Why ‘Oodle’ Dog Breeds Are So Popular in Australia
It’s official, the most popular dog breed in Australia in 2020 was the Cavoodle! Pet Insurance Australia released their list of the 20 most popular dog breeds in Australia. Also on the list is the Labradoodle at number 10, the Spoodle at number 12 and the Groodle at number 18. But what’s the deal with all of these Oodles? Why are they so popular in Australia and the rest of the world? Keep reading to learn more about Oodles.
Firstly, what is an ‘Oodle’? An Ooodle is any breed of dog where one parent is a purebred Poodle and the other is another breed of dog. Oodles are most well known for their ‘teddy-bear’ looks, fluffy coat and great personalities. You can also get second, third, etc generations of Oodle puppies where both parents are Oodles. Poodles have always been a very popular dog breed. Poodles ranked in the top ten for most popular dog breeds in many Western countries right from the 1950s up to now. In America, Poodles were the most popular dog breed from 1960 to 1982. After 22 years, they were overtaken by the Labrador.
1. Poodles and Oodles are very smart
Poodles are the second smartest dog breed in the world, only coming after the Border Collie. This makes Poodles and Oodles easier to train and suitable for first time dog owners. Oodles like learning new things and are active dogs, but not as active as other breeds, like Border Collies, Kelpies or Jack Russells. This makes them more suited to city living and for families.
2. Great temperament
Most Oodles have a happy, gentle and friendly temperament. This makes them the perfect dog for young families, first time dog owners and people with other existing dogs already in the home
3. They ‘don’t shed’, are ‘hypo-allergenic’ and are ‘low maintenance’
These are all misconceptions promoted to consumers about Oodle dog breeds. Many people think that if they get an Oodle dog, they will not get any allergies. No dogs are completely hypo-allergenic. Depending on the mix of breeds, Oodles will have varying coats, growth rates, texture and shedding. Pure Poodles do not shed fur, their hair grows more like a humans. This includes needed regular brushing, washing and grooming.
Most Oodles will shed less than ‘normal’ breeds and may cause less allergic reactions in people allergic to dog hair, but this is not always the case. If you do own an Oodle, make sure you stick to a regular grooming schedule with a dog groomer and brush them frequently to avoid matts. Matts can become very painful for dogs and they need to be avoided for their health and safety. Your local Blue Wheeler can help you set a regular maintenance schedule for your Oodle, give them a call on 1300 659 055.
4. They’re adorable and come in many sizes
Depending on what breed the parents of the puppy are, Oodles can come in many sizes. This goes all the way from ‘teacup’ size to the big Golden Doodles that can grow up to 61 – 66 centimetres in height and weigh 14 -20 kgs.
Australians paying oodles for Oodles during the pandemic
Since COVID first hit Australia in early 2020 and all throughout the year, adoption centres had all their dogs adopted and puppies were being bought from breeders all across the country. Many people found this time at home the perfect time to get a dog and have that settling in period at home with them. “In Maribyrnong City Council in Melbourne’s west, more than 1,000 more dogs have been registered this year, compared to the same time period last year.” (ABC News).
Oodle breeds were the most sought after dogs in Australia in 2020. This has seen puppy prices soar, with some breeders “asking as much as $15,000 for a groodle or cavoodle.” (ABC News) Breeders have been inundated with requests for puppies. One Adelaide breeder said that “she has 100 people waiting for a litter of just 10, which has forced her to close the waitlist.” (ABC News). Many breeders at least doubled their prices over 2020. Prices can range from $2,500 to $7,500 and up to $15,000.
If you are looking to get an Oodle, make sure that you get them from a registered breeder, where you can meet the parents and see their living conditions, confirm the puppies are real before putting down any deposit, etc and don’t pay an exorbitant amount. We recommend the Australian Labradoodle Association as a great starting point for breeders.
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In the spirit of reconciliation Blue Wheelers acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our genuine respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.