Prospective Owner looking for advice

[Kristin & Hudson]

My husband and I have decided that it's time for a dog.  Our first thought was to rescue one from a shelter but we're limited to what we can have because of our allergies. We also want to make sure we own a dog that fits our active lifestyle.  We have a friend with a Golden and we absolutely love the dog - but allergy flair ups really prevent us from owning one.  So we're thinking that a goldendoodle would be the best dog for us.  Unfortunately we don't know of anyone who owns one so we've never had the opportunity to meet one.  Of course we understand that there is no true hypo-allergenic animal (except for maybe a hairless cat - but....).  So my question is, do any of you know of a breeder in the New Jersey area that would allow us to visit a doodle or two to see if our allergies stay in check?  I've read that most don't allow this but we don't live on a farm or have kids or have any other animals so I would think we're not going to carry any diseases. 

It may turn out that a doodle isn't for us.  But from all the research we've done, the intuition of the golden and the intelligence of the poodle would make for the perfect fit.

Any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions would be extremely helpful.  Thank you so much for your time.

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

Hi Kristin - welcome :) 

We live in NJ too.  We have 2 doodles...Dex (the white one) is a F1B labradoodle (poodle x labradoodle) and Kirby (the auburn one) is a F1 Irish Setterdoodle (Irish setter x Poodle).  We got Dex because of my husband's allergies.  We were careful and got a F1B because they are supposed to be better for allergies.  When we adopted Kirby, we had to be a little more flexible because we were "rescuing" (he was a rehome) a dog.  Luckily my husband has no problem with either dog.

We've had many people in our house with both dogs.  My sister-in-law (who has terribly severe allergies) is the only person to ever have a slight reaction (she got a little stuffy nose).  I'm not saying nobody would be allergic to them, but they've proven to be very good for people with allergies.

We do have a large group of people who get together with their doodles regularly.  Unfortunately with the winter we haven't had a get-together in a few months.  Please think about joining the NJ group here on Doodle Kisses because once the weather is better I'm sure we'll get together.  There is also a Pet Expo in Edison in February - I know we intend to attend and we often meet other doodles there.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I know of one person for sure, and one other possibly, who has allergic symptoms from my ALDs.

[Kristin & Hudson]

Hi Leslie.  I joined the NJ group and am looking forward to meeting everyone and their doodles.  Everyone has been so nice and helpful on DK.  Thanks for letting me know about the Pet Expo in February, we will look that up.  Maybe we will see you there!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

You all in New Jersey are such a great group!  How nice of you to open your homes and dogs to help someone.

[BG and Gavin]

*OK, this is my experience only!*

I am allergic to dogs.   Some worse than others.  I become asthmatic when exposed to some dogs, some cause mild symptoms and some do not bother me at all.  For me it is not the “shed factor” or type of coat that causes the problems.  It is the protein found in the saliva, dander etc.  For example, my friend had a boxer mix pup who mouthed my hand and my hand broke out in hives.  Another dog in the neighbourhood jumped up on me and scratched my leg (mildly) and I had welts develop where she scratched me.  However my other neighbour’s Bichon did not bother me a bit and another friend with a lab mix caused me very few problems. 

I snuggled with three different GDs getting them to lick my neck (very sensitive allergy area for me) with no issues.  I did know however that it was possible that I could be reactive to the one I chose.  I decided that if I did get a pup that caused me symptoms, I would do what I had to do with medication and shots to manage my symptoms. 

When I spoke to the breeder, she said that she has only had one puppy returned due to the son’s allergy; she exchanged him for another pup in the same litter and there were no further issues.  She offered the same arrangement for me, even saying I could take him home overnight on a trial.  Of course I was committed! 

When I selected my pup, I got down on the floor and had the pup I chose lick, bite and scratch me.  No issues. In fact I have not had a single issue with Gavin who is 17 months old now.  He is an F1 Goldendoodle with a loose wavy fleece/hair combo coat and sheds lightly.  This would be the kind of coat that people would tell you to stay away from, but I don’t think coat type and shedding are the predictors, I think it’s the protein and I don’t think that changes as a dog gets older.  So to make a long story short, I would do the bite/scratch/neck lick test for the actual puppy that you pick out.

[Kristin & Hudson]

Thanks BruceGirl.  Fortunately my allergies haven't been as bad as yours, I just sneeze and get red, watery eyes depending on the dog.  I grew up with a bichon and never had a problem with her.  I'm doing my research to find the dog that won't aggravate my allergies.  Like you, if I did develop symptoms over time I would do what I had in order to manage them.  I would never just get rid of the dog.  I know that's what a lot of people here worry about.  Thanks for the advice on the bite/scratch/lick test, I will do as you suggest.

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

Hi Kristin, we live in Central Jersey and have a first generation goldendoodle and an australian labradoodle.  We'd be more than happy to try and arrange for you to meet them. 

[Kristin & Hudson]

Hi Lindsey.  Thanks for the offer.  I just left a message on your page.

[Kristin & Hudson]

Wow, thank you all so much for the feedback!!  I don't have much time now to read through all posts but wanted to send out a quick note now and will read through all these tonight.  I knew when writing this post it would probably spark up the allergy debate and I want to thank you all for your honest opinions.  That is exactly what I was looking for.  I knew there had to be others on here who were in our same position and I just wanted to know how you all reacted to your dogs once you got them and how they affected you once they got older.  I am just trying to find the right dog for us.  Who knows, it might not be a goldendoodle but it seems like the perfect place to start.  Some dogs bother me others do not.  From everything I have read I understand that it is the dander that causes allergic reactions not the shedding or coat.  I could very well be fine with one dog from the litter but not others.  I understand this and accept it.  I just want to make a smart, informed decision before heading out and getting the first cute GD I find.  I also do not want to get rid of a dog because of my allergies.  It is not fair to us or the dog. 

 

Thanks also to all the Jersey folks who have offered to have us meet you and your dogs.  I'll be in touch later and would love to take you up on the offers.  I can't wait to meet your dogs :)  I also joined the Jersey group on here.

 

Again I can't thank you enough for the info!  It is so appreciated and we will keep you updated on what we decide.

 

Kristin

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Kristin, I think you are going about this in the most responsible and intelligent way possible, and I have no doubt that you will find the right dog for your family and be a great dog owner!

[Kristin & Hudson]

Thank you :)

[Christine & Shelby]

Kristin,

I am was suprised to read that many breeders won't let you visit to test your allergies.  I live in TX and am very allergic to dogs and asthmatic.  I contacted two breeders here that I was interested in and they were both receptive and let me come visit their dogs and test my allergies.  I did have a reaction at one breeders home - but I honestly believe it was dust and grass related.  When I contacted the second breeder (the one I chose to work with) I explained to her my situation and how my first visit went.  She was so helpful and arranged the meetings very carefully so I could really test my allergies.  I stayed for 2 hours and met 5 of her dogs... it was a wonderful experience and I got to learn a lot about her and her breeding program.  I put my deposit down a few days later.   Don't give up on the opportunity to visit.... this was very important to me in my decision making process and will likely be very helpful for you too. 

 

Visiting other peoples dogs is great too - if you lived closer I'd have you come visit Shelby.  She is an Australian Labradoodle who I have had for 1 year now with no allergy problems what so ever.  I wish you the best of luck!  Be sure to keep us updated!