Are Doodles "Special"?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think we probably all would say "absolutely" to this question, but I've been wondering about whether there is actually something about this "breed" that makes them more devoted and bonded to their family than most other breeds. I've been thinking a lot about this over the past few days after seeing the story of a DRC dog in need of adoption.  This dog (Backer, a 3 yr old Goldendoodle) just lost his owner to brain cancer.  He laid by her side while she was ill, only leaving to relieve himself.  I was feeling miserable last week with a summer cold, and I was laying down a few times during the day.  My Doods were always laying right next to me....they wouldn't leave.  Of course, this is a far cry from the story of this poor woman with brain cancer, but it really made me think.  I remember when I was first looking for a Doodle puppy, and my breeder told me about their "traits".  She said if you want a dog who will be totally devoted to you and follow you everywhere, a Doodle is for you.  We've had four other breeds of dogs over the years.  They were all very sweet and loving, but none of them were as focused on or attached to me as my Doodles.  Murph and Guinness have such different "personalities", but they are exactly the same when it comes to the way they just won't leave my side.  They NEED to be where I am.  They truly are "velcro" dogs.  So, I wonder if your Doodles are the same way....and do you think this is actually a "breed" specific thing.  In many ways that seems highly unlikely, because of course they are not actually a breed.  But, I just wonder.  On a side note, if I wasn't in a condo situation with a limit of two dogs, I would be trying my best to adopt this amazing 105 pound Doodle boy in OH.  I have trouble even wrapping my mind around that degree of devotion.  This Doodle must have one amazing heart.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

What an amazing story about Backer. This is interesting you bring this story up, Jane, because my secretary and I were discussing breed traits yesterday. She strongly believes that you sould never get the same breed again after losing your pet. She says that every dog (even within a breed) are too different personality and trait wise and you could end up "disappointed" if you get a dog that is the polar opposite from your first. She is a huge dog lover and has probably had 10 different breeds in her lifetime. She always talks about Wagner, her golden retriever (and only golden ever), that was her favorite. I can see her point of view with certain humans and their dogs. My mom had the love of her life up until last year. Mr. Jake was the perfect cairn terrier - followed her everywhere, was funny, he really was great. She had gotten a girl cairn a year before he died. Lucy is 100% different. Could care less about humans, wants to hang outside all day long, regardless of the weather - it is weird! I can also see my secretary's side to this because I can pretty much assure you I will never get another chihuahua. Tacky is too special and everyone that meets him says "wow, he is not a typical chihuahua at all" (meaning he doesn't have those yappy, shaky, annoying traits). I probably couldn't find another like him.

THAT BEING SAID, I WOULD GET ANOTHER DOODLE AGAIN AND AGAIN!!!!! I do think that most doodles have that loving, "velcro" nature. I love every one I meet! Most have that spark in their eye and the happy doodle smile. I know my next doodle will be different from Peri, but I am pretty sure he/she will be the loyal companion I am anticipating. Peri is exactly like your Guinness and Murph. If I am sick, she sleeps next to me on the bed. If I leave the room, she follows me. She follows my parents everywhere now because she stays with them when we travel (they are her "grandhumans").
Thanks for bringing this up - I was thinking of this same thing yesterday :)

[Leslie and Halas]

I think one reason it may work to get another doodle is because they can look so different from one another. If someone had a golden that passed away, and then got another golden, they would at least look somewhat similar. I think that makes comparisons inevitable. But there are so many varieties of doodle, whether it's color, coat type, or type (F1, F1b, etc.), that it would be really easy to get one that looked completely different than your first one. Comparisons would probably still happen, and there would be some similarities, I'm sure, but at least the look could be a lot different.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This is one of the ways we know that a potential adopter is trying to replace their former companion, when their requirements for a dog are very detailed & specifric as to size, color, coat-type, sex, etc. We had one family who even specified the type of tail the dog had to have! Any new dog had to be a replica of the one they lost. This is so sad, because the most perfect dog in the world could not possibly measure up, and of course, should be appreciated for his/her own wonderful qualities.

[Leslie and Halas]

And even a dog that's "perfect" in it's families eyes would still have some tiny flaws or quirks that they had grown to love over the years. So in trying to replace that dog, not only would the new dog have to have all of the good qualities of the old dog in order to measure up, but it would also have to have the same little quirks and flaws. That's impossible to live up to.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

All good points. Leslie, I agree with you about the different doodle looks. I don't know why I got on a tangent about "replacing" pets (sorry!), but I think it made me really think that the doodle personality is just awesome and I can't imagine NOT having that velcro near me :) Even though she lunges at squirrels, even though she ate my rug last weekend, even though...you get the point.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Funny you pointed out a few flaws. I've been thinking my two are wonderful in some different ways and they both have different annoying traits. I could do without Luca's ball obsession or Calla's urge to protect us from every random, delusional threat : )

[Coach Veazey, Roberta, and Coach]

Oh my gosh!!! I am crying my eyes out. I had to stop reading this! DOODLES ARE SPECIAL!!!! I would adopt this doodle right now!!!! If he needs a home I will take him!!!!!!!

[Carol and Banjo]

Hi Jane! Banjo is only 7 months and has been part of "us" for almost 5 of those months. I've wondered that same thing often....having had other breeds in the past....I'm not sure if Banjo is different because I'm at a different (more relaxed) place in my life now and therefore perhaps more "devoted" to my dog and that in turn brings out more "devotion" from him.
There is surely something "special" about this little velcro guy. My gut tells me that it's in a doodles nature.

[Carole (*Koda*Monty*Bindi)]

I'm glad you brought this up as we've had this conversation many times since Gaston-Cramer was a baby (he'll be two in September) and we thought possibly his characteristics were unique to him. All that changed when Rosie joined our family in March. Rosie was very lovingly raised by a completely different family and environment yet has so many of the same traits that GC has. We can come to no other conclusion than it has to be "the breed". We are head over heals in love with these clowns and could never EVER imagine not sharing our lives with doodles.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I think it is a breed trait, but I think it is also a breed trait of Poodles, Labs and Goldens. So it makes sense that mixed together, you get our loving doodles!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm not sure. We had both a Golden and a Lab for many years. They were loving, but were much more independent than my Doods. They were not at all "velcro dogs". Maybe they were the exception, or maybe it's a result of breeding them with Poodles....it is interesting.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I really believe it is the poodle in them. Poodles are extremely focused on their people, much more so than the retrievers, who are sweet dogs but can easily be lured from your side by any passing squirrel.