Help me figure out if this cutie is a goldendoodle please!

[browneyes]

I'm considering this pup and wondering if you have any insight.  We recently tried to rescue a goldendoodle only to figure out that the individual "rescuing" the pups was really running a scam selling maltipoos as goldendoodle puppies.  So, as you can imagine I'm nervous and the seller of this pup isn't really helping. 

 

Here are some pictures.  The seller says she's 8 weeks old and that her sister is the breeder.  She included pics that she says are the parents - a 45 lbs golden mother and a 14 lb poodle father.

 

[Kyoko]

The father looks bigger than 14lb...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I thought so too, Kyoko. 

[Star and Goldie]

I just want to add, that to me that does not look like a goldendoodle puppy (even though it is cute) You've already gotten great advice and I know you've decided to follow your gut (good call). Am I the only one that thinks this pup does not look like a doodle? I wonder if it really is one of the pups in the picture...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The top photo does not look like a doodle to me, but it's so hard to tell from a picture, especially with puppies. And it really shouldn't really matter what the mix is anyway, lol. Clearly it's cute and it's some kind of small poodle mix. 

[Star and Goldie]

Right. But it should matter the mix if someone is claiming to be a breeder and claiming its a goldendoodle they are selling. If it were just a cute little ol pup that needed a home not being falsely advertised as something it isn't then that would be different.

[browneyes]

I think it could be a maltipoo. I think that might be the new thing in the area, that is to try and sell them as goldendoodles.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

You are smart to get advice here so that you can avoid getting into a poor breeding situation.  I understand about not wanting to go to the shelters and pet adoption centers in your area (this is really, really hard for me also), but basically that is what you are going to have to do if you want to rescue a dog since, as a first time dog owner, you aren't eligible for IDOG or DRC. I would check shelter websites every day and if you see a dog that seems right for you, I would call on it and, depending upon what you hear, go see it. Your perseverance will pay off. Good luck.

[browneyes]

I wish that the policies weren't so strict I'm not quite so sure I know why it's better for a dog to wait for a forever home. We both grew up with dogs and understand the needs of dogs we just haven't lived anywhere that we were allowed to have a dog. I'm hoping to be able to work with a rescue but it's not been working too well so far. I understand that the volunteers take on quite a bit though. I'm hoping that I might have better luck working with groups that have adoption events. We could every weekend so I'm hoping there might be a little sweetie for us some weekend.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

For a doodle puppy, the DRC typically receives at least 100 applications and several hundred email inquiries. Even for the older adults, there are dozens of applications. The demand for doodles in rescue is far greater than the supply, thank goodness.  Trust me, no doodle is waiting very long for a forever home. Often, there are pre-approved adopters who have been waiting for a dog who is a good match to become available. 

But far worse than waiting in a safe and loving foster home for a couple of weeks would be getting adopted and then having to go through a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc rehoming, which is why rescues try very hard to make sure that each dog's next home is his last home. 

[browneyes]

You are entitled to your opinion as I am mine.  I'm not going to defend my opinion any longer.  I know I'm new here and I have no desire to come in gangbusters and argue with long time, respected members and contributors.  It's easy to explain the power structure and the reasons behind it when you're at the top.  I see many organizations that have dogs on petfinder week after week and I'm hurt and bothered that I'm not contacted about fostering or adopting.  I understand that an overwhelming problem like dog overpopulation has complex causes, inefficient attention and help, and a need for efficient solutions, like relying on people with experience. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I wasn't trying to argue or put you on the defensive, just trying to address your comment of why it's better for a dog to wait for a forever home. It really has nothing to do with being new, being at the top, etc. Believe it or not, before I adopted my current dog, I was in competition with another family to adopt a dog, and I was not chosen. And I had vet records in my own name going back 30 years, groomer references, trainer references, references from the rescue group for which I volunteered, and they still picked the other family. Of course I was disappointed, but I understood. There was only the one dog and two families that wanted him. They couldn't give him to both of us. In that case, it was felt that the dog would be happier in a home with another dog to play with. The other family had a dog, I did not, having lost my sweet girl 4 months earlier. I knew it wasn't personal, they were just doing what they believed would be best for the dog.

A month later, they called me about another dog who had come into their program that they thought might be a good fit for me. But by then, I had Jack. Not being chosen for that other dog was the best thing that could have happened, for Jack and for me. :) 

[browneyes]

Sorry for being defensive.  My emotions are really raw.  I  truly appreciate what a lovely community there is here and especially how kind everyone is - especially toward a newbie.  I apologize for reacting quickly.  I know that the issue is really nuanced.  I also know with so many dogs to place (not necessarily DRC) that getting it right is the most important thing for the dog.  It must have been really hard not to get that dog - especially with your track record.

I would love to rescue in some way so I'm going to get myself more educated and concurrently research breeders while continuing to look at shelters and rescues.

Thanks for being very open and sharing your experiences.  I truly appreciate it.