What AKC recognized breed would you get if you had to pick?

[Kaitee and Orwell]

I know we all love our doodles, but it occurred to me that I think I'm actually different than most of you. Getting a labradoodle was NOT my first choice. Heck, it didn't really even register on my top choices. Since I still live at home with my parents, I had a size requirement (which didn't really work out anyway, lol) and had to compromise. Needless to say, I absolute LOVE and adore Orwell and wouldn't trade him for anything. I just know that I probably won't get another doodle. Most of them that I've met seem pretty independent and headstrong. Orwell is not. He can be an independent thinker, but I know how to get him to do whatever I want because I know I'm at the top of his priority list. I love my velcro dog.

If Orwell wasn't in his litter, I can honestly say that I would not have a labradoodle right now. I did not particularly like his brothers and sisters. I'm sure I would have come love them eventually, but Orwell was special. I even met his new brothers and sisters and didn't really like them either. While I thought it would be pretty cool to have a girl the same color as Orwell, none of them really connected with me.

If things were entirely up to me, I would have gotten an Irish Wolfhound. I have loved those dogs ever since I met one when I was 7 years old. I was scared at first because this dog who was almost as tall as me at the time came lumbering up to say hi, but he was the sweetest thing ever. All Irish Wolfhounds I've met are like that. I must say that I don't have any allergies to dogs, and I know some of you might, which would influence your decision on a breed.

However, let's all pretend that we don't have allergies for a moment. Let's also exclude poodles, labs, goldens, bernes, and any other breeds that might make up your doodle. Under these constraints, what AKC recognized breed of dog would you get, and why?

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I've met, and liked, so many West Highland Terriers (they're very popular in my neighborhood, as are Doodles) that I think that breed would be my leaning. I love their personalities and playfulness (it doesn't hurt that they're small enough to pick up, too!). We were actually considering a Westie in the beginning. I've forgotten now why we decided against one.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My mom had Westies and they were great dogs.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Westies are great dogs; perfect size, non-shedding, sweet, and they don't have that typical terrier stubbornness. But they are in the top 5 breeds for Atopic Dermatitis, and I would like to avoid that next time around. :(

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Luckily, she avoided that with hers!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Back in 2013 when we lost Lucy's litermate Sister Sophie to Lymphoma I gave this a great deal of thought.  In researching during the Lymphoma treatments I learned that approximately 66% of Goldens will die from some sort of cancer in their lifetime.  Maybe not as young as our Sophie was (although I've seen many younger since), but to me that was a stagering statistic.  One that I didn't know if I wanted to roll the dice on again.  So, I began my research into all other AKC breeds.  I looked at their shedding, personalities, coat type, and most importantly their health.  I also love the Irish Wolfhound, but in some cases Size does matter.  We travel a lot and while I don't want a mini, I didn't want to have a horse trailer either, lol.  We were at a hotel one night with a couple traveling with two Irish Wolfhounds.  They were pulling a trailer behind their car because of the dog beds and needs for the dogs.  They were headed to FL for the winter.  Anyway, most of the breeds that I narrowed down to were very doodle like.  Briard, Bearded Collie, Wheaton, and things like that.  However, after comparing all the differences, my heart just always came right back to the Golden Doodle ... I'm pretty sure I'll always be a Doodle Mom.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I agree completely, I feel that I have no reason to even research another breed and AKC has never mattered to me.  Doodles are everything I could want in a companion and if it ain't broke, I'm not gonna fix it.

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

I'm not sure what qualities you're after, but I was looking into the Coton de Tulear for a bit. There's one in my neighborhood that is gorgeous and absolutely a sweetheart when I pet him. So loving. It just made my heart melt... How fun that you're looking into this!

[Kaitee and Orwell]

Not after anything in particular! My mind is made up with the Irish Wolfhound. I was just curious to see how you all lean. 

I have never met a Coton... aren't they rather hard to find?

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

I guess it depends on where you're located. There is one I know in Westchester. I'm glad you brought up this topic; it's fun to learn about these breeds I'd never thought about before!

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Why are we excluding Goldens, Labs and other common Doodle mixers? The reason I have Doodles is because of my love of the Golden Retriever. We had a much beloved Golden before the Doodles that passed away due to bone cancer. Like Sheri I found that awful statistic and hoped that perhaps, the combination with the poodle may help with that. I also just didn't want to live with the buckets of hair that they shed. I love the Golden personality as well as the personality of the poodle. What could be better than a combo of the two? I don't think I'm alone in this. But that is why there are so many different breeds. We can all choose the traits that appeal most to us. Also like Sheri, I'm pretty sure that I will always be a Doodle Mom!

[Kaitee and Orwell]

I just thought it would be fun to think outside the grain... if you had to venture entirely outside the doodle. I know a lot of here loved one of the breeds in our doodles before we got a doodle. I felt comfortable getting Orwell because I had experience with my lab... though I also knew I didn't want another pure bred lab because I felt I would be comparing the new pup to Bonny. 

[Moe]

I love the Havanese. So cute and they don't shed. The problem with Irish Wolf hounds is that they only live to be 6-8 years old. 10 would be pretty uncommon. That's just not enough time. I think it would be too heartbreaking to have them. 

I got a second dog from a shelter. It was from a breeder in PA. She is a Shih Tzu / Dachshund mix. She doesn't shed and at a bit over a year she has not had to be professionally groomed. Over 2 ft long and only 6 inches off the ground. She is the cutest little thing. I really think I'll stay with small dogs from now on.  This is Lola.