"The worst of both breeds..."

[Pat and Traveler]

That's what a vet tech said this morning, when the conversation in the examination room turned to hairy ears.  The vet hastily said, "Or the best!"  But this comment by the vet tech was just a reminder of how polarized opinions seem to be about our doodles.  The first groomer I took Trav to informed me that she couldn't understand why anybody would mate two perfectly fine breeds to create a...labradoodle.  (I could almost hear what she REALLY wanted to say instead of labradoodle.)  That groomer shaved Trav's nose, not once but twice--even though I specifically asked one time that he just be bathed, not clipped or trimmed in any way.  We don't go there any more.    

I know there have been discussions before about how people react to labradoodles and goldendoodles.  Seems to be love 'em or hate 'em.  But nobody has ever said 'the worst of both breeds' in my presence before.  Trav was there too, but he didn't care.  :)

Has anybody else's doodle been called something derogatory?  And why do people think it's okay to make comments like that to a dog's owner?   

 

    

[Pat and Traveler]

That's an interesting observation, nicky.  I've heard people say rude things and then defend themselves by saying that they're just being honest.  I don't think so.  And certainly many of the reality shows thrive on fighting and saying outrageous things. The internet provides a fertile, anonymous ground for those who feel inclined to say mean or hurtful things.  In this case, the vet spoke up quickly, and I don't think she was very happy about the tech's comment.   

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I didn't realize that the vet heard the tech when I suggested you speak up.  Hopefully the vet chastised the tech when you left. It is so unprofessional and makes the vet's practice look bad.

[Susan and Sasha]

I am in agreement with you Nicky...

I am amazed at some of the comments that I hear people say.

I believe in respecting people and their feelings...and I want to treat them as I would want to be treated.

To make comments about our dogs... falls into the same category in my opinion.

I'm in agreement with you regarding this also Nicky.

They are members of our family...and we love them dearly.

 

 

 

 

 

[Ginny Nightingale]

The worst comments I have gotten is from people commenting on how much the puppies from my doodle's litter cost (my breeder owned and sold them--I just got a free puppy) I got lots of comments about why people would pay so much for a "mutt". Not nice at all. I told them that very few mutts are as thoroughly health tested as my guys are and not nearly so pretty! But--they are entitled to their opinions. I find that far more people are really interested in my labradoodles and would like to own one some day.

[Pat and Traveler]

Ginny, when Trav and I did a road trip through several national parks and monuments, we met people from all over the world who just loved him.  He was a good ambassador for the the breed, though I stopped calling him a labradoodle because of the blank looks I'd get.  I just said he was a lab/poodle mix.  I'm sure most people would have been astounded if they knew what I'd paid for him.  :)

[Sue]

It's not OK, especially when you are a paying customer! The vet tech needs to be talked to about rudeness.

[Pat and Traveler]

Sue, I don't think the vet was very happy about the tech's comment.  Maybe that got through to her.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

I had the experience where one of the receptionist at our vet's office made the comment "I don't understand why anyone would want a designer dog that is only really a mutt".  It really hurt my feelings though I didn't say anything.  That was a little over a year ago.  Since then I have had a steady stream of LD & GD fosters in for vetting and grooming.  Usually the same receptionist is working but we never had a repeat of the comments.  Then a funny thing happened just this morning.  I had our 2 foster GD puppies (11 weeks old) in for their second round of shots.  Well the same receptionist was there this morning and after cooing over the babies for 15 to 20 minutes she looked up and said "I just love this breed!".

[Pat and Traveler]

Good one, Nina!  A lot of the doodle haters just haven't really gotten to know them.  GD puppies??  Make a believer out of anybody.  And you are an angel for fostering -- two puppies!!   Awesome.

[Lorraine Bromley]

I would have told her it happens in humans too, about getting the worst of both breeds! She could take that the way she wanted to and maybe realized what it just felt like when she said that to you.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

oh Lorraine, I am gonna remember that come back in case someone ticks me off with their rude comments....maybe a little more of a bite than yours ( I am sure you are a nicer human than I) something like "well obviously it happens in the human world as well".

I just can't get over people who think it's okay to say anything about anyone or their choice of pets, were they raised by apes?

 

[Pat and Traveler]

Perfect, Lorraine!  Subtle and well...perfect!  Now I'm hoping somebody will say it to me again.  :)