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!! 

[DonMarie and Picco]

Ha!  Sounds like you have the stereotyped in-laws!  I'm fortunate that mine are really nice people even though not dog people. They like photos of my Doodle but don't bring him into my house! 

Now go get yourself a sweet Doodle!

[LORRY SWETLAND]

I have  some relatives that like dogs and would never hurt them but when my loving THUNDER passed away extremely sudden. I was inconsolable for days. One of my relatives said "Why are you so upset? It's just a dog" Needless to say I do not allow this relative near TURBO cause he is not "Just a Dog"  If I can't go to a relative house with my dog I don't go. I only go where me and my dog can go. 

[LORRY SWETLAND]

Let your heart tell you what breed of a dog you should get.  As far as I am concerned Mutts are more than two different breeds mixed together. When you take just two breeds of dogs that have been genetically tested for that specific breed and breed them together it's not a Mutt. It's the most loving companion dog if they were bred for the right reason. There are NO bad dogs or BREEDS just owners who have no idea of how to train a Dog to be well adjusted. If the owners would spend time training there would be no need for rescue shelters. I adopted a pit bull from a shelter and I was very skeptical about the breed from everything I heard about them. The shelter assured me that the dog had been temperament tested and she passed for being in a home with small children, teenagers and adults and other dogs and cats. S I adopted her but went out and got every book about pits and the bully breed and made sure I trained her very well. She was a gem. Unfortunately where I live there are about 12 breeds that your homeowners insurance will not cover in case of a dog bite. My pit was attacked by the neighbors pit and he chewed up her hips. The vet tried to immobilize her hip and pain pills and for awhile it worked then my loving COMET (her name) had to be put down.   Owners of all breeds of dogs should be more responsible and study the breed long before getting that type of dog. Investigate---learn---train. Only my opinion

[Carolyn Shusterman]

I'm so sorry you lost your precious Comet. That has to be one of the worst incidents ever. 

 

[LORRY SWETLAND]

Thank You she was my shooting star. That is how she got her name. She was in the back of the kennel and 2 of her siblings were jumping up and down at the gate. When the worker went to let me in she jumped into my arms, hence, shooting star--COMET--miss her everyday of my life. I have all of my fur babies picture on the fridge and their ashes on my shelves in my room. I'm not nuts but I talk to them everyday and say goodnight to them.

[Carolyn Shusterman]

You do have a heart that is full of love and many beautiful memories. 

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

I'm very curious to know what reasons your brother- and sister-in-law gave for dissing labradoodles and goldendoodles. Can you tell us what why they have such strong negative opinions about doodles? That way, folks here on DK can respond to specifics.

I'm also wondering whether the groomer who spent Thanksgiving with you dislikes doodles because of their coats or because of the way they behave while there. Why does she "hate" grooming them? That's pretty strong language!

I have two Australian multi-generational labradoodles, and I have to say, They are absolutely awesome!

[Margaret M Pitts]

I would say that the 3 of them have all had pretty negative experiences with doodles.  My sister-in-law said all of them they had seen in their practice had been uncontrollable crazy.  Just not a dog they would recommend for anyone in their experience.  Same with the groomer. I should have asked how many they had actually dealt with and what quality of breeder they came from. But I was sort of in shock to get such a strong reaction about a dog I have been dreaming about for two plus years. I have researched dog breeds and feel like a doodle would be a great fit for me (although when I did one of those internet deals, "what dog breed is for you" it came up with a Belgian Malinois!! Guess I am meant to have a smart dog!!) I just love their look and everything I had read about them. And luckily after being on this site I am super excited again!!!  Thank you for sharing your input on your awesome doodles, they look mighty fine in their picture!!

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

My thoughts upon reading this is that some Vets or Groomers who do not have a doodle would probably find the breed a little difficult. But you know what, that's their problem. It's not MY problem that when I take mine to the Vet, they want to stay near me and do not like things stuck up their butts. That they need me to be on the floor with them during an exam or procedure because they love and trust me and are secure with me while these strangers approach them. Doodles are so bonded with their owners, maybe more so than other breeds. This again is not my problem, but I can see where it might interfere with the quick get-em-in-get-em-out-flow of a busy Vet's office.

As for the groomers, yes, doodle coats can be a LOT of work. I'd hate it too if I just love doing dogs with thin hair, no matting, not afraid of the dryer, being ok with being in a cage for hours. This does not typically describe doodles. Certainly not either of mine.  I have groomed my two for their first 6 years of life and it is labor intensive. It takes giving them a lot of breaks, treats to train them to stay still, hugs when they jump when something hurts. Yup, doodles are a sensitive, furry, sometimes needy breed.  But again, this is not a problem for me but I can see why professionals cringe when they see my wooly beasts coming. 

But thank goodness both my Vet and my groomer, love and understand the breed. Have taken the time to get to know their "quirks", love on them to get them to calm down, or just accept the fact that they went into the business knowing that some dogs may not fit into the perfect mold of what a dog should be like. 

[Margaret M Pitts]

You know the way you put it I think I would be crazy at the vet's too LOL  Your comments make so much sense and I really appreciate your sharing your hands on experience grooming them. I will find help from people who are patient and caring and love all dogs.  And I will prove my 3 naysayers wrong about doodles!! Thank you!!

[LORRY SWETLAND]

This is TURBO. This is the picture I fell in love with. TURBO was whelped Jan 6th 2016. I lost my THUNDER Dog. Mar 15 of this year. I doggie sat for 2 doodles(golden) many different times and I just fell in love with them. So I started looking on line for a goldendoodle but I wanted a male and black and standard. I found this pic and called the breeder immediately. TURBO was in MO. now how to get him since I was in Pa. The breeder said TURBO would be shipped by van. So I made arrangements for him too be delivered on March 29th. I hadn't picked out a name yet but had several in mind. Then March 29th came and I met the van and oh what a surprise I got. I was expecting that cute little pup not realizing by this time he was 3 months old and already 30 pounds. As you can see in the second pic it was a surprise. He charged out f the van and jumped into my lap and started kissing and licking and would not stop. Hence he got the name 'TURBO CHARGE'

He only had 3 pee pee accidents in the house the first week and then never again. He is my constant companion and goes everywhere I go. even the bathroom he hates to  have me out of his sight.  He goes shopping with me. He loves the Jeep and when I use my tractor he is right along side with me. If I mow the yard he runs around the yard while I mow. He knows to stay on the opposite side of the discharge on the mower. He is leashed trained but I only use it when I'm I home depot or tractor supply. I do woodworking in my garage and he is with me the whole time. He never goes in the road or goes off my property. He is extremely friendly to everyone and other dogs..He is now going to be 11 months old in 2 days and he gets weighed every month at the vet. I want him to gain but not gain too fast. He is now 77.6 pounds and stands 27 1/2 inches tall to the shoulder. He is smart, loving,and loves to please. As someone said....all breeds of dogs of any size need training. If the owner doesn't know how to train then classes and a trainer are a must. There is nothing more undesirable then an ill mannered dog of any breed. My groomer corrects my mistakes twice a year.LOL... If a groomer hated to groom my dog I would be going someplace else. TURBO had his first trip to a groomer Nov 4th and I was surprised that he was so well behaved. I came back to pick him up and he was still on the table and he saw me but yet stayed perfectly still. He is well behaved at the vet too. Jumps right up on the scale sits still and lets the vet do anything that is necessary including     shots. This 3rd pic is TURBO now. Doodles come in all sizes and colors. Everyone I know loves a doodle. Trust your instincts and go with your heart. I am retired and I have spend everyday every hour with TURBO and it has paid off.cause he is well behaved. Runs like crazy when out in the yard but very calm innthe house. All dogs not just doodles    need exercise everyday. I well exercised dog is a calm relaxed dog. (My opinion)

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Turbo is a handsome boy.  Love his name!