Please, Please help me!

[Carrie and Chance]

I bought my F1B Goldendoodle two months ago.  Not only have we had digestive issues from day one but he looks like a Golden Retriever with very little poodle and he sheds like crazy!  Please, take me serious when I say, "like crazy".  My daughter's allergies are going crazy and we have to take him back to the breeder.  My concern is that we have already put $300.00 extra on top of the purchase price in two months on this precious dog to get his stomach issues resolved and I'm scared the breeder will not give him the proper food (Life's Abundance) and take his issues seriously.  What are the chances of finding someone to buy him that will take care of him and not mind his shedding? He's our little man and letting him so is breaking our heart,  My little girls have cried everyday along with myself.  He is such a good dog and the smartest I've ever seen.   I only paid $650.00 for the dog and she is offering me another from her next liter because of the trouble we've had with our doddle.  I just don't know what to do.  I lost my job last week so we ca';t afford to pay more than the $650.00 for another doddle.  I know I sound like a sad case and I'm sorry for that but I'm very desperate for some advice.

 

 

[Adina P]

I paid twice that for my shedding F1 labradoodle (knowing he'd probably shed) so I'm sure the cost won't be the issue.  (That wasn't meant as a 'brag' about how much I paid, only to mention that not everyone who loves doodles want the nonshedding so he might find a great home as he is).   I think you'll have a better chance of finding him a good home if you relinquish him to a good rescue organization if the breeder does not have the first right of refusal or doesn't want him back. 

Also I'm sorry for the loss of your job...that makes life so tough!  I would say that given the loss of your job, it might be better to wait a bit before investing in another dog.  Even if the next one is non-shedding, it still doesn't guarantee it will be hypoallergenic or not develop health issues.  TYPICALLY, though I don't know anything about your breeder, breeders who charge less than the going rate for F1bs ($1500-1800) do not do the important health testing on the parent dogs and that increases the risk you're taking buying a dog from parents of unknown health histories. 

What particular tummy issues does your dog have?  Has it been diagnosed?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'd return him to the breeder if she is willing to take him back, and wait until your situation is better financially and you can afford to buy a puppy from a reputable breeder who does health testing. Please research your next breeder carefully.

What to Look for in a Breeder

I would also consider a breed that is guaranteed to be non-shedding, like a purebred poodle if allergies are a problem. It would be horrible to get another puppy and have to go through this again, for the puppy as well as for your family. There is no guarantee that any dog who has a heavily shedding breed like a Golden retriever in his genetics is not going to shed. Mine sheds worse than any dog I have ever seen, but nobody has allergies in my house. If we did, I would never take a chance on a dog who might have any chance at all of shedding.

You also need to purchase pet insurance ASAP when you bring any dog into your family, as any dog can have health issues that can run into thousands of dollars at any time during his life. Many of us have dogs whose vet bills run thousands of dollars a year every year for chronic health issues.

Rescue might be a good option if the breeder okays that, but the health issues would have to be diagnosed and disclosed, and that might be a problem. Black males who shed are the hardest to place, although the fact that he's a puppy is in his favor. However, if you are looking to recover any of the money you paid for the dog, that won't happen if you relinquish him to rescue. So if you aren't willing to just write off that $650 plus, rescue would not be the way to go.

Whatever you do, please don't try to sell him on Craig's List or something like that. It's very dangerous for the puppy.

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Also, digestive issues are very common in doodle puppies, especially those from not-so-great breeders. They usually stem from parasites, poor quality food, and too many changes too soon.

[Chelsea and Bailey]

I agree with what Adina has said. I would like to say that I am also sorry for the situation. The only advice I can give is to wait on a second dog without a stable income.. Even with no issues dogs are expensive. Also if your daughter has allergies there is absolutely no guarantee your next dog will not shed, doodles go through coat changes and even if they don't shed as puppies that does not guarantee that they won't at 8 mo or so.

If you have not already tried a roomba vaccuum is a great investment with an air purifier and frequent baths to remove the dander.

As for tummy issues that also seems to be a frequent issue with the doodle or "dog" population and $300 is really a small expense compared to what most people go through to get the issues dealt with. There is no guarantee the next puppy will not have the same troubles!

[Carrie and Chance]

I had no idea my daughter had allergies until we got this dog and the shedding started.  My aunt and my cousin have Goldendoodles and they have never bothered my daughter.  My aunt was her sitter for two years and my cousin lives next door.  When we bought this dog and the shedding started is when the allergies kicked in.  As for paying $300.00 extra for the dog, this was within the first three weeks of having him.  I could have took that money plus what I paid and went to a better breeder.  He was sent home with the Kennel Cough.  His mom and dad had it but the breeder said the puppies were seperated immediatly and they showed no symptoms.  Three days later, they all had it but mine started coughing the night we brought him home.  Then, everytime he ate, it was like water coming out of him.  We had him tested for parasites and worms and both were negative.  However, we did not do the blood test, just the stool test.  He later went on the chicken and rice diet which did not work at all.  Then, a friend told me to try Life's Abundance and he started using the bathroom normal within 48 hours and has ever since. So, it's been a tough eight weeks for all of us. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That's the problem with mixed breeds; there is no consistency in their coats or their appearance. Unfortunately, people think that if one goldebndoodle doesn't bother them, another one won't either, and that's just not the case. Even dogs who don't shed can affect people with allergies. The dog is bringing pollen into the house on his coat, and that can cause an allergic reaction, too.

We have lots of information about puppies with loose stool issues in the Food Group, as well as a list of recommended food brands. There really is nothing sepcial about Life's Abindance, it's better than the grocery store brands and things like Eukanuba, but it's just an average food with a very high price for what it is, due to the fact that it's sold through a multilevel marketing scheme. There are a lot of foods that cost less which would be just as good if not better for your puppy's digestive system. So the food would not be my concern if you do rehome him.

None of his health issues sound like anything chronic or serious, so you can still get health insurance for him if you keep him. But it doesn't sound like that will be possible, given the allergy issue.

Would the breeder reimburse you for the vet expenses?

 

[Willow and J]

This may be a crazy idea, especially from a life-time allergy sufferer (from age 1.5, I was told) and have been living on various kinds of anti-histamines, but I wonder if keeping your dog is an option at all.

My allergy got worse after Willow arrived, and she doesn't even shed. I've never been told I'm allergic to a dog in several sets of allergy tests either. But giving her up was not an option, and I live with allergies anyway, thus I've changed my prescriptions, added an air-purifier (thanks to advice from DK members), and while symptoms are managed, I do still suffers watery eyes and nasal symptoms.

But also because I suffered from allergy so long, I know it gets worse at times, better at times, new allergies pop up later in life, some allergies go away, some medication works miracles, some medication sucks, etc. I don't know what kind of allergy symptoms your daughter has, so please ignore me if this is all non-sense, but if symptoms are manageable by any chance, I wonder if it's worth waiting a little and see how your daughter and puppy settle in more? 

I hate to think that you and your daughter have to lose this lovely dog so soon and probably won't be getting another dog for a long long time after this. 

One way or another, I am sorry to hear that this has been a challenging time for you and I wish you stay strong.

[Carrie and Chance]

I agree that keeping him will probably not be an option.  Once he is gone, chances are we will not get another for a long time.  My kids are just heart-broken over this.  We have been through so much with this little fart and it rips my heart out to see him go.  I have been struggling with this decision for two weeks now and he is still here. My daughter ended up at our state hospital because her headaches were so bad and thank God it was only allergies.  She honestly never had any allergy issues until a few days after our doodle arrived. I just wish I could place him and know...but know.......but know........he will be ok.  Thank you for understanding.

[Carrie and Chance]

Thank you Karen for the food advice.  All I know is what ever was in the Diamond Food Brand was killing his stomach.  The breeder sent him home on that type.  She says its the only kind she will use.  I will check out the Food Group because the food is very costly.  Thank you.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Now that I think of it, his tummy may have also been upset by the antibiotics used to treat the kennel cough.

There are a lot of good chicken and rice based foods that cost less than Life's Abundance, with the same ingredients.

[Carrie and Chance]

I'm sorry Adina, I just seen your post.  I've only stool tested him so far and nothing came back.  The vet still thinks its more than that what meets the eye.  I spoke with two owners of the prior breed and both of them had digestive issues.  One of the owners had major issues like I did and her dog just came off of medication at 8 months old.  SO, it is defintly genetic.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Irritable Bowel Syndrome runs in many of these dogs and usually shows up at an early age. But there can be other isssues as well, some of which are chronic and can be very expensive (think thousands per year) to treat. That's another reason it's crucial to get pet insurance before anything is diagnosed.