Irish Doodle

Last updated: March 9, 2023
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
© Joca de Jong/Shutterstock.com

Irish Doodles can be very active dogs, but they also love just hanging out with their family members in the house.


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Irish Doodle Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Irish Doodle Locations

Irish Doodle Facts

Fun Fact
Irish Doodles can be very active dogs, but they also love just hanging out with their family members in the house.
Diet
Omnivore

Irish Doodle Physical Characteristics


Irish Doodle as a Pet:

General Health
Energy Level
Shedability
Trainability
Intelligence
Tendency to Chew
Size
Family and kid friendliness
Yappiness / Barking
Low
Hypoallergenic
Yes
Separation Anxiety
High
Preferred Temperature
Average climate
Exercise Needs
High
Friendly With Other Dogs
High
Pure bred cost to own
$1,500 to $5,000
Dog group
Toy
Male weight
25-70 lbs
Female weight
25-60 lbs

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Irish Doodles make a wonderful companion dog. They do not do very well if left alone for long periods of time.

Irish Doodles are a hybrid dog breed that was created by mixing a breed with a breed. Irish Doodles inherit a mix of genes from each of their parents that give them their unique and fun personalities. This breed is very active, fun, and intelligent. However, they can also be very affectionate and love spending time with the people they care about. Since Poodles have a non-shedding coat, Irish Doodles are also hypoallergenic and rarely, if at all, shed.

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An Irish Doodle’s personality can make them a great family dog. Like both of their parents, this breed does exceptionally well with children. They can vary in size a bit depending on the specific genes they inherit from each of their parents. There are also Mini Irish Doodles that are the result of an Irish Setter being bred with a Miniature Poodle. They may also be called Irish Doodle Setters, Irish Poo Setters, Irish Setterpoo, and Setterdoodles.

Mini Irish doodles tend to cost more than the average-sized breed, banking in at an average of $500-$700 more than an Irish doodle. While the average height of a mini Irish doodle is 12-15 inches tall, their personalities are very much like regular Irish doodles.

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3 Pros and Cons of Owning an Irish Doodle

Pros!Cons!
Intelligent: They inherit their intelligence from their Poodle parent. This high level of intelligence makes it easy for this breed to learn commands.High exercise needs: They have a lot of energy and need daily exercise.
Hypoallergenic: They have very little to none at all. This makes them a good breed for allergy sufferers.May develop separation anxiety: They are companion dogs. They do not do well when left alone for long periods of time and may develop separation anxiety and become destructive.
Friendly: They are very friendly and good with children. They can make a great family dog.Expensive: They can cost more to purchase than other dog breeds. This is especially true for Mini Irish Doodles which are even more costly.

Size and Weight

There are both Standard Irish Doodles and Mini Irish Doodles. Male Standard Irish Doodles are larger and generally weigh between 50 and 70 pounds and are between 24 and 28 inches tall. Female Standard Irish Doodles are a bit smaller with a weight between 40 and 60 pounds and a height between 22 and 26 inches.

Health and Entertainment for your Irish Doodle

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Mini Irish Doodles are smaller. They have a Miniature Poodle, rather than a Standard Poodle, for half of their genes. Mini Irish Doodles are typically between 12 and 17 inches tall and weigh between 25 and 35 pounds.

Height (Male):12 to 17 inches (Mini) and 24 to 28 inches (Standard)
Height (Female):12 to 17 inches (Mini) and 22 to 26 inches (Standard)
Weight (Male):25 to 35 pounds (Mini) and 50 to 70 pounds (Standard)
Weight (Female):25 to 35 pounds (Mini) and 40 to 60 pounds (Standard)

Evolution

The Irish Doodle is a new breed of designer dog developed in the early 21st century by crossing an Irish setter parent with a standard poodle parent.

Irish setters have been around for centuries and were bred in Ireland for hunting. These medium-sized dogs are known for their high energy levels, intelligence, and trainability. Poodles are a very old breed of dog initially bred in Germany as working dogs. They became renowned throughout Europe for their intelligence and obedience.

Possessing the best qualities of both breeds, Irish Doodles are intelligent, friendly, and have low-shedding coats. While not recognized by any official kennel club, the breed quickly gained popularity and is a beloved pet in many homes today.

Common Health Issues

Irish Doodles sometimes inherit bloat from their standard poodle ancestors.

©gorillaimages/Shutterstock.com

All Irish Doodles will not develop all (or even any) of these health issues, but knowing what to look out for can help ensure you bring your pup to the vet in a timely manner if needed. Whether you purchase your dog from a breeder or adopt one through a rescue, schedule an appointment with a veterinarian shortly after bringing your dog home for a checkup.

Bloat is one potential problem Standard Irish Doodles may face. Bloat is a condition that impacts larger dogs with a deeper chest. The dog’s stomach fills with air and twists and the dog is not able to expel it. Their stomach will become visibly swollen. Bloat is a serious and life-threatening condition, and you’ll want to rush your pet to the vet if you suspect they have it.

Hip Dysplasia may also impact this breed. This inherited disease causes the hip bone not to form correctly. The hip and thigh bones rub against one another, which causes pain and makes it difficult for a pet to walk. Surgery is often required to address hip dysplasia.

A third concern for this breed is Addison’s Disease or hypoadrenocorticism. Dogs with this disease have decreased hormone production from their adrenal glands. This can cause diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, increased urination, or lethargy. If you suspect your dog has Addison’s disease, take them to the veterinarian who will be able to run some tests and determine the best course of treatment.

To recap, a few common health concerns that Irish Doodles may face include:

  • Bloat
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Addison’s disease

Irish Doodle Temperament and Behavior

Irish Doodle adult headshot

Irish Doodles are eager to please and make great family pets.

©Lopolo/Shutterstock.com

Irish Doodles have a very loyal and affectionate personalities. This mixed breed also aims to please its owners and is very intelligent, which can make them easier to train than other breeds. Irish Poo Setters’ traits make them a wonderful addition to any household, including families with children. They can be very gentle and loving with children and can also make a good playmates for a child.

However, while this breed makes for a wonderful companion dog, they do not do very well if left alone for long periods of time. This breed is more prone to separation anxiety than others, and they may become destructive or engage in other undesired behaviors.

How to Take Care of an Irish Doodle

Irish Doodles are a wonderful breed, but they also have unique needs when compared to other dog breeds. You’ll want to keep their unique needs including their personality, nutritional needs, activity needs, and health concerns in the forefront of your mind. This will help you provide the best care possible for your dog so it can live a happy and healthy life.

Irish Doodle playing on the beach

Irish Doodles have a lot of energy and need daily exercise.

©Joca de Jong/Shutterstock.com

The Best Dog Food for Irish Doodles

Because Irish Doodles can be vulnerable to life-threatening bloat, grain-free food is a good choice. And since dry food can expand when it comes into contact with water, it may be safer to avoid kibble dog food. 

That’s why, at A-Z Animals, we think Purina ONE Grain-Free Natural Pate Wet Dog Food is a safe bet for Irish Doodles. 

This dog food is suitable for all sizes, so it could work for both standard and Mini Irish Doodles. Plus, it contains glucosamine for joint health, which could help protect your Irish Doodle from hip dysplasia. And again, we remind you to always portion control a bloat-prone dog’s meals carefully.

Find Purina ONE Grain-Free Natural Pate on Chewy or Amazon.

Best Wet Food
Purina ONE SmartBlend True Instinct Classic Ground with Real Turkey & Venison Canned Dog Food

•High-quality, grain free wet food for dogs

•Easily digestible

•Immune support formula

•Appealing flavor options

Check Chewy Check Amazon

Standard Irish Doodles and Mini Irish Doodles will have different nutritional needs. Standard Irish Doodles should be fed a large breed of dog food, while Mini Irish Doodles should eat a small breed of food. Choose a high-quality food and keep in mind that a dog’s activity level, age, metabolism, and other factors will impact the ideal amount of food they should be fed.

Consult with your veterinarian if you are unsure of exactly how much food your dog should need. Portion an Irish Setterpoo’s daily allotment of food into two meals; one in the morning and one in the evening. This can reduce the chances of obesity and make it less likely for an Irish Doodle, particularly a Standard Doodle, to develop bloat.

Irish Doodle Setters puppies should also be fed high-quality puppy food. Since puppies have very small stomachs, they can’t handle large quantities of food at one time. Before your puppy turns six months old, feed them three to four smaller meals instead of just two meals. Then, once they are six months old, cutting down to two meals should be fine.

Maintenance and Grooming

With their Poodle parent, an Irish Doodle’s coat doesn’t shed much, if at all. Their coat may either be wavy or curly, with curly coats shedding the least amount. Since their coat does not shed, it can easily become very matted or tangled if it isn’t brushed regularly. Be sure to brush your dog’s coat each day to keep it soft and looking its best. You may occasionally need to trim the hair on your Irish Poo Setters if it gets too long. This is especially true for ear hairs since if they get too long it can cause dirt to build up which can lead to an ear infection.

To prevent dental disease, you should also brush your dog’s teeth a few times a week. Their nails should also be trimmed if they get too long to prevent them from causing the dog any pain.

Training

An Irish Doodle is relatively easy to train. However, they will need some repetition and practice to master different commands and retain what they learn. Training the dog when they are still a puppy is also advised as it can improve the training process. If you haven’t had this variety of dogs before, you may find it beneficial to enroll in an obedience training class with a more experienced trainer. These dogs are very intelligent and eager to please, which can make it easier to train them than some other breeds.

You will also want to start socializing with your Irish doodle from a very young age. Take your dog with you to a variety of locations and expose them to different people and other dogs. This will help them learn expectations in different scenarios and improve their temperament when they are full-grown. However, you should wait until your puppy is fully vaccinated before taking them to too many places.

Exercise

Irish Setters are working dogs, and Irish Doodles inherit a lot of their need for activity. This breed has a lot of energy and will need lots of exercise each day. Plan to take your dog for multiple long walks and give him or her time to run around in a fenced-in backyard. You can also find time to play with him or her inside or outside to offer additional activities. Be sure to have plenty of toys in the house that your dog can play with on their own when they have the energy to burn.

Irish Doodle puppy running through the park

Irish Doodles need plenty of exercise and enrichment.

©Joca de Jong/Shutterstock.com

Puppies

Irish Doodle Puppies are very affectionate and love spending time with their family members. Be sure to find opportunities to expose your new dog to different people, places, and pets to get him used to different scenarios and how to appropriately behave and interact. Early and consistent training is essential for your new puppy. Get training started as soon as you bring your dog home as this will help ensure he grows up to have a more even-tempered personality.

Before adopting a puppy, ask the breeder questions to make sure the dog will be a good fit for you/your family. They have a more varied personality than a purebred dog, but breeders should be able to give some good insight into what the puppy will be like when fully grown based on their observations over the first few weeks or months of the dog’s life.

Puppies require a lot of time and attention. Be ready to give your new dog everything it needs. Before bringing your Irish Poo Setters puppy home, make sure your space is ready with all the food and supplies your dog will need. Remove anything that could cause the puppy harm and put away personal belonging that you wouldn’t want to see destroyed.

Irish Doodle puppy laying in the grass

Irish Doodles are very friendly and good with children. They can make a great family dog.

©Joca de Jong/Shutterstock.com

Children and Irish Doodles

These dogs are a good option for those looking for the perfect family pet. They are gentle, playful, and affectionate and can make a wonderful playmate and best friend for a child. However, even though Setterdoodles are generally good with children, it is still important to closely supervise a child when they’re with this breed. This can prevent the child or dog from getting accidentally injured.

Dogs similar to Irish Doodle

Labradoodles, Sheepadoodles, and Irish Setters are three breeds that share similarities with the Irish Doodle.

Irish setters are one of the breeds mixed to create the Irish Doodle.

©Canden Scales/Shutterstock.com

  • Labradoodle: Labradoodles and Irish Doodles are both Poodle crossbreeds. Both can have a similarly colored coat that may be brown, white, cream, apricot, or black in color. Irish Doodles typically have a longer coat but shed a bit less than Labradoodles.
  • Sheepadoodle: Sheepadoodles also have one parent that is a Poodle like an Irish Doodle. Both of these dog breeds are hypoallergenic, active, and easy to train. Sheepadoodles may be a bit more likely to nip, especially as puppies, since one of their parents is a herding dog (Old English Sheepdog).
  • Irish Setter: Irish Setters are one of the breeds mixed to create the Irish Doodle, so it makes sense that they share some similar traits. Both breeds are very friendly and good with children. They are both also very active dogs. Irish Setters are moderate shedders compared with Irish Doodles that rarely, if ever, shed.

Famous Irish Doodles

As such a fun and adorable breed, Irish Doodles are gaining popularity. There are a number of Irish Doodles on Instagram that have a large following. These dogs are stealing the hearts of individuals they don’t even know with their cute appearance and great personality.

  • Fitz is an Instagram sensation from Pennsylvania. He currently lives in Michigan and has over 16,000 followers.
  • Winston is a white Irish Doodle from Kentucky. He has over 14,000 followers on Instagram.
  • Cooper is a brown Irish Doodle who loves hiking with his family. His Instagram page has more than 10,000 followers.

If you haven’t been able to select a name that feels right for your Irish Doodle, take a moment to read through the list below for some inspiration.

  • Mac
  • Lucky
  • Riley
  • Murphy
  • Brady
  • Ruby
  • Scarlet
  • Peaches
  • Bree
  • Shannon

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What's the right dog for you?

Dogs are our best friends but which breed is your perfect match?

X-Small
Small
Medium
Large
Xtra-Large

If you have kids or existing dogs select:

Kids
Other Dogs

Should they be Hypoallergenic?

Yes
No
How important is health?
Which dog groups do you like?
How much exercise should your dog require?
What climate?
How much seperation anxiety?
How much yappiness/barking?

How much energy should they have?

The lower energy the better.
I want a cuddle buddy!
About average energy.
I want a dog that I have to chase after constantly!
All energy levels are great -- I just love dogs!
How much should they shed?
How trainable/obedient does the dog need to be?
How intelligent does the dog need to be?
How much chewing will allow?
About the Author

Ashley Haugen is a lifelong animal lover and professional writer and editor. When she's not immersed in A-Z-Animals.com, she can be found hanging out with her dogs and birds.

Irish Doodle FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

How much does an Irish Doodle cost to own?

The cost to purchase an Irish Doodle from a breeder can range from $1,500 to $5,000. Before purchasing from a breeder, be sure to do your research to make sure they have a good reputation and follow best breeding practices. Chatting with the breeder can also help ensure the puppy you get will be a good match for your lifestyle.

You may also find some Irish Doodles up for adoption through a rescue organization. Adopting one of these dogs should be considerably less expensive and will likely only cost a few hundred dollars.

After you bring home your dog from a breeder or a rescue, there will be additional expenses you’ll need to cover. Irish Doodles live for 10 to 15 years, so you’ll need to be committed to covering their expenses for their entire lives. Think about veterinary care, food, treats, and the various other supplies a dog will require. The first year you own the dog will be the most expensive, so you should budget at least $1,000 to $1,500. For the following years, be sure to budget at least $500 to $1,000.

Are Irish Doodles good with kids?

Yes, Irish Doodles are very good with kids. They are playful, but also very patient and affectionate. This breed is also very loyal and devoted to the members of their family.

How long does an Irish Doodle live?

Most Irish Setterpoos live between 10 and 15 years.

What is an Irish Doodle?

An Irish Doodle is a cross between an Irish Setter and a Standard Poodle or Miniature Poodle. They are very intelligent and affectionate dogs who can make a great family pet.

What does a full-grown Irish Doodle look like?

The appearance of a full-grown Irish Doodle can vary based on the exact mix of genes the dog inherits from the Poodle and Irish Setter parents. They have either a wavy or curly coat that sheds minimally to none at all. Their coat may be black, brown, cream, red, blue, silver, or apricot in color and typically has some white markings.

How tall do Irish Doodles get?

The height of a Setterdoodle will depend on whether the Irish Setter was mixed with a Miniature Poodle to create a Mini Irish Doodle or a Standard Poodle to create a Standard Irish Doodle. Mini Irish Doodles are generally between 12 and 17 inches tall while Standard Irish Doodles are between 22 and 26 inches tall.

Do Irish Doodles bark a lot?

No, Irish Doodles do not bark very much.

What are the differences between Irish Doodles and Goldendoodles?

The differences between Irish Doodles and Goldendoodles include size, appearance, temperament, trainability, and health issues.

What are the differences between Irish Doodles and Labradoodles?

The differences between Irish Doodles and Labradoodles include size, appearance, temperament, trainability, and health issues.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. vcahospitals.com, Available here: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/addisons-disease-in-dogs-overview
  2. dogtime.com, Available here: https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/irish-setter#/slide/1
  3. poodles2doodles.com, Available here: https://poodles2doodles.com/breeds-overview/
  4. mydogbreeds.com, Available here: https://www.mydogbreeds.com/labradoodle-vs-irish-doodles
  5. wagwalking.com, Available here: https://wagwalking.com/name/irish-setter-dog-nameshttps://wagwalking.com/name/irish-setter-dog-names
  6. hellobark.com, Available here: https://hellobark.com/social-stars/irish-doodles-follow-on-instagram/
  7. hellobark.com, Available here: https://hellobark.com/dogs/mini-irish-doodle/
  8. irish-doodles.com, Available here: https://www.irish-doodles.com/why-irishdoodles
  9. oakhillfarmdoodles.com, Available here: https://www.oakhillfarmdoodles.com/about_irish_doodles.php
  10. doggiedesigner.com, Available here: https://doggiedesigner.com/irish-doodle/
  11. wagwalking.com, Available here: https://wagwalking.com/breed/irish-doodle
  12. petguide.com, Available here: https://www.petguide.com/breeds/dog/irish-doodle/

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