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!! 

[Margaret M Pitts]

Makes me so happy to hear this!! Thank you for sharing the good news!!

[Lynda Kamrath]

Well, I am a definite support for your choice.  I got my first doodle is 2003 when my husband retired.  We are on our fifth doodle since then and will always have more than one dog.  Hondo (a labradoodle) was the replacement when Tracy died leaving Bruno (a standard poodle) to be miserable.  We got Hondo as a replacement, and that started our journey with doodles.  The crazy is wonderful and yes, they are energetic, but given you the excuse you need to get out every day to do something with them, even if it is just a walk.  For example, my husband loves to bike and we have an area nearby where he bikes, I walk the dogs, and they run after him on his bike.  Everyone gets their exercise.  We also have BTLs (bike tow leashes) so we can take them in areas where leashes are required.  We bike, and they follow on the BTL.  Swimming?  Zeppo is our swimmer and he also climbs trees.  Grooming?  Do your own.  There is no certain look and yes, groomers hate it because owners are often very particular with what they want.  We have never taken any of our dogs to a groomer.  My laundry room is set up with double sinks and counters to groom the dogs.  Ask your groomer friend what type of grooming equipment she would suggest and start in immediately.  You will not be sorry.  BTW, the F1b goldendoodles have the most wonderful coat.  My Groucho Too never tangled or matted, and his coat was very easy to maintain.  My latest dog is a sheepadoodle with the same type of stud as Groucho Too.  It seems she will have this same beautiful coat.  Here are a few photos of my wonderful doodles.  At present, I have an ALD, a Jackapoo, and a sheepadoodle.  My next dog is going to be a Bernedoodle.  I LOVE doodles.  I would just say to all of them, "Sounds like just the kind of challenge I need."  Then go for it!

[Margaret M Pitts]

Love these pictures!! Looks like there is lots of love there! So glad you shared your story with me as it is so encouraging to hear how positive doodle owners are concerning their doodles!! I really appreciate it!!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I find it sad that two vets are speaking so negatively about any kind of dogs. How many have they seen in their practice? My Vern is so scared at the vet and stays right next to me. I discussed it with my wonderful vet and she said it is just how some dogs are. There was no judgment about Vern being Labradoodle. And for groomers....I have heard several groomers express these opinions about Doodles, but personally I think many jumped on the bandwagon about "designer dogs". The good thing about being an adult is we get to make the decisions that affect our lives. I have two Doodles. Are they perfect? No way! My Fudge has the strongest prey drive of any dog I have ever had and she can be reactive to different things. She is also not dog friendly. Vern is a big old scaredy cat,  but they are such good companions for me and I wouldn't trade them for the world. My dogs do require two walks a day or I pay for it later, but that could be something I started when they were young and now they expect it. No dog comes perfect and I guess you get back what you are willing to put into them. Doodles are no different. If you decide to get a Doodle, here are some good links found in the help section to read first.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/notes/What_To_Look_for_In_a_Breeder

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/considering-a-doodle-crowd...

[LORRY SWETLAND]

AMEN-----I couldn't have said it better.....

[Margaret M Pitts]

You know that is one of the things that made the most impact on me because these two (especially my sister-in-law) are great dog people. They have had several rescued greyhounds and Lord knows some of them have been psycho LOL Just waiting for that bunny to show up again! So when they were so negative I was taken aback. I think there are probably family dynamics going on here with their comments. And I don't think there are a lot of doodles in their area. I know there are no breeders listed anywhere near where they practice so who knows what they are seeing in the doodle breed.

Thank you for the links, I was glad to see my breeder listed among them. All such good information. My previous two dogs were sort of bought on a whim but I have researched doodles and feel like I am so prepared this time. I was blessed with two great dogs that fit well so figure with all of the care I am taking this time I should have success. And I hope to prove all the naysayers wrong but even if I can't I know I will love my dog to pieces!!

[Bonnie and Kona]

So well put, Laurie, as usual. Thank you for posting the links for her.

[Bonnie and Kona]

We have two Goldendoodles. They are from the same breeder and have the same sire. One of them was an old soul from the start. The other one, well he's more like a junior high boy...always looking for attention in not always the right way. ;o) Every dog needs training... the easy ones and the challenging ones. You will need to be consistent and adapt your methods to the dog's personality.  I groom both of our dogs. We live in a warm climate so I clip them very short every 4-6 weeks. Honestly, they stand like statues. So, while the groomer had complaints, that again, is not universal. Be very careful choosing a breeder and getting the puppy socialized and into training as soon as possible. We are retirement age but my husband never intends to retire. He runs the dogs every day. They are 90 and 75 pounds. We will get smaller ones next time but love our big babies. 

[Carol Vernon]

Hi Margaret, I'm sorry you had to experience such disheartening comments about doodles!  We got our miniature Aussiedoodle at 8 weeks, and she is 15 weeks now.  She weighs 20 lbs now and will be about 30 lbs. as an adult.  She is an absolute joy!  Like all puppies she went through a bitey phase, and she is still jumping on people she meets (not us). We are working on the jumping.  I am using the short, free, totally positive puppy training videos at www.dogmantics.com.

I am completely blown away by her temperament!  She is energetic, like all puppies, but she can also be very calm and mellow.  She is very smart, friendly and sensitive.  We've had shelter dogs all our lives, and Dash is by far the one that has been easiest to train.  She loves to play, go for walks, and cuddle.  She is a joy!

In part I got this puppy because I am too sedentary (knee replacement, back issues, etc.).  Having Dash has really helped me to get moving again.  Plus I love having her as a companion.  Please don't let negative comments prevent you from getting a doodle.  They are wonderful dogs and loving companions.  Please post again about what you decide.  Good luck!

[Margaret M Pitts]

So good to hear of your positive experiences with your Aussiedoodle, I thank you so much for sharing!  After receiving so much good information from actual doodle owners I have decided to follow through with my original plan of bringing a new family member to our home in the spring or summer.  I am going to contact our local groomer and dog training specialist after the first of the year to make sure they are on board as I know I will need some professional help! Then I will be contacting the breeders to see who will have my "dream doodle" available when I am ready. I  know I need to have a request in for the specifics I want because if I don't I will want whatever cutie lands in my lap!

I think some of the negativity may come from some family dynamics especially after hearing from all of the doodle owners who sing the praises of doodles. And I am thinking none of the nay sayers have met many doodles...wait until they meet mine then they will know what a great dog a doodle is!! Power of positive thinking!

Thank you again for letting me know all the good things your sweet dog has brought to you!! 

[DonMarie and Picco]

Did you really think that asking a bunch of Doodle lovers would say anything bad about them?  ;-)

Happy to hear you made your decision.  I hope you get the best, sweetest, Doodle ever just to show off to them!

[LORRY SWETLAND]

Hurray another doodle for this page. Doodles are the best!!!!