Do doodles play best with other doodles?

[Frannie & Callie]

Last night, I hosted a dog party at my house. In addition to Callie and Bixby Foster Doodle, I'm also keeping my friend Hallie's dogs Sydney (a 13 year old lab mix) and Bella (a 4 year old g-d only knows, but she's cute mix) while she's out of town (turns out that it's not so easy to walk 4 dogs and to keep them from eating each other's food!). Well, yesterday was a scorcher so I invited my friend Robyn and her 8 month old doggie Louie (a shi-tzu/spaniel mix) and my neighbors Ryan and Dana and their 5 month old goldendoodle puppy, Einstein all over to play inside, where there's cool water, ice cubes, and air conditioning.

 

So...six dogs in my tiny little townhouse. Let the games begin!  First, everyone played keep away with the antlers. Then, tennis balls were thrown and stuffed animals were tugged. All dogs were having a good time but I noticed that the three doodles (Callie, Bixby, and Einstein) played together more than they did with the other dogs, and they played with each other in a different way than they played with any of the others. None of the other dogs laid on each other and played "land shark" (which is what I call the all doodle ear and beard biting game where you see so many teeth that if you didn't know your dood, you might be a little alarmed!). The doodles liked to play chase with each other, round and around the coffee table and then, as if they had discussed it, they would all change directions very suddenly.

 

Callie always likes to play with any playful dog but it was just last night that I noticed that she really has a totally different doodle play with other doodles and was curious if anyone had similar experience.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

I have noticed the same thing at my house. Harlow loves playing with her beagle brothers. But when we have a foster doodle she plays and rough houses with them more.

[Susan, Zeke. Lily & Jasper]

I've noticed this especially with Zeke. When we go to a dog park he is not always comfortable playing with other dogs. But, when we have attended doodle romps he is completely at ease. I think it's a temperament thing because he is my most sensitive doodle. He plays the land shark thing with Lily but tries to ignore Jasper with his constant puppy antics. Zeke just prefers calm surroundings.

[Lisa and Summer]

Our doodle Summer is petrified of other dogs . We take her to dog parks, the beach, hiking in the mountains, Home Depot, and she wants nothing to do with other dogs. One of the only dogs I remember her playing with was a golden doodle next door to my in- laws. They were the same size, same color, and about the same age. One of my theories is that the doodles probably smell different because they have mostly hair instead of fur. So I wondered if she did not like the way the other dogs smell. When we go to the dog park Summer will not drink out of the community water bowl or play with any of the other dog toys. She sniffs them and moves on. Maybe she is just a snob... She is definitely a people dog. I am jealous of all of you who see so many doodles when you go out. We hardly ever see doodles anywhere so it is hard to see if she would be happier with other doods.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Where do you live Lisa? I just moved last year and didn't see many doodles so I started the Arizona Doodle Romp and they just came from everywhere. I've had as many as 28 at one romp.

[Christine & Shelby]

I do think they prefer to play with other doodles. Shelby is pretty friendly.... I actually call her the official dog park greeter as she runs to the entry whenever a new dog arrives and walks her friends to the gate when they go home. We have had a few small romps here in our area - and last the last few weekends have met up at the dog park while the doodles were friendly with other dogs... they sure did cluster together. I love it... I love doodles.... they are amazing!

[Lisa and Summer]

Hi Sue. I live in N.C. I need to be on the look out for doodle romps around us. Maybe Summer would play better with a dood.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

You can try www.meetup.com, that is where I started and found there was none and organized my own, but then about 60 others found the group I created and we have had great romps. Otherwise on here too in the NC members group if there is one. Just some ideas of where to look.

[Bonne Bouche]

OMG, I can't believe I found this thread! BB went to the dog park and found a GD buddy named Einstein today. (A fellow Einstein pulled up this thread from the search). BB is 7 months about 52lbs, and the fellow GD was 8 and about 60lbs. BB is black and Einstein was a very pale cream. Their bodies were so similar, (actually the other doodle was shaved, too!) As soon as BB saw him he was THRILLED! The two hit it off like they were long lost brothers! BB had a neighbor GSD that he wrestled with at our old apartment, but has never met another dog that he would play "that way" with. Einstein and BB wrestled and wrestled. BB would hop, and then end up straddling Einstein, then three seconds later, they would reverse. Lots of heavy  breathing, and biting at the ears and back, but so gentle.

 

DH and I were talking on the ride home how they were so similar, and gentle when they played, even though it was hard play. I think only Doodles play like that. They would often both go up with their paws on the others shoulders, but didn't seem to put too much weight so as to still be gentle. It was ADORABLE to watch. I was so sad to leave, as BB's new buddy lives in PGH and was only in town for a short visit... No more doodle romping in the near future....