Poodle mixes are becoming more and more popular. A Poodle mix is considered a cross between a Poodle and another dog breed. Depending on the breeds in the cross, the hybrid dog breed may be recognized as a designer dog breed. But, why are there so many Poodle mixes? Here are a few reasons why poodle crossbreeds are so popular:

1. They tend to be hypoallergenic.

One of the popular traits of Poodles is their low-shedding, hypoallergenic coat. No dog fur is completely hypoallergenic, but Poodle coats have very low allergenic properties. Poodles do shed some fur, but they do not have an undercoat.

This means they shed less overall and they do not have the high-allergenic fine hair common to undercoats. Plus, what they do shed tends to stay in their dense coat instead of entering the air or being left around your home. With regular brushing, the loose fur goes on the brush instead of irritating your allergies. These low-shedding properties are often carried over in a crossbreed.

2. Poodles are great dogs.

Every dog is different, but, overall, the Poodle breed tends to be highly intelligent, easy to train, loyal, and sensitive. They also tend to be great with children and other animals. They’re a great dog breed themselves, so often bring positive traits into any mix as well.

This is also why designer dog breeds have gotten so popular. They often cross dog breeds with certain desirable traits with the goal of getting a dog that exhibits the best of both, like Goldendoodles, Bernedoodles, or other designer dog breeds.

3. You can choose the size.

There is always some variation in dog size and puppies can grow to be larger or smaller than their parents. One of the facts about Berndoodles and other Poodle mixes is that you essentially get to choose the size you want. Things can vary a little more depending on the other dog breeds in the cross, but you can often determine size depending on whether a Standard or Miniature Poodle is used in the mix.

4. Mixed breeds are sometimes healthier.

Reputable, responsible breeding produces generally healthy dogs. Pure breeds do each have their own set of potential genetic health issues, so mixed breeds are often seen as exhibiting fewer health issues due to the variety of their genes. For the mix, this can sometimes result in a longer life span than either of their parent breeds.

But, this is not a guarantee. A mixed breed can sometimes be healthier, but they could inherit all of the conditions common to their parent breeds or a mix of them instead of inheriting none. It really depends on the parents and good breeding practices.

These are just a few reasons why Poodle crossbreeds are popular and why there are so many. Before deciding on which one is right for you, it’s important to review the characteristics of all breeds in the cross to make sure the designer or mixed breed will be a good fit for your family.