How to respond to negative reaction to "doodles"

[Cooper's Mommy]

I recently posted a question to a Pets message board on a parenting site. I got my virtual hand slapped when I referred to Cooper as a Labradoodle, because well, he is.

 

Lots of people wrote back saying;

 

-there's no such thing as a Labradoodle it's a LAB-POODLE

-there are NO reputable breeders

-our decision to go this route helps with dog overpopulation

 

I actually could care less about getting into a virtual debate with the other people but just curious how you would address...

 

It's frustrating that the decision to bring a puppy into your home, from a reputable breeder, is somehow less legitimate then adopting a shelter puppy.

 

I now also know all doggie related questions are coming here :)

 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I would ignore it and not respond at all.  Our doodles are mutts - just ones deliberately created.  And if you got your dog from a reputable breeder, as  much time and thought went into that liter as any purebred dog breeder might have done.  I often tell people I meet who ask about my dogs that they are poodle mixes and elaborate further if they seem interested or ask specifically.

[Adina P]

Oh I always get easily pulled into such online debates...cant help it!  But it is probably best ignored and your question restated.  But your last ideas is my favorite!  Just ask your doggy questions here :)  We love and accept your imaginary labradoodle that doesn't exist :)

[Pam & Trixie]

Did the Cockapoos go threw this negative vibe way back when?

I certainly never thought anything wrong with them...or calling them Cockapoos!

[GBK]

Good question :)  We got my first cockapoo over 22 years ago and everyone only had the nicest things to say about him his whole life.  They rememberd when they were growing up and had one just like him ........

Because I love the mix I got another one just around the time labradoodles were being mentioned and the whole silly "designer dog" craze started being talked about.  Then they started calling cockapoo's "designer dogs" and the prices went up to boot.  My boy looks more standard poodle than cockapoo, but there definitely is more negativity now then I ever remember before.  We added our little labradoodle a couple of years later.  I do just as Nancy does when people ask what they are.  Unless they ask specifically if they are doodles and seem interested, I refer to them as poodle mixes.  I really don't care what people think anyway, they are mine and I love them, and I would get another of each mix again in a heartbeat!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I either ignore these reactions OR respond with "I love my mutt" and walk away/end discussion.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

People stop me on the streets several times a day to ask what breed of dog Riley is. I have given up giving long explanations and just say he is a planned and much loved mutt!  A few people have asked if he is a Labradoodle and I am surprised they say there are others here.  I haven't met any in person yet though I know that there is at least one more from my Breeder in Scotland that came to Ireland.  I would ignore anything negative.  It's amazing how online people who are anonymous feel free to say horrible things.  The DK community is indeed very special so I don't visit any other dog sites as everything I need is right here!

[Frances Pendrous (Horan)]

I only have one thing to respond regarding this......Never, ever, ever visit any other site other than this one for "doodle" advice. You will never, ever be admonished or lead astray :)

[Camilla and Darwin]

I always tell people Darwin is a Golden Retriever/Standard Poodle mix. I find that the people who hate the designer dog fad are less easily annoyed if I acknowledge that he is a mixed breed. Then, for those who like doodles, they usually say "Oh, a Goldendoodle!" and it works out. I have gotten A LOT of negative comments about having a doodle so I try to be careful how I word it. I dislike confrontation. :-)

[Ellen]

I've been lucky in that I haven't received negative comments about Riley, but I take the same approach and just say that Riley is part Golden Retriever and part Poodle.  It saves me from explaining what a goldendoodle is to those who aren't familiar with doodles.  Like you said, for those in the know, they will say "oh, he's a goldendoodle."  What I find really interesting is that a lot of people are recognizing Riley as a goldendoodle even when he's shaved for the summer.  He no longer bears his trademark curls and mussy look, and yet I have been asked several times by strangers whether he's a goldendoodle or labradoodle.  Hopefully, as the popularity of doodles rises, the negativity will dissipate. 

[Jane Smith]

I tell people I don't have the luxury of adopted any old pet.  I have bad allergies and can only have certain breeds/mutts.  I shouldn't have to do without a dog, just because I can't adopt one.   People get on their soapbox with me all the time, but I just tell them what I stated above.  Then I say pfffft and turn away.  lol

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Why in earth didn't you ask your question here? Or did you and you didn't like the answers? LOL! We got this when Chloe was a baby a lot! They snub their noses at us, hey she was born already and we bought her-I had no idea that this was a problem with people. I like the answer that it's a poodle mix. When we tell them directly-they have this confused look on their face and they don't know what to ask first-that's when I just try to walk away. I would not respond to them and chalk it up as idiot people who don't know anything about these breeds/mutts and they have no idea what they are missing out on!

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

I think that judging others' actions without having the whole story is an unfortunate "sign of the times".  It was MY decision to get a labradoodle - after much research, planning, preparation, etc.  How anybody feels it's their right to butt into my decision-making process is beyond me.  If one is opposed to "designer dogs", don't buy one, but don't feel that you have the right to judge me, especially if you don't have MY whole story!!!