Catalog Shopping for a Doodle!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Many things bug me in life.  Just ask my family.  I am very vocal about the things that irritate me and many of my family members can often be heard saying, “Give it a rest, grousemeister!”  Grouse isn’t really the word they use, but it sounds nicer than the actuality.  My mom also used to say, “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all,” but I have found when I really get going when something bugs me, it wouldn’t be fair to my family to just clam up and keep my opinions to myself, because the silence that followed would just be awkward.  Also, since I don’t know sign language, there would be no other way to make my point.  If you are married to me, by now you would be wondering, “how can I distance myself amicably from this tirade and still feign enough interest that she doesn’t turn her attention to my faults?” Luckily, you have the option of clicking off, but I think what I have to say is important.

 

When did shopping for our Doodles become like ordering an item from the Sears catalog?  Growing up, it seemed like people I knew just had dogs.  Most were mutts and I never heard anyone go on and on about their expectations regarding looks, coat type, nose color, specific size and weight requirements, or overall appearance.  Yes, I admit I was taken with the cuteness of a Doodle and still am, but the only reason I would select a specific color next time is because I am determined to use the name Black Olive, which works much better on a black dog and they don’t come in green.  I would also be willing to change the name to just plain Olive if the right dog found me.  As far as nose color and coat type, luckily I had no clue that it mattered.  The only question I was smart enough to ask was about temperament and I still didn’t get exactly what I wanted, but it doesn’t change how I feel about my dogs.  Besides that, who is to say the whole nature versus nurture debate can’t be argued about our dogs, too?

 

It just seems to me we are getting more specific about requirements when picking out our dogs and opening ourselves up to a whole can of worms down the road if something goes wrong. Dog must be under 20 pounds….what happens if it grows to be 30 pounds?  Dog must not shed…..what happens if you take a chance on a mixed breed and it sheds?  Dog’s coat must be curly….what happens if that doesn’t pan out and your dog doesn’t look Doodley enough?  The list could go on and on, but these are living, breathing creatures we are talking about and genetics can be a tricky thing.  Our neighbors are an ordinary couple, not too big or tall, and their son is huge and by huge, I mean he could hang out with professional football players and make a few of them seem small.  I have one daughter who is 5’10” and the other one may hit the measuring tape at 5’3”.  Sure, we can use the old joke about the mailman, but in my case, the mailman is old and rarely speaks and I imagine if I asked him if he would like to start a torrid affair with me, all he would say is, “here’s your mail.”  Nope, it is genetics that can cause the unpredictability in families and if you convince yourself that if you start having kids they all have to be a certain size fully grown, good luck with that plan.  The same holds true with our Doodles. They are like snowflakes and no two are ever the same. I really think if appearance is all that matters you would be better off going to Build-a-Bear and picking out a stuffed dog.

 

What if our dogs had the ability to turn the tables on us and select the owner who meets their criteria?  Can you imagine a dog saying, “What color is her nose?  Is her hair curly or straight?  Does she weigh less than 135 pounds?  I surely can’t, because none of this superficiality matters to a dog.   They already know that love can happen in all sizes, shapes, and outward appearances, and they are far more forgiving and accepting than humans.  When you think about it, a dog doesn't have any options at all, they get who they get in an owner, faults and all, and frankly, they often end up with the short end of the stick.  What is that old saying?  Let me be as good as my dog thinks I am.  Maybe it should be changed to, Let me learn to love like my dog does..simply and without all these expectations.  So, the next time I see a question being asked about a specific physical characteristic of a prospective puppy or an already gotten dog, I am not going to answer, “who cares?” but, hug my dogs and thank them for accepting me just the way I am, imperfections and all.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Sandy, I don't think we choose our mates or friends based on their weight, their hair, or their coloring, lol. At least I hope we don't.

There have always been non-shedding dogs, for much longer than any of us has been alive, and those breeds have always been available in a variety of sizes and colors. The difference was that you could be assured of getting what you thought you were getting, which is not true with doodles and with a lot of the hype that's out there about them regarding non-shedding and size. So I think the point is that those things really shouldn't matter that much, because they have no effect at all on the unconditional love that we get from our dogs; but if they do matter so much to someone, a doodle might not be the right kind of dog for that person.  

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Elizabeth.

Cyndi, Thank you! Wow...Tank must take after a grandparent :) Love the name. Sully sounds like a real lover and Beau sounds like our Fudge. She has beautiful, slim legs, too. All your dogs sound great and I admire anyone who has three. I often think about it, but just feel two should be my limit.

Donna, I feel like Quincy is the clean version of Vern :)  You ended up getting very lucky.  I know the feeling about loving them so much! Thank you!

Charlotte, Well said. We rescued our Honey and oh, what an experience it was for our family. We loved her to pieces, but when she went, we opted to start over with puppies and ended up with our Fudge and Vern. I have to say honestly the "no shedding" was the main reason we went with Labradoodles and then we found out later many do shed. In our case, ignorance was bliss, and we ended up getting lucky. I like how you pick a dog and commend you for that decision.

Lisa, Thank you! Yep, I thought many of those things, too, and in the end it didn't matter :)

Thanks, Lonnie!

Deborah, Your Molly sounds like our Hershey. She was our first family dog and we didn't know anything about how to pick a breeder, but ended up getting the most wonderful dog. We just knew when we held her the first time that she was our dog.

Carol, Well said...you added great points to this blog. Thank you and you know I love Banjo!!

Nancy, Thank you! Another great way of expanding on what I was trying to say. Ned, Clancy, and sweet Gordie hit the jackpot.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

 

After seeing last weeks drive- thru and franchise discussion I bet there truly is a catalog out there already. 

I honestly believe we need a reference area on DK, where we can link posts like these to those who are seeking help.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Christine.

Karen, It is funny how that works out.  I have two sisters, too. We are all tall, but we had tall grandmothers. My dad's mother was very tall for her day, and married a very short man, but my dad turned out to be 6'. You just never know.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Sandy, Pretty soon you are going to have another role model joining you :)

Deanna, Thank you! It sounds like Sedona chose you :) It took her fifty minutes, but better late than never...LOL! I think 5'7" is a perfect height :)

F, I have always been wise, it just took you longer to notice :) There is no photoshop involved in that picture. Yes, I anticipated 60 pounds for 96 pound Vern :) No lifting him ever, although I can hoist him onto the bed. I think the older you get, the smaller your dog should be. Why don't I ever listen to myself? Trust me....the mailman is safe from me...LOL!

Bonnie, Thank you! You know..Vern was one of the ones left, too, and I often wonder why no one picked him. I am so glad they didn't, because he was meant for me. Fudge, too. I tell my two all the time I am dropping them at a drop box at the pound. They just wag their tails. I love your descriptions of your dogs. Owen, the rascal and Kona, the love bug.

Karen, Thank you!! I am so glad Jackdoodle ended up with someone who loves him no matter what.

Thanks, Nicky & Pat!

Jane, Yes, that can certainly happen with some websites. I remember thinking I wanted a non shedding dog and many promised that and we know that isn't always the case.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

However, Guinness told JD that he would love to see his mom in an emerald green bikini.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Not according to Jane, see below.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

F, Jane's dog would love to see her in an orange bikini :)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Jane, I honestly believe YOU are the right mom for your boys. No doubt in my mind. I think about you all the time when Fudge is being reactive when we are out walking and I turn like a coward and go the other way. I do say to myself, "Jane would just forge ahead...right past the dog," but I never seem to listen to myself. Murphy would get nowhere with me :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

No Jane, the orange bikini would appall them.