response: I don't know for sure, but in general breeders cross-breed poodles because of the breed's non-shedding coat.
original_response: Poodles generally don't shed and breeders wanted to cross breed to obtain a dog which didn't shed but had other desirable traits from other breeds. They are considered good for people with certain allergies.
history: I'm thinking of getting a Goldendoodle - have you heard of them? I know that the name is altered from poodle, and is analogous to Labradoodle. Interesting!  How did the name Goldendoodle come to be? A Goldendoodle is the result of breeding a Golden Retriever with a Poodle, hence the name Goldendoodle! That makes sense!  Why would someone want to do that?
knowledge: The Encyclopædia Britannica traces the term ''designer dog'' to the late 20th century when breeders began to cross purebred Poodles with other purebred breeds in order to obtain a dog with the poodle's non-shedding coat, along with various desirable characteristics from other breeds.