Are they DOODLES???

[Chris & Boys]

I was wondering if anyone out there can help me. I have been looking for a rescue Goldendoodle for about four months now. I don't want a big shedder. I found a momma that was a puppy mill rescue that had a litter about four weeks ago. The foster mom thinks they may be doodles. I am wondering how long it will take for their coats to star showing distinct waves so that I know if they are doods. I am uploading pictures taken this past Sunday. It has been 14 years since my golden was a puppy, so I cannot tell if they have any poodle or if they just look like a standard golden.

[April Cliber]

They look like doodles to me. :o) But you can't be for sure without a DNA test. http://www.canineheritage.com/

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Hi Chris, please keep in mind that even if they ARE doodles, there is still a very good chance that they will shed, although perhaps not as much as a GR. Even when the puppy coat shows distinct waves, they may still shed, especially as adults.
Take a look at Adina's Rosco, who is as curly as can be, and even he sheds. If this is an issue for you, you may want to consider a purebred poodle or other non-shedding breed, or at the very least, a puppy from an experienced breeder who is better at predicting puppies' coat-types. Also please consider an adult rescue, where you will know what kind of coat they have. There are so many in need of good homes right now...check out "Doodles in Need" here on DK in our "Rescued Doodles Group." And good luck in your search.

[Chris & Boys]

Well, I have been looking daily at Doodles in Need, the iDOG site, petfinder.com, as well as 6 other rescue agencies in my area. That is the first thing I do every morning. I have tried for 6 different doods in the last four months and have gotten beat out. I have had two doods that I was interested in get adopted by their fosters. I have looked into non-shed purebreds and they are either diggers, hunters (terriers) or yippy little lap dogs. And that is not what I am interested. This is not something that is a whim for me. Three years ago I made my mind up that I was going to get a GoldenDoodle when my boys and I were ready and had the time to properly train a new addition. I actually would have prefered and adult rescue, but had no luck. And I am aware that there will be some shedding, but it can't be as bad as a regular golden can it?

[Keera's Mom]

They may have some cocker in them making the waves. If you know someone who has really bad dog allergies you could take them to see the pups.. It might give you an idea.. I would keep trying for an adult in need. It will be worth the wait.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Hi Chris, I am sure this is not a whim for you, and didn't mean to imply that! My Jackdoodle is an F1 LD who I adopted @ 14 mos. from a shelter; to me, the shedding is very bad, but I have only had non-shedding breeds previously, so I don't have much to compare it to. I will say I have fostered German Shepherds, and to me, Jack's shedding is just as bad in terms of the amount of hair left all over the house, but there is no "blowing" of the coat twice a year like GR's, where you have half a dog left lying on the floor, lol!
Do you have an application on file with IDOG and the other rescues in your area? A lot of times, by the time you see the Petfinder listing, the rescue already is going through the applications they have and making calls. I know many times, a dog comes into rescue and is adopted without ever even being listed. If you fill out an application, you are not in any way obligated to take any particular dog; it just gets you in line if a suitable match should come along. I lost out on the first two dogs I tried to adopt before Jack; but then the shelter had my application, so when he came in, they called me immediately to come see him, and he never made it into the Petfinder listings.
(In defense of standard poodles, I do have to add that they are absolutely not "...diggers, hunters (terriers) or yippy little lap dogs..." ! Pound for pound, I still say that a well-bred standard poodle is the absolute best all-around companion animal there is. But that's just my opinion, for what it's worth. The doodles ARE cuter!)
I hope this info will help you find the dog that's meant to be yours; I have no doubt he's out there! Good Luck!

[Mary Beth Sancomb-Moran]

Regardless of whether they're doodles or goldens, they're adorable!

As the owner of one of each, I can sympathize with not wanting the retriever hair. (I have GR tumbleweeds. I DO sweep, I swear!) You're right - doodle shedding isn't as heavy as a retriever's.

The puppy in the last picture looks like it might have a wavier coat, so that one might be a good choice.

[Adina P]

It does sound like you are working hard to find this right puppy! A lot of people have had a hard time finding a rescue, getting beat out on specific dogs they want.

The puppy with the tennis ball looks potentially Doodley.
I would place an application with the rescue and see if at eight weeks, when the puppies will be ready to go home, if the allergic person in your family does OK snuggling with the puppy. Like Karen said, my Rosco is quite curly but still leaves hairballs in the house and fur on my clothes. He sheds far less than a lab, though! And most goldendoodles shed less than golden retrievers. But if allergies are involved, you'll need more certainty, I think, than an undetermined shelter puppy. However, you might get very lucky and find they produced no allergic response.

I second what Karen said about placing an application with IDOG. Those with applications that have been approved will be given the opportunity to adopt before the adoptable dog is available to the public on IDOG's website.

Also, standard poodles make pretty good family pets. Perhaps look to see if there are any reputable standard poodle breeders near you--particularly a breeder that does obedience with his or her dogs. That will show you what a well trained poodle is like. Doodles can dig and bark and be pests too ;-)

[Leslie and Halas]

The puppy with the tennis ball has a coat similar to Halas' coat at 4 weeks. Halas has a golden retriever mom and a mini poodle dad. I can upload a 4-week pic if you want to see it. Check our page to see more recent photos of how Halas' coat turned out. Halas does not shed. A lot comes out on the brush when I brush him, but nothing comes out on it's own. Someone at work with bad allergy problems can play with him and let him get in her face, and it doesn't cause her any problems. I don't know how well the 4-week coat predicts whether they will shed or not, but like others have posted, you could maybe visit the puppies and see what happens. But I'd say the puppy with the tennis ball could be a doodle.

[Chris & Boys]

Thanks for all the input. I think my frustration is showing. No offense, but I have never had an interest in a poodle, there is just no attraction. Is that bad?? I am a "Golden" person, but other people's goldens do affect my son's allergies. I hate to miss this opportunity if they are GD's but I also don't want to take him home, fall in love and find out there is a problem. That is why I have ruled out LD's which seem to be readily available at shelters. I have put in an application with a GD rescue, been interviewed and approved. Does anyone know if iDOG transports? Also, I don't think they allow invisible fences? I started to fill out one of their applications just last week, but it was so long, I changed my mind. Well, I guess I will have to wait til we go and visit and see how my son reacts. Thanks again!

[Adina P]

You do seemed frustrated, but not in a bad way :-) I too would be frustrated after looking for so long and trying so hard to find this elusive rescue goldendoodle. So totally understandable!

IDOG does not typically transport... And I think you are correct about invisible fences.

It's OK not to have an attraction to a poodle. Attraction is important I think... To an extent.
There are some breeds that I think are downright ugly--everybody is different.

Good luck in your search and maybe these possible GD's will be just the right fit!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

We have a 10 month old F1 Chocolate LD and she does not shed. Are LD supposed to shed more than GD? When I brush her I do get some of her puppy coat. My BIL who has severe allergies, has no problem being with her.

[Keera's Mom]

do a search for Brad Smith on this site.. He has three doodles and one he got through GD rescue group. He could fill you in on the details, how long it took and so on.. He is one of my friends on the this site but also we work together in the real world.. He would be glad to help you out.