I finally got some pictures from my breeder of Dakota's parents and...

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

When i got Dakota i did things a little wrong and i knew it.I didn't visit her birth home.The breeder brought her to my house for me to decide on.Dakota was the last of the litter to be sold so i couldnt pick one.My mom had just died a month prior and i wanted a puppy to ease the pain and to have a new distraction in my life.So i went with the only breeder close to me that had an avaliable puppy.I don't reccomend it but thats how and why it happened this way.The breeder had no pictures of the parents to show me.I bugged her the other day to send me some pictures and she finally did.I think i see in the pictures that its the lab that is pregnant isn't it?The breeder told me the mother was the labradoodle.I thought the mother was usually the labradoodle and good breeders use the poodle or labradoodle for the mother.I can't remember why the mother should be the poodle or the labradoodle anymore though.Can someone remind me please?Here are the pictures the breeder sent me.They are not very good i must say.Is she still a F1b labradoodle if her mom is the lab??

[Sharon & Monty]

F1 costs less? really?: i not think so.  I have an F1 with championship lines several generations back, so I  

dont feel cheated. I chose a F1 because my personal research indicated that an F1 was the pure hybrid.  I have all the testing and health guarantees a person would want.  I think i have payed an excessive amount of money, especially being from a mutt dog history.  but I did spend the money after wanting/waiting for a dog for many years.  I dont give a crap who thinks I spent too much money. But I wasnt in the mood to take a rescue this time.  Besides, POODLES ROCK!   Truly, Jared, it doesnt matter anymore. give your doggie a hug from me> :)

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

if the father was a labradoodle, then dakota is more lab than poodle - this could explain her fur

[Jennifer Tramell]

From the pictures, the lab looks fine-boned and small.  She does not seem to have the big blocky head that many labs have, personally I prefer a finer boned lab or golden (terrible picture but looks like a very pretty momma dog).  It looks like Dakota IS a F1B but the backcross is Lab, not poodle.  To me, Dakota resembles her mom with the same fine boned beautiful face - this is why you think she is more poodle looking.  Looks like the dad is a F1 labradoodle, just a curly labradoodle, just like my f2 goldendoodle is a curly goldendoodle.  If I were you, the only issue I would have is that most people think F1B is 75% poodle and therefore less shedding and more allergy friendly.  The breeder didn't lie to you, but most people don't think to ask if the F1B is backcrossed to lab or poodle and I think that any breeder guaranteeing "hypoallergenic" or "no shedding" is wrong.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Oh Jared, I understand why the need to know but these photos of the female are just disturbing (and that is putting it mildly) and is breaking my heart, I am so sorry I looked.

Either way, Dakota has a Labradooodle Dad and a Lab  Mom, it can be either way to make an F1B, if the Dad is Poodle only (which I believe is NOT in this case he looks like a Doodle) you would have an F1....am I correct everyone?

Dakota is a beautiful Labradoodle F1B or F1 and thank goodness, has a great new Daddy and Home.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Jared - you really did everyone a favor by posting these pictures - I know that wasn't your intention but you did.  You were honest about not askig all of the right questions, etc.  I'm ashamed to admit that once up a time I also bought a Lab from a breeder that turned out to be of the backyard variety, now because of DK - I would know better.  That dog was the love of my dh's life and the best dog we had ever had (pre Rooney Doodle).  Those photos are a reminder to all of us to continue to educate ourselves and others.  I wouldn't be as concerned as to if Dakota is an F1b or not, I think you should be trying to find out if the breeder is treating her animals in a humane way and if not - trying to see if you can report it to someone.  P.S. Dakota is adorable either way!!!!

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

I'm so glad that Dakota has found such a loving home with you!

I hope that other people who are considering getting a doodle will learn from your generous sharing of your experiences.

The key is that there are two possibilities for F1B's: one that is back-crossed to a poodle and the other that is back-crossed to the labrador. Both are technically F1B's, but, at least in my research, most doodle breeders back-cross to the poodle, to get more poodle genes in the mix and achieve more consistent, poodle-like coats.

As Kyoko pointed out, back-crossing to a labrador gets more labrador genes in the mix--which isn't necessarily a bad thing; it just seems less common. It might not address the allergy-friendliness of the coat, but it can produce more consistent blocky heads and sturdy frames, which are both highly desirable..And Dakota clearly has that beautiful, blocky head shape!

Also, with regard to which breed should be the mother: in my understanding, the breed doesn't matter as much as the size. When breeding two animals of different sizes, you want the mother to be the larger of the two, so she can deliver the potentially larger puppies without injury to them or to herself. From what I've read, labradors, poodles, and labradoodles all have good mothering abilities.

Thanks, Jared, for sharing what you've learned!

[Sharon & Monty]

well a two year health guarantee is wonderful!  nothing wrong there.. Allergy buyer beware.  As many of us doodle owners will attest, shorter is better. Not so much about allergies, but MAINTENANCE.  holy cow, these doods are ridiculous for maintenance.  i have a 1 1/2 year old dood, i love him long coated, but you know what, next time, SHORT!

[Sharon & Monty]

really, Jared, if we could honestly research our ancestors, holy cow.  seriously, forgetaboutit!  you have a great dog, you are a great owner.  :)

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Harlow's grandmother was a poodle and grandfather was a lab; which is a bit reversed for F1s.  I believe the reason for the lab usually being the female is more size thing.  Labs normally being bigger and stockier than poodles.  You try not to have the dad too much bigger than the mom as it could lead to puppies being too big for the mom to deliver.

Harlow's mom was a F1 labradoodle and her dad was a poodle (a more traditional pairing).

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

I know a lot of people have a really bad conception of breeders who don't take every precaution when breeding their dogs (pedigrees, health checks etc.) - and rightly so, because sometimes the dogs have major issues.  However I think it's also easy to get caught up in that stuff and forget that you can get amazing dogs from good people who are trying to do a good job, even if they don't do absolutely everything "right".

 

We did quite a bit of research before getting Luna and found several breeders near our area.  In the end, we settled on what (I think) some people might call a "back yard breeder".  We saw the ad for the puppies and decided to have a look at them and (of course) fell in love after being satisfied that Luna was coming from a good place.

 

On our visit to the breeder's farm (she has a hobby farm with horses), the puppies were kept in a very clean, well maintained pen in a heated building outside the home.  Their mother and father were close at hand in the breeder's "pack" of goldens, mini poodles and Bernese, and were obviously well trained and very friendly and healthy.  The breeder had an adoption form, which included a 1 year health guarantee against major health issues.  Luna came with a little bag of puppy kibble, a toy, a puppy collar and pictures of her parents.  She had been in the breeder's house for the few days before our adoption day, to get her used to being in the house and some of the house sounds.   Luna is now a wonderful, happy, healthy and intelligent "teen" puppy and we are lucky to have her.

 

It's also possible to get a great dog (like your Dakota) from someone who was clearly not doing everything right.  Rescues are wonderful examples of that principle :)

 

I think your Dakota is lucky to be in your home, and you probably feel lucky to have her! 

[Lynda Kamrath]

If the white dog is the labradoodle, then the puppy could be a F1b with a labradoodle father and a lab mother.  That would be a labradoodle bred back to a lab, however, and not the usual way to do it.  Yes, the lab does look pregnant, so that may be the way it was done.  Not usual.

By the way, all breeders are close to you these days.  I know it is not the best way to get a puppy, but there are lots of good breeders advertising on line and shipping is no problem.  I got my first labradoodle from Ohio, the second from Washington, and the third from Texas.  But I would beware of the breeder that brings a puppy to your home.  You need to see the puppy if at all possible and you can get an idea of what the breeder is like from an on-line website.  But now you have a little more experience.

[Sharon & Monty]

you did nothing wrong. Sorry about your mom  :(