Help me figure out if this cutie is a goldendoodle please!

[browneyes]

I'm considering this pup and wondering if you have any insight.  We recently tried to rescue a goldendoodle only to figure out that the individual "rescuing" the pups was really running a scam selling maltipoos as goldendoodle puppies.  So, as you can imagine I'm nervous and the seller of this pup isn't really helping. 

 

Here are some pictures.  The seller says she's 8 weeks old and that her sister is the breeder.  She included pics that she says are the parents - a 45 lbs golden mother and a 14 lb poodle father.

 

[Donna K & Quincy]

Run! Way too many red flags. This could only be a backyard breeder at best and a puppy mill at worst.

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

[browneyes]

Supposedly the sister/breeder is building a kennel at the moment and is considered to be a hobby breeder but going through the process of obtaining licenses for the kennel.  Having the sister sell the last remaining pup, which is the story, does seem a little strange.

 

I had another dog that I was going to purchase this weekend from a breeder far away that fell through when the breeder sold the dog while she and I were chatting about it online.  I think I feel like I need to rush because if I'm not decisive they'll all slip through my hands.  I know this isn't necessarily true but I think this past experience is coloring how I'm reacting now.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

This could turn out to be an adorable pup that in the end costs you way more in money and heartache than going with a legitimate breeder.  You asked, and my answer is, don't do this without being able to see the parents and all the documentation showing that the breeders have been genetically tested and have hip, elbow, cardiac, etc. health testing.

[browneyes]

Right.  I guess I just feel a sense of urgency having lost out on one that I really loved as well by not committing to buy. 

 

In all honesty I really don't have any desire to promote bad breeding practices.  I wonder though (and am really open to being educated) how breeding a couple of litters that are raised inside the house is worse than breeding many, many litters at a time.  I'm very uncomforable with many breeders practices of not allowing buyers to see the pups ahead of time (I do understand that Parvo is terrible and my first childhood dog had it so I understand first hand) and also having so many litters at one time and having "guardian" programs for their breeding dogs.  I guess I wonder if being a hobby breeder is better or worse.  I do understand that having health testing is a valuable practice.  Then I rethink rescuing which would possibly end up with me having a puppy mill puppy.  It ends up being somewhat circular in my mind...

 

[Donna K & Quincy]

Being a hobby breeder is not a bad thing if they do the required health testing but that is expensive and they seldom do. 

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I don't think that being a hobby breeder is necessarily a bad thing.  I know a young woman and her husband who breed golden doodles. I met the mother and the grandmother, both gorgeous, seemingly healthy golden retrievers with wonderful temperaments.  The woman had all the basic health certifications and a lot of info on the father.   The pups were the healthiest, sweetest, most well adjusted pups, bar none.  The breeder asked her brother to bring his 18 month old goldendoodle from the same pairing - and I can honestly say all the dogs interacted beautifully.  I've now known this young woman for 3 years and have recommended her but it's hard to get a pup because she only has 1 litter a year.   So I believe there are a few good hobby breeders out there, but you have to be able to get good answers to the same questions you would ask a larger breeder.  

[browneyes]

Not in my area, is she?

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

No.  She's on the East Coast.  Just saying that sometimes you can find a good hobby breeder but it's hard.

[Adina P]

Hobby breeder is considered the 'ideal' in the pure breed world.  So it's not a 'bad' term like backyard breeder.  But it's not always used properly so it's the details about the breeder and his/her program that matter more than what he/she calls himself/herself.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

a good breeder will always let you visit!!! stay away from those who wont let you. stick with a breeder who has 1 litter at a time in the house (even if they have multiple breeding  dogs)

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

The puppy is adorable.  But...like all the other replies, why set yourself up for heartbreak, heartache with the chances for problems with this lil' sweetheart.  Even from a reputable breeder dogs can develop problems...but they stand by certain problems that may arise and have all the medical hx on mom & dad.  Yes, I would agree RED FLAG ALERT.  

[Adina P]

How about a poodle?  Or other non-shedding breed?  Are those options? Besides non-shedding, what other characteristics are you seeking in this first dog?