““Christmas Through the Eyes of Our Doodles””

Santa portraits, family memories, candy cane safety… and the truth about our “real-life teddy bears.”

It’s that magical little stretch right before Christmas — the one where the house feels warmer, the nights feel softer, and everything looks prettier simply because there are twinkle lights involved.

And if you have a doodle… you already know they’re not just in the Christmas season — they’re running the entire production.

The Christmas Tree

To a doodle, the tree didn’t “go up.” It appeared. Overnight. A glowing indoor wonderland showed up in the living room like a surprise movie set. And then, just to make it even more suspicious, we hung sparkly things at nose level and told them they were “not toys.” (Sure, humans. Sure.)

Wrapping Paper Season

This is also the week our doodles become professional sound engineers. They can hear wrapping paper from three rooms away. Not loud wrapping paper — regular wrapping paper. That gentle little crinkle? That’s basically a siren to them. Suddenly they’re standing right beside you, very composed, acting like they were already there the whole time… just casually supervising.

Santa Claus, Doodle Edition

And then there’s Santa.

Santa, to a doodle, is a fascinating concept. A stranger in a red suit appears, everyone smiles like it’s royalty, and the doodle is trying to decide whether this man is a friend, a threat, or a walking treat dispenser.

But the best part is the photos — because years from now, those Santa pictures and holiday portraits are the ones you’ll pull out and laugh and tear up over at the same time.

You’ll look back and say: “Oh my goodness… look how tiny they were.”
Or: “Remember when they refused to sit still for one second?”
Or: “That was the year we all laughed so hard trying to get the ‘perfect’ picture.”

The People They Love Most

This season always reminds me of something sweet: our doodles don’t care what your family looks like — they just care that you’re their people.

Whether it’s one parent and kids, grandparents raising grandbabies, a couple, a big loud house, a quiet apartment, roommates who became family, or a home where the doodle is the “first baby”… your dog knows who belongs to them.

And that’s why I love holiday photos so much. Not because they’re perfect — but because they capture real life. Real love. Real seasons you’ll want to remember.

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Our Real-Life Teddy Bears

Now I have to share something that makes me smile every single Christmas…

So many people tell us:
“Your puppies don’t even look real… they look like teddy bears.”

And honestly? That’s exactly what they are to us — little, warm, living teddy bears with button eyes and the softest coats, wrapped up in the sweetest personalities.

Here at Smeraglia, our doodles are truly known for that signature “teddy bear” look — whether you have one of our Teddy Bear Goldendoodles, Teddy Bear Schnoodles, or our exclusive Teddy Bear Twoodles. They’re the kind of pups that make strangers stop and say, “Wait… is that a stuffed animal?”

And during Christmas? They lean into the role perfectly.

They sit by the tree like they belong under it.
They pose in front of the lights like they know they’re adorable.
They look at Santa like, “Yes, I’m on the nice list. Obviously.”

If you’ve ever held one of our puppies close, you know the feeling — the comfort, the calm, the joy. They really are the kind of “teddy bear” you can hug back.

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Candy Canes: Cute, Classic… and Not Safe for Doodles

Now, since we’re talking about doodles living their best Christmas lives, we have to talk about the one holiday item that seems to call to them like a siren:

Candy canes.

They feel harmless because they’re festive, but they’re actually not safe for dogs. They’re hard, they can splinter into sharp pieces, and the hook shape makes them an easy choking hazard if a dog grabs one and tries to crunch it. Peppermint and sugar can also upset a dog’s stomach. And the biggest red flag: if it’s sugar-free, it may contain xylitol (sometimes called “birch sugar”), which is dangerous for dogs even in small amounts.

If your doodle gets a hold of a candy cane:
•   If you can, check the wrapper for xylitol/birch sugar and call your vet right away if it’s listed.
•   If it’s a regular candy cane, keep an eye out for vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, coughing/gagging, or signs they swallowed pieces — and call your vet if anything seems off.

Christmas rule in our world: candy canes are for humans… and for cute countertop decor… but not for doodle snacking. 🤍

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A Christmas Note From Me to You

Before I close, I want to tell you something that’s been making my whole season: I have already received so many Christmas cards — and they are truly special to me. Seeing your families, your doodles, your updates, your Santa photos, your holiday portraits… it brings me genuine joy.

So if you’ve taken Santa pictures this year — or any Christmas family photos — please tag us and share them with us. I would truly love to see them. Those pictures become memories you’ll look back on for years… and they absolutely make my day.

Merry Christmas, from our doodle family to yours.
May your home be cozy, your hearts be full, and your camera roll be overflowing with the kind of memories that never get old. 🎄🐾✨