What breed should they get?

[Adina P]

Someone who is having trouble signing up for DK has a question for our members.  They are looking to get a goldendoodle and live in Utah.

He and his wife are in their late 40s.  He is a University teacher and his wife works full time too, but he has some flexibility.  They have three kids who are all in school.  He also says:

"We have a fenced yard and live near miles of trails that are three blocks away.  I would like a calmer dog, 35 to 40 pounds, which enjoys walks and hikes.  We also skate ski in the winter and would love to take the dog too. My kids would be very affectionate with the dog.  That said, some days the dog would be home alone for at least five hours."

His wife also has allergies, but they don't want a poodle.  So they were recently looking into a goldendoodle, but are open to other breeds that fit their lifestyle and needs.

What would you advise them?

[F, Calla & Luca]

OMD yes. Rex, the standard poodle would never let me go downstairs and continue sleeping upstairs like my two can. I used to turn up the TV so he could rest and snaek downstairs. He was always seeking petting too.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

One of the things I love most about Fudge and Vern is they don't follow me around. My Lab sounds like your Rex. Even when she could barely walk, she had to know where I was at all times.

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

A few months ago, I saw one at PetSmart. He was a very large standard, and he was clipped like a doodle. In fact, I mistook him for a doodle, but his owner, a male college student, told me he was a standard poodle. He was a gorgeous champagne/gold color, and he was one of the most beautiful dogs I've ever seen!

[Christine & Camus]

I know several people who have Standard Poodles and as with all dogs their poodles all have 'personalities'.  They are all great dogs, but one named Bravo is the most wonderful dog, warm, affectionate and beautiful.  He loves people and considers me one of his special friends so I get the most wonderful, warm greeting from him (wish he were mine).  I love Standard poodles!

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

It sounds like a great home for a doodle to me.  Bexter is 40 pounds, and he is a "mini" doodle; more like a medium doodle!  What about an F1b?  They are smaller and even better for allergies is my understanding.  More poodle though.  What do they not like about poodles?  Too curly?  Just wondering.  The fact that they are looking into it before just going to a pet store or breeder to get the first cute puppy they see says they are being responsible to me.  I hope they find their perfect dog!  They do need to understand puppies are not usually "calm" though, no matter what breed.  Maybe they could get an older dog.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

F1Bs are not smaller than any other doodle, or bigger. It's just a generational designation; it's an F1 doodle crossed back to a purebred poodle. There are standard F1Bs, medium F1Bs, and mini F1Bs, just like any other generation. I fostered an F1B Goldendoodle who weighed 90 lbs.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

That's true...about the F1b's.  I guess I'm just thinking about my breeder's F1b's.  They are minis, and always seem to run smaller than the F1's... I guess because the mom is a mini F1 and the dad is a mini poodle rather than a mom being a full golden retriever and dad a mini poodle.  Maybe they could go the F1b doodle route.  If the family doesn't like poodles because of the grooming, they'd better think again about a doodle!  Whew!  I LOVE my doodles, but the grooming expense is more than I'd expected!

[DJ & Chance]

My last dog, Sally, was a standard poodle--regal and quite striking in her looks, and yet goofy and loving at the same time.  I mourned her passing for several years before deciding to look for another dog (Chance).  

Chance had a poodle dad and a goldendoodle mom, and I can tell already that he has a lot of poodle in him--there is something about the character of his prancing and leaping that screams poodle. Will his adult coat be non-shedding?  Only time will tell!

Someone with really severe allergies to dog dander should probably not get a mixed breed--the genetics are too unpredictable.   

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

DJ, this is my favorite post of the day!

[Julie and Charlie]

I love the poodle, and mostly poodle doodle prancing!

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

My husband has serious dog allergies, so I do know about dogs that are the most apt to be non allergenic.

Poodle, Siberian Husky, Wheaten Terrier, multi gen Australian labradoodles, and Obama's dog whose breed name is currently spinning around in my brain and refuses to show itself.

All those dogs, except Sibes, need serious grooming, but are not bad shedders.  Siberians need little grooming except with a Furminator to help when they shed and they shed seriously once or twice a year.  Black is not a color that is suggested to wear if you have Sibes and keep a lint roller in the car.

Most Siberians are extremely calm after they reach three years old, before then not so much.

ALD - well Tigger has always been calm, Roo is five and half and has serious energy.  Poodles and Wheatens - never had one - still want one of each.

I don't know of any even sloppily trained dogs that can't stay alone for five hours if given a proper place to stay. Puppies would be a bit of hassle for five hours until about six months.

What I don't understand is what is the big deal - dogs give back what you put into them as far as behavior.  Calm sometimes means fearful sometimes it means just calm.  You don't get to order children so why does anyone think that they can order a living being like a dog to specifications.  Admittedly turtles vary less in needs and temperment so if you want a "pet" who is calm and can stay alone and non allergenic (usually) get a turtle.

Venting a little as I am a bit tired of "mail order brides" or dogs in this case.

 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Portuguese Water Dog...Bo :)