The Argument FOR Doodles, I'd Love Some Insight.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I have come across a whole lot of negativity because I chose a doodle. I am sure I'm not the only one here who has encountered this attitude. I have done a lot of research on dog breeds since I was very young, and it's hard to hear people make judgments on my breed of choice, due to the bad rap "designer dogs" get. Don't get me wrong, I don't support breeding every possible dog to a poodle. Quite the opposite, I feel that breeds should only be created if it's a beneficial mix. There should be numerous logical reasons for the mix, and it should only be done with a lot of preparation and knowledge. I think back yard breeders or any thoughtless breeders are bad, for ANY breed of dog. 

On the flip side, Darwin's appearance draws a lot of people, and I have heard so many "Where can I get a dog like him?" questions.  I have had many people ask me where they can buy a "cheap" Goldendoodle, because they see Darwin and love his furry appearance. They don't realize the time I take for training, grooming, and health issues with Darwin. I always try and educate them, but it's so much information to communicate. I really want to write a blog post for my personal blog, explaining my choice and presenting the truth about "doodles and designer breeds." I have searched for past topics on this (I saw an amazing discussion on this but can't find it) and I was hoping to call for everyone's collective thoughts. 

Anyways, this is long winded. As you can see from this paragraph, I am not the most organized at presenting my opinions. I made an informed decision and am educated on the pros and cons. It's just hard for me to organize all of my thoughts and present it well. I'm hoping for other's thoughts and insights, to help me write this post. I'd love links, thoughts, and a discussion on the argument about how awful  "designer breeds/breeders/owners" are. 

[cheryl & oliver]

To be honest, I have never had anyone say a bad thing about Oliver. I have had people come over and ask me what kind of dog is he? Can I pet him? Is he friendly?...I tell them he is a golden doodle, and they just think he is gorgeous. Of course he just eats up all the attention, lol,,,They all think he is so calm and good, lol, I tell them I would like a dollar for all the hours of training that went into him, and is still on going. I also tell them that there is no guarentee that they won't shed...But I think alot of it is envy, just look at our babies, there really is a lot to be jealous of, lol...I tell them they take a lot of grooming, and lots of time, and that if you do not want a dog that wants to be with you all the time, do not get a doodle. I then refer them to doodle kisses.com and tell them to read all about doodles. they can then make an informed decision...

[Leanne Hopkins]

Our LD, Copper, is my son's assistance dog. We have a LD for several reasons: the shedding factor, personality, size, intelligence. All of these can be had with another breed and/or rescue. But, I remind people that rescues come with unknown baggage. We didn't want to have a dog trained for service (training a service dog from birth to placement at 2 yr costs between 20,000 and 30,000) and then have him come up with surprises that might be hidden until he was 2 or 3 years old.
Most of all, I tell people that the original idea for the breed was for developing a service/assistance dog. Different personality traits were combined from several breeds in the attempt to develop a dog to help those with disabilities. Funny, but when I say that LD were originally bred for service there are usually no other questions. We don't see Copper as a designer dog. We see him as a perfect fit of temperament (he's so patient and laid back with Jeff), size, hypoallergenic, health, etc.
Also, in my opinion, many people who buy designer breeds think that since they have paid an "arm and a leg" for the animal that he isn't REALLY a dog. It's as if, "I paid $2000 for this dog and now you tell me he isn't potty trained! that I have to take him to obedience class! and I can't leave a 3 month old puppy alone because he'll chew up the sheetrock in the kitchen! I don't think I want him after all."
That's why our group www.paals.org has another LD in training for service. The "designer dog" didn't come with the maturity and manners they expected. That's OK in this case. Duo is going to make a fine service dog for someone with disabilities.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks for sharing this, Leanne. We have a 25 year old son with special needs who insisted he didn't want a dog...any dog. I think he was actually worried about sharing attention. It amazes me every day how our Doodles have wraped him right around their paws, and now he's very much attached to them. They took their time...it was like they just knew not to push it with him. Little by little he's grown to love them...and they him. He's been a partner in Guinness's training, and I know how much self confidence and satisfaction that gives him. So, while our guys aren't officially "assistance dogs" their intelligence and intuitiveness have really made a difference with our son. This young man who kept insisting he didn't want any dogs in our house now gets really upset if I have to correct the Doods for anything. They have won over his heart, and he theirs.

[Camilla and Darwin]

Thanks to everyone for the responses so far, they have been really helpful!

[Jaime and Barley Barker]

Where does this negativity come from? Is it a threatened sense of competition from purebreed breeders? I first discovered the hostility when I did a Google search about the difference between F1, F1b, and F2 goldendoodles. I found info on Yahoo! answers. Instead of just answering the question, some people were hateful about doodles and doodle owners. They said goldendoodles are ruining the poodle and golden retriever breeds, and they hate how they're called goldendoodles when in fact they are just mutts. I thought that "mutt" implies an accidental, haphazard mix; however, Doodles are deliberate mixes in order to acquire certain traits. But isn't this how all breeds started? Weren't all breeds originally mixes that were deliberately bred and bred for specific traits? Anyway, that's what I point out. In person, I've had questions about Barley. I've never encountered open hostility except once when my mom mentioned to a poodle breeder we met that we had a goldendoodle. Overall, people seem interested. Barley wins people over by his sweet personality and cuteness. Also, why should people feel like they have to defend their choice of dog? How does this affect others in the general population?

[Mary Kracun]

I am very fortunate in that I have not met many negative folks. I have allergies, and made a deliberate and informed decision to bring a doodle into my home. Lottie is a goldendoodle and has a very sweet personality. I too try to educate folks when they ask about her breed. Most think she is a poodle; she is an F1b and has curly hair. She is the first pet I have ever had, and I'm 55! I am lucky and blessed with an incredible companion. If a person starts to make a negative remark, I just say that this is my very deliberate choice. That usually stops the conversation.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I hardly ever run into someone who belittles my Gracie Doodle or thinks she is a stupid, silly breed. Everyone loves her and wants one! I think maybe two or three people in three years have made a comment. Basically I would like to just flip them off and keep walking. I just figure...try one, you would like it!!!! There are many breeds out there that I don't like and often look at the owner and wonder "what possesed them to get that dog?" I just give Gracie a big hug and kiss and we move on. She is my precious baby and I love her and that is all I need. Most people who make rude comments probably are or would be horrible dog owners! You can tell they are just negative miserable people if they have nothing better to do than to criticize others dogs. I hope they step in dog poop!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Too funny!

[Rachel & Gatsby]

I find this kind of negativity on Yahoo! Answers all the time. Never fails. Whenever anyone asks a questions in the format of: "my labradoodle/lhasa poo/puggle/chiweenie/etc ... " the first thing people say (and sometimes, the only thing) is "it's not a labradoodle. It's a mutt."

People are simply rude some times. I'm all about educating an individual on "designer breeds" but in a respectful manner. On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with a "mutt." They are just as wonderful as purebreds, and I've had both. People are just oversensitive about the term.

I think much of this issue stems from the fact that some people think doodles are purebred, and so they think they are somehow more special than the average dog, which IMO, is in direct correlation with the fact that there's so much hype placed on purebreds themselves. I mean, look at how much they're selling for.

Then there are the people who don't want those looking into the doggy market to spend a fortune on a breed that isn't pure. "Suckers" is the term most commonly dropped on Y!A. I say, if an individual wants to drop 500 to 1,000 dollars on any dog - mutt or purebred - then there's their prerogative. With that said, they should be able to call them by whatever they want.

I switch between mutt, lab/poodle mix, and a dust mop. My Gatsby is a dog. I don't think any more or any less of him because he's a labradoodle or "designer breed" dog. I love him because he's obnoxious and mannerless and plays with his food.

I think I made a good choice. (:

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

" I'm all about educating an individual on "designer breeds" but in a respectful manner. On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with a "mutt." They are just as wonderful as purebreds, and I've had both.
I switch between mutt, lab/poodle mix, and a dust mop. My Gatsby is a dog. I don't think any more or any less of him because he's a labradoodle or "designer breed" dog. I love him because he's obnoxious and mannerless and plays with his food.
I think I made a good choice. (: "

I think this is the best comment I've ever seen on this particular issue. And I think you and Gatsby both made a good choice!

[Rachel & Gatsby]

Thank you. (: It's nice being able to find a place to express your opinions without inadvertantly starting an arguement or being offensive. And this is an issue that simultaneously fascinates and frustrates me.

I think this forum is pretty fabulous thus far.

[Kayla Jean Ashley]

I tell people that I just happen to be a very lucky girl with a wonderful, intelligent, and beautiful goldendoodle. It's funny, truly, that a lot of people in my area are often completely on one side or the other. Some people are over-the-top in love with our Bella or they are giving dirty looks and muttering. We were scolded once by a groomer about our decision to the point that my mom and I left feeling very cheated and could only wonder what sort of treatment she'd given our fur-baby. When we first entered though, she was all nice and cheerful but I guess as we left we said something about her being a Goldendoodle and that must have ticked off some odd nerve because she was a different person when we picked her up. I'm not entirely sure why people feel this way, like many people I did research into breeds and considered my allergies and my mom's dislike of drool, mess, etc. I also considered my siblings, and my own, wants in a dog: energetic, smart, trainable, etc. I did my research and I looked around at breeders. It's not a 'designer' dog purely because its a mix between two dogs, it's not a mutt becuase of that either. It's a dog. Dog's are just that, dogs. I mean lets consider for a moment that rescues are often only guesstimates, a simple query towards what breed they may or may not be. I wonder if those argumentative and honestly over-the-top people would even know the breed if they saw it at a shelter, and if they would care beyond the genetics.

I chose Bella and the Goldendoodle breed becuase it is just that, a fantastic breed; a good mixture of dogs behavioral and physical traits. I am obviously for dogs period. I am a very dog person, I love every type of dog so it honestly upsets me when people single out a dog becuase it may or may not be a 'designer' dog. Honestly I think that every breed is around the same price, at least when I was searching (I was looking into Labs and Goldendoodles). The whole argument that hey cost ridiculous amounts of money, in my case, if untrue and honestly if that's what it takes to get a great dog, in your perspective, then that's what it takes. I believe more in the training aspects, as far as behavioral. Health issues, well, I'm not totally sold on breeders and their testing. When I was looking there were too many that faked such results and the like of the actual testing. Some not all. Designer Dogs probably get such a bad reputation because of the backyard breeders and the lack of responsibility, understanding, and research that many new owners don;t do. Our dogs, Doodles, are BEAUTIFUL dogs, and are bought spontaneously. This isn't necessarily a bad thing but it often ends as one.

When someone acts interested in a doodle, whether their intention is to argue or to ask where we got her, I always make sure to tell them about HER, then the training, and then the breed. Breeds, price, etc. they don't really matter to me, that's what I want people to understand. The haters think most people buy them almost as if they were the new trend. The lovers think that they must be the perfect dog. Truth is, neither are right. You make the dog. A dog is a family member and a responsibility.