Should there be a "doodle standard"? Why or why not?

[jenn D]

I have noticed that there are some standards for Labradoodles put out by different Labradoodle or Goldendoodle associations regarding size, temperament, structure, etc. do you agree with them? Do you think it is good to have them or does it matter? According to "breed" standards (I know doodles are not an actual registered breed) standards should not be more than a certain height. Well, Jake and Brisby are well above the standard cut off at the withers. I think they are around 26-27 inches at the shoulders. So what are your thoughts on conforming standards? Good or bad?

[Sally S Miles]

I think this is the reason Adina needs to get that book written.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I know the ALAA has a "breed standard", but I have not seen a "standard" for plain old Labradoodles (F1s, F1Bs) like JD. I think that would be pretty impossible with the earlier generations, there are just too many variables. 

My thoughts on conforming standards is that if these things (height, tail carriage, etc) are important to someone, they should have purebreds. :)

I would much rather there be conforming standards for health and temperament, and breeding guidelines in general. Don't breed dogs under 2 years old, don't breed untested dogs, testing guidelines, etc. I know GANA does have these types of guidelines, and that's a very good thing, IMO. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think this makes so much sense.  Doodles are by definition subject to variation.  If we can at least start to tackle the issues around irresponsible breeding and place some key standards there, that will be a huge step in the right direction.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Health and temperament standards would be awesome.  

I agree that making "breed standards" would be pretty much impossible for early generation doodles.

[Adina P]

I agree.  I would rather see standards in process (breeding) and in temperament than looks because unless the conformation is just wayyyy off that of a healthy dog of good proportions...who cares?

[Adina P]

Plus I haven't heard anyone officially announce an interest in creating a recognized breed and what would that mean for early gens?

[jenn D]

I was wondering if the max standard size was due to something physical like too big might cause structural issues later in life? I was wondering if there was a health reason behind the guidelines or if it was just for "looks" of the dog.

[Kurt Gustafson]

oh heck no! All the lies from the various breeders involved in 'original' Australian labradoodles could fill the National Archives. Go search some ofthe other doodle forums. They also are not very applicable to early generation hybrids. Better to reseach your breeder and be comfortable with them. 5-6 assoociations have come and gone over the last 15 years and as far as I could tell all were a bit crooked.

[Stella]

No no no to breed standards! IMHO this is what leads to in-breeding and the 'development' of dogs for looks over health and temperament. Farmers in Englad were in uproar when the border collie was allowed into the kennel club - their breed standard has changed the shape of the legs so the kennel club border collies can no longer crawl - an essential thing for a working dog. Google a picture of the lab that won best in breed at Westminster this year. Tell me if that dog looks fit enough to run and retrieve game all day - I don't think so!! How can it be best in breed when it is not fit to perform the job the breed was originally developed for?? I love the doodle variety that is out there, I hope there is never a doodle breed standard, and I really really hope they are never accepted by the kennel club.

[Kurt Gustafson]

I dont think the generic doodles will ever be accepted as they will not breed true. If something is accepted it will be one of the cockeririshspanielwheatonpoodlelabgolden crosses the claim to be multigeneration doodles. Nonetheless many of the founding stock pedigrees were erroneous, forged, and fraudulent. I have a old file somewhere I saved from all my correspondence on the issue starting back in 2000.

 

[Jennifer Tramell]

I'm not sure what "breed standards" do for even purebred breeds.  Perhaps you can't register with the AKC if your dog is bigger/smaller than breed standards?  Maybe you can't participate in AKC shows? 

I know there are Golden's who exceed the breed standard.  I had a golden mix who was taller than the breed standard.  Since he was supposed to be a golden retriever/border collie mix, my guess is that the size came from the golden (he looked like a tall willowy purebred golden retriever).  I've seen some smaller golden's who they called "field" goldens?  Probably didn't meet the standards. 

AKC breed standards have messed up some breeds.  I remember years ago the border collie people didn't want to be a part of AKC because they wanted their dogs to be working dogs, not show dogs.  American German Shepherds are all messed up due to the "sloping hip" - European German Shepherds are much healthier yet vary more in appearance. 

I think it would be nice to have standard sizes for doodles - like the poodle people.  Minis are these sizes, mediums are these sizes, standards are these sizes.  I think GANA has these but not all breeders know or follow these guidelines.  Other than sizes, who wants to ruin the beautiful individuality of our doodles by cookie cutter standards?  Not me :-)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The AKC doesn't set "breed standards", it's the individual breed clubs that dictate the standards. The European GSD breed clubs may have a different/better breed standard than the American club. :) 

The AKC is just a registry. Any dog whose parents are both the same recognized breed can be "registered" with the AKC. The breeder just pays a fee. Pet store dogs from puppy mills can have AKC registration papers, and often do. 

There's a bit of profanity in this blog, and it's very tongue-in-cheek, but it's a pretty good explanation of why the AKC is not to blame for sloping hips on GSDs, big heads on Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, etc. 

http://thedogsnobs.com/2014/06/20/thats-not-how-that-actually-works...