How to respond to negative reaction to "doodles"

[Cooper's Mommy]

I recently posted a question to a Pets message board on a parenting site. I got my virtual hand slapped when I referred to Cooper as a Labradoodle, because well, he is.

 

Lots of people wrote back saying;

 

-there's no such thing as a Labradoodle it's a LAB-POODLE

-there are NO reputable breeders

-our decision to go this route helps with dog overpopulation

 

I actually could care less about getting into a virtual debate with the other people but just curious how you would address...

 

It's frustrating that the decision to bring a puppy into your home, from a reputable breeder, is somehow less legitimate then adopting a shelter puppy.

 

I now also know all doggie related questions are coming here :)

 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I say "Labradoodle" proudly and would not get pulled into a debate with these people. Not worth your time!! At 54, I don't have to ask permission to get the dog I want from a stranger, so why argue? I would just ask my questions here where people want to help!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

here here!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Nobody has ever said anything negative when I respond Goldendoodle....maybe it's because the first thing they say is "what a delightful dog, what is she, first? Or maybe we in OHIO are nicer than others anywhere else. Or maybe, and I am sure this might be it....they are afraid I will pound them if they say something nasty - I guess I look the type that would, I wouldn't of course but one never knows. Or maybe it's my permit to carry - ha ha, just kidding.

Seriously, too much anonymity - people don't care what they say, they can be mean or nice...here on DK everyone is your friend.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I think you hit the nail on the head. People are much braver when they can be anonymous! Plus they know you are packing...LOL!

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

True be known every breed known to mankind today started out as a mixed breed.

[Dori & Rua]

I tell people straight out that she is a miniature goldendoodle. So far, knock on wood, I haven't gotten one snobby remark about a "designer" dog or not going just the rescue route.  I do, though, live in the midwest and everybody here is friendly!  :-)

 

To be honest, I don't like confrontation either.  But I wanted a specific type, size and temperament of a dog.  I think that each person is entitled to choose to adopt from a reputable breeder or adopt from a shelter.  I also chose to spay Rua...a lot of, but not all of, the puppies and kittens, for that matter, end up at a shelter because people aren't being responsible and spaying/neutering their animals.  I really don't feel it is my responsibility to bail out those people just because they weren't responsible.

 

That said, if there was a little of miniature doodle puppies at a shelter, I would certainly look at adopting one of them.  I look at the Doodles in need of homes often...never see any miniature puppies!

 

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I've never had a single negative reaction to telling people I have a labradoodle. Sometimes peoople ask whether the mother was a poodle or the father, and then I get sucked into explain the whole multigen thing, which is annoying, but that's the worst. Only one person had never heard the term labradoodle before. I guess I'm lucky.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I've never really had a negative reaction either.

[Cooper's Mommy]

Thanks everyone for the great responses/support!!

I was definitely a little shocked earlier because  in person, we've only had great responses. (We frequently get stopped several times when we are out and about. (Our one year old daughter might begin to develop a complex when she's older and everyone complements her puppy brother :)

[T Eaton]

I was so surprised to read this! I have found that people just respond to my joyful puppy with such curiosity and enthusiasm that I am proud to say "a goldendoodle" and then explain in simple terms, what THAT is :)  So many people have inquired about him that his breeder has placed several of her pups with people I met on the street.

Interestingly enough, I thought long and hard about getting a shelter dog, because it tugged at my heart strings so much! But I had never had a dog in my life and I knew that my first experience needed to be the right one. When I took him to the vet the first time, she reinforced that decision and said I was absolutely right in that decision and that this breed was in fact her favorite of all breeds, especially for first-time owners, because they are so smart.

Sometimes I will jokingly add to people that he is an "expensive mutt" and that always makes them laugh.

Sometimes, we just gotta forgive negative, nasty people....and turn to our happy, smiling dog   :)   and then, who cares??

[Lorraine Bromley]

I say yes he's a mutt. A very expensive mutt. We researched breeders for two years and saw some awful in home breeders and decided on a breeder we felt comfortable with that did all the genetic testing for both breeds and guarantee for two years as we have rescued all our other pets we felt we couldn't take those risks on at this point and decided to minimize them with testing. He has been one of the smartest most loving attentive and intuitive pets we've every had. And yes he is a mutt if you want to call him a mutt, we call him Neely.

[Heather & Brinkley]

I got a few negative comments online about owning a Goldendoodle prior to knowing about DK... and then I got one person at the beach say, "Hey, that's a Goldendoodle, right?"   I said "yes" and they continued on with why in the (H-E-double hockey sticks) would you choose to pay so much for a mangy mutt.  You're supporting puppy mills.  Why didn't you you at least get a full Golden retriever or a Poodle. 

I calmly responded with:

1) He's not mangy

2) Mutt or no mutt, it's none of you darn business where or how I spend my money.

3)  Your ridiculous point about puppy mills is totally canceled out with your suggestion to purchase yet another breed. If you're going to insult me and my "mutt" at least have a valid suggestion to fix said problem. 

 

He had nothing to say after that.