Doodle Negativity

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

I know there have been many discussions on this
particular topic, but I just wanted to share my recent story.  I had my
first ever conversation with a doodle-disliker today.

I ran to Walmart today -- I know, I don't like it much either, but I'm a student on a budget :) -- to get some things and, like always, had to visit the pet section to check out some toys for Albus.  I got him three squeaky toys.  As I was getting my stuff checked out by the cashier, she noticed I had the dog toys and asked what kind of dog I had.  I told her I had a goldendoodle, and her disgusted response was, "It's a shame to spend a lot of money on a mixed breed dog like that."

Umm....excuse me?  I was flabbergasted.  Just the way she said it was snotty.  It was like she was trying to make me feel guilty, but I certainly don't remember asking for her opinion about my choice of dog.  I had to bite my tongue really hard so I wouldn't let the F-bomb fly or really let her have it.  I simply replied, "He's worth every penny I paid for him, and I wouldn't trade him for anything."  It was hard to hold back, but I really didn't feel like getting into a debate with the ignorant woman.  Clearly she's just uninformed and biased.  I wish I could have thought of something "mouthier" to say, but I really was at a loss for words.

What would you have said in this situation?  Would you have handled it differently than I did?  I'd like to know for next time, so I can have more things to say :)

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

WTD???? Better price???? "What do you want me to call those dogs" Wow.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I actually do understand this. Petco is corporate, and their billing is computerized. They have a set price for each type of breed which comes up when they enter the dog in the computer as a _____. They don't have the flexibility to set pricing the way a private shop does. For example, at my groomer, full grooming for a standard labradoodle is listed on the price list as $70 and up. But because JD does not have a typical doodle coat and never needs any trimming, they charge me $35. If they had to enter him in a computer which automatically brings up a price for each breed, I would want them to put him in as a Golden or similar breed so I get the lower price. I can see where they may charge more for doodles than poodles, because there actually may be more work involved in trimming a doodle...tail is much more labor intensive, and if you want the head & face NOT to look like a poodle's, or fur left longer and blended in on the face, head, or body, that would involve more work, too...most pet poodles are just clipped to the same length all over. So she was actually trying to give you a break on pricing by entering them as something other than doodles.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I got it....very true.

[Melissa & Porter]

Thanks for the insight, Karen. I'll keep this in mind since Porter pretty much gets the pet poodle cut, plus tail work, minus fluffy ears and top-head.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Hmm, that is pretty interesting. Well as it turns out, she was the one who got assigned the job of bathing Murph, doing his ears, trimming his nails and brushing his teeth. I suppose because she's the "newbie" in the store. I just got back from picking them up. She looked like she had been through the mill. I asked her how "my boy" behaved and all she said was "to say he's rambunctious, would be a huge understatement". I was chuckling inside. I wish I had known that she was just trying to get me a better price....I would have had way more sympathy. This poor girl earned her paycheck today.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I am sorry but I'm cracking up thinking about Murphy. Ha! I bet he is a handful. He also sounds like a fabulous match for Lady Peri. They would go insanely nuts together. Hehe.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Oh yes they would. That would be quite the show.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I recall when I stopped in at Petsmart to ask about grooming prices for Lucy and Sophie. I remember the girl asking the manager "do I ring them as Poodles or Goldens" and the manager replied Goldens. I'm thinking Yes, that would be cheaper ....... Wrong Poodles were less than Goldens! I was shocked. Oh well, they were so expensive I didn't take them there anyway.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well, that is really insane; but I'm thinking that a lot of people must just shave their poodles down really short because they can't be bothered to brush them. (which makes me ill, but it's their dog). Whereas a Golden's fur does need to be blown & brushed. Still, it doesn't make sense. I wonder, do these chain places like Petco & Petsmart charge differently for different sized poodles? A standard ought to be a lot more than a toy, etc.
I have found the chain places to be much more expensive than the private grooming shops. You would think it would be the other way around.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

My groomer charges by SIZE.

[Shawn & Bella]

I would have left my stuff on the counter with her and went to Target or Kmart first off....Then I would have told her politely everything you were thinking.....I dont hold back and sometimes that gets me in trouble......I probaly would have asked her also to tell me what a goldendoodle was seeing she probaly owns a pitbull.....lol.......I dont do ignorance very well............

[Lauria Orr]

Well, that just beats all. These dogs are the most wonderful and sweetest dogs I have ever come across. The woman at Walmart strikes me as very ignorant and uninformed. I would want to ask her what she was doing out in the day light.