Are our Doodles more High-Maintenance than other breeds of dogs???

[Frances Pendrous (Horan)]

Having recently gone through a serious illness with my rescue Johnny Boy and reading all the latest postings regarding allergies, stomach upsets, etc. etc. with other doodles, it got me to thinking that 1) are our doodles more high maintenance than other breeds? or 2) are we, as doodle owners, more neurotic about them?? Both Frankie Girl and Johnny Boy constantly need attention to their ears, their coats, cleaning their eyes, special diets, and let us not forget constant brushing to keep the dreaded tangles away...I've had dogs my entire life, but don't think I have ever spent as much time fussing and caring for them like I do these "doodles".  Any other thoughts on this matter????

[Bonnie and Kona]

Having owned dogs for a million years or about that long, my doodles have been pretty darned easy. I post questions about food, grooming and training because I am so grateful for the expertise on this site. It is a joy to have a quick question and then find lots of people with great ideas about it. I kind of think it is the nature of the forum beast to ask questions. We had two Golden Retrievers before the doods. A few weeks ago we baby sat my son's Golden and I was surprised at what a pain in the neck her excessive shedding was along with the mats behind her ears and in her "pants". You kind of forget that all grooming is time consuming for long haired dogs.

[Janel and Sophia]

I truly believe doodles do NOT have any more health issues than any other breed.  We just here more because of this wonderful web site.  Thank goodness we have it to see what can happen.  Grooming is an issue, but believe me, no more so than any long haired coated, floppy eared breed.  All need almost daily grooming to keep mats etc at bay.  Health issues are what they are, but because of this being a relatively small group, compared to the millions of dog owners, we do hear of all the problems that they are prone to.    

I used to have a shihtzu/poodle that had the same coat, ear and digestive issues....

[Ginny Nightingale]

My purebred terriers had tons of issues from epilepsy to allergies to skin ailments. My doodles are very very healthy and low maintenance. One even has a super easy coat that doesn't mat and barely sheds and an iron stomach as a bonus--so it is possible to have a low maintenance doodle!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

My belief is totally opposite, my granddogs and the one that passed, are a big mess of problems. Allergies and skin problems (boxer age 2), slipped discs (boxer beagle mix age 6), kidney failure (boxer that passed at 6 years old).

So far Daisy is perfectly healthy - thank goodness.

[Sue & Willy Babe]

 My Wilson is in good health, but high maintance yea  he loves to be hugged and petted 24/7   lol 

 

   And for his bone it is outside and ranning now, he took his bone outside before the rain, and barking at it now so I have to go,  lol  sorry just had to put that in, he thinks barking at it, the bone will come too him  silly doodle

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

IMO I don't think they are more high maintenance than other breeds.  It's just that this site is only for doodle owners so we are saturated with only their needs and issues.

 

I bet if you went to another breeds site you would find the same questions and concerns...

 

Our doods might not be the most high maintenance but the sure are the cutest!!!!

[Carol and Banjo]

I agree that folks tend to post the negative....and pay attention to the negative that they read.   Banjo has been the best, easiest, healthiest dog either of us has ever owned.   That said, he also get more "one on one" attention from both of us, much more so than past dogs.   He has become the "center" of our universe.

[DeeDee and Sheila]

I think that the hair thing is probably harder.  But I had labs before and the pure athleticism required long off leash walks for an hour a day, rain or shine.  Which I did for 30 yrs.  I now have bad feet problems and CANT walk that much plus I have had 3 rotator cuff surgeries.  Labs ARE move easy going, once they are TIRED.  Frankly, I'm enjoying short walks and brushing for a change.  The special diet thing flummoxes me since both labs and poodles are good eaters.  AND I get to feel like I have a piece of retriever in my dog, albeit small.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, but Sheila is a mini, isn't she? Most standard doodles have the same exercise requirements as your Labs. No way would short leash walks cut it with the big guys like my Jack.

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

I will admit, I was one of the first time dog owners that never owned a dog or even wanted a dog until I met our daughters doodle. I knew him for about a year before we got Murphy, so I was totally aware of the energy, shedding, grooming, sensitive tummy, ear cleaning, zoomies, chewing, involved with a doodle. I was also aware of how cute, cuddly, loyal, smart, affectionate, easily trainable, sweet, odorless, friendly, goofy, playful and just plain lovable doodles are too.

I just figured it's like anything else in life that's worth having, it takes time and effort. And you get out of it what you put into it.