Advice for a novice

[Paula]

Hi Everyone,

Sparky, my black miniature schnauzer of 15 years passed away in August and my fiancé and I would like to add a labradoodle to our family in 2016. Growing up I always had dachshunds and then decided on a schnauzer as a family pet. Sparky was an awesome dog, I miss him.

I like to do a lot of research before making a commitment because my pets are always forever and temperament is so important to me. What advice would you give me since I have never owned a labradoodle. My fiancé has had labs and loves the breed and I really like what I have been discovering about labradoodles. I'm also not sure how to determine which breeder is the best. We live in CT.

Thank you.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

It really depends, so you would need to research the breeding pair.  I have a mini ALD and the size was mostly controlled with a cockapoo infusion two generations before my Guinness.  He is 22 pounds.

[Wynnie & Jim]

Jane is absolutely right. Wynnie's mom weighed 37lbs and her dad was a 9 lb miniature poodle. The result -a 22 lb F1b girl. This is one of the reasons that you should find a really good breeder.

[Joann Valerio]

Jim: i sent you a friend request. Need your breeder info and we can only share that in private
messages. Thank you.

[Roxanne Ochs]

Hi Paula,
I agree with all the comments about doing your research, that Doods are extremely intelligent, need exercise, etc. I cannot stress enough the importance of going through a basic obedience class ( this is true for any dog IMO). Labs and Poodles were bred for hunting so, like all the other working breeds, they need a job. Keep your Doodle engaged whether it be long exercise periods, several short exercise periods every day, agility, therapy dog. We have a 30 lb female from a great breeder here in Montana and are fortunate to have businesses here that allow us to bring our dog in so she comes into contact with a lot of different situations (Lowes, Home Depot and several sporting goods stores). I think if you give them plenty of love and a few boundaries, your dog will flourish.

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

I agree with all that has been said. You're playing a lottery with mixes because you never know which gene pool your doodle will take after. I have two bernedoodles (Bernese Mountian Dog X Standard poodle) and they have the same parents. One is exactly like a berner in personality and they other is completely not! Same genetic make up but are completely different beings. They are fantastic dogs but not without flaws, as all breeds, like others have said. Good luck in your choice!

[Jacqui and RosyNose]

One consideration re: barking- our Australian Labradoodle (ALD) Rosy didn't bark until she was about a year and a half old. She's not what I would call "barky", however, she definitely lets us know if there's someone walking by the house, delivering something, a squirrel is trespassing, or even sometimes....the wind is blowing the tree branches :-)  I like that Rosy's bark is terrifying behind a closed door but she looks like a silly Muppet and wouldn't hurt a fly once the door is opened. 

I grew up with a mini Schnauzer that I loved dearly and also lived with an Afghan Hound for over 11 years that at times seemed almost human (he learned how to open the fridge and help himself- hilarious yes, but not funny) these were both amazing loves and companions BUT my ALD Rosy is a total love, smart as a whip, lives to please us, and a total goofy clown that makes us laugh and love her more every single day.

Good luck with your research and finding the right pup, whether it's a Dood or ?

[Lynne]

Have u heard of a schnoodle?

[Paula]

Thanks for understanding. Dogs are like children.

[Paula]

Yes I have heard of a snoodle but DH is set on picking the dog this time around. He's had labs & a puggle.

[Paula]

I have been spending my time researching and making inquiries to breeders & rescue groups. I'm considering being a guardiam home and one of the local breeders is going to call me after the holidays to discuss their program. Any advice?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I personally couldn't deal with having my dog living somewhere else for 1-2 months even once, let alone several times over a period of years. I could also not deal with having someone else dictate to me how to care for my dog, which is what often happens when you are the guardian but someone else really owns the dog and has a big financial stake in her. And I would be concerned about the stress and potential health problems for the dog. The only possible reason I can see for anyone doing this is that they can't afford to just buy a doodle puppy, in which case, I personally would adopt or look for a different breed. There is no benefit to you other than that you get a "free" dog after the breeding contract is up, which is usually 4 years. 

[Paula]

Wow, I didn't expect that feedback but I appreciate your time in posting. I thought it would be a positive experience so I am going to keep an open mind and hope to hear from others especially someone who has been a guardian. I think I'll understand more once I meet with the breeder after the holidays. I think I'll ask her for guardian homes to contact so I can hear their experience.