In search for the perfect fit.

[Michelle Ashby]

Our family is in search of the perfect fit dog for our family. I would appreciate any input. We just recently had to put down our 9 year old Cairn terrier- male. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer and was starting to have pain. We have a 6 year old daughter and a 5 year old son. Our issues are that my husband and I have allergies. My son has sensory processing disorder. The sensory processing disorder makes him process sensory information differently than most. He is very heavy handed, Loud and doesn't always recognize social cues. I am thinking that an F1b or or possibly F2b is the answer. I personally am really attracted to the chocolates with their light noses. The problem I am having is that most of those that have these puppies have you select them at like 3 weeks. Of course you can't really see what the temperament will be until 7 weeks so I won't know if we have a good selection for our son. An adult that is a couple of years old would be perfect but the reality is that NOBODY wants to part with such a precious dog like that.  Tell me what you think. Where can I find the best fit?

[Michelle Ashby]

As I have done lots of research with SPD there are certainly different levels of it and children can all display it differently.  Many kids with SPD have issues surrounding foods and the different textures of foods.  They also have been known to stuff food.  I am told by the occupational therapist that my son likely stuffs food because he doesn't feel it in his mouth the same way.  He tends to undersense touch. It is difficult to explain.  The pressure sensations that he feels in his mouth are less than what you are I would so he tends to overstuff his mouth and swallow without much chewing of his food. I still cut his food up pretty little to try and help him not to choke himself.  We do find that he doesn't like meat. Most of the meat products that he likes are processed "meats".  So if I give him chicken or steak then I cut it up really small and he seems to tolerate it.  I have heard many other SPD parents state that they REALLY struggle with getting their child to take in a variety of foods.  My sons issues are primarily with tactile and auditory senses but many have issues with the gustatory sense (sense of taste).  They can be under or over sensing so I could see how if they oversense flavors that it could become very overwhelming.

[Gabby]

Hi Michelle! Hope you got my private message. I sent it yesterday. Happy 4th to you and your family!

[Sally S Miles]

While I'm sorry that you have lost a dear family member, I applaud your consideration of other factors when looking for a new one.  Finding an older dog might, or might not be more difficult - but frankly I think it is your best choice.  A young adult  will be able to present the points you search for = shedding/non-shedding, temperament more settled, some training, less distracted by children and chaos.   I'm sure the idea is for a long term family member, but here I do think one that is past the puppy stage is in order.   Your sanity, your child's well being, as well as the dog will all be happier for it.
I don't think focusing on a doodle is the answer but it's not wrong either.  Poodles, mixes and mutts in general.  Any mix has the potential to exhibit either side's strengths or weaknesses.   

I would contact breeders, but absolutely get in touch with rescue groups and some really good trainers.  Make friends with a trainer now - take the trainer with you when you visit any prospective family member.  Have your trainer come spend time with your family.  Not cheap, but the alternative is even more costly.  Many good breeders only breed a dog a few times before retiring her to a pet home and often a male will be petted out should their lines produce a more favorable candidate for stud.   Ask veterinarians in your area - often the first stop for rehoming is via the vet.   

You need to look for a calm, mellow, intuitive dog with a solid frame and no nervousness.  Yes, a good breeder can tell these things early on - but a bad situation can wreck a good dog. I am not saying your situation is bad, I think it's good and very good that you realize limitations.  Patience is going to be your best ally in this, but I still applaud that you are looking for "the perfect fit" instead of just a particular look or breed.   

Don't discount dog shows - not all breeders advertise (many of the best do not) and seeing in person is great.    Many good breeders know other good breeders.  At the same time, not all good breeders show their dogs - so again finding vet's and trainers comes into play.  

 

The five foot cedar fence is ok - as long as you plan to attend the dog while out - never trust a fence to keep your dog in if you aren't watching.  

 

The best dogs I have had with small children were extreme's on the breed scale - Yorkies and German Shepherds! The tiny four pounder and the chunky nine pounder had hearts of gold and put up with a lot of chaos from my six grandchildren - the German Shepherds were equally good - but had a lot of knock down incidents with their happy tails and rumps.   
Be aware that a Labradoodle will carry Lab traits and one trait is a happy rump.  

We now have a young Goldendoodle and she is extraordinarily smart, calm, submissive, easy to train, adorable - but she is only good with two of my younger GK's while the other one sets her off.   She also does not shed, I didn't care.

Temperment is your most critical factor here - take your time and do your homework.   It took me nearly three years to find our dog - the right dog - an empty nest is not my idea of fun, but worth the wait.  

 

Every time someone stops to ask 'what is that?" or "is that a Labradoodle" I cringe - most only have seen photos, hype and know nothing about them.   Now that we have given our girl a summer haircut nobody asks a thing! Same dog, same sweetness - but with a haircut she looks like a poodle and folks walk on by unless just a 'cutie' comment. 

 

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Hi Michelle,

I have been looking for the following discussion ever since you first posted this one, and finally found it. I really think that of all the information on this site, next to the What to look for in a Breeder article, this is the most informative and important for anyone considering adding a doodle to their family, because it's a collective group of responses and experiences from many of us here, and really paints an accurate picture of what to expect: http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/considering-a-doodle-crowd.... 

[Michelle Ashby]

Lots of info to take in.  To reassure some of you who have sent messages expressing your concerns about whether a family that has children is appropriate for a doodle, feel assured that my husband and I are not novice dog owners but have raised two different dogs from puppyhood and understand the level of commitment and supervision that a dog needs. If I didn't I would have never even pursued communication in this group. We have NEVER given away a puppy. We also get that nature and nurture both come in to play. We have after careful thought made a decision to go with a well known breeder for a puppy and not an adult. I know that not everyone will support this decision but hope all will respect our families decision. We looked into adults and have found that those we have found that are available are not a good fit for our family for one reason or another. I am working with a local trainer to help us with the transition of a new puppy. We will not have our addition until late Aug / Early September. So......now the wait begins.  Thank you for providing LOTS of info to help us come to our decision.

Michelle