help finding a great local breeder

[robert medoro]

I live in new york city and I'm looking not only for my first labradoodle but also my first dog. I have pretty bad allergies which is why I'm looking for a labradoodle. I have 2 children 5 and 2. It's important that I find a quality breeder nearby because I want to visit a few times to make sure that the dog doesnt cause an allergic reaction (it would be truly tragic to bring a dog home, have my kids and us fall in love with it and then have to rehome her because I got sick). Anyone have a great breeder that breeds true multi generation doodles not too far from nyc? Also any suggestions as to exactly what I should look for would be appreciated but I know I need a totally non shedding dog. Thanks so much for any help you guys and girls can offer !!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Robert, you may want to check out this group, Owner Recommended Breeders, here on DK:
http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/ownerrecommendedbreeders

You may also want to search the forum for discussions about shedding, allergies, etc. This has been a much discussed topic here. Even with the multi-gens, the best breeder in the world cannot guarantee that a particular puppy will not affect someone who has allergies. In addition to that, labradoodles go through coat changes as they mature, so even a puppy that doesn't bother the allergic person now might very well bother them later, and this gets worse as dogs age. Visiting may help, but it is far from certain.
Being involved in doodle rescue, I cannot tell you how many doodles, F1B's and ALD's alike, have ended up homeless because of the mistaken belief that they are hypoallergenic or will not shed. (And for all those about to jump in with the "it can be the saliva, etc.", it is the same protein responsible for the allergic reaction.) If there is even a possibility that you would have to rehome a dog because of this issue, I beg you to please consider getting a purebred standard poodle instead. At the very least, please do as much research as possible before buying a dog. Thank you for approaching this very important decision responsibly.

[robert medoro]

Thanks so much for the response. So you believe that a purebred standard poodle would be a better choice? Is this because they are more certainly non shedding?

[Adina P]

Poodles are not "more" certainly but 100% certainly non-shedding. But it does depend on your individual allergies. I have a coworker who breaks out in a rash from any dog including poodles.

It is possible to find a doodle that you're not allergic to, but because there are so many factors and certain variation (even among high generation doodles) there's just no way to tell. You might meet the breeder's adult dogs and do fine with them, but find yourself allergic to the puppy you bring home.

I love doodles, but standard poodles are pretty darn cool dogs that don't have to be trimmed in the high fashion haircuts =) of the show world. Karen is also pretty well read on poodles and would be a good resource for helping you weed through poodle breeders if you decide to go that route.

Here's a past discussion on this topic and you'll see there's a lot to consider:
http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/in-need-of-more-info-on

[robert medoro]

Adina mentioned that you are very knowledgeable regarding standard poodles which I am considering because of the allergy issues. Is it possible you could recommend a quality breeder?

[Tanya Ezekiel]

Hi! I live in NYC too and can highly recommend the most amazing breeder www.noblevestaldoodles.com.
Kendra is phenomenal and the puppy we got from her is perfect. I can send you some pictures but most importantly she is everything you are looking for. You can't even pull hair off her if you tried so I know that's not an issue. She's brilliant, highly trainable, amazing with children and highly intuitive. I'm also shocked to see how she adjusts her energy to suit the age and energy level of a child. If a 2-old bounces around, she will too, and then a split second later she'll gently tiptoe towards a baby for a sniff. She's also gorgeous, if I do say so myself ;). I can't walk 2 blocks in the city without beyond stopped. While it may be hard for you to visit Kendra since she's not nreaby, we can arrange for you to me my puppy Matilda (11mo) in person and see if you have a reaction.
Let me know by email [e-mail].
Good luck!
Tanya

[Adina P]

Tanya it sounds like your puppy is a total doll and that you have had a great experience with your breeder.

However (and this has nothing negative at all to do with your wonderful puppy or with your breeder) what Karen and I both warn against is the judging of all doodles based on ONE. Robert may find he is not allergic to your dog. BUT that means nothing in the long run because he could be allergic to another doodle, even from the same breeder--even from the same litter.

The only true test is for Robert to actually spend time with the puppy or dog he will purchase and ensure that THAT doodle indeed does not produce an allergic reaction in him. Meeting one doodle or 5 won't guarantee that the 6th doodle will be a good match because they don't all come out the same. A quality that I kinda like, but I'm NOT allergic at all.

[Melissa & Porter]

My husband and I are both allergic to dogs (me only mildly), but I have a chronic lung disease so I am on all the meds available anyway.

I am getting allergy shots to be extra cautious (I have other allergies to deal with anyway) and we got an Australian Labradoodle. He is "curly fleece" and no shed. His saliva makes my husband itch but we have no other issues so far.

I agree that meeting your dog is a good idea but even that is hard to predict. My first week with Porter was fine. My second was runny nosed and tight chested and then I got better on my own. The shots started a month later. Did I have a cold? Did my immune system come to recognize Porter as non-toxic? Am I actually suffering from low-grade inflammation/allergies right now but unaware? Who knows. But I am happy with my dog :-)

You are welcome to come and meet him also--I live 30 min outside of NYC.

(Oh, but one of my three kids sniffles a bit if the dog spends time on his bed....so keep the genetic aspect of this in mind too.)