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.

 

[Cindy Bowles]

I can't tell, but the fact that the seller really isn't cooperating is worrisome to me, you might ask to contact the sister since she is the breeder and any reputable breeder will have documentation etc., also their vet info...nevertheless it is a very cute puppy, but from what you said there are some red flags here....be cautious....

[browneyes]

Thanks very much.  I'm feeling kind of dishearted by the different avenues to get a puppy.  We wanted to foster for DRC but it seems we're not eligible since we've not had a dog as adults.  I also applied to adopt but never heard back.  We've applied to other rescues and not heard back.  I don't know that there's anything wrong with us - we basically bought a house so we could have a dog and have been really wanting one for years.  We work different schedules and also close to work so the pup wouldn't be alone for too long.  Anyway, I digress... We attempted to "rescue" a pup that was supposedly from a puppy mill but had real suspicions about the rescuer and later saw she was accused of some pretty bad stuff.  We're interested in purchasing since allergies in the family necessitate no shedding and the policies of paying a non-refundable deposit and what I feel to be a pretty hefty price tag make buying feel pretty uncomfortable too.

 

I guess I feel like we're stuck between a rock and a hard place.  Craigslist seems shady.  Ebay classifieds seems a little better.  Rescues seem not to be interested in us.  It's kind of a difficult process.

 

This pup is 4 hrs away round trip so I'm not sure if we'll make the trip tonight or not.  Is there any distinguishing factor to tell different breeds apart?  Does this pup seem small to be shorter than a coke bottle at 8 weeks for a projected 20-25 lb dog (supposedly she was the runt)?

Thanks for any and all thoughts.  Hope to be here sharing happy stories soon.  My profile pic is of a dog I rescued and rehomed when I was still in an apartment :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Do not ever get a puppy from any kind of ad site, ebay or otherwise. They are all from puppy mills or at best, backyard breeders. 

Most private rescues do require adopters to have previous dog experience, but the shelters often do not. 

[Donna K & Quincy]

If allergies necessitate no shedding, a doodle is not really the dog for you. Many doodles shed and despite the hype on the breeders websites there is absolutely no way they can guarantee that a doodle won't shed. Having a non shedding dog doesn't really mean that you won't be allergic to it as the allergy may be to dander or saliva.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Exactly. And an F1 (50/50 mix) has a very high likelihood of shedding and of triggering allergies. 

[Cindy Bowles]

I can imagine you are disheartened, but your puppy is out there and when it is suppose to happen everything will come together and it will happen.. Karen and Jackdoodle gave really good advice....AND when it does happen we will all celebrate with you!!!!!

[browneyes]

Thanks for your kind words.  I hope it'll happen.  It's just been a really bad string of bad luck.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Run far away. Whether this is a goldendoodle or not, why on earth would you support a scammer or a dishonest breeder? 

I can guarantee you that the parents, whoever they are, have not had genetic health testing done, and that is irresponsible breeding. Please do not support irresponsible breeding. 

Legitimate responsible breeders have their own websites. They do not advertise puppies on ad sites, multiple listing sites, "next day pets", "puppyfind",  the newspaper, etc. They do not breed dogs who have not undergone genetic health testing. 

Please read our Doodle Kisses article What to Look for in a Breeder: http://www.doodlekisses.com/notes/What_To_Look_for_In_a_Breeder

If anyone can not pass these basic requirements, look elsewhere. There are also links to the Owner Recommended Breeders group and other resources for finding a puppy from a reputable breeder. Even if some of the breeders listed do not have available pups or are too far from you, look at their sites anyway to get a feeling for what a responsible breeder's site looks like. 

If you do end up getting a puppy from this person, please be sure to get pet insurance for the dog. This is important  anyway, but it's crucial if you are going to get a puppy from a backyard breeder with untested breeding dogs. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Amen. I also think the discrepancy between the parents is great in terms of size, if these are in fact the parents, which can  lead to trouble.

[browneyes]

This is something I don't really know much about.  It seems that most of the breeders who sell minis breed a mini poodle to a golden retriever.  Coudl you share some thoughts or info on the issues with parents of different sizes?

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

a pup from this mix can be anything from as small as the mini poodle, to as large as a golden... or even larger. i once met a man with a dog he was told was a mini, and he grew to be well over 100lbs. to get a dog with an more predicatavle size you need a multi gen doodle froma reputable breeder who knows what they are doing

also, if allergies neccetate non shedding, id go with either an australian labraoodle (as opposed to and American one - google the difference) or a pure bred poodle. to

[browneyes]

According to the seller the mother has undergone testing but she said she didn't know about the father due to her sister being the breeder.  I guess the more I type I feel the worse it sounds.  It sounds bad to you all and I'm feeling a little ashamed to say I think it sounds bad to me too.  I'm legitimately frustrated about the process of obtaining a dog.  I'd love to rescue any kind of "doodle" to help save a life.  In LA the shelters are terribly overcrowded.  It's so disheartening that the rescues don't even respond.  I understand that they are likely under staffed and overworked but applying and pouring my heart out over wanting to rescue and sending personal information and photos of my home seem to go unanswered.

I'm scared about purchasing from a breeder too.  I feel very uncomfortable with a non refundable deposit and I feel they prices to be quite high.  I do vaule the importance of genetic testing and I understand that those kinds of assurances come at a cost.

 

I thank you for including the link of what to look for in a breeder.  I'll definitely read it.  I also appreciate you all basically lending an ear as well as some advice for someone who feels a bit lost.