It happens to the best of us: We look over our shoulder and loudly exclaim, “Wow! What a cute poodle!” But then it turns out that it’s either not a Poodle at all or at least not a whole Poodle. The Poodle is one of the most commonly crossbred dogs, and the results are always adorable. Let’s meet the four major crossbreeds — and a few other breeds that look surprisingly alike.
The 12 Dog Breeds That Look Like Poodles
1. Labradoodle
The Labradoodle is half Labrador and half Poodle and 100% ridiculously cute. The mixture of the two breeds is a good one. Both are obedient, loyal, and love to play. This dog is all about cuddling and playing and being part of the family. You couldn’t ask for a better pet. Because of high demand, they can be hard to get.
2. Maltipoo
From a big mix to little mix, this furball doesn’t have the curly hair that Poodles are famous for, but it does have the Poodle’s smarts! This is the ultimate lap dog with a face so expressive you wouldn’t be surprised if they started talking back to you.
3. Goldendoodle
A crossbreed of two icons in the dog world, these shaggy, tongue-hanging dogs will totally melt your heart. Taking the best traits from both parent breeds (Golden Retrievers and Poodles), you can expect a loyal family dog who absolutely loves to play. Some people say that the Goldendoodle is the perfect family pet.
4. Yorkipoo
This is a wonderful dog, loyal to the core. Once they love you, they won’t leave your side. Because of this, the Yorkipoo should be socialized early and as often as possible. This tiny ball of fur is perfect for snuggling on the couch.
5. Portuguese Water Dog
While this is not a Poodle crossbreed, it does have curly hair that makes it look just like a Poodle! This is a playful dog especially good for people who are super busy, as they don’t require too much exercise, though they certainly appreciate it. In popular culture, this breed gained a bit of popularity with Bo, the Obama family’s Portuguese Water Dog.
Related Read: How Much Does a Portuguese Water Dog Cost? (2021 Price Guide)
6. Afghan Hound
This dog doesn’t have curly hair, but it is quite regal looking. The skinny face with a long drape of hair is what reminds us of the Poodle. They have long luscious hair because they were bred to be mountain dogs in Afghanistan.
7. Bedlington Terrier
The Bedlington Terrier is another dog with curly hair and a super cute face. These dogs make great show dogs and great guard dogs. They are also perfect movie-watching companions.
8. Irish Water Spaniel
This dog has an impressive coat of hair. Also belonging to the sporting class, the Irish Water Spaniel was bred for cold water. They are a smart breed and easy to train, but their intelligence and independence mean that there might be a few hiccups along the way. Also, this dog loves the water.
9. Lagotto Romagnolo
While the name and appearance of this dog might lead you to believe that they have an air of sophistication about them, we can assure you that the Lagotto Romagnolo is a wonderful couch companion. This lover of cuddling does have one secret talent: hunting for truffles!
10. Barbet
The Barbet is similar looking to the Poodle, though their hair is untamed and not as tightly curled. The Barbet is a total cutie and a wonderful family dog, as well as a great hunting dog!
Conclusion
There you have it, the 10 dog breeds that look like poodles. Next time you’re at the dog park, wow your friends and fellow dog owners with your new knowledge. Is that a Labradoodle or a Barbet? Only you can tell!
Feature Image Credit: T.Ivarsson, Shutterstock
