Medium Sized Hypoallergenic* Dogs for Families: 4 Doodles Compared

By James Stokes · Updated October 2026

Quick answer: A medium doodle typically finishes at 36 to 50 pounds and 17 to 21 inches at the withers, the Medium class of The Stokeshire Doodle Size Standard. Stokeshire raises four doodles that can finish in this class: the Bernedoodle, Golden Mountain Doodle, Australian Mountain Doodle, and Goldendoodle. No dog is truly hypoallergenic*, but furnished, low-shedding doodle coats tend to hold loose hair and dander in the coat rather than dropping it around the home, which many allergy-sensitive families find easier to live with.

If you are searching for a medium sized hypoallergenic* dog, you are usually after two things: a dog big enough for real family life, and a coat that leaves less hair around the house. A medium dog is big enough for hikes, backyard games, and busy kids, and still small enough to lift into the car and walk on a crowded sidewalk.

This guide covers what medium actually means, what a low-shedding coat can and cannot do, and how the four medium doodles we raise compare.

What counts as a medium dog?

Size words mean different things at different breeders and websites, and for most doodle breeds no breed authority sets size classes. That is why Stokeshire publishes one size ladder for every line we breed. Medium sits between Mini and Standard.

The Stokeshire Doodle Size Standard, Mini through Standard

Class	Typical adult weight	Height at the withers
Mini	26 to 35 lb	14 to 17 in
Medium	36 to 50 lb	17 to 21 in
Standard	51 lb and up, typically 70 to 90	over 21 in

Heights are measured at the withers, the top of the shoulder. Both parents shape adult size, and the Poodle parent’s size usually sets the class. Females tend toward the lower end of a band and males toward the upper end, and individual puppies may finish 15 to 20 percent above or below it. Adult size is an estimate, not a guarantee. Every class, Toy through Standard, is on Doodle Sizes.

Are medium sized dogs ever hypoallergenic*?

No dog is allergen-free. The main dog allergen, a protein called Can f 1, comes from saliva, dander, and skin rather than hair, and low-shedding dogs still produce it. What a low-shedding coat can change is where loose hair and dander end up: furnished coats with a wave or curl tend to hold them in the coat instead of leaving them on floors and furniture.

Coat genetics matter more than size or breed name. A furnished coat, the one with the doodle beard and eyebrows, tends to shed the least, while an unfurnished coat sheds more like the non-Poodle parent. Generation matters too: F1B and multigenerational pairings tend to produce more consistent low-shedding coats than F1 or F2 pairings.

The Stokeshire Shedding Index

Coat type	Relative shedding
Wool, furnished	Minimal
Fleece, furnished	Low
Soft wave, furnished	Low to moderate
Unfurnished, intermediate	Moderate
Unfurnished, heavier	Moderate to high
Bernese Mountain Dog (reference)	High

Levels are relative to one another, not absolute measurements. The full index and the science behind it are in Are Doodles Hypoallergenic?

If anyone in your home has allergies, spend time with an adult dog of the same coat type and talk with your allergist before you commit.

Four medium doodles for families, compared

Each of these breeds can finish in the Medium class at Stokeshire. Energy and trainability reflect typical breed tendencies, and individual dogs vary.

Medium doodles at a glance

Breed	Cross	Energy	Trainability	Often suits
Bernedoodle	Bernese Mountain Dog × Poodle	Low to moderate	High, with a stubborn streak	Calm households, families with young children
Golden Mountain Doodle	Golden Retriever × Bernese Mountain Dog × Poodle	Moderate	High, eager to please	First-time owners, balanced families
Australian Mountain Doodle	Australian Shepherd × Bernese Mountain Dog × Poodle	Moderate	Very high	Active families, families with school-age kids
Goldendoodle	Golden Retriever × Poodle	Moderate to high	High, forgiving	First-time owners, social households

Medium Bernedoodle

A cross of the Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle. Bernedoodles tend to be calm, deeply loyal, and closely bonded to their people, with a natural off-switch indoors. Many are reserved with strangers at first and sensitive to pressure, so they respond to patient, positive training. Most Stokeshire Bernedoodle pairings target the Mini or Standard class, so Medium Bernedoodles come from fewer, specific pairings. Read the Bernedoodle guide and Bernedoodle sizes.

Golden Mountain Doodle

A three-way cross of the Golden Retriever, Bernese Mountain Dog, and Poodle, also called the Golden Bernedoodle. Golden Mountain Doodles often pair the Bernese side’s calm loyalty with the Golden’s social confidence, and their eagerness to please tends to make training easier for first-time owners. The Stokeshire line produces Mini, Medium, and Standard dogs. Read the Golden Mountain Doodle guide.

Australian Mountain Doodle

A multigenerational cross of the Australian Shepherd, Bernese Mountain Dog, and Poodle. The Bernese side tends to soften the Aussie’s intensity, so AMDs tend to land at moderate energy with very high trainability. They suit families who enjoy daily walks and training and want a dog that likes having a job. Read the Australian Mountain Doodle guide.

Goldendoodle

A cross of the Golden Retriever and Poodle. Goldendoodles tend to be outgoing and quick to greet new people, with more energy than a Bernedoodle and an off-switch that usually develops with age and training. For Goldendoodles, Stokeshire follows the GANA size standard, and Mini and Medium are the sizes we breed most often. Read the Goldendoodle guide.

Other medium breeds often called hypoallergenic*

If you are also comparing purebreds, these medium breeds come up often for allergy-conscious homes. The same rule applies to each: coat type and your own reaction matter more than the label.

• Portuguese Water Dog. An athletic water dog with a curly or wavy single coat that needs regular clipping and plenty of exercise.
• Standard Schnauzer. A wiry coat that is clipped or hand-stripped, with an alert, watchful temperament.
• Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. A silky single coat that mats without frequent brushing, and a bouncy, people-focused personality.
• Lagotto Romagnolo. An Italian water dog with a dense curly coat, bred to hunt truffles, energetic and keen-nosed.
• Moyen Poodle. The medium Poodle, between the Miniature and the Standard, and a common parent of medium doodles.

How to choose your medium doodle

1. Match energy to your week. Calmer households often do well with a Bernedoodle or Golden Mountain Doodle. Families who enjoy daily training and activity often prefer an Australian Mountain Doodle or Goldendoodle. Compare every breed in our doodle temperament comparison.
2. Choose the coat, not only the breed. Ask about each parent’s furnishings and curl genetics. You can review our parent dogs, including Embark results where published, on our breeding dogs page.
3. Check your allergies before you commit. Spend time with an adult dog of the same coat type and talk with your allergist. Our Allergy Sensitivity Pillowcase Test adds one informal data point: we rub a clean cotton pillowcase on your chosen puppy or litter and ship it to your home. It is not a medical test, and a puppy’s coat may not predict how you react to an adult dog.
4. Budget time for grooming. Plan on regular brushing at home and a professional groom every 4 to 10 weeks, depending on coat type. Our doodle grooming guide has the schedule for each coat.
5. Plan for space and training. Medium doodles generally need more room than Toy, Petite, or Mini dogs, plus a daily activity routine. Families who want a head start can look at Doodle School, our four-week puppy training program.

Frequently asked questions

What size is a medium doodle?

At Stokeshire, a Medium doodle typically finishes at 36 to 50 pounds and 17 to 21 inches at the withers, the top of the shoulder. Individual dogs may finish 15 to 20 percent above or below that band, so adult size is an estimate, not a guarantee.

Are medium doodles good for people with allergies?

Often, with the right coat. No dog is truly hypoallergenic*, because the main dog allergen comes from saliva, dander, and skin rather than hair. Furnished, curly or wavy coats tend to shed less and hold loose hair in the coat, which many allergy-sensitive families find easier to live with. Reactions vary, so spend time with an adult dog of the same coat type before you commit.

Which medium doodle is the calmest?

Bernedoodles and Golden Mountain Doodles tend to have a strong off-switch and settle well indoors. Australian Mountain Doodles are usually moderate, and Goldendoodles often stay more social and busy until they mature. Temperament varies within every breed, which is why every Stokeshire puppy completes an individual aptitude evaluation before Match Day.

How much grooming does a medium doodle need?

It depends on the coat. Wool coats need a professional groom every 4 to 6 weeks and brushing 3 to 5 times a week, fleece coats every 6 to 8 weeks with brushing 2 to 3 times a week, and unfurnished coats every 8 to 10 weeks with weekly brushing. Expect daily brushing during the puppy coat change, roughly 6 to 12 months of age.

Is a medium doodle a good fit for a family with kids?

Often, yes. A medium doodle is sturdy enough for active play and still manageable to walk, lift, and travel with. Bernedoodles and Golden Mountain Doodles tend to do especially well with young children, and early training and supervision matter more than size.

Can a medium doodle live in an apartment?

It can be harder. Medium doodles generally need substantially more living space than Toy, Petite, or Mini dogs, plus a daily exercise and training routine to settle well indoors. If your building has a weight limit, check it before you choose a size class.

Planning for a medium doodle?

Medium puppies come from specific pairings, and size is planned, not promised. Our planned litters are listed below, or you can apply now so we can talk through which pairing fits your family.

See Planned Litters Apply for a Puppy

Related reading

Small low-shedding dogs for families

Large low-shedding dogs for families

The Stokeshire Doodle Size Standard

About the author. James Stokes and his wife, Katie, have bred doodles in Medford, Wisconsin, since 2020, raising each litter in their family home alongside their children. Stokeshire families live in 36 states and Washington, D.C., plus Canada and Mexico.

*Hypoallergenic describes a reduced likelihood of an allergic reaction, not an allergen-free dog. Individual reactions vary.

Worried about allergies? Try our Allergy Sensitivity Pillowcase Test.

At Stokeshire Designer Doodles, we understand that many families searching for hypoallergenic dogs still want reassurance before bringing a puppy home. That's why we offer our exclusive Allergy Sensitivity Pillowcase Test—a simple, low-risk way to explore your sensitivity to a puppy's dander, coat oils, and saliva.

We'll rub a clean cotton pillowcase on your chosen puppy or entire litter and ship it to your home, so you can evaluate your sensitivity in a familiar environment.

Learn More

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Explore our Planned Medium-Sized Litters

Learn More About Hypoallergenic Doodle Dogs

If allergies are a concern for you or your family, explore our complete guide to hypoallergenic doodle coats, shedding, and how to choose the best allergy-friendly puppy.

Read the Hypoallergenic Doodle Guide →

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