Wow, did you really just say that?

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

I took Meg in for her bath this morning and while we were waiting for the groomer to get there we practiced her manners a bit.  A man pulled up with a truckload of 'tweeners' to do some service work at the vet's office there.  He came right over, with all the kids, and asked if he could approach her and I gave him permission.  He then asks, 'if she a full Airedale?' and I said not at all, she is a scruffy coated labradoodle.  and he actually says, "oh, she is a mutt..."  what?  Did he really say that to us?  Don't ask me how, because I was seething after it was over but I continued to smile and said to him, "of course she is a mutt, a well bred mutt to tell the truth, BUT, she does not know that, no matter what she just thinks she is a well cared for, well mannered  and much loved part of the family and no matter what type of dog she walks past...she knows she is just as good"  Why would any one think it is there business to point out the pedigree or lack of for any one else's pet, my own pedigree is pretty mixed...just sayin.

By the way, we were still practicing our 'sit/stay' with all the commotion when he came back out and decided to compliment her on her behavior.

[BG and Gavin]

Awesomely handled Judy. I would take beautiful Meg any day of the week too!

[Lynda Kamrath]

Ahh, happens all the time.  And actually labradoodles and goldendoodles are mutts (mixed breeds) but that is nothing to be ashamed of.  I just say, yes, he is a mutt, but a very expensive one.  Usually they want some information on doodles at that point.  I like it when they ask if he is a "designer dog", to which I respond that I guess he is.  Groucho Too actually came from Designer Doodles.  Pedigree?  No.  But he is neutered and won't be reproducing. That usually gets them thinking.

[Ginny Nightingale]

I had the same exact thing happen to me once--and I said, "well, yes, but a glorified mutt with AKC champion grandparents and health-tested parents"--poor guy didn't have an answer for that one....I don't really care about that AKC stuff as long as the healthy part is there--but i wanted to have a comeback for this guy, who was so rude! I was telling someone else who asked politely about Rio that he was a labradoodle and this man overheard and injected his opinion--he said "He's just a mutt, then" in a very harsh voice--I don't ever get used to that, so like the others have said, I bring up the mutt term first to be ready for it.

It's funny how labradoodles and goldendoodles get criticized and other mutts with no fancy names do not--my DD has a border collie mix and no one blinks an eye when she says he is a border collie and something else--so, I guess the "poodle mix" is the best way to go.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Ginny, I love your answer, it's perfect.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Perfect Ginny :)

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Good old Wikepedia:

A mongrel, mutt, or mixed-breed dog is a dog that belongs to no single organizationally recognized breed and is not the result of selective breeding.

 crossbred dogs belong to no one recognized breed. Unlike mixed-breeds, however, crossbred dogs are the product of artificial selection - intentionally created by humans, whereas the term "mongrel" (or mutt) specifically refers to dogs that develop by natural selection, without planned intervention of humans.

Personally, I don't care what people want to call his "breed".  I call him Quincy and he is pure joy to me.  

[BG and Gavin]

Amen Lori!

[Donna K & Quincy]

I agreed with that last line, especially the last sentence. :>)

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

haha- the Quincy breed!  they come in chocolate and vanilla!

[Star and Goldie]

I have not experienced this yet but have tried to prepare myself. When I was waiting for Goldie to be born I was shocked at how much hatred I saw on the internet about doodles. It's so sad that some people have nothing better to do than to be down right MEAN!

I was fully expecting to hear some type of 'mutt' remark but every time someone asks what type of dog I have they have always responded with a compliment or a question about what the breed is because they've never heard of it.

I'm not sure how I will react when that first person makes a negative remark. I tend to speak my mind without holding back when I kick into defense mode!

[Sheila & Finnley]

If anyone says anything about Finnley being a mutt, I think I'd just say "Call her what you want, but she is one of the best !" With a fake smile of course !  LOL

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Judy, I know how you feel, but I'm so happy with my "mutt," just like you are with Meg, that other people's opinions don't bother me anymore.  I wanted a smart, intuitive, low shedding, huggable companion, and that's what I got. This half-human doodle is the best dog I've ever had.  I don't think the guy meant anything other than it's a mixed breed.   It just didn't come off that way. I have a lot of respect for the ALD, LD, and GD breeders who are trying to select the soundest, best tempered dogs for breeding to keep improving the health, temperament, confirmation, and consistency of their dogs, but the average person doesn't know that. 

That said, I get kick out of watching people change their attitude. I met a hunter one day, training his lab at the lake, and he laughed at Finn and asked if he could swim. He ended up helping me teach Finn to retrieve in the water and had a ball. I bet he never gets a doodle but he ended up telling me that's a real water dog. LOL  My groomer gave me an attitude the first time I brought Finn in.  Now she begs me to leave him there all day so she can spend time with him on her breaks and he always has the run of the shop. Those are the interactions I remember.  Not the mean people, who are few and far between, thank goodness.