"Considering a Doodle"- Crowd Source

[Julie and Charlie]

Awhile ago in a thread on how to help new members, I suggested a topic called "Considering a Doodle?" to point people to when they ask about certain Doodle characteristics. I don't think we intend for it to be an exhaustive piece, but rather a place for basic information and a jumping off point for further questions and consideration. I haven't seen a topic yet, perhaps someone is working on something, but I thought it would be fun if we take them on and edit. If you could reply in the comments, I can edit the original post as answers come in. I could write them all, but sometimes you all are quite eloquent.

So here are the main questions that I think we need to answer:

This community is built around people who love their Doodles-[Maybe post a link to our recent discussion of the favorite things about our Doodles, etc]. Many of us have chosen doodles as members our our families because of their intelligence, people-oriented and dog-loving personalities, the potential for a non-shedding/allergy friendly dog, and their high energy level. [Does anyone have any other reasons on why you chose a doodle? I can try to find some discussions for ideas. These are generalizations, I know, but we all have our reasons]

Breeder websites typically tout the positives without talking about the reality of owning a Doodle and a dog in general. Below is a sampling of the most frequently asked questions that prospective owners post on Doodlekisses, things that current members wish they had known before welcoming a Doodle into their lives, and things that members working in rescue frequently hear when Doodles are brought to them for re-homing. Our most basic advice is that you should be prepared for the worst in all aspects, and hopefully reality will be a piece of cake.

What is the personality/temperament of Doodles? Do Doodles have an excellent temperament?

It's hard to generalize because temperament a mixture of nature and nurture. First, you have to consider the temperament of both parents as well as the general breeds in the genes. Second, is nurture- early socialization and on-going training. [might need another sentence or two]

That doodle you met at the park -- he and his owners have worked very hard to get the calm dog you see before you.  He has most likely been through several training programs and gets walked several miles per day along with some vigorous off leash exercise and obedience practice.  Some other doodles have all this training, exercise and more, but still are not considered "sound."

Are Doodles good with children? Are they the "perfect" family pet?

Generally, doodles make good family pets, but like all dogs both the dog and the family need 'training' as to appropriate behavior.  Because doodle puppies are often very high energy, they need to be taught how to behave around children and children need to learn how to respect a dog.

How much exercise does a Doodle need? What is their energy level?

Your mileage may vary. Some of our dogs don't need walking every day and are quite content with a low-exercise regimen. Others require hours of exercise daily. Be prepared for any activity level.

Are Doodles allergy friendly?

Some are, and some aren't-- no guarantees! Your best bet for mostly allergy friendly is to look at a poodle or other typical non-shedding breeds. Some breeders with multi-gen doodles may have the expertise to assist you as well. But before you commit to a dog in your home, please make sure every family member can tolerate the specific dog with their allergies. You also may not react to a puppy, but might react that dog when it's an adult.

What coat type will my Doodle have?

There are no guarantees, especially with first generation doodles. Shaggy? Straight? Curly? Fleecy? Wooly? Sorry, but your guess is as good as ours.

What are the grooming requirements? 

If your dog tends toward the retriever side, be prepared for shedding and brushing. If your dog is more like a poodle (those with fleece or wool coats), regular grooming, including brushing several times weekly, is required to keep mats at bay. In addition, you may either have to have your dog groomed every 4-8 weeks at a groomer (price varies- $35 and up!), or learn to do it yourself.

Every dog, regardless of breed, will at least require minimal grooming- brushing, baths, nail trims, etc. Even basic grooming requires time and effort- you will either have to complete these tasks, or take your dog somewhere to have these done.

What about the concept of "hybrid vigor"?

Hokum! Bunk! [See below for now, might link to another discussion]

What are the typical health issues I should be aware of?

This is a loaded question. Please review the genetic disorders for Poodles as well as the other potential breeds in your dog- which might be Labs, Golden Retrievers, various Spaniels, and perhaps others.

Canine Inherited Disorders Database

Please note that this doesn't include predispositions to certain diseases. For instance, Golden Retrievers seem to be predisposed to cancer. Be aware of these before you adopt a dog.

Understanding Cancer in Golden Retrievers

Should I adopt a doodle from a rescue organization or purchase one from a breeder?

[going to enter a more here about the differences/challenges/positives of each ]

If you do choose to adopt from a rescue organization, we recommend:

Doodles Rescue Collective Inc

IDOG Rescue

And now that we've talked about doodles, a little about dogs in general that we wish we had known, or are typically seen as reasons for re-homing dogs.

Are you able to commit to a dog for his or her entire 10-15 years? What do you see happening in your life in the next 10-15 years?  Are you planning a career change, looking to move cross country, or start a family? Of course there are the unexpected things in life that you can't plan for, but be prepared for the ones that you can.  Be ready to dedicate the next 10-15 years to this doodle regardless of what changes you choose to make to your life.  This dog will be 100% committed to you so be ready to be 100% committed to him.

How much should I budget for a dog, what are typical costs (food, vet, daycare, training, toys etc)?

• Food: You will want to buy a good quality food for your doodle. Initially, it may seem that high quality foods are more expensive. However, the feeding requirements are much less with a high quality food than a low quality food, so the price ends up being pretty close.To find a list of recommended foods look here. Overall, budget between $30-$60 per month on dog food, based on the brand of food and size of your dog. Check out our Food Group if you would like more information: DK Food Group
• Vet: You will need to take your doodle for bi-annual or yearly exams, which will include vaccinations, and heart worm testing. You will also need to purchase flea/tick medication, and heart worm medication for your dog monthly. A routine vet visit will usually cost over $100 per visit (depending on your area), and that doesn't include those unexpected vet visits for things like ear infections, stomach upsets, or any other unexpected ailment. For those unexpected vet visits (which WILL happen) you are looking at at least $100 per visit, perhaps more. Overall, you can expect to spend at least $500 per year on vet care and medication, maybe more the first year with a puppy that requires multiple vaccinations and visits in a short period. This does not include pet insurance.
• Pet Insurance: Highly recommended. Insurance starts about $250 per year and goes up from there. You do not want any of your decisions about a beloved family member to be about money.
• Daycare: Many owners find that daycare is necessary when they have to work long hours, or simply when their dogs need good exercise and socialization. Daycare will vary based on the area, but is usually between $15-$30 per day. If you board your dog overnight, expect $30-$50 per night.
• Training: If you are getting a puppy, you will need to enroll in obedience classes, starting with puppy kindergarten. If you are adopting an older dog, obedience classes are still a good idea. Classes usually run between $75-$150 per class.
• Toys/Treats: Training treats, chew toys, collars, leashes, etc. will be additional expenses when you bring your dog home. Budget between $15-$30 per month for these things.
• Grooming: if you take your dog to a groomer, expect at least $400-$600 per year. If you do it yourself, take into account the value of your time.

Consider that you may end up spending much more than these costs if you live in high cost areas and/or your dog has special needs-- training, food, veterinary care, grooming. Dogs are not cheap!

Are you ready to commit time to your dog? [Will build out soon- things to consider- training, exercise, grooming, elimination schedule, general being "present", etc]

What are the training requirements?

Puppies do not come trained! You will need to invest time and effort into your dog.

We recommend reviewing the following discussions if you want to know what you're in for:

Crate Training (Humane Society of the United States)

Bell Training Your dog can tell you without barking that he needs to go outside!

Jumping while Greeting People

Dealing with Nipping and Biting

Barking (find link)

You can also search discussions on DoodleKisses.com though search engines- sometimes the results are more organized. Type, for instance: barking site:doodlekisses.com in the search bar on Google or Bing or your favorite general search engine if you wanting to see the results for barking only on DK!

.... and- what did I miss? I'm sure I missed some good ones.

[Julie and Charlie]

Also, what are typical insurance costs? I think Charlie's is like $200-$250 per year. Is that a good ball park?

[Camilla and Darwin]

Ours is $250 per year. Also, as far as the vet, it's actually true for us that it's usually over $100 dollars but I wasn't sure if that was just us...

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Mine is now $400 for each doodle. It depends on where you live and premiums go up every year. Not much but it does. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

And this list doesn't include grooming costs. In my area, grooming for a standard doodle would run a minimum of $600 per year.

There is also the time factor. How many hours per week do most of us spend brushing, combing, cleaning ears, dremeling nails, even if we have the dogs professionally groomed? People need to know this.

 In fact, I'm thinking that "TIme" needs to be a separate category. So many doodles are relinquished for the reason "Not enough time". It's the really the most common reason people give up their doodles. Time for training, time for grooming, time for exercise...

[Camilla and Darwin]

AAAAH grooming costs. Good point. Darwin costs at least $300 per year in grooming.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

my biggest concern  which sadly ends up with a doodle that needs a new home is the lack of knowledge of how much training is involved with any dog but with 2 smart breeds mixed it is more important! 

Questions to ask myself while considering if a doodle is for me:

am I ready to commit to taking my doodle to school or having a trainer come to my home?

do I have the time to commit to training my doodle?

do I have the money for training?

do I have the patience for puppyhood? Do I know what puppy behaviors entail? 

can I afford annual exams and monthly preventatives? 

can I afford pet insurance so I never have to make a decision based on money?

do I realize that this is a commitment for 10-15 years?

Quite honestly, I am so sick and tired of hearing that a doodle needs to find a new home because the family did not put the time into training!  I know that when I come home with arms filled with groceries and I have to tell 3 big, wiggly bodies to back up so I can get into the house that it is my fault because I have not worked with them on this. Obviously this is not that important to me but they will never walk into my dining room because that is something we do work on everyday. 

[DJ & Chance]

Great questions!

[Julie and Charlie]

ooh, like them! Hopefully we'll be able to address them with our answers.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Good points, Adrianne. And people need to understand that the training doesn't only happen in class once a week; the training really happens every day in between classes when you do your homework and work with the dog on a daily basis.

The issue of two "smart" breeds should be addressed, too. Some people seem to think that the dog being smart means that he will automatically know what to do and how to behave, and you won't have to work with him.

"Smart" in a dog means they can figure out how to do what they want to do, not necessarily what you want them to do. It can take some work to change their minds, lol.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

"Smart" in a dog means they can figure out how to do what they want to do, not necessarily what you want them to do. It can take some work to change their minds, lol.

Karen - that is too true!!! My Ms. Perfect Doodle, Samantha, has lost that title! She is perfect when she wants to be. I was making a joke but sadly not funny - I told Debbie (and Mya) that I was looking for an ENT Surgeon. She looked horrified that there was something medically wrong with her. I said I need a surgeon to go and turn her ears on again. WOL!!  She will be 5 in less than 2 weeks and she hears everything I say and chooses when she will respond. But TG in an emergency situation and my voice takes that tone she does listen. 

This would be a good point to add - all dogs go through life stages just like humans. Newborn, toddler, preteen, etc. All stages bring their highs and lows. 

[Julie and Charlie]

I still need to work in the "smarty pants" blessing and curse. (OK, it's probably not exactly a curse, but it can be a barrier).

[Adrianne Matzkin]

breathe in, breathe out!!!!!!! I am trying!  My blood pressure shock skyrocketed!!!!

I am so pooping tired of hearing and reading that an F1 puppy is in the home because they are allergy friendly!!!!!!!  How long will it take for that allergy sufferer to realize that their doodle is a shedder and that will never change!!! How much longer before that doodle can no longer be a part of their family because the human in the family that made the decision did not do any research.