What's the Deal with Sick Doodles?

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

It seems like we are reading an awful lot about doodles being sick lately.  I want your opinion.  Do you think that is because doodles have more health issues than pure bred dogs?  OR is it because we are on a doodle web site, so that is why I am only hearing about doodles being sick and if I went to a pure bred web site, there would be just as much sickness with them too?  OR is it because doodles, since they are a mixed breed, are bred using not the best quality dogs to begin with?

 

I'm just curious.  I feel tricked in a way.  When I did A LOT of research about which dog to get, I read all this (what seems like bogus to me now) information about "hybrid vigor" blah blah blah.  Is that true OR are breeders just trying to trick you to sell you doodles? 

 

I LOVE Bexter and wouldn't give him up for the world, but I am getting nervous that I might be looking into a very painful and expensive future with him if he turns out to be sick like it seems so many other doodles are.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Miniature and toy poodles (and cocker spaniels, which are in the ALD genetics) are more prone to GI diseases than many other breeds. Labrador Retrievers are the number two breed most affected by atopic dermatitis (what most people call "skin allergies") and it's common in Goldens, too. Atopic Dermatitis is genetic.

And there is no genetic testing for these things.

So there is a fact-based reason why there would be more digestive and skin issues being discussed on a doodle website.

[Camilla and Darwin]

It's the second option. I think it's because this is a breed specific forum. Meander on over to a Great Dane or Bulldog website... yikes they have a lot of health issues that are discussed.

In addition I think it seems higher because many members only post discussions when their dog is sick or injured. You don't see a ton of posts that say "my dog is fine, no change, just healthy as a horse" it's usually to ask advice or vent... So that may make the number seem higher.

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

Let's do a little math -  there are about 8800 members, many have multiple dogs, for arguments sake we can call that an additional 1200 dogs.  Therefore the "universe" is 10000 dogs.  Now how many dogs are sick on any given day 10.  That is 0.1 percent. 

Think about your children's school.  They may have 20 to 30 kids in each class - If only one child is sick that is about 3 to 5 percent.  Looking at the numbers I don't think that there are a lot of sick doodles. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

But we also have to consider that only a fraction of the members post on a regular basis.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Very true. 

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I think we should have a convalescent group here so we can catch up on all the sick doodles in one place!  Like a virtual visiting room.  I'm busy trawling around trying to find updates on all the recent ones now because they are on my mind as soon as I check in here.

Jane, I agree with you that Stuart was poisoned.  Have the drug company been notified? What is their reaction.  When a person has a drug reaction I imagine the company is notified and the statistics are collated somewhere?.

[Ginny Nightingale]

I had purebreds up until 2007. My 3 purebreds had mental issues, seizures, allergies and a weird throat growth that had to be removed every few years.  Since then, I have three VERY healthy doodles. I think we want to get help, prayers and answers, so we share when the doodles are sick--I agree with all the others that they are not sick more than other dogs.