Irish Doodle

40-65 lbs
22-26"
United States
Irish Setter
Poodle
Irish Doodle Setter, Irish Poo Setter, Irish Setterdoodle, Irish Setterpoo
The Irish Doodle is an intentional dog hybrid breed, also known as a designer dog. They are a cross between two canines, Irish Setters and Poodles, bred for their hunting and retrieving skills, both of which are typically intelligent, sensitive, and active animals with a fondness for people. These dogs make pleasant, playful, and entertaining family companions which are generally tolerant of both children and other animals as long as they are provided with enough mental stimulation and attention. A bored or lonely Irish Doodle may quickly become anxious or destructive. Both parent dog breeds are still utilized in hunting today, and the crossbreed should certainly be up to the task of hunting and retrieving, but they may also shine in agility competitions, advanced obedience training, freestyle dance, and tracking.
purpose Purpose
Hunting, Companion
history Date of Origin
Unknown
ancestry Ancestry
Irish Setter, Poodle

Irish Doodle Health

Average Size
Male Irish Doodle size stats
Height: 24-28 inches Weight: 50-75 lbs
Female Irish Doodle size stats
Height: 22-26 inches Weight: 40-65 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Bloat
  • Eye Diseases and Disorders
Minor Concerns
  • Epilepsy
  • Color Dilution Alopecia
  • Skin Diseases and Disorders
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Osteosarcoma
  • vonWillebrand’s Disease
  • Addison’s Disease
Occasional Tests
  • X-Rays
  • Cutaneous cytology
  • Eye Examinations
  • Trichogram

Irish Doodle Breed History

The Irish Doodle is a hybrid dog canine, a cross between two very different breeds of hunting dog; a German retrieving dog, the Poodle, and an elegant red field hunting dog called the Irish Setter. The Poodle is often associated with France but it was actually developed in Germany, where it was known as a Pudlehund; Pudle meaning to splash around, and hund meaning dog.

Many people view the Poodle as mainly a companion or a trained entertainment animal, particularly the miniature and toy varieties, however, the Poodle was originally bred to be a hard-working retriever of waterfowl in the same vein as Labrador or Golden retrievers.

The Standard and sometimes even Miniature Poodles can still fill that role quite admirably, although the Miniature Poodle generally focuses on smaller game-birds. In fact, their signature haircut was designed to reflect that history, with the length of the leg and the body shaved to reduce drag and prevent tangling in the weeds but the vital organs and the joints are still covered by a thick layer of protective hair. Poodles today are still sometimes employed to retrieve waterfowl, although the modern hunter is more likely to clip them short all over to prevent tangling in the brush and weeds.

The Irish Setter was developed in Ireland, at some point in the 1700s as a field hunting dog and by the early 1800s, the breed was popular not just in Ireland, but also throughout the British Isles. Most experts believe that the Irish Setter is an ancestor of breeds such as the Irish Water Spaniel, the Gordon Setter, and the Irish Terrier, but written records from the time are nonexistent.

The earliest Irish Setters were bred to be able to search out birds then hold their position, preventing them from entering the line of fire and they often came in either red and white or yellow and white, but in the mid-1800s their characteristic deep red color became the ideal. This dog breed was imported into the United States as gun dogs and retrievers that specialized in retrieving game birds during the mid-1800s as well and were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1878. Although the Irish Setter could be crossed with a Miniature or Toy Poodle, the most commonly included Poodle for this hybrid is the Standard Poodle.

Irish Doodle Breed Appearance

The Irish Doodle is a medium to large dog with a square build and a fairly narrow, elegant head and a long muzzle that can be either square and sturdy like the Irish Setter or straight and fine like the Poodle.  They have medium to dark brown eyes that can be either almond or oval shaped and their ears are set slightly below the level of the eye and hang down to the sides of their face.

The coat of the Irish Doodle may vary somewhat from dog to dog, both in composition and in color. The Poodle parent has a single layer coat that is soft and curly and may be kept long, trimmed short, or even corded, a style that closely resembles dreadlocks and can come in several solid colors. The Irish Setter, on the other hand, has a double coat that consists of a soft, dense undercoat overlayed by glossy, flat hair that typically comes in several shades of dark red, although large patches of color over white may occur on occasion. Typically, the coat of the offspring puppies is similar to the Poodle.

Eye Color Possibilities
brown Irish Doodle eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Irish Doodle nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
cream Irish Doodle coat
Cream
brown Irish Doodle coat
Brown
black Irish Doodle coat
Black
blue Irish Doodle coat
Blue
silver Irish Doodle coat
Silver
red Irish Doodle coat
Red
gray Irish Doodle coat
Gray
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Irish Doodle wavy coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Irish Doodle Breed Maintenance

Bathing need not be a frequent occurrence with these canines, usually just a few times a year, but thorough brushing and styling will generally be needed on a regular basis. The type of grooming implements that will be required for this animal can vary a bit, depending on which parent breed they most resemble, although most will need clipping or trimming of some sort on a regular basis. Crossbreeds that inherit the single-layer Poodle coat are less likely to shed and in some cases, may even be low shedding enough to be considered hypoallergenic, however, the coat of the Irish Setter is decidedly not hypoallergenic, and the full composition of the coat may not reveal itself until your Irish Doodle has reached maturity. It is also quite important to check and clean this dog’s ears on a regular basis as they can be prone to internal and external infections.

Insuring your Irish Doodle as soon as “pawssible” is essential for preventing high vet care costs. Start comparing insurance plans from leading insurers like Healthy Paws and Embrace and save over $270 a year.

Brushes for Irish Doodle
Dematter
Dematter
Comb
Comb
Deshedder
Deshedder
Clipper
Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Irish Doodle requires daily brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Irish Doodle Temperament

The Irish Doodle is an intelligent, energetic, but sometimes sensitive animal that craves human companionship. They are extremely intelligent and they love to learn, making them an exceptionally trainable animal, in fact, some may take after the Irish Setter and once they learn something you will be hard pressed to get them to unlearn it. This trait can apply both to those things that you want them to learn, like obedience and manners, and sometimes to things you didn’t intend for them to learn, like how to get into drawers and cabinets. Both the Irish Setter and the Poodle are extremely good with children in most cases, although some Poodle lines are more physically sensitive than others, startling easily and excessively due to stimuli like quick actions, unexpected touch, and loud sounds. Irish Doodles that exhibit these traits may not handle children well and may become depressed or otherwise emotionally disturbed in a house with a great deal of conflict or too much chaos, and should be extensively but calmly socialized to help them learn to deal with outside stimulus. In most cases, however, this combination will result in a happy-go-lucky companion who loves to play and to learn.

Irish Doodle Activity Requirements

The Irish Doodle is an energetic and athletic animal, and as such, requires a fairly large time commitment when it comes to exercise. In order to be at their happiest and healthiest, this eager to learn pup should get at least 90 minutes of vigorous exercise per day. This can take the form of walks or jogs, advanced obedience training, agility classes, or even swimming. Because of their trainability, you might be able to acclimate a mature Irish Doodle to apartment living if you provide them with additional exercise each day, but for the most part they are too active and vocal for this type of environment and will be much happier in a larger home with a yard to run in.

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
12 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
90 minutes
activity minutes

Irish Doodle Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
3 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$1.20 - $1.40
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$34.00 - $45.00
food bag monthly cost

Irish Doodle Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Irish Doodle size stats at six months
Height: 14.0 inches Weight: 25.0 lbs
Female Irish Doodle size stats at six months
Height: 12.0 inches Weight: 20.0 lbs
12 Months
Male Irish Doodle size stats at 12 months
Height: 17.0 inches Weight: 40.0 lbs
Female Irish Doodle size stats at 12 months
Height: 16.0 inches Weight: 35.0 lbs
18 Months
Male Irish Doodle size stats at 18 months
Height: 25.0 inches Weight: 75.0 lbs
Female Irish Doodle size stats at 18 months
Height: 24.0 inches Weight: 65.0 lbs

Irish Doodle Owner Experiences

Peach
7 Months
1 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Agility training
Tug-of-war
Cuddling
Dog Parks
Beach
Walk
Playdate
Peach loves to be around people and dogs always. She’s extremely playful and loving. She can be a bit stubborn but knows when she’s in the wrong. She has an amazing memory and loves consistent routines.
1 year, 4 months ago
Sully
1 Year
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Dog Parks
Sully is our first dog and an absolute joy. He likes his space and never sleeps on our bed but always sleeps close by. In the morning he comes up on the bed for a few minutes of morning snugs. He loves his humans and prefers to be in someones presence but does okay at home - usually sleeps near the door awaiting our return. He loves the dog park, as soon as he is off leash he runs as fast as he can but always stops to turn around and look for his owners to come back to. His recall is awesome but he does have a prey drive, bunnies are his nemesis. Because of this we are careful where we let him off leash because although his recall is great we are not sure how great it would be if a bunny came by. He loves kisses and learned tricks in just hours when we first brought him home. He was quick to be house trained and had minimal accidents along the way. He does require grooming maintenance but we opt to have him shaved down in the summer so he can stay cooler and that requires very minimal maintenance. He is scared of water but loves other dogs and people. He is protective of strangers outside our home - he barks at anyone walking up to the house but once we let someone inside he is their very best friend and wants to give them all the love. He can lay and relax on the couch most of the day but he does thrive on frequent walks and loves to sniff out his surroundings. Often on walks he is so enthralled sniffing around he doesn't notice the dogs along the way who come to greet him. He is very cute and soft and we love our little goofball so much.
1 year, 6 months ago
Nala
2 Years
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Running
brain training
Frisbee
Walk
Fetch
My Irish doodle is a very affectionate character and is very loving. she is very energetic and loves a tennis ball or Frisbee and can walk for miles. She hates being left on her own and seeks companionship from her owners or the other family dog. Nala is quick to learn and is extremely obedient. We've had a few issues with ear infections but our ID lets us clean them out regularly to help with this.
1 year, 8 months ago
Ruby
8 Months
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playing football
Their the best breed, very friendly and lovable
4 years, 10 months ago
AMY
4 Years
1 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Rain
Walk
Run
This is the best dog I ever have!
3 years, 6 months ago
Keira
10 Years
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Playing
Hiking
swimming
Fetch
Cuddling
Running
She is the best dog ever. Absolute sweetheart, wouldnt hurt a fly. Content with laying around all day doing nothing but is also and incredible athelete and loves to do stuff. She loves people more than other dogs and is very smart.
2 years, 11 months ago
Winnie
10 Weeks
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
Playing
Running
She is young and has a lot of energy. She enjoys playing with her choc lab friend a lot. She is training pretty well. She has coccidia and diarrhea but we don't know if she is being fed the correct amount.
2 years, 10 months ago
Seamus
1 Year
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Hide & Seek
Doggie Day Camp
Dog Parks
jog
Swim
Walks
Seamus is a huge sweetheart and enjoys the company of people and other dogs. He enjoys cuddling and belly rubs when he is tired and is somewhat of a velcro dog. He has a lot of energy and requires many hours of activity and exercise everyday or can be destructive. He is stubborn and a free spirit and does not always follow commands when he is in a playful mood and therefore needs to be closely watched in a fenced in yard and cannot be trusted off leash as his hunting instincts are strong. However, he is very intelligent and enjoys training.
2 years, 5 months ago
Annie
1 Year
5 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
Fetch
Hiking
Running
Frisbee
Tug of war
Naptime
Annie is a sweetie. She is a very strange dog. She is extremely intelligent and dumb at the same time. It is easy to compare her to a person that is book smart and not street smart. She learns commands in a few days and on occasion, day of. But she tries to bite cars and whenever a family member walks in the door, she acts like they are gonna get mad at her and she cuddles up on the couch with whoever is home to look like a sweetheart. She is kind of submissive, but I think that's just personality. With all this said though she's the best dog I could've asked for. We play a lot of frisbee and fetch because she needs a lot of exercise. She is amazing on runs and she stays next to me with no leash when doing difficult hikes. She is very agile and she scaled a 8 foot rock wall with no training whatsoever. She surprises me every day. Annie is also a diva, she needs to sleep with somebody or she feels scared, she needs her beard wiped after she eats food, she is a model when it comes to taking photos too. With all this random stuff being said, you truly cannot go wrong with getting this kind of dog. just make sure you meet the requirements that they need.
2 years, 2 months ago
Finley
9 Months
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
I am getting Finley tomorrow.Have owned corgis for 20 years and tired of shedding. Am so exciting and this has been most helpful. I have the tennis ball and Frisbee ready, I also live at the beach when he is ready to swim
2 years, 1 month ago
Animal Expert Question Icon
Question - My pet
Question

I know the height of a average adult irish doodle but i don't know the length or width. What is the length and width?

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Question - My pet
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I know the height of a average adult irish doodle but i don't know the length or width. What is the length and width?

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Question - Behavior
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can you tell me a fact

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Question - Behavior
Question

Hi I dnt know much about dogs and got an Irish doodle for my kids. He used to walk with me but I think I made him walk more than required as he is just 8 months now and I used to do about 4 kilometres everyday. He also developed very bad gas a week ago and I really want help with when to feed, how much exercise to make him do , when not to give him a meal and water together etc. I am so confused and now worried that I might not be doing it right and he suffers in pain. I used to also give him food in a raised food bowl which then I read is very bad and could have lead to gas.

Answer
Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
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