Join Today

Puppy Supplies

This Breed does not currently have any photos

Poodle hybrid describes a cross between a purebred poodle and a dog of another purebred breed, or a crossbred or mixed breed dog. A poodle hybrid is a mixed breed dog or crossbred dog, not a biological hybrid between two different species, since all dog breeds belong to the species Canis lupus familiaris. While some of the crosses may be accidental, popular crosses (such as cockapoos) are intentional and done by design. Hypoallergenic qualities of the poodle are one reason for crosses. Another reason is to create a dog with greater genetic variety, and although this is not a guarantee of better health, the scientific studies that have been done in this area have shown that crossbreds are both healthier and live longer than purebred dogs.[citation neede.

Many terms for puppies of specific crosses with poodles have been invented, combining syllables or sounds from each breed name to create a portmanteau word. Usually the first syllable of poo-dle is appended to the breed name of the second breed in the cross. Other names are created by adding the sound "oodle" (from poodle) to the other breed name. Many crosses can be described by more than one portmanteau word; since they are not breeds, any portmanteau word the owner or breeder wishes may be used. Some of the portmanteau word names that describe poodle crosses have moved into popular usage; the words Labradoodle (poodle-Labrador retriever cross) and cockapoo (poodle-cocker spaniel cross, also called spoodle) are now listed in the Oxford English Dictionary.[1] A list of portmanteau names for poodle hybrids can be found at List of dog hybrids#Poodle hybrids.

Though a hybrid (poodle crossed with another breed) may have a portmanteau word name made up of the breeds in the cross, it cannot be registered by any of the major kennel clubs as crosses are not one breed of dog, but two (or more.) If both parents are registered purebreds but of different breeds, it is still not possible to register a puppy as two different breeds. However, there are many small registries and internet-based affinity groups that will "register" litters of dogs with no proof of ancestry required, and will even allow (for a fee) breeders to "register" litters of puppies under any name they care to invent.