Family Thanksgiving...the bad

[Margaret M Pitts]

I have been wanting a labradoodle/goldendoodle for over two years. Had some health problems to take care of (specifically knee replacements) and now I am so ready to make a new friend this spring or summer!!

This year at our Thanksgiving my husband's brother and his wife, who are both vets, started in on what terrible crazy dogs doodles are.  Did not have one good thing to say about them and said they wouldn't recommend them to anyone!!  Then one of the young girls visiting started in too.  She grooms dogs and said doodles were the worst, she hated doing them, they were such a pain. Needless to say I was crushed!  I have been so down ever since and can't seem to get out of this blue fog.

I have researched for several years and think particularly a goldendoodle would be perfect for me. I am retired, home alone almost all the time, have so much love to give and have always loved dogs.  There is a good groomer in our town and a lovely young lady who has started a business training dogs. She is highly qualified and I will be looking to her for help.

So guess I am just needed some positive thoughts on doodles and I thought members here would be able to give me honest, first hand, actual life experiences on living with a doodle. Please and Thank You!! 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have two labradoodles. Luca was a bit wild when I got him as a young pup. I got Calla at 4 months and she has always been calm. That said neither dog required as much exercise as people say they do. I could not ask for better companions. I did do training with Luca since I had never owned a dog. He is very bright. Yes, the coats require regular maintenance which I used to do myself but now I have them groomed every two months. I would certainly get another labradoodle someday if I can.

[Margaret M Pitts]

Thank you!! That sounds very encouraging! I appreciate your positive input! I bet your dogs are so sweet!!

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

I have three mini Goldendoodles. They get groomed every 7-8 weeks so they do require regular maintenance but other than that, especially for a stay at home person, I highly recommend them! We have a Doodle meetup group in my area and we get together regularly with other Doodles and their owners. I have known some that are a little crazier and some that are more laid back. I believe they are all wonderful in their own way! They are very intelligent and need to know who the boss is but they are also very sweet and loving dogs. They do require some training just as any breed dog would. I know for me, I will definitely get another when the time comes.

[Margaret M Pitts]

Wow! Three mini goldendoodes and you are happy as a clam! That is so encouraging! I thought I would have mine groomed regularly too, I don't think that is something I could do myself. A meeting group sounds like so much fun and would be a great source of information. Thank you for your positive comments!!

[Sherry]

I just got my Goldendoodle puppy, tomorrow will be a week. She already knows her name, comes when called (usually), knows what outside is, and started going potty on command. She'll be 8 weeks on Monday. I don't plan on getting her groomed until her hair gets too long, and will just get it trimmed then. I'm just going to brush her every day. I take my spaniel to get groomed twice a year. The groomers have Goldendoodles that go in for grooming, and they tell me they are the sweetest dogs and that they just love them. My vet knew I'd been wanting a Goldendoodle for years and never said anything negative. I sure hope there's nothing negative, because I'm all in now.

[Margaret M Pitts]

How exciting!! She sounds so very smart and ahead of the game on potty training! I think you have a very good girl, can't wait to join you in your journey! Thank you for sharing!

[Wendy and Myla]

I've had Myla for almost five years and I had a previous doodle, Zak for five years.  I absolutely love the breed and find they are the most loving dogs ever!  As soon as Zak died, we knew that we would have another doodle.  That being said, I have been to three different groomers and when I initially phoned for an appointment, they were hesitant and said that doodles were not their favourite - I assumed it was because they mat so easily and probably had a lot of people come in when the mats were totally out of control.  We have been grooming Myla ourselves for the last 4 years but I recently brought her in to a place to have her nails clipped and they told me that doodles were the worst!  I didn't ask why and I will not be bringing her back there, but I wonder why?  My vet is absolutely in love with Myla and was also in love with Zak so no insight there. 

It sounds like you have done your research and as long as you go with a reputable breeder, who breeds with health and temperament, I'm sure you'll find that it's the best decision ever!!!!  I cannot imagine our life without Myla - she is incredible!

[Margaret M Pitts]

So good to hear how much love you have for your doodles! Makes me feel so much better in my decision. I wonder if the groomer I was with just jumped on the band wagon with my in-laws as they are "older and wiser" although sounds like maybe they just haven't met the right doodles! I will be careful too if I feel like my doodle is not being respected! I do have two very reputable breeders, will just see which has "my" doodle ready at the right time. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences! I do so appreciate the positive input!

[Amy and Annabelle]

Annabelle is a mini goldendoodle. She just had a vet appt the other day and she was a perfect angel. First they took her temp up back end. not so much as a flinch. then she got a vax, then the bordetella up her nose, and then her anal sacs expressed. She has a problem with that. I don't know why, other than smaller breeds like mini poodles are at a higher risk for whatever reason. Annabelle is an f1b, so she is 3/4 mini poodle. Anyway she never even made a whimper the whole time. She is so sweet and we just love her to pieces. She was a bit of a challenge from about 4-6 months, with her nipping and chewing addiction, but we all survived it. She doesn't even chew anymore, which I am happy about, I spent a fortune on bully sticks there for awhile. She sleeps in bed with us, right in the middle. Just like her spot on the couch when we watch tv, is right in the middle. We have had her in training classes off and on. We had a class trainer that put down goldendoodles. He said they were the worst dogs he ever met. Everyone but me laughed. I think I said poodle mix on the info sheet I filled out for the class. So maybe he didn't realize it was offensive to me. I do have her groomed about every 2 months.

[Margaret M Pitts]

Gosh, she sounds like the perfect patient. Can't imagine what happened to my in-laws that make them so negative. Guess it is true that the owner makes a world of difference but you would think they would realize that instead of blaming the doodles!  I really appreciate your information, I hope my future doodle will sleep with me and snuggle too. So good to hear good news from a real doodle mom!! 

[Carolyn Shusterman]

I have heard that before from groomers too and wonder where those Labradoodles are coming from.  The only complaint I hear from our groomers is that they are more work to brush out and style their hair.  

Thanksgiving we had 7 dogs join us.  3 mini labradoodles, 3 poodle mixes and a Havanese.  You tell me if this group looks like terrible crazy dogs.  Any dog can be unruly if not trained.  By the way we told the small dogs to get up on the sofa and ..... that is a real juicy warm turkey.  .

 

[Amy and Annabelle]

I love this photo. It is perfect, although I am not sure Annabelle would be that well behaved with a warm juicy turkey sitting right in front of her. Her love of a warm bird is part of her charm I guess.