"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]

Denise--wow!  Kudos to Ava!  I would have thought up that response about an hour too late.  :)  And kudos to Hunter for being such a good ambassador. 

[Taylor & Huff]

The only bad thing I have heard somebody say about Huff in real life (people on the internet are so mean about doodles, especially on yahoo answers) was that he was too big. hahaha:) I am sure people have said things behind Huff's back though:)

[LINDA & TEDDY]

I am so sorry to be the one to have to say this but that vet tech comments are the result of bad breeding. It is too bad that her parents did not raise her to think before speaking. Until she matures, her lack of manners will continue to be an impediment to her.  The best thing to do is chalk it up to bad breeding (hers not Travelers)

 

I feel very strongly that it is the purebred that is the true designer dog. They are designed to conform to a breed standard. Their ear set, tails, muzzle, height, fur, coloring, stance etc. etc. are the result of planned breedings to result in the perfect look. Unfortunately, temperament often is overlooked to produce the perfect specimen.......ala the true designer dog.

[Pat and Traveler]

Linda, that made me laugh!  It really is bad breeding to make unkind comments, and maybe stupid to do so in front of both your customer and your boss.  I see exactly what you're saying about designer dogs--gives a whole new dimension to the phrase.   

[Joe R.]

I like that about purebreeds being true designer dogs. I've never thought of them that way. I'm going to use that in future. I guess we've been lucky. I've never had anyone say anything bad about Gus and Lily. And our vets love both of them. Unfortunatly I'm in the market for a new groomer. Our's decided to quit grooming for a while. Anyone know of a good one in the MD/DC/VA area let me know.  

[Pat and Traveler]

Joe--isn't that a great way of looking at designer dogs?  Good luck with your groomer search--no help here, we're in Oregon.  :)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I would actually say something about the vet tech's comment to either the tech or the vet.  In this case it isn't an opinion but a lack of professionalism.  Just think if I said to a parent - your kid is a brat! I may be thinking it but it is not something appropriate to say.  If that vet tech is young and perhaps wants to be a vet - they really need to learn what not to say.

[Pat and Traveler]

Thanks for the comments, Lisa.  You must have a fun job, most of the time, anyhow.  :)  The vet was super-nice, and kept remarking about what good manners Trav had, how sweet he was, and what a good job I'd done with him.  I think that's part of the reason the tech's comment stuck with me--Trav was really being the perfect patient.

I have a friend who has a Chessie--100 lbs. of wild and crazy dog!  He's pretty much uncontrollable, but he's still a pup.  Yikes!  There actually is a standard for labradoodles, though I think the coat description is still all over the ball park.

Congrats on your puppy-to-be!   I'll be waiting for stories and pictures!

[Pat and Traveler]

Amanda, yorkies are just adorable.  I babysat for a terrier one time, and it really was a nice little dog.  He got one of my socks and ran around with it--the only way I could catch him was to dangle and jiggle the other sock until he just had to make a run for it.  So cute!

[sandy b]

Oh, we had a yorkie before we got Max. He was the love of my life. He was not yippy unless he was chasing our cat :-)

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

Lol I wish I had her quick witt and ability to come up with things so fast!

I did have a groomer tell me once that they didn't groom doodles because they were to difficult! I am sure she just didn't know how to groom them right :-)

[Max & Mimzy]

Reading your comment, it made me so sad I wanted to cry. I called my mom and read it to her as well and she couldn't believe it. I have never heard a bad comment about Max in the two years that I've had him. I chose Max because of the great temperament I had experienced with other goldendoodles. I chose to get a miniature because I thought the smaller version would be easier for me. He has been a joy and a blessing in my life. He cuddles with me when I'm sad. He does his crazy zoomies to make me laugh and smile. He was potty trained in a week. He never wrecked anything in my house besides his own toys. He learned commands like sit, down, roll over, leave it, etc. easily. He is wonderful! Every doodle I have met has been equally as wonderful. I have a friend that has a golden retriever/yellow lab mix. He has been difficult to train, he doesn't listen well, and he wrecks things in their house on a daily basis. She tells me everyday that she is envious of Max. She says he is special in the way that he just wants to do what is right and doesn't want to be naughty. I also have an aunt who hates dogs. And she tells me, and other people, that Max is an exception. She told me that although she doesn't like dogs, she would take Max in a second. They are sweet, loyal, CUTE!, gentle, loving dogs. Who could say anything but nice about them???

 

When I first brought Max to a new groomer after I moved...when I got there, the groomer was so excited to see a miniature goldendoodle because she had never seen one before! She was so kind and sweet and said he was just adorable (which of course, I already knew!!) :) You need to find a groomer that is just as sweet and says kind things to your doods!