Advice for prospective labradoodle owner..

[Holly Doodle]

We have a very close family member who is considering purchasing a labradoodle. I've investigated the breeder they found and they are very reputable so that is not my concern. I'm concerned because they have seen our doodle and how wonderful she is, but never saw all of the hard work we put in or the terrible behaviors we had to deal with. They LOVE our dog and I think they're expecting to get a puppy and have it be a perfect dog. I want to let them know what they're getting themselves into without offending them or making doodles look bad. I've already given them the link to "what to look for in a breeder" because that has some good info on misconceptions of doodles, but any other advice would be great!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I guess I don't have doodles, 'cause Ned and Clancy do not need lots of exercise - maybe they have just given up that they will ever get those long walks...

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

My husband is always saying he never had dogs he had to entertain before, but if Vern and Fudge do not get walked every day they can get into a lot of trouble. I am always telling him that the more exercise they get, the happier we will all be.

[BG and Gavin]

This is funny.  I never thought of it before, but you husband nailed it - they do need to be entertained!  Indoor fetch is a near constant activity here.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

This is not the doodle thing this is a dog thing. If you have a wonderful dog, it influences others to get one.  We had a lab mix, our wonderful guy, and we had several people get lab mixes trying to get a wonderful dog like ours. Heck, we had a baby because the little toddler next door was so darn cute!  So don't worry about it, the dog will be what it is and either they will be happy or still jealous. If they are not people who give up easily why would you even consider talking doodles down? You all make doodles sound like BAD choices.  We have our second Springer and have realized that we are no longer the right owners for this breed so we will not get another, however we adore and love him and he adores and loves us and we are in it for the long haul. Ned's high maintenance coat was a huge surprise but if it gets to be too much, I will clip it short and there goes that problem. Will I get another doodle? At this time I wouldn't have any other dog, but with you all's lack of recommendations, perhaps I won't.

[Becky & Sheeba]

I say the only drawback if you can call it that is the coat maintenance. I attempt to comb & brush her inbetween visit's to the groomers. Which I take Sheeba at least every 2 wks and I am willing to pay the price. Sheeba is truly the best dog I've ever owned and I would love to have another doodle. Now if I can just talk my husband into it ;)

[Anna and Achilles]

Be honest with them, tell them it takes a lot of work and time. You will be doing them and the puppy a favor.