Top 7 Calmest Doodle Breeds For Chilled Out Families

If your heart is set on a more laid back Doodle pup, but you’re not exactly sure which one to choose, then this guide will get you started on your search. In this article, we’re going to learn which are the calmest Doodle breeds that aren’t hyper 24/7 and will mesh well with your more chilled lifestyle. Are you ready to find out? Let’s get into it.

Calmest Doodle Breeds: Intro
What Kind Of Breed Is A Doodle?
Which Doodle Is Calmest?
7 Calmest Doodle Breeds You Can Bring Home In 2023
How Do I Pick The Best Doodle Breeds?
Calmest Doodle Breeds: FAQs
Calmest Doodle Breeds: Final Thoughts

Calmest Doodle Breeds: Intro

We must say, we’re glad that Doodles have become all the hype in recent years. They really are so amazing, wonderful, and just an absolute joy to have around! (As fellow Doodle owners we’re probably a bit biased though…)

If 20 years ago most people hadn’t even heard of Doodles, then today we see so many new Doodle breeds emerging all the time. And demand for Poodle mixes has grown enormously, too! But, as Doodles are crossbreed dogs, it can be tricky to find the right fit for you. Especially if there’s such a vast selection of amazing Doods out there.

Some people are looking for a more laid back dog, whereas others prefer a pup that will join them on their many outdoor adventures. Not to mention, all other criteria that a future dog owner should consider.

For this very reason, we decided to focus on the calmest Doodle breeds to find out exactly which of these crossbred pups would make a perfect fit for someone who’s looking for a more chilled pup.

What Kind Of Breed Is A Doodle?

A Doodle is a hybrid cross that consists of the Poodle and another purebred parent. There are tons of different Poodle mixes out there. And to make things even more complicated, there are numerous ways to achieve a litter of Doodle puppies. All of which will greatly affect how the puppies will turn out in terms of their looks, size, personality, shedding levels, and so much more.

The other purebred parent used in the mix will usually inspire a Doodle’s ‘breed name’. For instance, a Labrador Retriever crossed with a Poodle will result in a Labradoodle. But in addition to the most popular Labradoodle and Goldendoodle, there are plenty of other Poodle mixes that are lesser known. Some of them include the Flandoodle (Bouvier des Flandres-Poodle mix), or Doxiepoo (Dachshund-Poodle mix).

With hybrid breeds like Poodle mixes, we have so much more variety to choose from. For starters, there are many ways to produce a litter of Doodles – either by using two purebred parents, or breeding a Doodle back to a Poodle. The latter will often result in a pup that possesses more of the Poodle’s characteristics.

Then there’s a matter of size. As Poodles come in different sizes – Standard, Mini, and Toy – their Doodle offspring can also be produced as either larger or smaller pups. Or, sitting somewhere right in between. There’s *literally* a Doodle for everyone.

Which Doodle Is Calmest?

An important thing to note with Doodle breeds is that as the Poodle is a high energy dog, all Poodle mixes will somewhat reflect this trait. Nonetheless, the other purebred parent used in the mix can significantly affect the outcome. So, if you’re looking for low energy Doodle breeds, you have to do some research on the other purebred parent. That will give you a better idea of what you’re getting yourself into.

Another thing to consider is the size of the dog. Although Toy and Mini Doodles can be just as energetic as some larger pups, they tend to have less stamina due to their small size. Moreover, even though certain traits and characteristics are more common in certain breeds, that’s not to say that all Golden Retrievers or Poodles are high energy. Each pup is unique and has their own personality traits. For this reason, even puppies from the same litter can have significantly different energy levels and personality traits.

That being said, some of the calmest Doodle breeds include the Bernedoodle, Cavapoo, Maltipoo, Sheepadoodle, and Saint Berdoodle. Of course, there are plenty of other calm Doodle breeds that can make wonderful companions for more laid back households.

7 Calmest Doodle Breeds You Can Bring Home In 2023

So, if you’re ready to find out more about the calmest Doodle breeds, then let’s dig in…

Bernedoodle

Finding their spot at the top of our list of the best Doodle breeds for people who are looking for a laid back companion is the Bernedoodle. The Bernedoodle is a hybrid cross between the Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle. These humongous pups are most commonly crossed with Standard Poodles. However, you’ll be able to find smaller Medium and Mini, as well as Toy Bernedoodles.

Image by DoggieFetch.com, licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Although Bernedoodles are very much preferred by people who are looking for a more laid back Poodle mix, there’s never a guarantee that a Bernedoodle will actually turn out this way. If they inherit most of their traits from the Poodle side of their lineage, they can just as well be highly active like their Poodle parents. This is especially true for backcross generations like F1b, F1bb, F2b, and F2bb.

Still, Bernedoodles are leading the list of our top calmest Doodle breeds. Even though this Dood enjoys its daily walkies, hikes, and refreshing swims, the Bernedoodle is known to be as cool as a cucumber. They’re also extremely gentle with people of all ages and tend to get along very well with children, too.

Cavapoo

The Cavapoo is a cross between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Toy or Miniature Poodle. Cavapoos are tiny, loving, and sweet-natured little pups that are notoriously calm thanks to their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Heritage.

And even though Cavapoos are quite calm and gentle, they’re surprisingly outgoing. These Doods love to spend time around their humans above all else. So, if you’re looking for a little snuggle buddy, then the Cavapoo will be the perfect pup for that! They also make fast friends with everyone they meet, and they usually fit perfectly in households with other pets.

Thanks to their small size and moderate exercise requirements, you don’t have to worry about a Cavapoo needing insane amounts of vigorous exercise each day. Daily walks and shorter play sessions are perfect for them. All in all, to keep your Cavapoo calm and relaxed, make sure you provide them with plenty of different enrichment activities, including mental and physical stimulation.

Maltipoo

The Maltese-Poodle mix, a.k.a Maltipoo, is another one of the smaller Doodle breeds that we and many others absolutely love. Although sometimes a bit yappy, Maltipoos are overall simply delightful companions for singles, couples, and families alike.

Since the Maltese is such a small-sized breed, they’re always crossed with either Miniature or Toy Poodles. These small Doods make the perfect lap dogs thanks to their small size, gentle temperament, high levels of intelligence, and calm nature. On the other hand, as with any other breed, it can take some time for a Maltipoo to calm down. But, this is common in almost any dog breed, as puppies have a difficult time containing themselves.

It’s important we note, however, that Maltipoos can be a bit vocal. Especially if you haven’t tackled this problem head on. Fortunately, there are ways you can teach your pup how to use their vocal cords in more desired ways.

Another thing to keep in mind with Maltipoos is that they can sometimes get overly excited and even hyperactive. But we must say that this issue again is common in most breeds if they’re not getting enough physical and mental stimulation each day. As they say, a tired dog is a happy and well-behaved dog. So, make sure to take your pup out for walkies, play fetch with them, and give them lots of kisses and cuddles!

Saint Berdoodle

Now moving back onto larger Doods, let’s talk about the slightly lesser known Saint Berdoodle. The Saint Bernard-Poodle mix is the true definition of a gentle giant. They’re unbelievably loving, social, and intelligent dogs that make the most wonderful family companions.

Saint Berdoodles aren’t the most active dogs out there, and they’ll gladly snuggle up on the couch with you. They might even try to make their way onto your lap. So, be prepared to be glued there for hours. You won’t be able to move this huge pup off of you!

Having mentioned that, Saint Berdoodles are usually bred by crossing a Saint Bernard or a Saint Berdoodle back to a Standard or Miniature Poodle. The former results in quite a huge Dood, whereas Mini Saint Berdoodles are slightly smaller.

When comparing Saint Berdoodles to Bernedoodles, they both have rather similar traits and characteristics. However, Standard Saint Berdoodles can grow into significantly larger proportions, up to 150 pounds once fully grown. Meanwhile, Mini Bernedoodles and Mini Saint Berdoodles tend to be in a similar size range. Another notable difference is that Bernedoodles tend to be more active than Saint Berdoodles.

Sheepadoodle

The Sheepadoodle is a cross between the Old English Sheepdog and Poodle. As the Old English Sheepdog is a rather large dog, their Sheepadoodle offspring tend to grow into big boys as well. However, as the Sheepadoodle can also be produced using smaller Miniature or Toy Poodles, there’s more variety for those looking for a slightly smaller Dood.

Like other Doodle breeds in this list, Sheepadoodles are fun-loving and affectionate companions that will sweep you off your feet with their cuteness. They’re very outgoing and they get along amazingly well with children, making them perfect family pets.

Thanks to their Old English Sheepdog heritage, Sheepadoodles are quite active dogs. They enjoy all sorts of fun activities both outdoors and indoors, provided that you have the space for that. At the same time, they’re very calm and even-tempered. Especially if you take the time out of your day to exercise and train your pup.

Goldendoodle

You probably didn’t expect to see the Goldendoodle featured in this list of the calmest Doodle breeds! Although the Golden Retriever-Poodle mix is rather high energy, they can be quite calm and laid back dogs if you provide them plenty of exercise daily. They also need lots and lots of mental stimulation to keep them entertained and prevent undesired behaviors that stem from boredom.

Even though Goldendoodles are active, sometimes even hyper, and definitely very excitable dogs, their mannerisms are still gentle and mellow. In fact, as Goldendoodles were first created to achieve a hypoallergenic guide dog, they generally can contain themselves if the situation requires them to. Of course, the key to raising a calm and well-behaved Goldendoodle lies in early socialization, obedience training, and various enrichment methods. They’re super smart dogs, so this shouldn’t be much of a problem!

Fortunately, reputable breeders usually breed Goldendoodles for gentle and mellow temperament, so these traits tend to be quite pronounced in them. Another thing to note is that Goldendoodle puppies can be very, very hyper. However, they generally calm down around the time they turn two years old.

Although the purebred Golden Retriever isn’t the smallest dog out there, with the Goldendoodle we have many options to choose from – from the tiniest Toy Goldendoodle and way up to the largest Standard Goldendoodle.

Labradoodle

Likewise, some might be surprised to see that Labradoodles have earned their place on our list of the top seven calmest Doodle breeds. But similarly to Goldendoodles, Labradoodles can show their calmer side if they get to live their most fulfilled lives with lots of kisses, cuddles, exercise, and mental stimulation.

In fact, our survey results show that Labradoodles tend to be less energetic than Goldendoodles. This paired with their high levels of intelligence, affectionate and outgoing nature, and gentle disposition, makes a wonderful family pet, but also an excellent therapy or service dog.

Again, the key is to start socializing and training your Labradoodle puppy from an early age so that they quickly learn those desired behaviors that are expected of them. As Labradoodles are also one of the most popular Doodle breeds out there, reputable breeders have but great emphasis on a gentle and calm temperament to produce pups that have the perfect balance of a playful, yet calm-mannered traits.

Size wise, you’ll be able to adopt either a tiny 15 pound Mini Labradoodle, a chonky 90 pound Labradoodle, or a Dood that’s more medium-sized – the choice is yours!

How Do I Pick The Best Doodle Breeds?

If you’re asking which are the best Doodle breeds, then our simple answer is – all of them! However, it all boils down to your preferences and your own personality.

Whether you’re looking for a calm Dood or the bounciest little fluffball, the key is to do your research. And do it properly! Adopting a dog isn’t just about bringing home a cute little puppy. It’s a commitment for the next 10 to 15 years, even more if you’re lucky.

That’s a huge responsibility alongside all the joy that you’ll be experiencing with your furry best pal. Therefore, it’s vital that you choose the right type of Doodle for you personally, carefully weighing all the pros and cons of the crossbreeds you’re considering. In addition to that, you must take your lifestyle, daily schedule, and family dynamics into account.

When looking for the best Doodle breeds for you personally, here are some things to consider:

How much do you like to exercise and spend time outdoors? If you’re an active person, you’ll likely be able to keep up with a more energetic dog. On the other hand, if you’re not keen on spending lots of time outside exercising your pup, opt for a Dood that isn’t as high energy.
How big is your home? If you live in a spacious house with a fenced backyard, any size of Doodle would work for you. However, if you live in an apartment, you should opt for a smaller dog.
Do you have children? If so, how old are they? Very large dogs might accidentally knock over small kids. On the other hand, young children can unknowingly injure very small dogs.
Do you have other pets in the household? You might want to consider a Doodle breed that’s known to get along well with other dogs and cats. Of course, make sure to start with proper socialization early on.
Are you a first-time dog owner or have you had dogs before? Very headstrong Doodle breeds might not be the best choice for people who haven’t had a dog before.
Do you have enough time and energy to train a dog? Training a dog, regardless of their breed and heritage, is a huge responsibility that requires a lot of patience and consistency. Are you really up for it?
Are you allergic to dog dander and saliva? If yes, then your best bet would be to opt for a backcross Doodle or one that has two single-coated breeds as parents.
Are you willing to spend plenty of time on grooming activities? All Doodles require lots and lots of grooming. If you’re considering adopting a Poodle mix, then this is an absolute non-negotiable.
How much time are you spending away from home? Can you bring your Dood along with you? Many Doodle breeds are prone to separation anxiety, which means that they aren’t suitable for people who have to leave the house for long hours at a time. If that’s the case, you should either consider hiring a dog walker or a pet sitter when you’re in the office, or find a more independent breed suited for you.

Once you’ve managed to answer all of these questions, you can start narrowing down your choice of Doodle breeds, coat types, generations, and sizes. A great place to start from are our guides on different Doodle breeds, where we cover all the countless topics about each of them in-depth.

Calmest Doodle Breeds: FAQs

What Are The Most Mellow Doodle Breeds?

The calmest Doodle breeds include smaller Poodle mixes like the Cavapoo, as well as larger Doods like the Bernedoodle, Sheepadoodle, and Saint Berdoodle. All of these Poodle mixes are known for their calm, gentle, and sweet temperament.

Which Doodle Is The Friendliest?

Goldendoodles and Labradoodles are thought to be the friendliest. However, this might simply be due to the fact that they’re the most well-known Poodle mixes out there! At the end of the day, reputable Doodle breeders prioritize their puppies’ health and temperament, and they usually only breed dogs that have remarkably friendly dispositions. If those traits are prioritized generation after generation, it’s safe to say that the puppies will likely turn out super friendly, too. On the other hand, keep in mind that the genetics only make up about ⅓ of the puppies’ future traits, whereas their environment and upbringing plays a bigger role. Hence the importance of early socialization, training, and proper desensitization.

What Is The Laziest Poodle Mix?

When it comes to lazy Doodle breeds, then look no further than the Bernedoodle. Although they come from a herding background, Bernedoodles are notoriously calm, chilled, and even lazy. Similarly, Saint Berdoodles are known to be quite lazy dogs. Nonetheless, extremely cute!

Calmest Doodle Breeds: Final Thoughts

So, as we’ve journeyed through the land of Doodles, we’ve discovered the calmest Doodle breeds that could grace your home with their serene presence. From the gentle Cavapoo to the chilled out Bernedoodle, these fluffy companions are as cool as cucumbers.

But remember, no two Doodles are the same. Just like us, they have their unique personalities and funny quirks. So, even among the calmest Doodle breeds, you might find an occasional mischief-maker. But hey, a little bit of spice makes life interesting, right?! We hope this guide has helped you find your perfect Doodle match, one that’s as zen as a yoga instructor and as cute as a button.