Why Doodles (and Yes, Even Mutts) Are Often Healthier Than Purebreds

A Simple Guide for Families Who Want the Healthiest, Happiest Puppy Possible

If you’re researching puppies, you’ve probably noticed something:
Some people absolutely love doodles… and a few people on the internet really don’t.

We get it.
Whenever something becomes popular, there will always be opinions.

But here’s the truth we want every family to know:

Doodles aren’t a trend. They’re a solution.
A thoughtful, science-supported answer to the genetic bottlenecks many purebreds face today.

Let’s talk about why.

Purebreds Today: Beautiful Dogs, But a Tough Genetic Reality

Most purebred dogs now have an average COI (Coefficient of Inbreeding) of 20–25%, which is roughly the genetic equivalent of children of first cousins having children.
You can see this visually in the comparison chart on page 4 of your COI guide (Golden Retriever, Labrador, Bernese, Frenchie, Cavalier, etc.) .

Some breeds—even beloved family favorites—reach 30–60% COI, which is similar to siblings reproducing over multiple generations.

This isn’t a breeder problem.
It’s a closed gene pool problem built into the purebred system.

High COI increases the risk of:

  • Cancer

  • Autoimmune disease

  • Heart issues

  • Joint problems

  • Infertility

  • Shorter lifespan

(as shown on page 5 of the PDF) .

Purebreds have many incredible qualities.
We love them.
But genetically, they’re facing challenges.

So Why Are Doodles and Mixed-Breed Dogs Often Healthier?

Because genetic diversity matters.

When you pair dogs that are not closely related, the offspring gain:

  • more robust immune systems

  • better long-term health

  • lower expression of harmful recessive genes

  • longer life expectancy

  • lower cancer risk

  • higher fertility

(all shown in the “Low COI contributes to” list on page 8) .

This is what scientists call hybrid vigor—the natural advantage that comes from combining unrelated genetic lines.

Even simple mixed-breed dogs (“mutts”) benefit from this, because they typically have:

  • lower COI

  • more diverse genetics

  • fewer doubled recessive genes

  • higher overall biological fitness

    The Royal Veterinary College (VetCompass) has even shown that crossbred dogs tend to live longer than purebreds on average.

So yes—mutts and doodles deserve the love they’re getting.

What Makes Stokeshire Doodles Different?

Not all doodles are created equal.
The Stokeshire approach is intentional, scientific, and structured.

Inside your COI guide, page 6 explains that Stokeshire pairings consistently produce incredibly low COIs—often 1–6% for AMD/GMD litters and 6–10% for carefully managed multigen lines.

To put that into perspective:

  • 0–6% COI = like parents who are completely unrelated

  • 25% COI = like siblings or parent/child
    (see page 3 for the visual comparison)

And in your PDF’s side-by-side example:

  • Purebred Bernese Mountain Dog COI: 27% (like full siblings)

  • Stokeshire COI: 0% (completely unrelated parents)
    (as shown on page 7)

This isn’t luck.
This is design.

But Aren’t Doodles “Just Mutts”?

This is one of our favorite questions—because the answer is yes and no.

Doodles are mixed-breed dogs.

And that’s part of what makes them healthier.

But they’re not “random” mixes.

Stokeshire doodles are purpose-bred:

  • for temperament

  • for health

  • for therapy-capable stability

  • for family-friendly structure

  • for predictable coats and lower shedding

  • for longevity

  • for calm, gentle, emotionally attuned personalities

A mutt is an unplanned combination.
A doodle is an intentional one.

Do Purebreds Still Have Value? Absolutely.

Purebreds give us:

  • consistency

  • type

  • structure

  • predictable traits

  • working-dog excellence

  • history and heritage

We respect purebred breeders deeply—especially the ethical ones.
In fact, many doodle breeding programs, including Stokeshire, are built on the foundation of exceptional purebred stock.

This is not “purebred vs. doodle.”
This is science vs. luck.

The Future of Family Dogs Is Clear: Healthy, Hybrid, and Purpose-Bred

Families today want:

  • healthy dogs

  • longer lives

  • stable temperaments

  • good behavior around kids

  • predictable coats

  • low shedding

  • therapy-grade calmness

And they don’t want to play genetic roulette.

That’s why hybrid programs—like Australian Mountain Doodles, Golden Mountain Doodles, and other intentional crossings—are becoming the modern family dog of choice.

Not because purebreds are bad.
But because families deserve the best of both worlds.

Final Thoughts: You’re Choosing More, Not Settling

When you choose an intentionally bred doodle, you are not "settling" for less than a purebred. You are choosing more.

You’re choosing:

  • Better odds for long-term health.

  • Lower genetic risk from day one.

  • A calmer, more predictable temperament.

  • The promise of longer companionship.

  • A dog designed with purpose, backed by science.

This is why a Stokeshire doodle isn’t just a cute face. They are intentionally healthier, more resilient, and better suited for the beautiful, messy, wonderful reality of family life.

Healthy genetics lead to healthier puppies. And healthier puppies create happier families.

James StokesHealth