analysis paralysis....feedback and suggestions please!

[Lanell in Colorado]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm so glad to find this blog.  I want a doodle but I'm cautious.  I've read a lot and done some research and I can find a contradition for almost EVERYTHING I read.   I've come to the conclusion that there is only a minor difference between a golden-doodle and a labra-doodleI and it really isn't significant.  We don't want a large dog, so I'm looking at miniatures -- something less than 20".  I like the poodle-like coat because I don't like shedding, but we have no allergy problems.  I also am stuck trying to decide on color -- they are all so cute.  We live in Colorado where the sun in very intense and thought that a lighter color would probably be better for the dog.  Any and all feedback from 'real' doodle owners would be greatly appreciated.

My husband and I are in our early sixties; we both work; and we have 3 grandchildren (all boys under 6) who visit occasionally.  We want to add to our family and get a dog, but are stuck in deciding what kind of dog and also stuck in deciding whether to get one or two.  I love doodles (from what I've read about them) but the price is daunting and I'm also cautious about the amount of time (or money) involved in grooming them -- especially two.

I have talked to a number of breeders and was impressed with Stargazer's attitude and perspective.

Frankly, the cost is an issue -- especially when we are considering two dogs.  I have found a wide price range but I'm concerned about the health / genetics of the dog and it seems like the puppies availble from the more reknown breeders have better credentials.  They are more expensive too.

 

Any and all comments would be greatly appreciated.   I want to move forward in making a decision and finding my puppy, but, at the moment, I'm stuck.

 

Lanell

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Have you considered an ALD (Australian Labradoodle)?  We have one and also a full sized F1 Goldendoodle.  The ALD is a large mini or small medium at 22 lbs and the Golden is full sized at 75.  Both boys are sweet natured but the smaller ALD is extremely intelligent, very trainable and of course due to size just easier in general.  I've yet to hear of an ALD from one of the better breeders shedding, our Goldendoodle does shed but not much.  You say you are both working still - you need to be aware that some breeders (our ALD's) will not sell a puppy unless you can show that you or someone will be coming home during the day, every day, to let the puppy out.  Good luck in your search.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think many breeders say many things but in the end many will sell the pups because they need to. It is the owners' responsibility to make sure to be there for the pup. When I got Luca I was working more hours. But I arranged my schedule so that I would be away no more than a few hours at a time.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I hear you F - but Rooney's breeder will not sell to anyone who can't or won't have someone come to let the puppy out during the day.  They continue to have a wait list and once told two doctors that they couldn't have one of their puppies for this very reason. 

Lanell - look for a breeder who has some standards of practice - call past clients for reviews.  Many WILL say anything to sell puppies - that is why a visit to the breeder's home is important.  If they won't let you come for a visit - move on. 

[Lanell in Colorado]

Frankly, it doesn't matter what the breeder will or will not do.  There  is no way we would assume responsibvility  for a dog without ensuring it was well taken care of.  We are evaluating all kinds of solutions...including getting two dogs.  However,  I work ten minutes away so it will be easy to come home during the day.  In addition, I'm not sure how long either one of us will be working.  The labor market is so incredibly unstable right now Each day I feel incredibly blessed to have a job, but I also know I could be without a job tomorrow...and have to stay home and take care of my dog.  :-)

[F, Calla & Luca]

I don't think any one can answer your question for you since it is a very individual decision. I got first one, then a year later a second ALD. The doodles do a lot of their own exercising playing in my yard. Having two is more expensive  all around and they are more work but overall it was a good decision. I love my labradoodles but I've never had a golden doodle. I might worry about the high cancer rate in goldens but then my sons poodle died of cancer when he was 8 or 9. I got lighter doodles because it's easier to spot ticks on them. The poodle was black and lived with me for a time and ticks were invisible on him. As to cost, the most important thing is to get a good breeder who health tests the parent dogs and who socializes the pups well. See the guidelines for selecting a good breeder. Dogs do tie you down unless you have good arrangements for when you are away and that can be expensive too. I groom my own doodles and it does take time. Life is an ongoing compromise and for me the doodles were right.

[Lanell in Colorado]

Life is all about choices, and everything has a price.  We are evaluating those trade-offs now and  its ifficult.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

I understand about making hard decisions!  I myself have just added a 2nd doodle into the family, so as you can see I won't be biased towards doodles at all!  First off, I think it is VERY smart of you to do your homework before investing so much money, time, and emotions into getting a dog/dogs.  These doodles can be quite expensive from the reputable breeders.  I would defiitely go with a reputable breeder because you are paying for the relief of knowing you most likely will have a very healthy dog as well as a better chance of a good tempermented dog.  If you try to save money by going to a "cheaper" "breeder" you very well may be spending that money and more in veterinary costs.  This applies of course to any breed - not just doodles.  You want a breeder who does health testing.  If you are both working, is it full time?  If so, can one of you or someone let the dog out at lunch time?  My husband and I both work full time & our 1st doodle Bexter is crated during the day.  He does great.  Greg comes home at lunch to let him out & there are no accidents in the house.  If you want smaller, I would say either Jane's suggestion of an ALD OR an F1b mini goldendoodle because they are smllar and have more poodle in them & would be even less likely to shed.  These dogs are awesome in that they are usually very intelligent, easy to train, eager to please, LOVE people & other dogs, pretty happy & easy going dogs.  You still do have to be willing to train them.  I kind of thought from reading about them that they would just be so smart they would train themselves.  Not so!  Also - you will need to invest time in their brushing/combing, especially if their coat is one that mats (which doesn't usually happen until a few months down the road...).  I would only get one dog to start with if I were you.  Two dogs at once can be pretty darn expensive and overwhelming.  Shoot...I just got my second dog & it's a year old & already potty trained and I'm still a little overwhelmed.  Happy though!  Seriously though, for grandkids these dogs would be fantastic!  I have 2 boys (aged 11 & 6) and they LOVE our doodles!  Good luck with your decision.  Keep us posted.  Happy puppy hunting (one of my favorite pasttimes)!!!

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Karen - a lot of the reputable breeders do have down that previous pet ownership is preferred, but I don't think it is usually required.  Like what F said, I feel like they say some things to scare some unsure people off, but if a person was really persistent & once the breeder met them if they felt good about them, they'd sell to them.  Not that I"m an expert; that's just my opinion!  Some are obviously more strict than others.

[Lanell in Colorado]

It is certainly a job to play with puppies :-)

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

I have a goldendoodle female)  and a labradoodle (male).  Sasha does not shed and Ollie shes.  I don't think you can have a "guarantee" that there will be no shedding since they are a "mixed" breed - the shedding gene can be there or not.  Oliver has a curly coat and at times people ask if he is a poodle but he sheds.  Sasha is VERY poodley and she does not shed at all.

 

I do feel the difference when both my doodles are in the sun Ollie who is black feels so much more hotter than Sasha who is a cream/tan color.  I do not let Ollie out anywhere where if he does get hot and there is no shade.  At a certain point of the day my back yard does not have shade so I do not let him out at that time of day.  I am very careful about that.  In general I really watch both of them in the sun because Sasha's skin is so light and pink she could burn easy.  Its really a commons sense thing.

 

On the two dog thing.  I got Sasha and 8 months later I got Oliver.  I was always a two dog household so I was use to having two dogs all the time.  Sasha was so happy when I got Oliver, they are the best of friends and are inseperable.  BUT.. there is the extra expense, time etc. of having two... but I would not have it any other way :)  Good luck in your search.

[Vicki and Harli]

Hi Lanell, I would suggest starting out with one dog first. We have a mini golden doodle and are so very happy with our Harli. We researched all breeds before buying Harli and were hoping for a dog good with kids and little shedding. I think it's important to take the time to train your dog also. These dogs are smart !!! We took Harli to the local Petsmart for dog training and she learned sit/stay, drop it, leave it commands and also leash walking. Good luck with your dog purchase - let us know how it works out!! :)

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

We have two ALDs that we got one year apart.  Our oldest is a 20 lb mini who came from a very good breeder.  He was a joy to train and got his Therapy certification at about a year old.  He's a happy, easy dog.  I will say though that he loves people, and I can't quite see him being alone in a crate all day...I think that would be a real problem for him.  Our younger dog is a standard who came from rescue as a puppy.  He's much more difficult and has taken lots of time and a professional trainer...and tons of exercise.  I would definitely not get two puppies at the same time.  I really think they do much better getting your undivided attention when they're "babies".  Later is fine, and I like that my two have each other to play and bond with.  I would stay far away from those "internet" breeders advertising the lower prices.  There have been many people on this site who regret their decision to purchase Doodles in this way....lots of problems.  Also, if there are financial concerns, it's important to understand that the purchase price of a Doodle is just the beginning.  I would definitely get Pet Insurance immediately.  We have Pet Insurance, and even so I spent close to $3000 last year in Vet bills that wern't covered (under the deductible or "routine" care).  If you can't groom yourself (I can't) there's the ongoing grooming cost.  I'm not trying to discourage you, but it's important to be realistic.  A Doodle is a big investment in your time and financial resources.  We send our guys to Daycare once a week for socialization and so that we have a "free day" to do the things we wouldn't do if they were home alone.  That's also expensive.  So there's just a lot to think about, but for us it's all worth it.  We decided to give up other things so that we could have the Doodles, and we've never regretted it.  Good luck!