F1's in Vermont or New England, plus general newbie questions and rambling

[Jeff D]

I hate being a newb, but I totally am. We don't have any allergy issues, we just like the look of labradoodles and the size of the under 55-pounders. The potential for relatively low maintenance and/or relatively low shedding is a big bonus. 

I'm sort of leaning toward a mini/medium F1 to have more of a lab look, but smaller, although I love the fleece coats, so if non-F1 is the way to go for a really cool fleece coat labradoodle, I would certainly consider that. A 40 to 45 pound dog with a bit of lab and/or terrier look would be awesome.  The red and mocha colors are amazing.

We mostly want a family dog, and a year later a second family dog, who will be gentle, loveable, relaxed, and smart. 

We're in the market for a dream dog. To be able to visit the breeders/kennels it would be nice to find some in Vermont, New England, or New York. We could do a shelter/rescue/adopt-a-labradoodle online if convinced that it's the way to go, but we want a fairly young dog that we can keep 10+ years.

We're sort of leaning toward labradoodle more than goldendoodle based on my hunch that the labradoodle would be less maintenance and/or shedding.

Any leads for a dream breeder close to me?  I gather breeder recommendations and details about breeders are supposed to be sent to me privately, but separate responses to general questions and rambling can go on the forum to maybe help another newb one day.

[Jeff D]

I could add that where we live in Vermont, we have 5 secluded acres with a dog door and invisible fence from the previous owner.  I'm assuming that labradoodles would do ok with an invisible fence?

[F, Calla & Luca]

Welcome to DoodleKisses. You have come to the right place. Doodles are not low maintenance dogs in terms of grooming . Since they don't shed they require lots of brushing and trimming. We have a group for just about everything including grooming. Lots of discussion and blogs about pros and cons of doodles. I have two labradoodles who I love dearly but they are work. Generally the doodle temperament is great but there are always exceptions. The site rules prevent people from posting breeder recommendations on the main page. But people can contact you by writing on your page or by private message if you become "friends". We have lots of information in general

http://www.doodlekisses.com/notes/What_To_Look_for_In_a_Breeder

and in specifics:

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/ownerrecommendedbreeders.

[Jeff D]

Can I be friends with everyone so whoever wants to tell me about a dream breeder in Vermont can send me a message?  Any advice on becoming friends, or will I just know it when it happens?

[F, Calla & Luca]

No, sorry no universal friending that I know of. You can ask someone to be a friend or they, reading your post, may ask you : ) You will get a notification here and by email if you set your profile that way. You can also look for Vermont breeders in the second link. My two dogs came long distance but a nearby breeder is preferred by many.

[Jeff D]

The nearby thing is just so I can meet the parents, which is highly recommended, but if I can be confident in the right breeder from farther away, that would work too. I would just have to learn a lot about the place, get recommendations, etc.

I'll try to learn more about your two from some of your posts. 

[Jeff D]

Thanks for the link for recommended breeders. This is a good start.  

Although nothing in Vermont. Sad.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Hi Jeff...I live in San Diego and have an F1 Goldendoodle who does not shed.  My son and grandkids live in Boston and every year we do a fall trip to Manchester, VT and stay at the Equinox.  Last year I ran into two different owners of Doodles right there at the hotel and out in front.  Beyond that, I know nothing about where they got them...sorry.  I do know that we have a few members who live in Vermont.  You would have to go to the Members Tab above and scroll through all the names which are over 8,000.  You might be able to just do a Vermont search...not sure.   As far as shedding goes, it is hit or miss and doesn't discriminate between Goldendoodles or Labradoodles.  Nor does the coat.  Within a litter there can be varying coat textures and consistency.  I think there is probably more variance in the Labradoodles.  I have seen some that look exactly like my Gracie Doodle who is a Golden.  Then I have seen ones that look like "goats" (as I call them) or a terrier with the very wirey looking face and legs.  It may be tough to know when you pick a pup exactly what you are getting.  I guess if the breeder has been doing it for quite a while they will be able to know better how their pups are going to look.  Just keep in mind that not all Doodles DO NOT shed.  And as F said earlier, their coats are pretty high maintenance if you don't keep up on the brushing and grooming.  A lot of us have learned to do our own grooming and again, the coat consistency can vary greatly and that can determine how easy or hard they are to maintain.  Regardless, Doodles are absolutely the best ever.  I am totally in love with every Doodle I meet and they all are so different but one thing for sure...they are very smart and sweet and loving!  Good luck with your research.

[Jeff D]

 "I guess if the breeder has been doing it for quite a while they will be able to know better how their pups are going to look." 

 

This is sort of what I'm hoping for, Nancie, that I could get in touch with a breeder, and with the variety of F1s, have a breeder match us with the right dog.

[F, Calla & Luca]

You can search through members, by the advanced feature, by state.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

Jeff, check out all of the great dogs that are in the shelter right now:  http://doodlerescue.org/group/doodlesinneedinnorthamerica  getting an older dog allows you to see exactly how the coat is on that dog.  A puppy will always go through a coat change and you won't know the exact coat until the adult coat comes in around 1 year old.  

Here is another interesting article to help you decide if a doodle is a dog for you:  http://doodlerescue.org/group/isadoodleforyou/forum/topics/things-t...

[Jeff D]

Amy, I read through the ads. You're so honest about the potential issues. You often mention that they will need a fenced-in yard. What do you think of our situation with 5 secluded acres with the dog door and invisible fence?  This system worked really well for the previous owner and his dogs, both mixed breeds.  Is there a concern with Labradoodles generally that they need a fenced-in yard (maybe from the poodle influence)?  One of the dogs who lived in our house before seemed pretty much like a lab, and he had a great set-up with the invisible fence (except sometimes during thunder storms).  Maybe my situation is too rare, unique to discuss.  It is really remote.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The DRC rarely adopts to homes with electric fences, occasionally only puppies who have an easier time adapting, and never if there are children under the age of 12 in the home. There is quite a bit of disagreement on the subject of electric fences, and this is not the place to get into a debate on them, but rescue dogs are often flight risks, and some adult dogs have had bad experiences with electric fences in the past. Since the demand for doodles in rescue far exceeds the supply, most private rescues insist on physical fences for the safety of the dogs and have no trouble finding adopters who meet the criteria.

Any need for a fenced in yard for Labradoodles would come from the Retriever side as much if not more than the Poodle side, as hunting dogs follow their noses, lol.

Also, "dream" dogs are made, not born. Many doodles end up in rescue because of unrealistic expectations on the part of the owners. There is no such thing as a perfect dog. You get out of a dog what you put into him.