Your Method For Choosing a Dog?

[Camilla and Darwin]

First off, I apologize, this question is a little abstract. But I would like to know your experiences. We have always known we would have two dogs, and we wanted to wait until Darwin turned at least a year old. He is currently nine months so we are starting to research and look around for a possible addition.

My question: how did you come to the decision to buy a doodle? Research is a must of course, and I have done TONS of research. But I still have a hard time deciding. Another Goldendoodle? A Labradoodle? Golden Retriever? Standard Poodle? Lab? Another completely unrelated breed? The options are endless, and a little overwhelming. In addition to all of these options, there is the question of a puppy or adult, rescue or from a breeder, etc.

I know the all the differences shedding vs heavier grooming, more intelligent vs more eager to please, dominant vs submissive, wool vs fleece, but how do you decide what is priority?

Also, is one year old enough to add a second dog to the mix? Darwin is neutered and submissive and gets along with every dog he meets, so I'm not extremely worried about him not accepting an addition. Not to mention we will also spay/neuter the addition.

Although I did a lot of research on which breed we wanted initially, I was less than informed when it came to actually purchasing, and it was really a BYB situation we got Darwin from. This time around, I know SO much more. I love Darwin and am glad we chose a Goldendoodle, but I'm also open to other breeds.

Anyways, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed so I'm sending this question out. What process did you follow to decide on what breed, how old, and when?

[Adina P]

I think 'getting along' (between Darwin and potential 2nd dog) is HIGHLY likely. It is more common (based on observation) that 2 dogs end up friends than it is that they have a perpetual personality conflict.

For me looks are equally important to temperament. There are some breeds that I just wouldn't want to cuddle with...no matter what their personalities were like. You know the saying 'so ugly it's cute'? Well that doesn't work for me..LOL. If a dog is ugly...it is just ugly. Now an ugly doodle is virtually impossible :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, but "ugly" is in the eye of the beholder. I think boxers are ugly, lol.
But I can't imagine how anyone could think any doodle is ugly.

[Adina P]

Oh absolutely...so I'm only saying 'ugly to me' and this is why I didn't mention the breeds I find ugly. I don't like boxers much any more.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Oh, but think mastiffs. Now that would be hard for me to have around. Or any very "wrinkly dog".

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Don't forget you must always have a drool rag with you. See

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Hey, if I go to a Doodle Romp I have to have a drool rag with me for Sophie and Lucy! They are slobber queens for some reason when around a bunch of other dogs!

[Adina P]

I LOVE some mastiffs! I met a gorgeous English Mastiff in brindle with black face. Stunning! (to me :))

[Melissa & Porter]

I hear what you are saying about the poodle look.

At first, I felt like I was making a necessary compromise on beauty/texture in order to have a less-likely-to-shed-or-cause-allergies dog. But Porter's curls and wiggly hair are actually really cute and feel very soft. I LOVE running my hands through his fur (though he is back to super-short as of yesterday).

My breeder also priced black/silvers lower than lighter colors to reflect demand. Another compromise I felt was a good idea to make since he was noted to be the quietest and follower-est of the litter. And NOW I think his black and silver coloring is beautiful. (I will admit that most photos turn out awful. Who cares though? I see him with my eyes, not a camera--no offense to the photo group :-)

So the things that were so hyped by the marketing of doodles, like "wavy fleece" and litters of all cream or red puppies--actually just hype in my opinion. I do think that shedding influences allergies. And I do think that curly requires more time and $$ to groom. But there is beauty in both.

[F, Calla & Luca]

None taken. Photos can never replicate what you see one to one about your dog.

[Melissa & Porter]

True...
Though I do admit I wish I could get more shots of his face where he didn't look like Skeletor though lol.

[Adina P]

ROFL! 'skeletor'..heehee. Tho I can't access your pics to see if this is so.....very funny.

[Melissa & Porter]

I think I would like a $7000 hypoallergenic cat to be Porter's friend. (These are genetically engineered cats.) I'll let you know when I win the lotto.

My neighbor and I share a fenced in back yard. Her dog and mine play for hours a day out there. But each has his own house. The best of both worlds, I think. Well, no cute sleeping together scenes.