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Double Doodle Dogs Breed Guide: Full-Grown Size, Temperament & Lifespan | Lancaster Puppies
Double Doodle Dogs Breed Guide: Full-Grown Size, Temperament & Lifespan | Lancaster Puppies
Double Doodle Dogs Breed Guide: Full-Grown Size, Temperament & Lifespan | Lancaster Puppies
Double Doodle Dogs Breed Guide: Full-Grown Size, Temperament & Lifespan | Lancaster Puppies
Double Doodle Dogs Breed Guide: Full-Grown Size, Temperament & Lifespan | Lancaster Puppies
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Double Doodle

Lifespan12 - 15
Average Price$1,000 - $3,000
Weight22 - 3620 - 30
Height53 - 6350 - 58
PedigreeNo
Health tests availableOFA hip dysplasia evaluation for all three parent breed lines, CAER annual eye examination, DNA test for progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) — Poodle parent, OFA cardiac evaluation — Golden Retriever parent, DNA test for EIC and DM — Labrador parent
NicknamesNorth American Retriever, Golden Labradoodle, Double Doodle Dog

Pros

Three founding breeds — Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Poodle — are all AKC-ranked among the most family-friendly breeds in the world
Low to minimal shedding in most individuals from well-bred lines
Exceptionally trainable and eager to please — the Double Doodle's triple retrieving heritage produces outstanding food motivation
Consistently gentle and patient with children across all three contributing breeds' documented temperament profiles

Cons

Health testing must cover all three contributing breed lines — buyers should request comprehensive OFA and DNA documentation, not just for one parent
The "Double Doodle" label is applied to inconsistent breeding combinations in the US market — verifying Goldendoodle x Labradoodle cross is essential
Coat requires professional grooming every 6-8 weeks
Cancer risk from the Golden Retriever line requires long-term veterinary monitoring

The Double Doodle places three of America's most beloved breeds in a single dog: Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, and Poodle — the most consistent trio of family-friendly, easily trained, warmly social breeds in AKC history. Produced by crossing a Goldendoodle (Golden × Poodle) with a Labradoodle (Lab × Poodle), the Double Doodle carries the complementary temperament and genetic diversity of three breeds whose separation into distinct types has produced three different expressions of the same essential family-dog temperament. The result is a medium to large dog that reliably delivers low-shed coat, outstanding trainability, and exceptional child safety — at a price point and with a health testing obligation that serious buyers should approach with full attention.

The Double Doodle emerged from the first-generation Goldendoodle and Labradoodle waves of the 1990s-2000s as American breeders began crossing these established designer dogs for what they described as greater hybrid vigor and coat consistency. The International Designer Canine Registry recognized the combination in 2009. The American breeding market has produced Double Doodle litters ranging from rigorously health-tested programs with full OFA and DNA documentation to casual crossings without testing; the distinction matters significantly given the Golden Retriever's cancer predisposition in the pedigree.

The Double Doodle is a medium to large dog: males typically stand 21-25 inches and weigh 50-80 pounds; females proportionally smaller. Coat type reflects the balance of three parent-breed influences: most individuals show wavy to loosely curled, low-shedding coats in cream, golden, apricot, chocolate, or black. The triple Poodle heritage (two Poodle grandparents in the pedigree) generally produces more consistent low-shedding coats than first-generation doodle crosses. Color and coat type predictability is higher from multi-generation programs.

Three breeds that American families and professional trainers consistently rank among the most reliably gentle, trainable, and child-safe contribute to the Double Doodle's temperament. The result is not surprising: the Double Doodle is consistently warm, responsive, and family-oriented. American owners describe a dog that is simultaneously easy to manage, quick to learn, and genuinely joyful in its interactions — the triple-retrieving heritage producing a dog whose fundamental orientation is toward positive engagement with its people.

Training a Double Doodle is among the more enjoyable experiences in the American designer dog world. Three breeds with excellent trainability combined produce a dog that picks up new behaviors quickly, retains reliably, and works enthusiastically. Therapy dog certification, AKC CGC, competitive agility, and obedience titles are all natural targets for prepared Double Doodle owners.

The Double Doodle's three founding breeds are all independently recommended for families with children. The combination amplifies each breed's child-safe qualities. American families consistently rate the Double Doodle among their top choices for households with children — reliably gentle, appropriately sized, and trainable enough to maintain the calm greeting behaviors that large-dog safety with children requires.

Health testing must cover the full three-breed heritage: OFA hip evaluation for all three contributing breeds, PRA DNA for the Poodle parent, EIC and DM DNA for the Labrador parent, and cardiac evaluation for the Golden Retriever parent. Cancer risk from the Golden Retriever line is the most significant long-term health consideration. Annual CAER eye examinations are recommended throughout life. Request comprehensive documentation covering all parent breed lines before purchasing.

The Double Doodle is an unregistered hybrid not recognized by the AKC. Request OFA hip and elbow evaluations and PRA DNA testing documentation for all contributing parent dogs — hip dysplasia risk is present from both retriever lines. The breed is highly social and does not do well with extended alone time. Professional grooming is a significant ongoing cost. Because the Double Doodle combines three retrieving breeds, they may be enthusiastic chewers and benefit from access to appropriate chew toys and enrichment.

Double Doodle coat type varies significantly: curly coats (Poodle-dominant) require brushing three to four times per week to prevent tight matting; wavy coats two to three times per week. Professional grooming every six to eight weeks for a full trim is strongly recommended for all coat types. Ear cleaning is particularly important — the floppy, fur-lined ears trap moisture and are highly prone to infections; clean weekly. Nails should be trimmed every three to four weeks. Expect professional grooming sessions to cost $100 to $200 each.

The Double Doodle is a high-energy breed requiring at least 60 minutes of vigorous daily exercise spread across walks, fetch, swimming, and active yard play. Inheriting retriever athleticism from all three contributing breeds (Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Poodle), these dogs thrive on varied activities and bore quickly with repetitive routines. Mental stimulation through obedience, agility, and puzzle games is equally important. The breed is typically a strong and enthusiastic swimmer. Without sufficient exercise and engagement, Double Doodles can become destructive or develop nuisance behaviors.

Feed the Double Doodle two to three cups of high-quality dry kibble per day divided into two or three meals. Choose a formula appropriate for large or medium-large active breeds depending on the individual dog's size. Split meals to reduce bloat risk — a concern for all deep-chested, large breeds. Adjust quantities based on actual body condition monitoring; the breed can be prone to weight gain if portions are not carefully managed. Fresh water should always be available.

Double Doodle puppies from breeders who health-test all contributing parent dogs typically cost $1,500 to $5,000 in the United States — price varies significantly by coat type, size, and generation. As an unregistered hybrid, buyer verification is essential. Monthly costs include food ($65–100), professional grooming every 6–8 weeks ($100–200 per session), and pet insurance ($40–65 per month). Total ownership cost over the breed's 12 to 15 year lifespan is substantial given the grooming investment.

Request the full testing panel covering all three contributing breed lines. Verify that the litter is a true Goldendoodle × Labradoodle cross — not all "Double Doodle" litters in the US market meet this definition. Ask about the generational makeup of each parent for coat type prediction. Evaluate breeders by their transparency with health documentation rather than their website quality or puppy photography.