Genetics a of red/apricot doodles

[jenn D]

Do we have any threads on where the red comes from in labradoodles? I remember someone saying it came from 1 or 2 distinctive poodle lines. I also recall discussing how because of this some reds can be a bit high Strung. Pickles is going through late adolescence (just over 1 year old) and he is really testing a lot lately. I know consistency is key but he is pretty strong willed. Just wondering how much is genetic related, age related, etc. as I'm pretty consistent with training across the board.

[jenn D]

Great points Karen. It's true I'll never really know. I am just a researcher at heart too. Even though the why doesn't change things I'm still curious. When I first got into dogs as an adult, it was beagles (because I had a beagle as a kid. But soooo not the breed for MY temperment lol!). Anyway, as an adult I had 2: a cast off taller than the standard for 15" beagles that was afraid of his own shadow and was bumped from home to home before me. This dog became about as perfect as a beagle could get for me and one of my heart dogs that I miss greatly. The second was his sister from a later litter (same mom and dad a year later). She was stunning, gorgeous in the show ring. She was a Special. Beautiful gate and conformation. But so, so head strong. Even though she was a gorgeous beagle and won tons of shows, her personality was the pits. We never bonded. I did keep her for her entire life along with her older brother (who was awesome but not physically perfect) and I think she loved me as much as she could love a human. But she loved something a lot more than me: herself. So I find this whole looks/temperment thing fascinating. The breeder did breed my female which produced a litter of beagle champions but their personalities all were like her. I never wanted a pup from that litter which surprised the breeder. They were gorgeous to look at but temperment....uh no.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Your female beagle sounds a lot like my last female poodle. :)

[jenn D]

So you had a girl like that too! Lol! It's why I'm so big on go for temperment. But it does make you wonder why temperment isn't reslly part of standards (I know they say dog x should have a happy disposition, etc) . In the purebred would (and probably mixed dog world) I think looks are more coveted by breeders that personality.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Oh there are definitely breed standards for temperament. For example, shyness in a GSD is a serious fault. 

My poodle's temperament wasn't really a problem. She was just the kind of dog who asked herself "what's in it for me?" before deciding whether or not to obey a command, lol. And she was dominant; not aggressive, dominant. She would not sleep in my room until she got old and a bit needy. She thought she was the most wonderful creature on earth and was sure that every person who walked into my house was there to see her. She was very pushy and persistent, would not back down, and that could be annoying. If you said the word "pretty", she wagged her tail because she was sure you were talking about her, lol. She was outgoing to an extreme, and very, very friendly, and she was afraid of nothing in this world.  Head up, tail up, confident as Peter Pan. When you think about the problems people have with dogs who are anxious and afraid of car rides, thunderstorms, fireworks, etc. or have separation anxiety, these things don't look so bad.

And she was housebroken in a day and a half, but that was more the breeder's doing than mine. 

Perfect health, lived to be 16 without any health issue other than an occasionally ear infection. You should have seen her teeth. Tartar free, white as snow, and never brushed them once. Genetics. 

But, obedience training was challenging. She tested the limits every time, every day. And she lived up to Stanley Coren's findings that Miniature Poodles are better than any other breed in "problem solving". Of course, most of a dog's "problems" involve how to get or do something you don't want them to get or do, you can see how that would be challenging. She once grabbed a rib bone from a plate that was being emptied into the garbage and I had her six inches off the floor trying to pull it away from her. To this day, I don't know how I finally did. LOL

[jenn D]

Yes! I love your story. It sounds so much like Snapple, my female beagle. What's in it for me. :) sounds like they were soul sisters. There is pros and cons to all these temperaments I guess. The trick is finding out what kind of dog personality fits yours best. :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yep, absolutely. And what kind of personality fits your lifestyle. I was working two jobs for much of the time I owned my poodle. I was away from home a lot. There was also a lot of upheaval in my family situation. A shy or needy dog wouldn't have done well with my schedule or with all the changes. 

[BG and Gavin]

Sounds like both these dogs taught you and Karen some things (maybe about patience, persistence, unconditional love)?  Every dog for a reason right?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Absolutely. I believe that if you're looking with your eyes, your brain and your heart, the right dog finds you at the right time. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I would also say that the very best purebred breeders (the kind who put agility and/or obedience championships on their dogs and require the same of their puppy buyers, never breed a dog before the age of three, and do not breed for the purpose of selling pet puppies) are way more concerned with temperament over looks than the average doodle breeder. But that might be because the average doodle puppy buyer is way more concerned with looks than temperament, and selling puppies is usually a doodle breeder's main purpose in breeding.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

From the AKC Poodle Breed Standard: 

Temperament: Carrying himself proudly, very active, intelligent, the Poodle has about him an air of distinction and dignity peculiar to himself. Major fault: shyness or sharpness.

[Wendy and Myla]

This thread is so interesting!!! 

[Deeann Roesser]

Wow Jenn! I also had a female beagle for 15 years and loved her very much. Now that I have Ginger, my golden doodle, I can see such a difference in their personalities. My beagle was sweet, but not really interested in pleasing me. Ginger is so loving and sweet with everyone, it's amazing. That being said, she also has guarding issues with toys and treats, but not with her food. Go figure!