HELP ME PICK MY DOODLE :)

[LarryL]

Hey Doodle experts :)

Happy Holidays!

So I'm surprising my new wife and bringing home our doodle in the beginning of February for her bday.

Couldn't be more excited :)

I am however pretty picky in the looks department, and want the best chances of having my doodle preference answered as he goes from puppy to adult.

I did a quick search and couldn't find the exact answers I wanted, so I was hoping some of you guys can help me decide which in the litter would more closely resemble what I'm after...

My personal preferences are:

-Don't like super curly poodle hair, or very shaggy sheep dog type hair. I want something very fleecy, wavy...not too curly...but definitely not straight.

-Would rather not have a white dog either. Apricot or brown is fine, but my wife just has a thing for not wanting a white dog......one of the pups is lighter than the other 2 so what are the odds of him turning white?

-Definitely don't like the big doodle mustache!!

lol, everyone has their own preference I know - but how can you tell from looking at little pups who has the least chance of growing a big 'stache??

This is an example of EXACTLY what I would like.

I think shes GORGEOUS!!!!!

And I know it's hard to tell which of the 3 pups will most closely resemble her but -can't blame me for trying right??

MY PERFECT DOODLE :)

http://www.swissridgekennels.com/Our_Products1.html

Scroll down to "TONKA" - for me, thats perfect!

Color, coat, shape, everything!

These are the 3 pups - one of them is coming home with me!

They were born on our wedding day this November!

http://www.swissridgekennels.com/tinygoldendoodles.html

I know all doodles are different, and this ones an English doodle and the litter will be smaller, but in your best guess - which of the pups do you think will grow to most closely resemble Tonka and have the features we want?

And how can you tell who will have a mustache or not lol

[BG and Gavin]

Someone smarter than me will be able to explain the genetics of facial furnishings - but I am here to tell you, "Tonka" has them, her beard and mustache are just cut short and layered.  All three of you potential pups are beautiful.  What I do not hear you saying is what type of personality meets your needs and the needs of your family.  Matching temperament is the single most important thing.  You can have the most gorgeous looking dog going, but if he/she is very active and you live a more sedentary lifestyle you will both be unhappy.  Tell the breeder what you and your wife are like and what you are looking for in a pet and ask her to match the perfect dog to you based on that. 

[LarryL]

the breeder will ultimately decide who gets who and won't let me just pick.

she gives the dog temperament tests to see who is best suited for which family. 

that being said, im just trying to see which looks wise would mostly fit what i'm after.

in the end, decision will be up to breed tho.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Ahh, BG and I were typing and thinking along the same lines at the same time. GMTA

[BG and Gavin]

I am flattered that you would compare your brilliant mind to mine Joanne!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Doodles are supposed to have facial furnishings otherwise they have open faces which is a fault but does not mean they are not cute! BG is right, it's all about the trim. I like mustaches cut to the jaw line and no beards. Other people feel differently. 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

So many come along with this question and preference for looks :(
Beauty is only dog fur deep, Larry.
Think Temperment above all else. I hope you find a companion to bond with. A happy healthy dog. Good Luck and many good years to you and yours.

[LarryL]

Thanks,

Maybe I should've put a disclaimer.

The breeder rocks, and ultimately matches the pups based on their temperaments to the right home.

Thats one of the reasons I went with her.

So I won't be able to pick myself, - but I am definitely curious about the looks portion.

For example, puppy #2 looks like it MAY grow to be a white/very light colored dog - which my wife & I both don't want.

So I am just trying to get opinions, as superficial as they may be.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Well Larry, you get what you get.  Fate has a way.  I left my home to go get a Male, Yellow Mastiff, because I already had a dark chocolate Mastiff mix.

I came home an hour later  with a white, too small, very curly Goldendoodle.  Go figure.  Hey, I had never met a Goldendoodle in my life until I held him in my arms. 

So later on, I did get the looks I wanted but she was a very sick dog. A sick beautiful dog. Perfect coat, perfect size.  Almost perfect

Who knows. Again, I hope for you everything you could want in a perfect dog.

Looking forward to February for you. It is very exciting! 

[Julie and Max]

I think the top one is the cutest, but I do think it's kind of hard to tell what they're going to look like all grown up as they change so much. I'm kind of a newbie to doodles, but isn't the stache part more of a grooming thing? Like if you don't like it you can just keep it trimmed I think. (I am sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong). I think if you expect perfection or a dog exactly like Tonka you may end up disappointed in the end. I also think that no matter which puppy you end up getting you will fall in love and it won't really matter, but that's just me. Have you asked the breeder which she thinks will most resemble Tonka or have the type of fur you want? That's probably your best bet. I agree with BG that I wouldn't be worrying too much about looks but more about does the dog match with your family personality wise, because that is really what's most important.  Good luck with whichever puppy you choose, I'm sure you and your wife will love him or her. :)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Mustache?

Do you mean you dont like the facial furnishings on doodles?   That is genetic.

You could shave the mustache off or get a Golden Retriever or a Labrador Retriever. 

What ever happened to the good ol' American number one choice in dogs, the Labrador Retriever?

[F, Calla & Luca]

Tonka looks a bit like Luca as a pup. Most doodles lighten with age so a really light pup will usually get lighter. Here is Luca as a pup:

 Now recently groomed: 

And just before being groomed:

I consider myself very fortunate that my doodles are wonderful in terms of temperament, because I knew very little when I started with them. I agree with the others that that is the most important factor.

[Robin and Libby Louise]

Ahh, Luca is do darned adorable!