F1's in Vermont or New England, plus general newbie questions and rambling

[Jeff D]

I hate being a newb, but I totally am. We don't have any allergy issues, we just like the look of labradoodles and the size of the under 55-pounders. The potential for relatively low maintenance and/or relatively low shedding is a big bonus. 

I'm sort of leaning toward a mini/medium F1 to have more of a lab look, but smaller, although I love the fleece coats, so if non-F1 is the way to go for a really cool fleece coat labradoodle, I would certainly consider that. A 40 to 45 pound dog with a bit of lab and/or terrier look would be awesome.  The red and mocha colors are amazing.

We mostly want a family dog, and a year later a second family dog, who will be gentle, loveable, relaxed, and smart. 

We're in the market for a dream dog. To be able to visit the breeders/kennels it would be nice to find some in Vermont, New England, or New York. We could do a shelter/rescue/adopt-a-labradoodle online if convinced that it's the way to go, but we want a fairly young dog that we can keep 10+ years.

We're sort of leaning toward labradoodle more than goldendoodle based on my hunch that the labradoodle would be less maintenance and/or shedding.

Any leads for a dream breeder close to me?  I gather breeder recommendations and details about breeders are supposed to be sent to me privately, but separate responses to general questions and rambling can go on the forum to maybe help another newb one day.

[Jeff D]

Karen - Thanks for you explanation on fences. I understand better now. A rescue dog is essentially ruled out for me, then.

[Ginny Nightingale]

I have an invisible fence and my 3 labradoodles are fine with it--no issues.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, Ginny, but we are talking about adult rescue dogs. When a dog grows up with an electric fence, it's a completely different situation.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Goldendoodles & labradoodles are awesome dogs with lots of potential, but as others have said, to get the "dream dog" it takes lots of work - even with these doodles.  I have a doodle who is VERY mellow and well behaved and then I have another who is more sneaky & will get into trouble (they are both one year old).  They are like kids...no two are just alike & come with their own issues and personalities.  I don't want you to get your hopes up thinking you will automatically end up with the "perfect dog."  It will require some work.  Also, don't get too hung up on the "low maintenance" either.  When I did my research, I saw that A LOT about the doodles.  I have found it to be the opposite - very high maintenance.  Some shed, but may not matt as badly.  Others don't shed which is great (like mine), but will get matts if not brushed & combed often and then they still end up with some, which is a pain.  I've never in my life had to take a dog to a professional groomer before, but now, I do that just to keep up & it is EXPENSIVE...especially with two.  I love them to death, wouldn't trade them for the world, but just wanted you to be aware of these potential issues.  It is great you are taking the time to research and find out the TRUTH before you make such a lifelong decision.  Good luck!

[Jeff D]

Traci - Thanks a lot for your honest responses. The grooming tends to be a big deal. Got it. A regular Golden Retriever might be a good option for me because I could do a lot of brushing outside, and I'm handy with a vacuum inside, and the longer hair is supposedly easier to vacuum that the shorter lab hair.  I had envisioned a labradoodle as a designer lab: smaller with less shedding. It sounds like it's actually an increase in maintenance to go with a labradoodle.

I'm still impressed by how cuddly everyone describes them.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

most doodles like to be around their people, but not all are cuddly. Both of my dogs like to be in the same room as us, but only like to cuddle on their terms and that usually means climbing up on top of us. The are affectionate but still seem to like having their on space. But again this is just something that varies from dog to dog as each doodle has a unique personality.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jack is not a cuddler, either. All dogs are different, some are more independent, some are velcro dogs, most are in the middle. It doesn't have a lot to do with the breed or mix.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I would never describe these dogs as low maintenance.  Low or no shedding= lots of grooming.  These are high energy intelligent dogs who need lots of training and interaction.  It is true that they are gentle, loving and wonderful pets but there are always exceptions.  Not trying to put you off because we absolutely adore ours and wouldn't swop him for the world.  Just go into this with your eyes wide open. It's great that you are here before you make a decision as this is the best place for the very best advice should you decide you would like to have a Doodle in your family.

[Jeff D]

Nicky - I'm looking into small to medium loose-fleece F1s, or possibly multigens with straighter hair. A dog that will shed a little with a coat that I could conceivably groom myself. I like dark apricots and mochas, but I don't see any mochas that aren't more wooly. Ginny Nightengale's Mattie is pretty much exactly what I'm looking for. Any leads?

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Jeff - look at the pictures of my chocolate on my page. She is an F1 - 1/2 lab and 1/2 poodle. She should shed but I have been blessed that she does not. I send her to the groomers app 7-8 weeks because as much as I have tried, I have not been able to clip her they way her groomer does. 

My black is an F??? (puppy mill so who knows) and could pass for a poodle except her face is more retriever. She has tight curls which are a royal PIA to comb through. It doesn't help that she hates it and always plops her head on my hands so I can't continue.

I have had numerous fosters through our home, have 3 living here and I can tell you that training must never end. Every day they wait for dinner until I say okay, they wait at the gate or the door or the steps before they can go forward. 

Electric fence - IMHO they might keep your dog in but doesn't keep anyone/anything out. Enough said on that subject. 

F1's are not loose curled or fleeced - at least I haven't seen any. Loose fleece coats are mutli-generational (someone correct me if I am incorrect) and multi-generational wouldn't have straighter hair. Like you have been told, you won't know what you get until their adult coats are in - after they are app 1 year old. 

My Charli is a cuddler as shown in this picture - she only wants to be sitting on her humans. She snuggles with me all the time.   

Samantha, my chocolate only snuggles with me when she wants to which is very rarely which breaks my heart. Mickey, my GrandDoodle, will snuggle if I beg him.

All 3 doodles snuggle with my daughter and I am jealous!!!

The bottom line, every dog has different personalities like all children.

[Jeff D]

I like Samantha's coat. She comes from a standard poodle, I'm guessing - she looks full sized, not that I'm a good judge. Because so much emphasis for the breed/mix seems to be on non-shedding, F1 seems the best option for me. There's apparently no breeding to 3/4 lab 1/4 poodle. Mattie's dad was a min-poodle, and her mom was a red lab - those dogs are super cute, but it's almost like there's no such thing as an F1 breeder/kennel - not that I've been able to find yet.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Well, if you can't find a breeder close by and are willing to take a three-four hour drive across the border, there are some breeders in my area that might work. I can think of a couple that specialize in red and chocolate. I can't recommend any personally but I can pass on the info of breeders that I know of that seem reputable.

If you want a fleecy coat I definitely wouldn't go for an F1 and I wouldn't expect it to be less maintainance. It's about the same amount of work for goldens and labras I'd say.