The doodleness of my puppy

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Hi there!  I just got a puppy and he is a mini F2 Golden doodle but he doesn't really look like the typical golden doodle.  I have been researching the mini golden doodle for I would say at least a year and a half and the image that I had in mind when I got my golden doodle is nothing like what I got. So clearly I did not research enough!  I probably sound like a horrible person but I had my heart set on the fluffy bearded golden doodle.  I bought him long distance and my mom got one of his sisters.  She is very fluffy, the exact dog I had in mind.... the moment I saw my little guy, I knew he looked different, his hair was more like fuzzy, almost like polar fleece.  I thought he might be slow fluffer coming into his doodleness but the more I research the more scared I am that he is not the dog I had pictured in my mind.  He is the sweetest little guy, just not what I had in terms of the picture in my mind.  I am a dog lover but I feel like this will be the last puppy I get most likely and I don't want to be disappointed every time I look at him and to spend the amount of money I did on him...I don't know.  I know that sounds horrible.  I would love opinions about his doodleness and can post more pics! 

[Becka]

Tomorrow! Wow! Can't wait to see pictures and hear about Luna meeting her little sibling for the first time.

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

TOMORROW?!?!?!!!!  You must go clean, do laundry, walk 14 miles, repaint the living room and organize every single closet in your home. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Um, just because she's due tomorrow doesn't mean the baby is planning to cooperate. Think back, ladies. How many of you had your first baby on your due dates? 

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

All of them came on their due date at the exact moment the Dr said they would.

 

I was being humorous, not literal, Karen.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

How exciting! I know Luna will be a big help with that baby :)

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Yeah baby is most definitely not cooperating.  I was kind of hoping she'd be here by now (measuring 2 weeks ahead).  I've been giving her speeches about how she would have way more space to stretch out if she made her appearance, but so far she's stubborn ;)

[F, Calla & Luca]

Love this photo.

[Willow and J]

I can understand your disappointment, but there's a lot to like about open-face doodles. Ease of grooming is one huge factor. Willow HATES brushing and I end up having to cut mats and also have to keep her coat short year around. She has to spend longer hours at the groomer, and she is fearful of groomers. You'll probably save lots of money and time not to have to try several different kinds of brushes, dematting devices, combs, and grooming fees. 

And above all, your puppy is one of the prettiest ones I've seen! Very very pretty. You can see beautiful eyes because of the "open face" feature, too. I really hope you overcome initial disappointment and appreciate the fact that you have a really unique doodle with open face and lovely wavy coat.  

[Enid Ferner]

Well I can definitely understand your disappointment...you had your heart set on the "muppet" look that is characteristic of most Goldendoodles (which is why you paid a lot of money for your dog) and that isn't what you ended up with. Yes your puppy is very cute and yes will probably have an amazing personality... But the fact remains that that is not the dog you thought you were going to end up with.
There is nothing wrong with contacting the breeder and explaining the situation...just see what they have to say and what options are available to you.
Personally I think the breeder should have let you know that this pup would not end up looking like the shaggy pup that they sent you a picture of... That was a bit misleading.
Go with your heart and don't beat yourself up about it, it sounds like you might be better off waiting for a pup from another litter that looks just like you want it to.
P.S. I do think your pup is beautiful...!

[Diane, Baker & Oskar]

You say "he is the sweetest little guy"...personality & temperament are so much more important than whether he has a fluffy face.  

We bought Oskar from a breeder in another state...we saw only a handful of pictures before he arrived on a plane.  He was most definitely apricot then...he is now almost white.  He was shaggy when he was a baby, now he's curly.  He's smaller than I'd hoped he would be.

Baker was predicted to be 55-60 #...he's 99#, too big for some people.  Neither turned out to be the medium sized doodle I'd seen & wanted.  They are both perfect for us & I wouldn't trade them for the world.

If you think you can't stop focusing on the puppy's looks, then contact the breeder.  I'll bet if you relax & let yourself enjoy the puppy for who he is, you'll forget all about a fluffy face & love him for his personality & how he loves you :)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I really understand your disappointment, especially when you think that you paid lots of money for a certain thing.  If you browse around our site though, you will see so much variation in these dogs called doodles.  One of my dogs is a pure breed English Springer Spaniel. He looks exactly like one would expect.  His size is within what one would expect. His temperament is exactly what one would expect.  This just doesn't happen with doodles. They are not a breed unto themselves, so there really isn't a certain look for you to expect.  I didn't know how much work my first doodle's coat would be. I didn't expect it. I was overwhelmed by it.  I still don't like it.  But, I have learned to live with it.  The good thing is that he doesn't shed.  My rescue has a great looking coat, but he sheds like a full golden retriever.    For my next doodle, I will be very aware of what I am looking for and I will make sure the breeder knows what I am looking for. I think if you are really, really disappointed you should contact the breeder, but I also think if you really look at your puppy, he just might steal your heart. Just his picture is tugging at mine.

[Becka]

I agree with this, Diane, and hope that Roxygirl will take it to heart. I wanted a totally non-shedding doodle, but what I got instead was a slightly-shedding doodle who is the smartest and sweetest dog I have ever known. Personality is by far the most important factor.