Any advice is appreciated.

[Lisa Eichenlaub]

I just joined this site to learn more about labradoodles.  Last monday i lost my buddy Neko.  We found him at the Humane Society of Pittsburgh.

  The link is to my blog and it is a story about my buddy from 2009.

http://snogirllygoeskeyboardhappy.blogspot.com/2009/07/my-son-neko-...

He was such a wonderful companion to us all (Me 51, Hubby 56, and Princess Pricilla Pumpkin Cat 16)

Although this past week has been painful, we have also celebrated the joy this animal brought our family.  I know, absolutely, that because of the joy he brought us, that I want to find a new buddy, not to replace Neko but to become a special part of our family.

The link below is something my husband wrote the night that we lost our Neko

http://networkedblogs.com/cPSzZ

Anyhow, I welcome any information anyone can give me on this beautful breed.  I know I can't afford the high prices that I have seen for this puppy, but I am going to try to find a new member for $400 or less. Is this possible?

 

We are responsible pet owners but can't spend $1600 and up for a dog.  Are we going  to be able to find one? 

I am rambling, thanks for reading this.

[F, Calla & Luca]

What nice tributes to Neko. There is an area at the bottom of the front page with dogs available for rescue. File an application with the DRC. There are lots of great dogs that come along although each is special in it's own way and none will be just like Neko.

http://doodlerescuecollectiveinc.org/

[sandy b]

I agree, please visit DRC.

[Martha & Cooper]

Yes, you will be able to find one.  Just keep looking.   I got my puppy for a LOT less.   He  is a mini goldendoodle and is a wonderful dog.   Any issues I have with him are strictly owner related.  lol!  I have spoiled him.   So sorry for your loss.   I agree that you should look into rescue and I did that too before I found a breeder that I thought I could afford.

[Adina P]

 Hi Lisa and Welcome!

 

So sorry to hear about Neko :-(

As far as opening up your home to a new dog, if you aren't able to spend on a 'new' puppy from a breeder, then I recommend going through the rescue route.  There are a lot of labradoodles and goldendoodles in need of loving homes.  However, you can't go into it thinking about saving money as sometimes (not always but sometimes) dogs that come through rescue aren't from very good breeders and thus MIGHT have health issues that pop up now and then that cost money.  I guess what I'm saying is that if you're looking for a bargain...you might not get it with a rescue.  That and labradoodles are often a major grooming expense if you want a non-shedding labradoodle. Just something to think about.

But if you would like to rescue there are two great doodle rescue organizations with dogs in foster homes -- send in an application to both:

 

Doodle Rescue Inc and   IDOG

 

Now if you were hoping to get a young pup from a breeder then you WILL have to spend more than your budget--it's not that a high price equals quality...it's that a low price almost assures you a breeder who has no clue what they are doing.  Here is our advice on what to look for in a breeder (I don't think you'll find such a breeder for $400): http://www.doodlekisses.com/notes/What_To_Look_for_In_a_Breeder

[Lisa Eichenlaub]

I appreciate your replies.  I can spend that much for a pet, but it makes me wince.  I am an ex military wife and I got my first apre-marriage pet,a mini schnauzer, for free from a fellow wife that could not be bothered by taking care of the animal.  My first kitten was given to me by a japanese little girl on Okinawa (free) this story goes on.............humane society etc.  I have been checking out adoption places in pittsburgh and 85% of the candidates are pitbulls. This nauseates me, although not the animals fault, they are not adoptable. I would never bring home a pit, even if a puppy because of what inproper breeding has done.  I really want a puppy.  I would adopt from an adoption center if one was available, with a mixture of breeds that I am comfortable with.

The labradoodle breed has been pulling at my heart for quite some time and I want a new friend in our home. From what I have read, the breed would be gentle and that is important as I do have Pumpkin, the cat.  Our vet is encouraging us to get another member to our family, for all of us, including Pumpkin.

 

[F, Calla & Luca]

There's a gorgeous girl, Willow, listed in NC. Don't know if she'll be  available but some really nice dogs can be found through rescue.

[Adina P]

Labradoodles are, on the whole, fairly gentle dogs.  But not necessarily. Remember they are not a true 'breed' in the strict sense of the word.  They are a mixed breed dog and as such blanket statements about exact temperament and looks can not be made.  If you spend some time here and look at the discussions in the Puppy Madness group we have as well as the discussions in the main forum you'll find people struggling with all sorts of non-gentle things like puppies who jump and bite (which is normal for pups) and tear clothes and knock over the kids of the house.  They are gentle in the sense of they are not usually aggressive, but they don't necessarily behave in a delicate manner--at least not without training or by the luck of the draw.  Just recently someone was lamenting about her new puppy who is being a little terror and growling at other people and her vet.  Her pup will take concerted work.  Another man mentioned that he picked the mellowest of the bunch in the litter and his pup is out of control with energy and naughtiness.  MOST ALL of this can be trained, but I want you to have a clear picture that labradoodles are a mixed breed and in any given litter there will be a couple pups who behave in a delicate mild manner...many who are moderate to high energy and some that are energizer bunnies/bulls in china shops.

 

My pup Rosco was THE MELLOWEST of his litter of four.  And indeed he seemed that way the first week but then week 9 he turned into a piranha and bit me regularly until he was about a year. He's become a gem of a dog and gentle and sweet and patient with my baby daughter...but it took some training to make him NOT treat me like a fellow puppy.

[Kami Allen]

Think about being a guardian parent.  I got my labradoodle for $500 but she will be bred several times over the coming years.  What's nice is that she has a forever home and we were able to get a loving, family pet at the fraction of the price.  I would contact local breeders and ask if they have a guardian program, many labradoodle breeders do this!

~ Kami

[Martha & Cooper]

I am sorry, I tried to edit my post below and lost the part where I send my condolences about Neko.   I am truly very sorry for your loss.   I know it is very tough to lose your companion.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

What a beautiful tribute to your dog. The DRC is a great place to start for finding another wonderful companion. Good luck on this journey!!!  P.S. I totally related to the daughter promising to do everything for the new puppy..........

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

I felt the same way about wincing at the price. But I just knew I could not gamble with the possible health and temperment problems a rescue might have. I know there are TONS of very successful rescues out there and if I were going that route, now would be a great time as many are being rehomed due to foreclosures and people just not being able to afford the upkeep any longer. Those dogs at least have been in good homes for the most part and are not from a puppy mill or neglectful situations that we know of. Owners have just fallen into hard times and have to do what is best for their families, and the dog.

There are some considerable grooming expenses with doodles, so much so that I have chosen to take on that chore myself, saving about $800.00 a year.  Good luck in finding a doodle and although one could never replace Neko like you said, these dogs will do a lot towards mending broken hearts, that I can tell you with certainty.!

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I have had many vet bills that were over $400. While you can get pet insurance, I still feel very strongly that if you cannot afford to pay for a dog from a quality breeder, you really cannot afford to have a dog. The purchase price is just the tip of the iceberg. And a dog from a puppy mill or BYB who does not do health testing on the parent dogs may cost you far more in the long run than the purchase price. My own dog was originally purchased from a pet store, and his vet bills average $3000 per year. Even for a healthy dog, the cost of premium food, grooming, routine veterinary bills, flea, tick and heartworm preventatives, and training classes can easily cost more than $2000  per year.

To all of those well-meaning people who are suggesting adopting a dog from a rescue organziation, I know your hearts are in the right place, but nobody should adopt a rescue dog simply because they can't afford to buy one. The only reason to adopt a rescue dog is because that is what feels right to you in your heart for reasons other than money. They are not bargain basement merchandise. I wrote a piece about "Certified Pre-owned Doodles" which addresses this.

Lisa, I am very sorry for your loss of Neko. I hope that if you want to adopt again, you can focus on finding another dog who wants to receive and return the love you have to share, and maybe not focus on the exact breed mix. There are lots of wonderful dogs out there who need homes, doodles included.