How important were your pup's parents?

[Jennifer Tramell]

Okay, I have a 2 part question for discussion. 

 

1) How much did you know about your dog's parents and how important was it?

It was very important to me that I knew about my dog's parents.  I met Webster's parents several times - in fact, they were the first goldendoodles I had actually met and I interacted with them prior to deciding I wanted a goldendoodle.  If I hadn't met them, or if I didn't like them, I might not have had Webster.

When looking for Charlotte, the personality and lifestyle of the parents was high on my list.  I inquired about several puppies but lost interest when I did not get adequate info on the parents.  I wanted to know the parent dogs' personalities and many "breeders" gave vague information - even breeders with nice websites advertising all the health testing.  Charlotte's breeder first told me of the personalities (eg. the mother dog would lay her head on the owners lap while they watched TV) and then sent several pictures which were obviously taken at different times in different locations (out at a lake, backyard, etc). 

 

2) Do you believe that the personality/energy level of the parent dogs is passed to the pups?

I believe it does and that is why I was so interested in knowing the parent dogs.  I am curious to possibly hear from breeders as they would have more "scientific" experience and knowledge but I would also love to hear for owners for personal experiences.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

I had a bit of a different take on the parents issue.  I'd lost an F1 doodle to hemangiosarcoma and when I started to look at getting another doodle I wanted to know everything the breeder could tell me about the genetics and health history of the parents, and the lines that they came from.  We discussed every disease and illness that doodles can get, from atopic dermatitis to Addison's disease. I know there are no guarantees, but I sure wanted one!!  I met Webber's mother, but the father was in a guardian home; he was, however, a well known stud for the Australian Labradoodles.  I really believe that genetics and early socialization make all the difference.  I also think that there are type A doodles (loaded with energy and drive) and type B, more laid back and easy going doodles and that these energy levels are genetically predetermined.  When there are numbers of Therapy Dogs from a particular pair of breeders, I think you might have a better than average chance of getting a calm, easily trainable doodle.  I'm just not sure that judging the temperament of the parents is the most important.  It really hurts to have a calm, wonderful and devoted dog that dies from diseases that might not show up if the dogs producing them were taken out of the breeding program.  So, I would ask to see the parents if at all possible but I would also want to see the pedigree and the health records of the parents and be advised of any problems that have surfaced with the puppies in any given line.  I think the energetic doodle and the more relaxed one can both be trained to be good doggie citizens, but some are easier than others.

[Adina P]

Very important point about the HEALTH background of both parents and not just their temperament alone.  It's critical that a breeder know the health background of the dogs they are breeding. Not enough to know that the CURRENT parents have no known problems, knowing background of the lines being used is very important. 

 

Of course high energy vs. low energy isn't really a temperament problem.  But major issues like extreme shyness or aggression or fearfulness would still turn me off.  Those aren't the same training issues as 'high energy' -- in fact some high energy dogs make better obedience dogs than mellow, couch potatoes because they have enough drive to WANT to do work =)

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

I agree, Adina.  Webber is a high energy dog and he's loves to work.  He would not have been as good a companion if I hadn't spent that first year in classes with him.

[Elizabeth & *Kosci*.]

Thank you for bring up this topic, I go this Monday to visit my puppy at the breeders and although I've researched as much as possible about the parents I'll take extra note of how they greet us.