Adopting a retired breeding female

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Hi all.  We have a one year old mini goldendoodle who we love.  She loves other dogs and so we are thinking of adopting a 4 year old female breeding dog from Hale's Labradoodles that they are retiring.  Anyone done this before?  Or have any feedback positive or negative?  Thanks!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Amanda, I think it is commendable for you to ask. How I saw it was --you are a responsible person who is thinking of taking a companion for life. Something everyone should do before making this commitment. You are doing your homework. Wish all were as responsible as you. For me, you did not come across in a bad way. Just wanted opinions from 6,000 or so members of doodle owners who may have any experience with this situation.

Best wishes to Amanda, Heather, and the beautiful retired girls.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We have adopted an adult dog. He is not a retired breeding dog but a rescue. He does not have issues because he is a rescue. BUT here is what I can contribute to getting an adult dog if it helps any. Our dogs are 12 year old lab mix pack leader - easily puts the dogs in line; our 6 year old Springer - determined NOT to be the bottom of the pack with Clancy's entrance into our family - hence some adjustment problems and fights here; Ned our two year old small medium doodle and Clancy our two year old rescue.
Clancy obviously missed his old home - whatever it was. He needed/needs lots of attention. He had to find his place in the pack. He was housebroken but lifted his leg in our home four times before settling in. He wanted to eat from other dog's bowls.
All of the above was settled in about three months. He is an adult dog without a past so he has some behaviors that we need to work on - not especially aweful ones perhaps, but not fitting into our lifestyle. Because of his unknown past there are some things we can't entirely trust to be his reaction to a stimulii. Your situation is different because you can just call up your dog's former owner with any questions.
Here is the most wonderful part: Clancy is past all crummy puppy behaviors and is calm.
If the dog seemed right for my family, I wouldn't hesitate to get an adult dog.

[Ginny Nightingale]

This isn't exactly related, but I thought it might be interesting to those who are already following this thread.
I have a breeding bitch in a guardian home arrangement. She lives with me, belongs to me and is my dog in every way--but she will have puppies for the breeder in a few months. it is an arrangement that requires lots of cooperation and communication between the breeder and the owner, but it is great for the dog. When she retires from breeding, she will still live with me and be my dog. It's a nice arrangement for the dog if she is going to be bred. What Heather has done is great too-the dogs are part of her family, which is always the best way to go, right? I am sure they will adjust quickly.If my breeding dog left us, i think she would be fine after a month or so. I find that the person holding the food bowl quickly becomes the "boss" and the dog just needs to be taught the new rules, as Heather said.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

I researched this once when I had been offered a 4 year old doodle that had been a breeder. My concerns were the increased incidence of breast cancer in dogs that have not been spayed before their first heat. I don't recall the statistics now though maybes someone else will know. When I met the dog she seemed very sweet but had no obedience training. I was concerned that my other dog would slip out of his obedience if the new dog was undisciplined. I would ask to see her health records, have her meet your doodle and see if they like each other and have the breeder spay her before you take her. In the end, I decided I wanted to raise another puppy the way I do it so I passed on the breeder.