ever in doubt about any issues, I would always recommend that you contact your vet.

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Originally published at https://doolallydogs.com.