Newbie looking for a doodle in the midatlantic area - how to pick?? advice/help/recommendations???

[Erika]

We are looking for a 25-40 lb doodle to add to the family.  We currently have no dogs and a 9 and 10 year old.  We live in Maryland and would like to find a puppy within a 5-8 hour driving radius without having to visit breeder after breeder.  There are soooo many breeders with so many options I am overwhelmed.  The prices vary from $700 to $3,000.  I don't believe the more you pay the better it is but I also do believe that to some degree you get what you pay for.  

Our biggest concerns are shedding and temperament.  We can tolerate some shedding but not excessive.  I had a cockapoo a long time ago that was little to no shedding and our friend has a golden retriever that barely sheds.  I have to admit we got a mutt (lab/shepherd/setter??) about 10 years ago and had to rehome to a cousin due to shedding and my pregnancy even though he had the best temperament ever.  My husband and daughter prefer the straighter coat which I fear will also shed more; however after reading posts here it doesn't seem to be so clear cut.  Then I think about our friends retriever who barely sheds.  Is there any way we can improve our chances for low shedding dog?  I don't want to have to go through rehoming again.

We always seem to focus on looks like coat color and curl it seems there are other more important things to look at.  I know health screening is important.  I have also read about picking a good breeder and it seems to be so detailed and extreme.  How much can you really tell with a 2-8 week puppy depending on when you choose 'the one'?  How has getting a good family dog become so involved?  I tend to research things to death and get overwhelmed by information.  I have come up with at least 20 breeders that seem reputable and have what we are looking for.  How do you narrow it down?

Any thoughts, words of encouragement, recommendations or anything else to help wade through this process, please send them my way.

Erika

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Kristin, breeder reviews or recommendations are not allowed here in the main forum. PMs are fine. 

[Kristin and Sophie]

Oooops sorry - I removed my comment.....  I'm a newbie myself.  :)

[Erika]

Thanks

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The breeder  that Kristin mentioned does not have any mention of genetic health testing on the parents. This is the single most important factor in choosing a breeder. 

Here is the DK Guideline for choosing a breeder. It really isn't complicated, and it's a good checklist to use for evaluating any breeder:

http://www.doodlekisses.com/notes/What_To_Look_for_In_a_Breeder

[Adina P]

You mentioned that the info you've read about picking a doodle is so detailed and extreme.  I hope you weren't talking about our article, because it's hardly extreme. Picking out a dog is naturally involved because there's more to know now than 50 years ago.  If you want a dog that is in good health and has the right temperament you just can't NOT be choosy.  There are two things at stake: 1) Getting a good dog for your family (which can be any old mutt from the shelter even!) and 2) Being a responsible buyer so that your money doesn't support unethical breeding.  Because, of course, someone could end up with an AMAZING dog even from a puppy mill but who wants to knowingly support such business practices and unethical treatments of animals? 

A 'breeder' who doesn't do complete health testing on her dogs shows me that he/she just has a poor knowledge of proper breeding or is doing it for a reason that isn't worth supporting.  The whole point of breeding is to create really great and healthy dogs that fit the breed ideal.  Otherwise just a 'nice dog' can be obtained from a shelter. 

You are unlikely to find a well bred doodle for under $1200  -- the rest of that price range has to do with what TYPE of doodle (generation and size) with higher generation doodles and smaller doodles costing more because they are more desired.

My suggestion is to read the article mentioned above.  At the end of the article you'll find a few links to lists of breeders that generally weed out the breeders who don't test or say if they do/don't.  Make notes of the breeders within your distance requirements that breed the type and size you are after.  Then research those to get to know their program, when litters are coming up, etc.  When you have a handful or fewer you're really considering then post here and list them.  Those who know about them can send you private messages with their recommendations or knowledge about them.  There's really no 'easy' way to go about this -- any time you want a specific kind of dog, in a specific size, with a certain look and shedding, with a certain health history/genetics, etc., etc it is going to be harder than if you just want a 'nice family dog' from a shelter.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Actually, it's easy to get a specific kind of dog, in a specific size, with a certain look and non-shedding, with a certain health history/genetics, etc., etc., but only with purebreds. :) 

[Adina P]

Also true.  I was more referring that to get all that you still have to research breeders extensively.  You can't just go out and pick the first advertised listing you see.  Or you pick a rescue that 'feels right' based on meeting the dog but it won't necessarily meet a bunch of requirements.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Very true.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

If shedding is of huge concern, you really should look at a breed that is non-shedding, like a poodle, wheaten terrier, etc...  Goldendoodles/labradoodles are not guaranteed to be non-shedding!  Any breeder that claims that should be steered clear of. That's just my two cents.  If you are okay with a little shedding, you could probably work with a reputable breeder to select a litter and puppy that would be less likely to shed.  But again, no guarantees. I hate hearing the words "rehome" when it has to do with shedding only.

I agree 100000% with Adina on breeder pricing/genetic testing/etc....

Good luck ;)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree. If there is any chance at all that you would have to rehome a dog because of shedding, please go with a purebred that is guaranteed not to shed at all. Taking a chance on a mix is really not fair to the dog as well as traumatic for your family. Nobody can guarantee you that any mixed breed dog with heavily shedding breeds like Goldens or Labs in the genetic background is not going to shed, or to what degree it might shed, and if they say they can, they are not being honest with you. .