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Are you looking for a fur baby to adopt but aren’t sure which dog breed is right for you? Then why not consider an English Boodle?
We’ve put together a guide that contains the basic information about English Boodles. If you’d like to learn more, then read on to learn about these wonderful dogs!
What is an English Boodle?
An English Boodle is a hybrid dog breed (also called a designer dog) that’s a mix between two purebred parents. In this case, the English Boodle is a cross between the Poodle and an English Bulldog. No’s sure about when breeders first began developing the English Boodle. However, it’s thought someone may have developed this hybrid dog breed sometime in the 1980s or 1990s when designer dogs first became popular.
Back then, people were interested in mixing different purebred dogs together. Some breeders were experimenting in this area, while others aimed to create a healthier hybrid dog. It was thought a hybrid dog had fewer of the health issues that the parents were prone to developing.
Mixing an English Bulldog and a Poodle might seem like an unlikely pairing; however, English Boodles are happy dogs that don’t shed much and are pretty cute! They seem to love just about anyone and everyone (including other dogs and animals) they meet!
Because English Boodles are a hybrid dog breed, they’re not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). However, these dogs are recognized by other dog clubs, including:
- American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC)
- Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC)
- Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA)
- International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR)
While we don’t know much about the history of the English Boodle, we do know quite about their purebred parents.
Poodles are very popular dogs and one of the oldest dog breeds used for hunting waterfowl. The dogs were first bred in Germany and then in France. The dogs were bred to retrieve water birds for their hunting pet parents. Even the dog’s coat was developed for this purpose. The Poodles curly coat was trimmed to make the dogs lighter in water. It was also trimmed to keep it from snagging onto plants and sticks underwater. The fur was left longer near the dog’s joints and vital organs to preserve body heat.
Poodles come in three different sizes that are recognized, including Toy (the smallest), Miniature, and Standard (the largest). These dogs are known for their playful personality and high level of intelligence. What’s more, Poodles are eager to please and learn quickly. They excel at dog sports such as obedience, hunting, and agility competitions.
The English Boodle’s other purebred parent is the English Bulldog (also referred to as “Bulldog”). English Bulldogs are descended from mastiff-type dogs; however, the Bulldog breed was bred in England. There are mentions of this breed that go back to the 1500s. At that time, the dogs were used to fight bears and bulls; however, these activities were made illegal in 1835.
Over time, English Bulldog breeders began breeding the aggressiveness out of these dogs. Today, English Bulldogs are known as gentle, loving souls and make great family companions.
Most people easily recognize an English Bulldog! The dogs are low to the ground with short legs and wide, muscular bodies. They have a large, block-shaped head and strong jaws, along with wrinkles on their foreheads. These dogs have lower teeth that may stick out farther than their upper teeth.
English Bulldogs are gentle; however, they’re also known for being very courageous. They are friendly and playful, as well as protective of their family. They can be a little overly protective and sometimes stubborn. But these dogs are adorable!
So, these are the parents of the English Boodle! Let’s learn more about these hybrid dogs!
English Boodle Appearance
English Boodles stand between 12 to 16 inches tall and weigh between 15 to 50 lbs. They usually have thick, soft fur and a somewhat stocky body. These smaller dogs are low-shedding and can adapt well to apartment living.
While this is the general description of a Boodle, it’s essential to understand that these are hybrid dogs. What does that mean exactly? A hybrid dog inherits genes from both purebred parents; however, no hybrid is ever a 50/50 copy of their parents. Instead, the genes they are inherited are only by chance and may include more of the Poodle parent or more of the English Bulldog parent. It just depends on what genes the dog inherits.
When it comes to English Boodle puppies, it’s possible that each puppy in a litter may look a little different from the others. That’s due to the way each puppy randomly inherits the genes. You may have one puppy that looks more like a Poodle, while a sibling from the same litter looks more like their Bulldog parent.
So, when you get an English Boodle, it’s never for sure what the puppies will be like. The same applies to their personality, appearance, and temperament. Each puppy is a unique, adorable individual!
We just want to be sure you understand there’s no breed standard for a Boodle. They come in various sizes, colors, and more! But each one is precious, no matter what!
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Ask a Vet Live NowAre Boodles Hypoallergenic?
We mentioned that Boodles are low-shedding, so does this mean the dogs are hypoallergenic? The answer is no. No dog breed is entirely hypoallergenic.
The issue is that all dogs produce proteins that are found in their saliva, fur, dander, and urine. These proteins can cause an allergic reaction in anyone who is sensitive to that particular protein. Each dog breed produces a slightly different protein than other breeds.
So, some people who are allergic to dogs may be more allergic to short-haired dogs. Then there are people who are more allergic to long-haired dogs and more. It depends on the specific proteins a person’s allergic to.
Some people may be less allergic to an English Boodle, while others may be more allergic to these dogs. So, it pays to spend time with these fur babies before adopting them. You have a chance to find out if you’re allergic (or not) before adopting one. This is true of each dog breed and other types of pets.
English Boodle Personality & Temperament
What’s the personality & temperament of a Boodle like? Well, they’ve been described as affectionate, like their Bulldog parents. They seem to love anyone and everyone they meet, including other animals! Boodles are also highly intelligent like both of their purebred parents. They are watchful and tend to learn and obey instructions quickly and easily.
English Boodles are also calm and patient and get along well with young kids. They’re not easily angered or provoked by kids or other pets.
The Boodle also tends to be very protective of their family. They will protect and defend if necessary, and almost nothing can stop them. The dogs are also extremely loyal.
These dogs also like to get attention and keep it! They want nothing more than to be with their families most of the time. For this reason, Boodles do have a tendency to develop separation anxiety when left alone for long periods. This may cause the dogs to become destructive or develop other undesirable behaviors.
Finally, English Boodles are moderately active. They are not as energetic as other dogs breeders; however, they do love to play outside. What’s more, they’re easily adaptable and can live in small, urban places. However, they do require regular exercise (more on that later!).
English Boodle Health Issues
Boodles are usually very healthy and have a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years; however, they can develop some of the same health issues as their purebred parents, including:
- Obesity
- Hip dysplasia
- Addison’s disease
- Patellar luxation
- Epilepsy
- Bloat
- Allergies
- Sebaceous adenitis
- Entropion
- Autoimmune disease
- Von Willebrand’s disease
- Skin disease
- Heart disease
- Skin infections
- Digestive issues
The best way to keep your canine companion healthy is to take them for regular vet checkups. Regular checkups mean the vet can spot a health issue in the early stages when it’s usually easier to cure. And make sure your dog has all his shots, too! These are the best ways to keep your dog healthy, in addition to a healthy diet and plenty of exercise.
Boodle Exercise Requirements
When it comes to exercise, English Boodles don’t require that much. They’re moderately active dogs who need the right amount of exercise. But they’re not as energetic as some other dog breeds!
Boodles do well with a couple of daily walks and some playtime outside. These dogs are not suited for running, jogging, or other strenuous activities. This is especially the case if your Boodle more resembles his Bulldog parent.
Bulldogs don’t do well in the heat or humidity. If they become overheated, they can quickly develop heatstroke.
English Boodle Diet
The English Boodle needs a dog food formulated for moderately active small dogs (unless your Boodle is a larger dog, then he will need dog food for large, moderately dogs). Boodles do well with kibble. Because they are prone to bloat, the dog food should be low in fat.
The dogs do well with two to three feedings a day; however, make sure he doesn’t walk or have active playtime for about one hour after he eats.
Boodle Training
English Boodles are very smart, so they tend to learn quickly and easily. However, they can also be stubborn, especially if the dog is more like their Bulldog parent. So, pet parents must have patience when training and socializing these dogs.
If a person has trouble training their Boodle, it’s a good idea to seek out the assistance of a professional dog trainer. These dogs respond best to positive reinforcement training methods. It takes a firm, consistent rewards-based technique to train these dogs. However, when done well, the dogs are well-balanced and happy!
Caring for an English Boodle
Grooming is important when you have a Boodle! These dogs require daily brushing to keep their fur from matting or knotting. They also require frequent bathing and trimming. You’ll need to plan on regular trips to the groomer unless you can take care of everything yourself.
These dogs also tend to have sensitive skin, so it’s essential to choose a dog shampoo that won’t cause irritation or dryness.
How Much Does a Boodle Cost?
Boodles are not as expensive as their purebred parents, thankfully! However, if you choose to adopt from a reputable breeder, an English Boodle can cost between $800 to $1000.
On the other hand, if you adopt from a shelter, the cost may run between $100 and $300. In addition, adopting dogs is usually more expensive in urban areas and cheaper in smaller towns and rural areas.
Are Boodles Good for Families?
English Boodles do make great family companions! They’re usually very gentle and love to play, making them great for kids of all ages. As with other dog breeds, children must never be left unattended with the dog. And children need to be taught how to properly play with and treat a dog.
The dogs are a good choice for families that can spend plenty of time with them (remember, these dogs can develop separation anxiety). Boodles want to be with their humans as much as possible and included in family life, so they don’t do well left alone.
Do Boodles Get Along with Other Pets?
Boodles generally get along well with other pets; however, the dogs must be properly socialized and trained from a young age.
When bringing an English Boodle home to other pets and dogs, always take time to properly introduce the new dog. Be sure to supervise all interactions with dogs and other pets. The goal is to make sure everyone gets along!
Summing It Up
So, there you have it! English Boodles are highly intelligent, loving, gentle dogs who make wonderful family companions! We hope this article has provided you with the information to decide if this hybrid dog breed is right for your family!
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Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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