Oodle dogs have become much more popular and common in the past couple of decades. Many of these cross breeds were created with the intention of having hypoallergenic dogs with the positive qualities of both parent breeds.
People quickly found that many Oodle dogs were an even better fit for their family and lifestyle than either parent breed. Two of the most desirable Australian Oodle breeds are the Moodle and Cavoodle.
When looking to buy an Oodle breed, the first and often most difficult choice is which breed to get. Today we’ll be looking at both the Moodle and Cavoodle so that you can make an informed choice between the two.
First-time or novice dog owners choosing the Moodle dog breed or Cavoodle dog breed shouldn’t worry too much, as both are wonderful family pets. However, they do have some differences and either one may be a better fit for your family and living situation.
To begin with, let’s look at the traits of both breeds so we have a better understanding of what it’s like to live with them.
Moodle Breed
The Moodle is a hybrid of a Maltese and a toy or miniature Poodle. First-generation Moodles tend to inherit the traits of the parent breeds with an even split. Thanks to their Poodle parentage, most Moodles have a curly coat that does not shed.
In terms of personality, the Maltese tend to be a ‘velcro dog’ that loves to stick by their owner’s side. The Poodle, on the other hand, is slightly more reserved but still very affectionate. As a result, Moodles are affectionate but not overly clingy, and friendly but not obnoxious in their demands for attention.
Moodles tend to be very smart as well, a trait that they inherit from their Poodle side. It’s not difficult to train a Moodle as they enjoy the stimulation that comes with their training sessions. However, they may be sensitive to harsh rebukes and do not do well with negative reinforcement. Praise and treats will work much better to get a Moodle to pay attention during training.
Living with a Moodle means letting them sleep inside the house with the family. They aren’t suited to being left at home alone, and they also do not do well as yard dogs as they’re small and do not tolerate cold or hot weather very well. Luckily, they’re small enough that they fit into almost any home.
Cavoodle Breed
The Cavoodle, on the other hand, is a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a toy or miniature Poodle. Since one half of the equation is the same, the end product is a dog that is pretty similar to the Moodle.
Cavoodles also tend to have non-shedding coats courtesy of their Poodle parent, but may also end up with more wavy hair thanks to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
As for their temperament, the Cavoodle is famously sweet and gentle. They tend to be playful and eager to please, but calmer and less high-strung than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Like the Moodle, the Cavoodle is remarkably intelligent. They tend to be expert problem-solvers if they are given enough mental stimulation, and they enjoy learning so long as they are trained with an approach using positive reinforcement.
Just as with the Moodle, the Cavoodle is intended to be a companion dog and dislikes being left out of family activities. Leaving a Cavoodle for extended periods of time is asking for them to develop destructive behaviours, such as chewing on clothes or furniture. Owning a Cavoodle means giving them lots of mental and physical stimulation throughout the day.
Cavoodles tend to be a little taller than Moodles, but both would be considered small to medium-sized dogs, depending on the size of the Poodle parent.
Conclusion
In truth, there’s little need to worry about the choice between a Moodle or Cavoodle. Both are wonderful family dogs that do not shed very much, and both are gentle, friendly and easygoing. The main difference will be the general size of the dogs, as well as in coat colour available. A Moodle has a slightly higher chance of being white, since the Maltese only comes in that colouring.
Whichever one you choose, you’re almost guaranteed to have a sweet, affectionate, and outgoing dog with the best traits of both parents.
