Double Doodle
A multi-generation doodle blending Golden Retriever, Labrador and Poodle lines. Friendly, sociable and family-oriented, usually low-shedding with a coat that needs regular grooming. Coat type and size vary considerably depending on which lines they take after.
Double Doodle scorecard
Overview
The Double Doodle is a multi-generation crossbreed, most commonly produced by mating a Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever × Poodle) with a Labradoodle (Labrador Retriever × Poodle). Because it combines two crosses, it carries genes from three established breeds — the Golden Retriever, the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle. It is also sometimes called a North American Retriever or Golden Labradoodle. Like all doodles, it is not recognised by The Kennel Club, has no breed standard and cannot be pedigree-registered.
In the UK a Double Doodle is typically a medium-to-large dog, often around 43–63 cm at the shoulder and roughly 13–32 kg, with the usual caveat that size and coat vary considerably from dog to dog. As a multi-generation mix of three friendly, biddable breeds, Double Doodles are generally sociable, trainable family dogs — but their characteristics are even less predictable than a first-cross, so buyers should expect variation.
Good to know — a Double Doodle needs plenty of space and good for first-time owners. Every dog is an individual, so meet a few and chat to a good breeder or rescue before deciding.
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History & origins
The Double Doodle is a modern, multi-generation designer crossbreed with no long history and no Kennel Club recognition. It emerged from the wider doodle movement, in which breeders combine and re-combine Poodle crosses, partly in pursuit of consistent low-shedding coats and a particular look and temperament — though crossing two crosses does not actually make outcomes more predictable.
Its character is shaped by three popular family breeds: the Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever, both originally British-developed gundogs prized for gentle, biddable temperaments, and the Poodle, a historic water dog valued for intelligence and a low-shedding coat. The combination is aimed at producing a friendly, trainable, often low-shedding companion, but as with all crosses there are no guarantees.
Temperament & family fit
Double Doodles are usually friendly, affectionate and sociable, frequently inheriting the people-loving, easy-going nature of the retriever parents. Many are good with children and other animals when well socialised, and they tend to be playful and keen to be involved in family life. They generally make outgoing, gentle companions rather than guard dogs.
Because they descend from active retrievers and the busy Poodle, most need plenty of company and occupation, and they can be prone to separation-related behaviour if regularly left alone. A bored or under-exercised Double Doodle may become mouthy, restless or destructive. Temperament does vary between individuals given the multi-generation mix, so meeting the parents and assessing the breeder's dogs is worthwhile.
- Families with children of all ages
- Committed first-time owners
- Active homes with plenty of space
Training & intelligence
These are typically intelligent, eager-to-please dogs that usually train readily using reward-based methods — unsurprising given that all three ancestral breeds are noted for trainability. They tend to enjoy learning and do well with obedience, gundog-style retrieving games, scentwork and trick training, all of which provide useful mental exercise.
Early socialisation and consistent, positive training help them grow into well-mannered adults, and teaching loose-lead walking and calm greetings early is sensible given their size and enthusiasm. The RSPCA and Blue Cross recommend reward-based training and advise against harsh methods. Mental enrichment is as important as physical exercise for these clever crosses.
- Start socialisation & handling early
- Reward-based methods only — no harsh corrections
- Channel energy into training games & enrichment
Exercise needs
A healthy adult Double Doodle typically needs 90 minutes to 2 hours a day (roughly 90–120 minutes), split across walks, play and a little training. Higher-energy dogs also need their brains tired — sniffy walks, training games and puzzle feeding go a long way. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
Coats vary from wavy to curly and are usually low to moderate shedding. Most Double Doodles need frequent brushing — several times a week or daily for curlier coats — to prevent matting, plus regular professional grooming or clipping. Routine ear checks and cleaning, nail trimming and dental care are needed. As with all doodles, none are genuinely hypoallergenic, and shedding and coat type differ from dog to dog, perhaps even more so in a multi-generation cross.
- Brush several times a week
- Bathe every few weeks or as needed
- Check ears, nails and teeth weekly
Feeding considerations
Feed a complete, good-quality food appropriate to the dog's size, age and activity, following manufacturer guidance and keeping the dog lean. Retriever-derived dogs can be very food-motivated and inclined to gain weight, so measure meals, account for training treats and avoid overfeeding. Fresh water should always be available, and your vet can help with body condition scoring; for larger puppies, sensible feeding to support steady growth is important.
Double Doodle health & costs
Before bringing a Double Doodle home it pays to budget for the whole picture — food, insurance, grooming and routine vet care all add up. The figures below are typical UK estimates for a healthy adult; your real costs vary with where you live, your dog's health and the cover you choose.
Food
£600–850 / year
Complete food sized to weight & life stage
Insurance
£35–62 / month
Lifetime cover — varies by age, breed & area
Grooming
£400–700 / year
Regular professional grooming
Routine vet care
£200–450 / year
Vaccines, flea/worm, annual check
As a multi-generation cross, a Double Doodle draws on three breeds' gene pools, which may offer some diversity, but it can inherit any condition common to the Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever or Poodle, so good health is not guaranteed. Health testing of all relevant parent and grandparent stock is the key safeguard, and crossbreed-specific health data is sparse because these dogs sit outside pedigree health-monitoring schemes.
Buyers should ask the breeder to demonstrate hip and elbow scoring, eye testing and relevant DNA testing across the lines involved, and should choose a responsible breeder rather than a high-volume source. The Puppy Contract and UK breeder-licensing rules are useful reference points.
Common health conditions to be aware of
- Hip and elbow dysplasia — developmental joint conditions common to the retriever parents; check scores.
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) — an inherited cause of blindness; DNA testing available in the ancestral breeds.
- Hereditary cataracts — lens clouding that can impair vision.
- Bloat / gastric dilatation-volvulus — a life-threatening emergency that deeper-chested dogs can be at risk of.
- Hypothyroidism — an under-active thyroid reported in the ancestral breeds.
- Ear infections — drop ears with hair growth need regular cleaning and checks.
These reflect typical, size- and coat-related risks for dogs like the Double Doodle; individual breeds carry their own predispositions. Always buy from health-tested parents and speak to your vet — this isn't a diagnosis.
Protect against surprise bills
A single emergency can run into thousands. Lifetime insurance spreads the risk.
Estimate insurance →How pet insurance works →Puppy & senior care
Bringing home a Double Doodle puppy
Puppies need controlled exercise (a rough guide is five minutes per month of age, twice a day) to protect growing joints, little-and-often meals of a complete puppy food, early socialisation, and a calm routine for toilet training and sleep. Book first vaccinations, microchipping and a vet check early.
New puppy checklist →Caring for a senior Double Doodle
As they age, watch weight, joints and teeth, switch to a senior diet if your vet advises, keep exercise gentle but regular, and consider orthopaedic bedding and ramps. Twice-yearly vet checks help catch issues early — larger breeds age sooner, so start senior care from around 6–7 years.
Orthopaedic beds & mobility →Pros & cons
The good bits
- Friendly, sociable and great with families
- Often low-shedding and highly trainable
Things to consider
- Coat needs frequent grooming to avoid matting
- Multi-generation mix means traits are hard to predict
Compare the Double Doodle
See how the Double Doodle measures up against similar breeds before you decide:
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Same breed group
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Labradoodle
A friendly Labrador × Poodle crossbreed — sociable, often lower-shedding, and a popular family choice.
Cavapoo
One of the UK’s most popular crossbreeds (Cavalier × Poodle) — affectionate, adaptable and usually low-shedding.
Cavapoochon
A small triple-cross (Cavalier × Bichon × Poodle) — friendly, low-shedding and well suited to family and flat life.
Similar temperament
Labradoodle
A friendly Labrador × Poodle crossbreed — sociable, often lower-shedding, and a popular family choice.
Goldendoodle
A Golden Retriever × Poodle cross — friendly, trainable and a hugely popular family dog, usually low-shedding.
Australian Labradoodle
A purpose-developed type combining Labrador, Poodle and Cocker Spaniel lines, bred for a consistent low-shedding fleece coat and gentle temperament. More predictable than a first-generation doodle, but coat and size still vary depending on the lines.
Irish Doodle
An elegant, friendly cross of the playful Irish Setter and the clever Poodle. Affectionate, biddable and often low-shedding, but energetic and needing regular grooming and exercise.
Similar size, different type
Labrador Retriever
The UK’s most popular family dog — friendly, biddable and brilliant with children, but needs proper exercise.
Golden Retriever
Gentle, eager-to-please and devoted — a classic family companion that thrives on company and exercise.
German Shepherd
A loyal, courageous and highly trainable working dog that needs experienced handling and plenty to do.
Greyhound
The ultimate couch potato — despite their racing reputation, retired greyhounds need surprisingly little exercise.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Double Doodle?
A Double Doodle is a multi-generation crossbreed, most commonly produced by mating a Goldendoodle with a Labradoodle. It therefore carries genes from three established breeds: the Golden Retriever, the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle. It is sometimes called a North American Retriever or Golden Labradoodle. Like all doodles it is not recognised by The Kennel Club and cannot be pedigree-registered.
How big does a Double Doodle get?
A Double Doodle is typically a medium-to-large dog, often around 43–63 cm at the shoulder and roughly 13–32 kg, with size and coat varying considerably from dog to dog. Because it is a multi-generation mix rather than a first-cross, its characteristics are even less predictable, so buyers should expect variation and assess the breeder's dogs.
Are Double Doodles good family pets?
Double Doodles are usually friendly, affectionate and sociable, frequently inheriting the people-loving, easy-going nature of the retriever parents. Many are good with children and other animals when well socialised, and they tend to be playful and keen to be involved in family life. They make outgoing, gentle companions rather than guard dogs.
How much exercise does a Double Doodle need?
Double Doodles are an active cross and most adults need a good amount of daily exercise, commonly an hour or more, plus mental stimulation through play and training. Walks, free running, fetch and swimming, which many enjoy given the water-dog ancestry, all suit them. Larger individuals need more, and exercise should be moderated in growing puppies to protect their joints.
Do Double Doodles shed?
Coats vary from wavy to curly and are usually low to moderate shedding. Most need frequent brushing, several times a week or daily for curlier coats, to prevent matting, plus regular professional grooming or clipping. As with all doodles, none are genuinely hypoallergenic, and shedding and coat type differ from dog to dog, perhaps even more so in a multi-generation cross.
Are Double Doodles easy to train?
These are typically intelligent, eager-to-please dogs that usually train readily with reward-based methods, since all three ancestral breeds are noted for trainability. They tend to enjoy obedience, retrieving games, scentwork and trick training, all of which provide useful mental exercise. The RSPCA and Blue Cross recommend reward-based training and advise against harsh methods.
What health issues can a Double Doodle have?
As a multi-generation cross a Double Doodle draws on three breeds' gene pools, which may offer some diversity, but it can inherit any condition common to the Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever or Poodle, so good health is not guaranteed. Ask the breeder to demonstrate hip and elbow scoring, eye testing and relevant DNA testing across the lines involved.
Do Double Doodles need a lot of company?
Yes. Because they descend from active retrievers and the busy Poodle, most need plenty of company and occupation, and they can be prone to separation-related behaviour if regularly left alone. A bored or under-exercised Double Doodle may become mouthy, restless or destructive, so they suit households where people are around for much of the day.
Are Double Doodles good with children?
Excellent with children of all ages. As a general guide, Double Doodles tend to be patient and tolerant. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does a Double Doodle need?
As a healthy adult, a typical Double Doodle needs 90 minutes to 2 hours of exercise a day (90–120 minutes), split across walks plus play. Higher-energy dogs also need mental stimulation — sniffing, training games and puzzle feeders — to stay settled. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do Double Doodles shed a lot?
Low shedding. Coat upkeep is high upkeep — plan on frequent brushing and regular trips to a groomer.
Are Double Doodles easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Good for first-time owners. Double Doodles are generally a forgiving choice for first-time owners who put in early training and socialisation. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do Double Doodles bark a lot?
Quiet. They are usually fairly easy-going about barking, though any dog will bark if bored or under-exercised.
Are Double Doodles good with other dogs?
Sociable with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do Double Doodles suit flats or smaller homes?
Needs plenty of space. A Double Doodle really needs plenty of space and a lot of daily activity — not ideal for a small flat.
Sources
- The Kennel Club — Getting a dog and crossbreeds (https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/getting-a-dog-or-puppy/)
- RSPCA — Dog care and choosing a dog (https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs)
- Blue Cross — Dog breeds and behaviour advice (https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog)
- PDSA — Dog health and crossbreed advice (https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice)
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Every dog is an individual — temperament and needs vary. Please research thoroughly, meet dogs in person, and consider adopting from a rescue. This is general guidance, not a substitute for advice from your vet or a qualified trainer.