Ears: This breed has long ears that need to be checked and cleaned as often as possible as they are open to external and internal infections. This regular check should be done when grooming and wiped with a clean wet sponge.
Eyes: The eyes may be too crowded with hair to make their eyesight unclear. A partial trim would do it well plus a clean wipe with a clean cloth to remove dirt around the eyes. At the same time, checking the eyelids for white stuff is essential in the early identification of infections.
Teeth: Unlike the other body part grooming, brushing Irish Doodle teeth is recommended daily. This breed regularly eats, hence prone to tooth decay if not taken care of well.
Nails: As an active dog, you would expect the nails to be naturally trimmed blunt through the daily exercises. However, the daily grooming should include cleaning the nails by removing dirt. Clip the nails occasionally when they start to appear long and pointed.
Hair: The curly coat of this breed usually results in matting and knotting. Hence clipping the hair short from the age of nine months will help in easy grooming. Clipping also gives it a cute body figure and ease of movement on paws and groin area. Otherwise, bathing is not a frequent necessity with this breed, and a few times in a year is good enough.
Recommended daily intake:
For a grown Irish Doodle, feed it with about two to three cups of dry food per day. However, you should monitor if your dog requires an adjustment to this portion in line with daily activity and energy level requirements in order to maintain a healthy weight.
What food to choose
Irish Doodle is a medium dog and requires high-quality dog food with energy-giving nutrients to perform the daily activity. You can feed it with wet or dry food, or a mix of these two. If not sure about the diet, consider consulting your vet.
How many times to feed your dog
The daily portion should be given in two or three different servings each day. Otherwise, your dog may develop a growling belly daily. Multiple servings in a day will also ensure that the Irish Doodle burns the food effectively to release the energy needed all day.
How to keep the good shape
The Irish Doodle always has a lot of energy that needs to be let out every day. Daily exercises such as walks, jogs, and training sessions are a must for mental stimulation and body fitness. Hence, provide adequate toys for play and stimulating training exercises.
Irish Doodles are a designer dog breed and typically hardy as they benefit from hybrid vigor which helps the offspring to become resistant to ailments more than their parents. However, there never lacks some form of weaknesses.
Common diseases
Many of the Irish diseases are not easily noticed, and a regular visit to your vet will help in the early identification and treatment. Some common conditions associated with this breed include;
Hip Dysplasia
This condition affects the hip joint formation and may lead to arthritis. It is characterized by limping due to pain on the hips when the socket and ball grind against each other and lameness in hind legs.
Treatment: Over the counter medication for relieving pain can be administered at home combined with lifestyle modification and joint supplements. Severe cases can be corrected with hip joint surgery treatment but can be prevented through multiple small meals, exercise, and reduced stress.
Epilepsy
This is a neurological disorder characterized by recurring and unprovoked seizures. The causes may range from other underlying conditions such as liver and kidney disease, while some causes are unknown (idiopathic epilepsy).
Treatment: The condition can be treated with Phenobarbital (commonly called EpiphenTM) and Imepitoin (PexionTM) for mild cases. Potassium bromide (LibromideTM) is only for the treatment of uncontrolled epilepsy.
A breeder certificate is essential to understanding the current and future health issues your dog may face.
Bloating
This is the stretching of the stomach due to excess gases and can be life-threatening. The Irish Doddle is prone to bloating especially when the diet and amount of intakes are not controlled as it cuts the stomach’s blood supply.
Treatment for bloating involves releasing the extra gases from the stomach, stabilizing the heart, and surgery once stable. If the stomach is too swollen, the dog should be immediately rushed to a veterinarian.
Other conditions affecting the Irish Doddle to look out for include eye problems. This is a problem that is much better prevented through good hygiene and regular visitation to a vet.
An Irish Doodle isn't always the easiest to train despite its level of intelligence. You need to have patience and commitment as they can be quite unpredictable. They need to be rewarded for learning good behavior. Otherwise, without positive reinforcement, they can get bored easily. However, once the training ends successfully, this breed will remember everything taught. They are also easy to train indoors.
The Irish Doodle needs a moderate amount of daily exercise in the form of plays and sports, walks, or jogging. This will keep the hunter happy and in great shape. You may also let go of your dog to the yard to self-entertain with toys as long as it's enclosed and the weather is okay.
