How Big Do Irish Doodles Get? Average Weight & Growth Chart

Irish Doodles are an intentionally bred hybrid of Irish Setters and Poodles, from both of which they inherit high spirits and equally high energy. They’re a perfect companion for families who love to take their canine buddy along on all their adventures.

Read on below to find out how big you can expect your Doodle to get.

Irish Doodle Breed Overview

Irish Doodles combine high intelligence, loyalty, and a great affection for their people. They are an ideal pet in many different ways. They possess a keen intelligence and are very fond of human companionship.

Irish Doodles are large, with long, lean limbs, and rectangular bodies longer than they are tall. Boxy muzzles and black, button noses go together with good-sized ears that are thick and furry. They have dark eyes lending them an alert and intelligent appearance. Medium-length tails taper somewhat towards the end. Their long straight limbs imbue them with an appealingly, slightly goofy stance.

Their soft, curly coats often come in the striking red of Irish Setters, but can also present as brown, grey, or even black.

Irish Doodles Size and Growth Chart

While Mini Irish Doodles, the result of Irish Setters breeding with Miniature Poodles, are also very popular, for our purposes, we’ll be sticking to Standard Irish Doodles.

Birth weight should be around 1 pound. If the pup is less than this, they’re likely to reach a smaller adult size. Standard Irish Doodle males are normally about 1–4 inches taller and around 5–10 pounds heavier than females.

Beyond that, weight and size expectations are wildly divergent, depending on the pup’s genetic makeup, such as whether the father or mother was the Setter in the mix, parent size, and other factors.

As far as maximum sizes go, Irish Doodles can reach as much as 40 to 70 pounds and 15 to even 28 inches tall. Unfortunately, this makes it pretty hard to predict a given weight and size estimate by age. A general guide is as follows.

When Do Irish Doodles Stop Growing?

Larger dogs grow slower over a longer period of time, compared to smaller pooches. Standard Irish Doodles will grow faster over their first 12 months. However, they do typically continue to grow at a reduced rate throughout the next 6–12 months and even up to 18 months, although it may not be as easy to notice.

Factors Affecting the Size of Irish Doodles

Firstly, as mentioned, male Irish Doodles are somewhat larger than females.

The size of their parents is also a genetic determiner of how large an Irish Doodle will get.

In general, if an Irish Doodle has more Poodle than an Irish Setter, they could be smaller, in keeping with the Poodle’s average size. In the simplest terms: the higher the percentage of the larger dog, the larger the puppy is likely to be.

Another hereditary factor in your Irish doodle’s size will be how many generations they are removed from the original Setter/Poodle mating. The more generations there are of Doodles, the smaller they’re likely to be.

Ideal Diet for Maintaining Healthy Weight

Irish Doodles will do best with a high-quality diet of dry or wet food, or combination. Growing puppies normally need three to four meals a day, but most adults will do best with two larger meals, totaling about three cups.

Separating your Irish Doodle’s food into two separate meals, preferably one in the evening and one in the morning, is important for health and proper development. When you spread out meals, the likelihood of them developing obesity is dramatically reduced (proper exercise and activity are, of course, equally important). It also decreases the chances of Standard Doodles developing bloat, which can happen.

Some Irish Doodles tend to have sensitive digestive systems, which can be helped by hypoallergenic, grain-free, raw, or special prescription diets. Look for dog food with the first ingredient as real meat, like chicken, fish, or turkey. Try to avoid food containing fillers, colors, and preservatives.

They’re an active breed so you should ensure that all their nutritional needs are being met. If you have any questions about your Irish Doodle’s feeding, consult your vet for the best advice possible.

How to Measure Your Irish Doodle

The standard way to measure height in Irish Doodles is to start at the floor and measure to the withers (shoulder). Now, this does require that your pet stand still, so you might have to enlist the aid of a family member. The process may also be easier if some favorite treats or their best toy are on hand to keep them occupied.

You may find that a soft measuring tape, like the one from the sewing box, produces better results than a steel retractable one.

Conclusion

An Irish doodle will make an excellent companion for the whole family. Loyal, intelligent, and social, they do well with children and other family pets. Their higher energy levels mean they crave physical exercise and mental stimulation. You’re sure to have a great time watching them grow and develop into mature dogs.

• Also see: Irish Doodle Pros & Cons You Should Know

Featured Image Credit: Joca de Jong, Shutterstock