Help finding a mini Labradoodle - worried about red flags

[Elaine Uomini]

Finally, after much reading about Labradoodles, the time has come to choose a breeder and put in a deposit for a Spring puppy.  But I am still hesitant and confused.  I live in Santa Barbara, CA and have yet to find a breeder of mini  Labradoodles very close to us.  Some breeders on my short list live about a day’s drive away, okay for picking up a puppy, but not conducive to many home visits.  However, even some breeders on my short list, in spite of glowing testimonials and photos of puppies that fill my heart with love and joy, seem to have a few red flags.  I need help sorting these out.  Should I eliminate breeders from my short list if they do these things?

1. Spay or neuter at 8 weeks.  Our two rescued kittens, Rosie and Puffin, had this done to them, and they are now 6-year-old healthy cats.  The Rescue cat lady said that the new micro surgical techniques made this possible.   But of course, they are cats, not dogs.
2. I know this is a whole can of worms, but I read a couple of posts from a few years ago on Doodlekisses about Rutland Manor.  If a breeder mentions Rutland Manor as good thing in her “about us” section is that a red flag?   Even though she health tests all current mother and father dogs, is this a problem?
3. Many of the breeders use guardian homes so that every dog gets to have a loving family.  I love this concept.  If a breeder is doing this, and yet still has a few “retired” mother dogs to rehome, is this a red flag?  It seems to me that the guardian homes would still love them, even though retired or am I misunderstanding something?  Certainly the dogs would love their guardian families and want to be with them after bonding with them for 5 or 6 years.

I appreciate  your help in sorting all of this out.  I understand we can’t rate individual breeders here, but if anyone has any suggestions about mini Labradoodles close to Santa Barbara, CA, feel free to write to me personally.  Thank you in advance.  I love coming to Doodlekisses and reading everyone’s stories and seeing all the cute Doodle pictures!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Why on earth would any of us, who love doodles, want to read this? It seems like you have some problems with doodles yourself.

[Marie Dennen]

Why on earth would you not want to read and learn about some of the issues surrounding the breed you love dearly? I do. I love to learn about all different breeds and their history. Plus what goes into producing them and healthy for that matter. I want to know where the parents came from and their pedigree. I would value what an experienced standard poodle breeder had to say especially if I was going to spend a lot of money on one that came from one of their dogs. So I find it interesting that they express ethical concerns when it comes to breeding them. I just offered some thoughts in a thread where some one is doing extensive research. I would want to know different viewpoints help in my decision making. They may be different, you may not agree with them but there is no need to be rude. Part of being committed to the breed you love and their future is talking about some of these issues. Puppy mills and designer dogs are very much a concern with any breed and considering how many dogs get euthanized on a daily basis, I do paint a very broad brush.Because someone is putting them into the world. I do question breeding practices.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Many of today's recognized breeds were developed by cross-breeding for a specific purpose. Labradoodles and goldendoodles are no different.  Labradoodles were originally bred as a potential hypoallergenic guide dog for the blind as work with standard poodles was not successful. Today many of our doodles excel as therapy dogs because of their consistently gentle intuitive people-oriented nature.  We all know there are problems with puppy mills and the "designer dog" concept.  This is a site committed to good breeding practices and the future of these wonderful dogs.  You were wrong about guardian homes and you're wrong about a "broad brush" of unethical breeding practices. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Excellent points!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Beautifully stated, Cheryl.

[Marie Dennen]

The original developer of doodles has gone on record as saying he regrets ever doing it because it was unsuccessful. I find this very interesting. Aren't you at all curious as to what his regrets are? I have yet to read anything by responsible doodle breeders that addresses his statements. If you know of any breeder who has written a rebuttal I would to read it. Plus trying produce a hypoallergenic dog by any type of breeders is about darn near impossible. They are living, breathing beings with saliva, dander, fur and the ability to roll in dirt. They will always be potential allergens, they are not pillows.Calling someone flat out wrong just because they express a different opinion than yours is just plain rude. As long as dogs get put down in shelters, I will call breeders into question. I have a certain amount of cynicism towards purebred breeders. Responsible purebred breeders really put themselves out there for people to do meet and talk with a shows. I am a doodle owner that has a different viewpoint than some because of my experiences it doesn't necessarily make me wrong.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Come in here and tell us something new. YES, many if us have been here for years. We've read the article. Its been talked about and posted. Many times. Too many times. That article and a million more articles. We've heard the pros and cons. We've had the doodle haters and the ones who scare us most are those who think doodles are the perfect dog! We all know that's not true. So post what you want. Most of us don't care. We've been confronted here, in public, by our families, our trainers, pure-bred breeders, and yes - groomers. We've seen the groomer forums, the poodle forums, the GR forums. We get it. Okay
Look, I just like dogs. Like you, I just happen to have a doodle this time.
We get you too ;) So, this person asked for help. I see this as going off topic. If you would like to debate all your points, please start a new discussion. We can join you there, while this discussion gets back on track.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Amen.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Amen, amen!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I'm sorry if you thought I was being rude to you, but then I guess we're even, because I found the tone of your thread, here, to be somewhat insulting. It wasn't because you were expressing a cautionary viewpoint, which is most welcome, but it was your complete distaste for doodles, or at least that's how it came across to me and some of the others here. I was simply trying to stick to the facts re: guardian homes and unethical breeders, since this post is about red flags and finding a responsible breeder.  

If you research some of the discussions here, you will know that we are painfully aware of the misery "breeders for profit" cause and the myths surrounding "the perfect dog" and we try to dispel those and rehome dogs when necessary.  Yes, I have read what Wally Conron wrote and it might surprise you to find that I agree with much of what he says. So do the good breeders that I know and the ALAA among others. Thinking you can cross anything with a poodle is deplorable.  I spent 2 years researching goldendoodles and labradoodles before Finnegan came into my life. I talked with and visited many breeders and some guardians. Looking locally, I walked away from a gorgeous litter of goldendoodles because the stud had no health testing and took back a deposit on another beautiful little girl from an "Owner Recommended breeder" on another site because when I visited her, there were some red flags about exactly where her breeding dogs were kept. Once I did some digging, through the state department of licensing and kennel inspections, I found that her dogs were not in the home as she claimed, but kenneled with a long  list of violations. BTW she threatened to sue me for researching that.  I was questioning whether there were any good breeders out there, but I found out that there are a good number of them.  It just takes work to find them and if I was to want a second doodle, I know of at least 5 from this site and my own experience that I would contact. I also researched the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, standard and miniature poodles, both types of cocker spaniels, and the Irish Water Spaniel before I decided that a multi generation doodle was what I wanted.

If you look at my post, I said potentially hypoallergenic.  There is no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog. There is no guarantee that a doodle will not shed. Hybrid vigor is a myth. And doodle puppies are not for the faint of heart -they take work and training --more so than any other breed I've ever had.  But I've also found them to be among the most rewarding companions.  Look for health testing (preferably through several generations) and a breeder who breeds for health and temperament, first and foremost. It's my opinion, based on experience, that these are wonderful dogs and they should be bred but yes, you do your research and do not reward the bad breeders and puppy mills.

  

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree with you completely.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Cheryl, Very well said!!