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.
Irish Doodle scorecard
Overview
The Irish Doodle is a designer crossbreed created by mating an Irish Setter with a Poodle (most often a Standard or Miniature Poodle). The aim of the cross is to blend the warm, fun-loving nature of the Irish Setter with the cleverness and low-shedding coat associated with the Poodle. The result is usually a medium-to-large, athletic dog with a wavy or curly coat that often comes in rich red and apricot shades inherited from the Setter side.
It is important to be clear about what an Irish Doodle is and is not. It is not a breed recognised by The Kennel Club or the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI); there is no official breed standard, no breed registry and no guaranteed type. Because it is a first-generation cross of two very different breeds, individual puppies — even within the same litter — can vary widely in size, coat, colour and temperament. Anyone choosing an Irish Doodle should expect a unique individual rather than a predictable, standardised dog, and should research both parent breeds carefully before committing.
Good to know — a Irish 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 Irish Doodle has no long pedigree history of its own. Like most 'doodle' crosses, it emerged in the wake of the Labradoodle, which the Australian breeder Wally Conron is widely credited with creating in the late 1980s as an attempt at a lower-shedding guide dog. The popularity of Poodle crosses then expanded to many other parent breeds, the Irish Setter among them, largely from the 1990s and 2000s onward.
To understand the Irish Doodle you have to look to its parents. The Irish Setter is a Kennel Club–recognised gundog, developed in Ireland as a bird-finding setter and prized for its glamorous red coat, exuberance and friendly disposition. The Poodle, despite its association with French show rings, originated as a water-retrieving gundog (its name derives from the German 'Pudel', to splash) and is one of the most trainable breeds in the world. Crossing two working gundogs produces a dog that is typically energetic, people-focused and biddable, but the cross itself remains a modern, commercially driven creation rather than an established breed.
Temperament & family fit
Irish Doodles are generally affectionate, sociable and people-loving dogs that tend to bond closely with their families. Both parent breeds are companionable rather than aloof: the Irish Setter is famously friendly and playful, and the Poodle is intelligent and eager to be involved in everything the family does. This combination usually produces a gentle, outgoing dog that is good with children and often gets on well with other dogs.
That said, temperament is never guaranteed in a crossbreed. The Irish Setter can be exuberant, easily distracted and slow to mature, sometimes retaining a giddy, puppyish streak for years, while the Poodle is sharp, sensitive and quick to pick up on household tension. An Irish Doodle is likely to be bright and busy, can be prone to boredom-related mischief if under-stimulated, and many dislike being left alone for long periods. Early, ongoing socialisation and plenty of mental engagement help bring out the best, most settled side of the cross.
- Families with children of all ages
- Committed first-time owners
- Active homes with plenty of space
Training & intelligence
Irish Doodles usually respond very well to training, inheriting genuine intelligence and a desire to please from both sides. Reward-based, positive methods work best; both parent breeds are sensitive and can shut down or become anxious in response to harsh handling. Short, varied, upbeat sessions tend to keep this clever dog motivated.
The main training challenges are exuberance and distractibility, particularly while young, as the Setter influence can make for a bouncy, scent-driven dog that struggles to focus outdoors. Recall and impulse control deserve early, consistent attention, ideally starting in puppyhood and continuing into adulthood. Because the cross is so smart, it benefits enormously from ongoing 'jobs' such as scent work, trick training or canine sports to channel that brainpower constructively.
- Start socialisation & handling early
- Reward-based methods only — no harsh corrections
- Channel energy into training games & enrichment
Exercise needs
A healthy adult Irish 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
Coat type varies between individuals, from loosely wavy to tight and curly, and this directly affects grooming needs. Many Irish Doodles have a low-shedding coat, but 'low-shedding' and 'hypoallergenic' are marketing descriptions, not guarantees — no dog is truly hypoallergenic, and coats that do not shed freely tend to trap loose hair and mat instead. Most need brushing several times a week and professional clipping every six to ten weeks to stay comfortable and tangle-free. Ears (inherited long from the Setter) should be checked and kept clean, as drop ears can predispose to infections.
- 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 diet appropriate to the dog's size, age and activity level, following the manufacturer's guidelines as a starting point and adjusting to keep the dog in lean body condition. Larger Irish Doodles benefit from large-breed puppy food during growth to support steady, controlled development. As both parent breeds can be enthusiastic about food and prone to weight gain if under-exercised, portion control and limited treats are important. Because deep-chested dogs can be at higher risk of bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus), splitting the daily ration into two meals and avoiding heavy exercise immediately around mealtimes is a sensible precaution.
Irish Doodle health & costs
Before bringing a Irish 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 crossbreed, the Irish Doodle is not covered by a breed-specific health scheme, and it can inherit the health problems of both parent breeds. Crossbreeding may reduce the chance of some inherited conditions through greater genetic diversity, but it does not eliminate risk, and a puppy can still inherit disorders from either side. Responsible breeders should health-test the parent dogs, and prospective owners should ask to see the results.
From the Poodle side, concerns include hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and other eye conditions, epilepsy and, in larger Poodles, the risk of bloat. From the Irish Setter side, concerns include hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, certain hereditary conditions screened by Kennel Club and breed schemes, and again bloat in this deep-chested breed. Relevant DNA tests and hip and eye screening of the parents are the key tools for reducing risk in a litter.
Common health conditions to be aware of
- Hip dysplasia — a malformation of the hip joint that can cause pain, lameness and arthritis; ask whether both parents have been hip scored under the BVA/Kennel Club scheme.
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) — an inherited, progressive degeneration of the retina leading to blindness; DNA testing of parents can identify carriers in both Poodles and Irish Setters.
- Bloat / gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) — a sudden, life-threatening twisting of the stomach seen in deep-chested dogs; feeding smaller meals and knowing the warning signs is important.
- Epilepsy — inherited seizure disorders are recognised in Poodles and can be passed to crosses; usually managed long-term with veterinary medication.
- Ear infections — long, hairy drop ears can trap moisture and wax, predisposing to recurrent otitis externa that needs regular checking and cleaning.
- Hypothyroidism — an underactive thyroid causing weight gain, lethargy and coat changes, recognised in both parent breeds and manageable with daily medication.
These reflect typical, size- and coat-related risks for dogs like the Irish 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 Irish 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 Irish 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
- Affectionate, gentle and very trainable
- Often low-shedding wavy coat
Things to consider
- Coat needs regular grooming to avoid matting
- Needs plenty of exercise and company
Compare the Irish Doodle
See how the Irish Doodle measures up against similar breeds before you decide:
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Australian Labradoodle
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Frequently asked questions
What is an Irish Doodle?
An Irish Doodle is a designer crossbreed created by mating an Irish Setter with a Poodle, most often a Standard or Miniature Poodle. The aim is to blend the Setter's warm, fun-loving nature with the Poodle's cleverness and low-shedding coat. It is not recognised by The Kennel Club or the FCI, so there is no official standard or guaranteed type.
How big does an Irish Doodle get?
The Irish Doodle is usually a medium-to-large, athletic dog, standing around 43–66 cm tall and weighing roughly 18–32 kg. Because it is a first-generation cross of two very different-sized breeds, individuals — even within the same litter — can vary widely in size, coat, colour and temperament, so expect a unique dog rather than a predictable one.
What is an Irish Doodle's temperament like?
Irish Doodles are generally affectionate, sociable and people-loving, bonding closely with their families and often good with children and other dogs. The Setter can be exuberant, easily distracted and slow to mature, while the Poodle is sharp and sensitive. They are bright and busy, can be prone to boredom-related mischief and many dislike being left alone for long.
Are Irish Doodles hypoallergenic?
No dog is truly hypoallergenic, and 'low-shedding' and 'hypoallergenic' are marketing descriptions rather than guarantees. Coat type varies from loosely wavy to tight and curly. Many Irish Doodles do shed little, but coats that do not shed freely tend to trap loose hair and mat instead, so they still need regular brushing and clipping.
Are Irish Doodles easy to train?
Yes, they usually respond very well to training, inheriting genuine intelligence and a desire to please from both sides. Reward-based, positive methods work best, as both parents are sensitive and can shut down under harsh handling. The main challenges are exuberance and distractibility while young, so recall and impulse control deserve early, consistent attention.
How much exercise does an Irish Doodle need?
This is an active dog that needs meaningful daily exercise, typically well over an hour for an adult, split across walks, free running and play. Both parent breeds were bred to work in the field all day, so the cross has good stamina. Mental exercise matters just as much; puzzle feeders, training games and sniffing help prevent boredom-related behaviour.
How often does an Irish Doodle need grooming?
Most need brushing several times a week and professional clipping every six to ten weeks to stay comfortable and tangle-free, as coats that don't shed freely tend to mat. The ears, inherited long from the Setter, should be checked and kept clean, as drop ears can predispose to infections. Routine nail and dental care should also be maintained.
What health issues are Irish Doodles prone to?
As a crossbreed there is no breed-specific health scheme, and it can inherit problems from both parents. From the Poodle side, concerns include hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy and other eye conditions, and epilepsy. From the Setter side, concerns include hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy. Deep-chested dogs also carry a bloat risk; ask to see parents' health tests.
Are Irish Doodles good with children?
Excellent with children of all ages. As a general guide, Irish 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 an Irish Doodle need?
As a healthy adult, a typical Irish 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 Irish Doodles shed a lot?
Low shedding. Coat upkeep is high upkeep — plan on frequent brushing and regular trips to a groomer.
Are Irish Doodles easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Good for first-time owners. Irish 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 Irish Doodles bark a lot?
Quiet. They are usually fairly easy-going about barking, though any dog will bark if bored or under-exercised.
Are Irish Doodles good with other dogs?
Sociable with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do Irish Doodles suit flats or smaller homes?
Needs plenty of space. A Irish Doodle really needs plenty of space and a lot of daily activity — not ideal for a small flat.
Sources
- The Kennel Club — Irish Setter breed information: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/breed-standards/
- The Kennel Club — Poodle (Standard) breed information and health schemes: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/breed-standards/
- The Kennel Club — advice on crossbreeds and choosing a healthy puppy: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/health-and-dog-care/
- PDSA — dog breeds and everyday care advice: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs
- Blue Cross — dog breeds and care advice, including crossbreeds: https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog
- RVC VetCompass — dog health research programme: https://www.rvc.ac.uk/vetcompass
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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.