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.

[Adina P]

e. I don't know enough poodles but the ONLY common denominator of ALL doodles IS the poodle :)

[Camilla and Darwin]

This makes sense to me!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Rex was the most wonderful standard poodle. He certainly followed me around, was very mellow and craved affection.

[ej]

Zooey, my GR has a very strong pack mentality, she needs to make sure when we are out, we stay together. She will not burge if one of us walks away from the "pack", she will park her butt on the ground until the person returns. But she is not attached to a particular person, she is very much a family dog. Very independent, she does not cuddle, she needs her personal space, but she is totally devoted to the family and home.

Koda is more of a 1-person dog. Super velcro, he follows me everywhere. When we are out walking, if we are ahead of DH and Z, he slows down, stops and waits for them to catch up. But if I were to lead him off elsewhere away from DH & Z, he would gladly follow. He climbs into our laps every chance he gets, and he loves falling asleep on us.

[Melissa & Porter]

From what people write about here, doodles have differing degrees of cuddlyness. I am amazed at the stories of dogs who lie on their owners and hug them (a little jealous too ;P). Not all doodles seem to be that way, and it is my unscientific observation that the on-your-body closeness is more golden retrieverish? Donno.

However, the VELCRO dog phenomenon seems to be common among doodles, and a very strong trait in Porter. Though he only cuddles for about 10 min a day (in the wee hrs of the morning), he absolutely must be within 5-10 ft of me. If we are outside and I leave the fenced area, for example, to move the car from the driveway to the street, he will lie down or sit along the gate over the driveway until I come back. My mom visits and says he cries for a bit every time I leave the house. The couple (scary!) times he has gotten outside the fence, he doesn't go beyond the front yard, and I realize that the gate was left open because I hear him scratching at the front door. When he was injured and drugged up on Rimadyl and didn't follow me around, it was shocking.

He won't even go downstairs in the morning until I do. Thank goodness no one in this family lets me sleep in often. On the rare occasions I do stay upstairs, no one in the family can coax him down to go out to pee.

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

Haley is a velcro dog. It's either DH, me or the airconditioning vent. The hotter it is the more he hugs the vent!

[Adina P]

LOOK at that gorgeous flowy coat!

[shelly]

LOVE THOSE LOCKS!

[Anna and Achilles]

I have had two doodles Jane and I also thought it was just my first guy Houdini that was extra special. Achilles is just the same and they never were around at the same time. It can't be he learned it from Houdini. They are truly a very special breed.

[Adina P]

The times my dogs are velcro dogs are when they think it's time to eat, they think MAYBE I'm going somewhere and want to join me...or they are trying to 'help' me vacuum, sweep, or other tasks they can't possibly help with :)

[Coach Veazey, Roberta, and Coach]

I have had two doodles and each were very special to me. I will always have a doodle. Each doodle is unique in their own special way! I have not compared Coach Doodle to my Baby doodle that passed away. Great mix of breed!

[shelly]

Hmm... Jane - very interesting! I too had a golden retriever before Tori. And aside from the hairy mess and the retriver-ish chewing ~ mostly I didn't want another golden because NO one could take his place... he was a 125 pound MUSH! That being said, I notice another common denominator (besides the 'poodle-part') in everyone who responded and described their doodle as "velcro" - I think all, but Per are MALES!. Tori is a cuddler and does have velcro tendencies, but only if SHE'S ready and willing. If she doesn't feel like following us or want to be coddled over, then she doesn't bother - but then again, she's got aussie in her, so perhaps it is the lab and golden too. either way - DOODLES are SPECIAL and no one can tell me otherwise! GOTTA' LOVE THOSE DOODLES"!