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By Lucy Notarantonio
Senior Reporter
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Instead of living the pampered life many people associate with doodle mixes, Oakley—a Great Dane and Poodle cross—has faced hardship and now uncertainty.
A TikTok video documenting the 3-year-old’s “glow up” shows his overgrown, curly coat being shaved back after it had started to block his vision, making his mix easier to see. The clip, shared by Charlotte-based rescue advocate @rorys.friends.clt, serves as a plea to find Oakley - an affectionate, lanky dog dubbed a “Daneadoodle” - a rescue placement.
The post states "the poor guy was found emaciated," which has led to resource guarding his food, a behavior developed as a survival response.
Read More on Pets
Oakley is currently in a foster home, but the arrangement is temporary and his foster caregiver cannot keep him long-term.
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Mixed-breed dogs have become the most common “breed” in the United States, according to Humane World for Animals. At the same time, intentional crossbreeds—often marketed as designer dogs such as cockapoos, maltipoos, and doodles—have surged in popularity.
However, a Great Dane–Poodle mix like Oakley is still relatively rare, but doodle-type dogs overall are increasingly showing up in shelters. In a Shelter Animals Count survey of 314 shelters and rescues across 45 states, more than 60 percent reported taking in doodles and other deliberately bred mixes, underscoring that even highly sought-after crossbreeds can end up displaced.
In the video, he appears calm and playful. The on-screen text notes that he is crate trained, potty trained, and good with other dogs and children. He presents as the kind of dog many adopters hope to find: social, house-ready, and eager to bond.
But the post doesn’t sugarcoat Oakley’s main challenge: Oakley resource guards food.
"This makes sense," states the caption, referring to a time where he most likely had to fight in order to be fed. While understandable, it does mean Oakley needs a home that can manage feeding carefully and consistently.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) offers five general tips for addressing resource guarding:
- Train early when possible, and avoid punishing guarding behavior—focus on building trust.
- With adult dogs, use gradual desensitization by starting far enough away that the dog stays relaxed.
- Toss high-value treats while walking past so your approach predicts something positive.
- Watch for stress signals such as stiffness, hard staring, lip lifting, or growling; if they appear, increase distance.
- Move closer only after the dog consistently shows relaxed, happy body language, and progress slowly over time.
Oakley, who was picked up by CharMeck Animal Care & Control in Charlotte, North Carolina, needs to establish a structured feeding routine, clear boundaries, and a setup that reduces stress around meals. A rescue group with training resources and placement experience may be best positioned to find him the right long-term match.
Newsweek is waiting for a spokesperson from @rorys.friends.clt to provide a comment.
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