Doodle Negativity

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

I know there have been many discussions on this
particular topic, but I just wanted to share my recent story.  I had my
first ever conversation with a doodle-disliker today.

I ran to Walmart today -- I know, I don't like it much either, but I'm a student on a budget :) -- to get some things and, like always, had to visit the pet section to check out some toys for Albus.  I got him three squeaky toys.  As I was getting my stuff checked out by the cashier, she noticed I had the dog toys and asked what kind of dog I had.  I told her I had a goldendoodle, and her disgusted response was, "It's a shame to spend a lot of money on a mixed breed dog like that."

Umm....excuse me?  I was flabbergasted.  Just the way she said it was snotty.  It was like she was trying to make me feel guilty, but I certainly don't remember asking for her opinion about my choice of dog.  I had to bite my tongue really hard so I wouldn't let the F-bomb fly or really let her have it.  I simply replied, "He's worth every penny I paid for him, and I wouldn't trade him for anything."  It was hard to hold back, but I really didn't feel like getting into a debate with the ignorant woman.  Clearly she's just uninformed and biased.  I wish I could have thought of something "mouthier" to say, but I really was at a loss for words.

What would you have said in this situation?  Would you have handled it differently than I did?  I'd like to know for next time, so I can have more things to say :)

[Jennifer Tramell]

I think you answered very appropriately. At the end of the day, you have to be proud of yourself and who cares about the cashier who is looking to take out her frusteration on someone else. If it had been me, I hope I would have answered as you did and then said, "but you have a point, I'll take these to Customer Service and return them. If the manager shares your opinion on my dog then I need to know so I can shop for my pet supplies somewhere else".

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Cailtin, a phone call to the manager may or may not make you feel better, and it may or may not make a difference.
But I would think any company would like to know if their people are being rude.

[Valarie]

Me too - Joanne. I only figured out how lucky I was AFTER I got Sophie. I paid a very small price for Sophie but spent quite a lot on vet bills after we got her home. She was so totally worth it, if I had known then what a wonderful girl she is, the previous owner could have cleaned out my bank account!! We recently took her to a car show in TN. It was an unusually large crowd. Everyone, and I mean everyone, had to touch her and comment on how beautiful and sweet she is. Even when little children came up to pet her she stood so still, face to face with them as they oohed and aahed. Most people asked what breed she was - some had heard of goldendoodles - most were just curious and all but one responded in a very positive way when I told them. One 'lady' asked her breed and then resonded in a very condescending way "oh a designer dog'. I just laughed and said - oh no she's a rescued dog. She just turned and walked away. This comment meant so little to me I only remembered it as I read this thread. If this lady experienced 5 minutes of the joy that Sophie brings to me - she would be a total convert!

[Camilla and Darwin]

I don't see how anyone could spend 30 seconds with Sophie and not be a convert. She sounds like a total sweetie pie!

[Susan and Sasha]

Wow!...I've been away and not able to get online for a bit...and it sure does seem like I have a lot to catch up on!
This is such a touchy topic...and we all come across it!
Either people love Doodles and want one themselves...or they seem to hate them...for various reasons!!
Caitlin...I know just how you felt...and I think you handled yourself perfectly!!
I was in a very nice boutique type pet shop where they do grooming...and was speaking to the owner/groomer...and asking her some questions about grooming...is she familiar with grooming Doodles...talking a bit about the puppy to adult coat change...etc..
I was completely shocked when she said to me that she didn't understand "Why In The World Would Someone Ever start a breed such as a GD and LD??!!
Her opinion was that it was totally ridiculous to start a breed... where you were breeding a dog who shed with a non-shedding dog.! She thought the breed itself was totally ridiculous!!
OMG!! I wanted to run out of there so fast...and ...I did conclude the conversation Very quickly...to say the least!!
Needless to say...I Did Not purchase the two 30lb. bags of Fromm 4 Star that I had waiting on the counter...along with a few other items...and will not be going there again!
To try and defend...reason with...or educate someone such as this woman...in my opinion would be totally useless.
It's easy to see when someone is open...and it's easy to see when someone thinks they are "the expert"...and when they have a very biased opinion toward a specific breed...don't you think...

[Carol and Banjo]

I would have been speechless! Words would be wasted on that kind of person. You spoke with your feet....good for you!!!!!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Kill 'em with a loss of business. Two 30 lb Fromm bags would be almost $100, right?

[Susan, Coby & Chloe]

Caitlin, I also had a similar experience as Susan had with Sasha before I got my labradoodle. I'd stopped in at the vet's to return some unused medication left over from my Lab after she passed and asked the staff about the GDs/LDs they treat there, how they find their temperament to be, etc. When I asked about grooming, they referred me to the groomers affiliated with them next door. I walked in to see three poodles being groomed - I asked if an LD would need to be groomed as often to which one of the groomers, Donna - who happened to be the owner of all three poodles replied as if she was this boutique woman's sister: "If you're going to get a mixed breed, why don't you just got to the pound and save a dog's life?" then went on to a whole tirade about this injustice to poodles when people breed them with other breeds, how atrocious the practice is and how offensive it is to poodle breeders like her.
I hadn't said anything then but when I was at the vet last week one of the techs admired Bosco's grooming and asked if I'd had it done there. I didn't hesitate to say that after that conversation with Donna in could never in good conscience pay for her services. Or, for that matter, bring a scissor anywhere near my dog....

[Susan and Sasha]

Hi Caitlin...
I'm so sorry that you had to go through such a negative experience with your beautiful Bosco...
I am beginning to understand... that there seem to be people who think that if you don't have a "pedigree" dog...then...your dog is of no worth in their eyes.
Of course...this is not true...not true in in the least!
When people have to be critical and negative...and have Nothing Nice Say...I think the very best thing we can do... is to realize that THEY ARE THE PEOPLE WITH THE PROBLEM... ..and we Do Not have to make Their Problem...Our Problem!!
Actually...this is a Very Freeing point of view..
I choose to be free!!.
Sasha and I send Hugs to you and Bosco...
...

[Susan and Sasha]

Oops...
Sorry...I was addressing Susan in the heading...
That's what you get when you are still up in the wee hours of the morning...and still on DK!! Lol..
I'm sure no one can relate?? (smile).

[Susan, Coby & Chloe]

:-) Abso-doodle-y!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I just had a somewhat similar experience. I brought the boys to Petco for their grooming, and there was a new woman on the front desk. She said to me "so what do you want me to call those dogs...poodles?". I said "excuse me???". She said "well I have to put some breed into the computer". I said "they are Labradoodles"..."put that into the computer" (I actually had another thought in mind about where she could put it....never mind). At that point, the groomer who was working in the background said "they come here all the time, and we use a different breed to get them a better price...I'll talk to you later". WTD!