It is impossible to have a completely hypoallergenic dog – even if they don’t shed, they still produce dander which can be irritating for allergy sufferers. However, for the purpose of this article, we endeavor to bring to you 11 popular Poodle mixes that don’t shed or smell.
By shedding, we mean your pooch doesn’t drop their fur wherever they go. All dogs lose hair when they are groomed otherwise, they would suffer from severe matting. A big advantage of buying a Poodle crossbreed is the low shedding qualities which won’t start to smell after a few days. However, this does mean regular grooming will be required.
Table of Contents
Popular Poodle Mixes that don’t Shed or Smell
When you talk about hypoallergenic dogs the consensus is the curlier the coat the more hypoallergenic the dog. It’s also worth noting that the more hypoallergenic the dog the more grooming will be expected to keep your pooch happy and healthy. Baths can generally be less frequent but brushing and trips to groomers will be a regular occurrence. The effort involved is somewhat worth it though if it keeps allergies at bay and allows you to choose your forever pooch.
Disclaimer: It is important to remember that there are no guarantees with Doodles. If the second parent breed is a breed known to shed, then this can always be inherited by any Doodle. F2’s are especially unpredictable as the second parent genes can be introduced from each side. Whilst research is advised always keep in mind that there is always a chance, even if it is a small one, that your Doodle will shed and/or trigger any allergies.
Yorkiepoo
Coat Type: Straight to curly coat
Coat Colors: Cream, black, apricot, white, chocolate, tan, red, and grey. Parti and tri-colored
Grooming Requirements: Daily brushing and regular trims are recommended
Description: Poodles crossed with Yorkshire Terriers are popular choices for families wanting a hypoallergenic dog. They are small and their coats come in an array of colors ranging from black to white to red.
Daily brushing is recommended to keep their fur from matting, but this should only take a few minutes. Daily exercise is a must and bathing is recommended as and when required, not too regularly. They are a small dog breed, so it won’t take too long to groom them. They have lots of energy and love nothing more than playtime.
Cockapoo
Coat Type: Straight to loose curls
Coat Colours: Black, cream, white, apricot, red, tri-colored, and chocolate
Grooming Requirements: Daily brushing recommended and a trim every 6-8 weeks for curlier coats
Description: Cockapoos vary quite a lot in size due to the Toy, Miniature, or Standard Poodle being used to breed with the Cocker Spaniel. Cockapoos are a popular family dog due to their good natures and smart personalities. They have a long coat consisting of a single layer and this fur can range from straight to curly. Families with allergies are best choosing a Cockapoo who has a wavy to curly coat. Cockapoos do need a good grooming routine to avoid knots and may also need the hair around their eyes trimming too.
Cavapoo
Coat Type: Short, and wavy to curly coat
Coat Colours: Cream, chocolate, gold, chestnut, and brown
Grooming Requirements: Regular grooming, at least weekly brushing, and baths when required
Description: This breed is a combination of the Poodle and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, so they range in size between small to medium. They have short coats that vary from wavy to curly and they come in a variety of colors including cream, chocolate, gold, and brown. Their coloring can be solid, brown and white, or tri-colored. It’s important to check their ears regularly during the grooming process and brushing teeth is necessary too. Their short coats need grooming regularly to keep them in tip-top shape. Cavapoos are very affectionate and love being around their human companions.
Poochon
Coat Type: Medium length with curls
Coat Colours: Cream, tan, apricot, black, and grey
Grooming Requirements: Quite high maintenance due to the curly nature of their coats
Description: A Poochon is a Poodle and Bichon Frise crossbreed that is adorable to look at. These adorable looks do mean committing to a robust grooming routine throughout its life which means setting aside time and money. The most common colors of Poochons are cream, tan, and apricot. More unusually, Poochons sometimes will also come in black and grey. Their fur is of medium length and they have a curly coat that is soft to the touch. Daily brushing is a must with this breed and monthly trips to the groomer are also recommended.
Maltipoo
Coat Type: Medium length with slightly wavy to curly fur
Coat Colours: Cream, white, silver most commonly
Grooming Requirements: You may get away with two full clips per year with regular facial clipping
Description: This popular cross is a Poodle and Maltese mix and they have oodles of personality despite their tiny frame. Monthly grooming and bathing are a must to keep them looking and feeling top-notch. Their fur has a nice soft touch made all the softer with a good grooming routine. You may need to trim your Maltipoo’s claws quite regularly and ears should be checked often too. You may want to trim the hair around their eyes frequently to avoid any irritations. This breed is popular with families suffering from allergies, but remember no dog is ever 100% hypoallergenic.
Shih Poo
Coat Type: Anywhere between straight and curly, the curlier is more hypoallergenic
Coat Colours: Black, white, brown, or combinations of each
Grooming Requirements: Regular grooming, monthly for the curlier Shih Poos
Description: Shih Tzu crossed with a Toy or Miniature Poodle brings you the Shih Poo. Often described as teddy bears, these dogs are very cute. This crossbreed is still fairly new compared to other Doodle breeds. They are at present found most commonly in black, white, and brown. The coat type can be quite varied so it’s best to invest in a reputable breeder if you want the most hypoallergenic puppy possible. Ideally, Shih Poos need brushing at least twice a week to avoid knotting fur and they may need seasonal trims too.
Schnoodle
Coat Type: Wavy to curly and soft
Coat Colours: Black, grey, silver, brown, apricot, black and white, and black and brown.
Grooming Requirements: Beard needs regular trimming, bathing should be as and when to retain the softness.
Description: Ever popular among families, Schnoodles are a cross between a Schnauzer and a Poodle. They are best known for their impeccable beards, so it goes without saying their beards need frequent trimming to maintain their structure. You should also check it’s clean regularly as it can become a great place to collect dirt. You can expect to have to brush your Schnoodle twice a week as a minimum – the more you brush the more accustomed to the process they will be. Curly-haired Schnoodles will need more grooming than wavy ones so bear this in mind when making your choice.
Havapoo
Coat Type: Medium to long, ranging from wavy to curly
Coat Colours: Grey, black, brown, golden, red, cream, and apricot
Grooming Requirements: Daily brushing is important, especially if the coat type is curlier
Description: Havapoos are a Poodle mixed with a Havanese dog and they are classed as small to medium dogs. Sizing varies depending on the Poodle size used in the breeding process. Weekly brushing is a must and the paler the dog’s color the more often they will likely need a bath too. They don’t generally smell so you can get away with less frequent bathing for the darker colored Havapoos. Regular hair clipping is recommended, and their eyes and ears should be cleaned often. It’s important to not over bathe your Havapoo as you then run the danger of stripping them of their natural skin oils.
Sheepadoodle
Coat Type: Long coat that can be straight, wavy, or curly
Coat Colours: Black and white, solid black and occasionally, grey
Grooming Requirements: Recommended to visit the groomers every 4 to 8 weeks and frequent brushing is necessary
Description: Sheepadoodles are a mix of Poodle and Old English Sheepdog (not to be confused with Shepadoodles which is a German Shepherd mix). They should visit the groomers around every two months, for those with curlier coats probably every 4 to 6 weeks. Brushing at least twice a week is required to keep the fur knot-free. If your Sheepadoodle has a longer coat you may wish to consider cutting this shorter during the hotter months. This will keep them more comfortable and allows them to manage the heat better. Baths should be on an as and when required basis, not too often but also not too infrequently.
Westiepoo
Coat Type: Medium length and wavy to curly
Coat Colours: White, cream, black and tan.
Grooming Requirements: Westiepoos aren’t usually very high maintenance when it comes to grooming but will need regular brushing
Description: These little bundles of joy are one of the smaller breeds due to the Poodle being bred with a West Highland White Terrier. Regular brushing is a basic necessity in the upkeep of the dog’s look and health. Their coats are usually white, cream, black, or tan but variations are depending on the mother and father. Their coats will either take after the wiry coat of the Westie or the curly coat of the Poodle. When brushing, particular attention should be paid to the eyes and ears areas. These particular areas may also need regular trims and keeping your dog clipped shorter may be easier in the long run.
Aussiedoodle
Coat Type: Wavy to curly, with a single coat
Coat Colours: Blue merle, red merle, black, black and tan, and tri-color
Grooming Requirements: Curly-haired Aussiedoodles will need more regular trimming than wavy-haired ones. Curly coats need daily brushing
Description: Aussiedoodles are super smart and an excellent family dog thanks to their Poodle and Australian Shepherd combination. Often referred to as the Einstein of the dog world, these dogs come in gorgeous colors including a blue merle and red merle. Bathing shouldn’t need to take place too often but they do love the outdoors so it depends on the terrain they will exercise on. Curly coats will most likely need daily brushing to reduce the risk of tangles, wavy coats can perhaps be done twice weekly. Semi-regular trips to the groomers are definitely recommended, again frequency will depend on the coat type.
NB: When choosing your Doodle, especially if your choice is based around shedding and allergy reasons it is advisable to spend some times with the parents if possible. This can give you an insight into how they look, how their coats are and whether any allergies may be triggered. Whilst this may go some way to answering your questions you must always remember that with Doodles there is never a guarantee.
