Prospective Owner looking for advice

[Kristin & Hudson]

My husband and I have decided that it's time for a dog.  Our first thought was to rescue one from a shelter but we're limited to what we can have because of our allergies. We also want to make sure we own a dog that fits our active lifestyle.  We have a friend with a Golden and we absolutely love the dog - but allergy flair ups really prevent us from owning one.  So we're thinking that a goldendoodle would be the best dog for us.  Unfortunately we don't know of anyone who owns one so we've never had the opportunity to meet one.  Of course we understand that there is no true hypo-allergenic animal (except for maybe a hairless cat - but....).  So my question is, do any of you know of a breeder in the New Jersey area that would allow us to visit a doodle or two to see if our allergies stay in check?  I've read that most don't allow this but we don't live on a farm or have kids or have any other animals so I would think we're not going to carry any diseases. 

It may turn out that a doodle isn't for us.  But from all the research we've done, the intuition of the golden and the intelligence of the poodle would make for the perfect fit.

Any thoughts, ideas, or suggestions would be extremely helpful.  Thank you so much for your time.

[Adina P]

And standard poodles DO fit an active lifestyle ... AND they are found via rescue as well.  If you meet some poodles and don't respond with an allergic reaction, then you won't have an allergic reaction to ANY poodle.  That's not the case with goldendoodles.  In other words, you can get a 'false negative' if you don't have an allergic response to a goldendoodle or two...because goldendoodle 3 or 4 or 5 MAY give you a reaction.  Most allergies to dogs are allergies to the protein in saliva and dander.  NOT hair.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Exactly why the hairless, Sphinx, cats might not be an answer either. You need one of the genetically engineered ones.

[Adina P]

Karen, how likely is it that with an ADULT doodle an allergic person would NOT have a reaction upon meeting and cuddling with the doodle but have an allergic reaction a week later?  I'm just asking because if a dog is in rescue and is an adult...wouldn't the allergic person MEETING and touching the dog determine right away if there is a reaction?

[F, Calla & Luca]

If the person is allergic to dogs and that dog has the right allergens it should take maybe 15 minutes. I know that's how it is with me and cats. It only takes time if a new allergy develops. I also wonder if people can really not be allergic to a puppy, to whom they are regularly exposed but then to the same dog as an adult. If saliva and skin dander don't change then the coat change should not do anything. But I don't know whether saliva and dander stay the same.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't know, but we do hear that as a reason people are relinquishing their doodles. The most common age is 9-14 months, right when that coat changes. And they claim that the dog didn't affect them so much when it was a little puppy.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That's a good point...as long as the opportunity is there for the meeting. But about 90% of our adoptions take place sight unseen. It's rare that an adopter is living a short drive from a foster location. And it really isn't fair to put a dog on "hold" and make arrangements for someone to travel and test their allergies, if there are other good adopters waiting who don't have this issue. Perhaps a retired breeding dog would be another good choice.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I was blessed to get Murphy from DRC when he had to be rehomed, and I can't even begin to imagine what his family must have gone through when they had to give him up.  I'm sure they did their homework too.  He is truly a nonshedding Doodle....I've never found a single hair.  Yet his first owner had such a severe attack that she ended up in the hospital.  They had no choice but to rehome him.  It was completely heartbreaking for this family.  They had fallen in love with this adorable puppy.  Of course, you must make your own decision, and I just think everyone here is trying to help you to fully understand the risks involved.  We all do care, and we just don't want you or your new puppy to have to go through what we've seen happen with others who got Doodles thinking that they would be "allergy friendly".  Good luck, and please keep us posted.

[Anna and Achilles]

Karen is so right on the money. My first Labradoodle did not affect my sons allergies. However my goldendoodle does. It truly depends, and it is not 100 percent definite.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Another reason why an allergic person may have a strong reaction to a dog may have nothing at all to with the dog. Most people who have inhalant allergies are allergic to multiple things, like pollens, etc., and not just dogs. Dogs bring a lot of pollen and other air-borne allergens into the house with them. And the longer, thicker, and curlier the coat, the more allergens stick to it.

 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Kristen, you have gotten such good advice here.  Keep doing your research to find the right dog for you.  Pets are so rewarding and can enrich your lives.  Do let us know what you end up doing -even if it isn't a doodle, we would all be very interested in what you decide to do.  FYI, we do have some poodle members here also. Another FYI, if you think poodles are too foo foo (like I used to), your research will show you that they are not.  Also you can groom poodles in a more doodle-like style.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Exactly, 9 times out of 10 people are shocked to learn our Lucy isn't a poodle!

[Kristin & Hudson]

Thanks and yes I agree, we have gotten some great advice here.  A lot to think about.  We will keep you all posted.