Need some input!

[macata]

I'm hoping you all can help me! I'm trying to find the perfect dog for our family. I though I had found it in the English lab. Then I realized how much it sheds. My husband, who is not the animal lover that I am would be really stressed out by that. We have 3 kids (14, 11 & 8). I'm really hoping I can get a puppy I will be able to train as a therapy dog. I also want the dog to be a total part of our family - cuddle with us when we watch t.v., go hiking, canoeing, whatever. (just background on us and what we're kinda looking for in a dog) It will also be an inside dog. I've narrowed it down to 3 types of dogs - Labradoodles, Goldendoodles and Standard Poodles. (oh, I also want a big dog) I would love any and all of your input! Pros, cons, whatever! I've never even met a standard poodle so I have no first-hand knowledge. Just what I've read on the internet.

Thank you in advance for all you're help!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

If I ever buy a puppy again, it is going to be a standard poodle from champion bloodlines. Poodles are wonderful dogs...brilliant in training, faster to housebreak than any other breed I have found, and they are clowns...all the 'goofiness" we see in our doodles comes from their poodle heritage, I am convinced. Plus, you are guaranteed that there will be no shedding. They are not at all "froo-froo" dogs, and the people who think they are have never met one. If you look at the doodles who have their faces shaved, it is very hard to tell the difference. But you MUST have proof in writing of genetic testing on the parents. (For me, this would be a must with any puppy I bought.)
As much as I love Jackdoodle and as much as I think doodles are the cutest dogs there are, for someone who "would be really stressed out" by shedding, I would strongly advise against getting a doodle. I have seen many, many F1B's & higher generations that do shed, and there is no way of knowing if a particular puppy will shed until after their adult coat comes in. From what I have personally seen, plus my knowledge of genetics, the majority of them do shed to some degree, regardless of generation. If that is something that would be hard for a member of your family to live with, it is simply just not worth the risk, IMO.

[Adina P]

I agree with a lot that Karen said =)
Figure out how "stressed out" the shedding makes your hubby. And how much 'shedding' is too much? BOTH of my first generation labradoodles SHED. Less than a lab but it is without a doubt SHEDDING. When I wear dark pants around my light colored doodle I have plenty of hair on my pants. And our cream microfiber couches do have my black doodle's hair on them--and they all make little hair dust bunnies throughout the house.

So just be really sure what you want and then work with a breeder with a good history of matching low shed to the right families and if you go with a doodle don't get anything lower than an F1b if shedding is a big deal.