Irish Doodles are affectionate, loving dogs that crave attention and companionship from their favorite humans. They also tend to have cheerful, energetic, and playful personalities. Well-socialized, these dogs tend to get along well with children and other dogs.

They do tend to have a high prey drive, so they will need some extra socialization with smaller pets in the family and will tend to chase small animals that are not part of the family. They may be initially aloof with strangers, but do tend to warm up quickly once introduced, as long as they have been properly socialized.

The Irish Doodle is a highly adaptable dog breed. Although they tend to be better suited to homes with space to run, they can adapt to apartments as long as they get enough daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation.

They do well in most climates, but are sensitive to heat and extreme cold. Because they bond so closely with their families, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time, and they can also be prone to developing separation anxiety if you do not work with them as puppies.

Potential health concerns to be aware of in an Irish Doodle can include hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, von Willebrand’s Disease, and skin issues. Good breeding practices and the health of the parents make a big difference in the health of Irish Doodle puppies.

Reputable breeders will be screening their dogs to make sure they are not passing preventable issues to puppies. So, don’t be afraid to ask about the history of both of the parents and about any health tests or clearances that have been done.

As a barrel-chested dog breed, the Irish Doodle, like their parent breeds, is also at risk for bloat. Because bloat in dogs can become dangerous and quickly becomes fatal if the stomach flips, it’s important to know how to reduce the risk and to identify symptoms so you can get to the emergency vet.

Irish Doodles are highly intelligent and eager to please. This makes them a highly trainable dog breed that picks up on things quickly, but it can also mean that they get bored easily. As long as they can handle their high energy and keep dogs engaged during training, Irish Doodles are a good fit for owners of all experience levels.

Irish Doodles typically have a coat that is soft and curly like their Poodle parent. Although they also often inherit the low-shedding Poodle coat, that does not mean their coat is low maintenance. This is a fact about Poodles that also applies to Irish Doodles. They will need daily brushing to remove tangles and prevent mats. They will also need professional grooming every 4-6 weeks.

In addition to coat care, you will also need to care for your Irish Doodle’s nails, ears, and teeth. The groomer will be able to help with some of it, but you will still need to do some maintenance at home between visits. Cutting nails once or twice monthly keeps them from growing too long.

Weekly ear checks with careful ear cleaning as needed help prevent ear infections. Daily brushing or daily use of an enzyme toothpaste, in addition to cleanings at the vet as needed, is ideal dental care for dogs and helps prevent painful dental disease later in life.

Irish Doodles are high-energy dogs that need a lot of daily activity to be happy and healthy. Daily walks, plus playtime and extra activities, are usually enough, but you can bet that this dog will be happy to do more if you are up for it.

One of the facts about Irish Setters that carries over to Irish Doodles is that they tend to mature a little more slowly. This means they experience a bit of an extended puppyhood where they have that puppy-like energy for a bit longer, even after they’ve finished growing physically.

Thankfully, they are athletic and versatile dogs. Swimming can be a great low-impact activity to try when they are still growing. Once puppies finish growing and the vet has cleared them for higher-impact activities, you can try a lot of different activities with them, like hiking, running, and more.

A fully-grown Standard Irish Doodle usually stands 22-28 inches tall and weighs 40-75 pounds. If they have a Mini Poodle parent, a Miniature Irish Doodle will usually stand 12-17 inches tall and weigh 20-35 pounds.

Standard Irish Doodles generally live for 10-13 years on average. Miniature Irish Doodles can average 12-15 years, or more.

Irish Doodles are also sometimes called Irish Poo Setters, Irish Doodle Setters, Irish Setterpoos, Setterdoodles, and Irish Setterdoodles.