I just wanted to say hello, I'm new to the group.

[Stephen Gonsalves]

Hi,

I just wanted to say hi to everybody, I'm new to the forum, and to the world of doodles :)

I've been researching extensively for the last week on what new dog I'd like to have in my life, and I've narrowed it down to either a goldendoodle, or ladradoodle(leaning heavily towards a goldendoodle). I live in a house in the city(Toronto), and I have a HUGE yard for my new family member, but I can't seem to make up my mind which dog is best for me.
I live in a household with children that range from 3 - 14, so I'd like to know which is best suited for a house like that. I'm well aware that teaching the kids to respect the new dogs boundaries is a MUST, so I'll be spending time teaching them long before the new pet even steps foot in the house lol

That's it for now, I've done lots of research and plan on doing more, but I'd like to know what your experience is with doodles in a household with smaller children?

Thanks in advance,

Stephen :)

[Lynda Kamrath]

I read your post and want to say welcome to DoodleKisses.  Your children are not too little but please be aware that mini goldendoodles are a little different from goldendoodles, the reason being the difference between a mini poodle and a standard poodle.  You do not have the best traits from a poodle in a mini poodle.  I have had all kinds of poodle and doodles, but the smaller dogs are not the best of the breed.  Just my two cents.

[Stephen Gonsalves]

Hi Doodlemom :)

Glad to hear I'm not the only soon to be new owner in the group lol I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for your future post about your new golden doodle as you'll obviously be getting one before myself. Good luck, hope he/she is everything you hope!

[Stephen Gonsalves]

Interesting point Lynda, I hadn't considered that...Do you feel that mini doodles suffer from "little dog syndrome" like most small dogs? Do they tend to be more aggressive than standard doodles?

[Amy and Annabelle]

Annabelle doesn't. She seems afraid of most big dogs at first. Of course in one of her training classes she was scared half out of her mind by a big mean rescue dog, who had no business being in that class in the first place. Annabelle can be kind of shy around other dogs. She loves people, but other dogs she is kind wary of until she knows them. Now my little schnauzer definitely had little dog syndrome. He would try to pick on the chow next door.  The chow was afraid of him. I don't know if there is a difference with males and females. The schnauzer was male and my goldendoodle is female.  But if anything, I think she thinks she is a human.

[Amy and Annabelle]

Welcome Stephen, I have a mini goldendoodle. She weighs 15lbs. She was the result of a small goldendoodle mom and a mini poodle. My grandkids were 2 and 5 when we got her. The first time they were introduced Annabelle was still a scared little puppy. She had only been with us a couple of days. She hid behind me the whole time. So it was a surprise the next day she jumped on the 2 year old and knocked him down. So between her not obeying the off command and her nipping, I had to keep them separated for a awhile in the beginning. Every day there was a training lesson for both kids and puppy on how to play together. Annabelle is 1.5 years and they all play together great now. But the beginning was rough, I won't lie.

[Stephen Gonsalves]

Hi Amy and Annabelle,

Thanks for your recount of how things were for you and your family in the beginning, it sounds like it took a lot of work before things settled down? To be fair this is what I expected, I already knew it was going to take lots of training of both the new doodle AND the kids before things begin to run smoothly lol
Thank you very much for your insight, I can't wait to get to know you and all the rest of the people on this great site :)

[Lynda Kamrath]

Hello and welcome to DoodleKisses - the best site around for doodle lovers everywhere.  You asked for info. so I will be glad to tell you what I know about doodles.  I have had several and think they are the most amazing dogs.  If you have a large backyard, I would definitely suggest a goldendoodle (standard sized).  My favorite ever dog was a labradoodle, but I just think a goldendoodle is a better family dog.  Take a look at my photos if you want to meet my dogs.  Hondo, the labradoodle, was my first doodle.  The next was Groucho, a phantom goldendoodle, and my third was Harpo, an ALD.  When Groucho passed on, Harpo was depressed and lonely so I put out the word that I wanted a rescue doodle and got three in one week (I do rescue).  Harpo picked out Zeppo as his companion and a breeder told me he was a mini-doodle but one look at him and we knew he was not a doodle.  However, he was Harpo's choice so he has joined our little family.  Good look in your search for the perfect dog for your family.  You really could not go wrong with a goldendoodle.  They do come in various colors depending on the poodle side of the goldendoodle.  Have fun!  It is a great time for you.

[Stephen Gonsalves]

Hi Lynda,

First off I'd like to say I'm really sorry for your loss, it's never easy to lose a pet, it really is like losing a member of the family :( I am glad to hear that you decided to adopt your newest pet, how is that going for you? I ask because this is a route I've been considering myself, but I'm torn between finding a good breeder and finding a home for a dog that desperately needs one. I recently took a tour of my local humane society and rediscovered why I hate going there...It's just hard to see all those sad faces, which is why I still haven't made up my mind between getting one from a breeder or if adoption is the route I want to go...Decisions decisions.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Hi Stephen, welcome to DK!  My two cents: I have only had my present goldendoodles and my daughter has two. She has had 3 babies since getting them and they have been nothing but sweet and gentle with each baby.  My two have been the same with all 5 of my grandbabies, so when it comes to children, I vote goldendoodles, only because that is all I know.\

As for an adoption, with children in the house I would be VERY careful and some agencies won't even place a dog with children in the home. Good luck on your search and you will become very informed by reading posts on here and joining the groups. 

[Stephen Gonsalves]

Hi Sue,

Thanks for letting me know about the issues with adopting with children in the house, I didn't know that would be a problem. If this is the case I'll probably just end up going with a breeder...Thanks again :)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Welcome to doodlekisses.  I don't think it really matters which you choose.  It is more the individual dog that makes the difference.  Both are lively, active, smart dogs who are going to need training and lots of attention.   Having a huge yard for them to romp in is a real plus because they need to get their energy out, but they are not backyard-living dogs. They are truly people dogs and need their family. We are grandparents so perhaps it was easier for us, but we used both an ex-pen and a kiddie corral to keep the kids and dogs separate when needed.  We have a foster right now who wants the grandchildren's toys and to nudge and play (with open mouth) constantly, so out came the pens.  She could jump over the corral, but since she is supervised and not left alone with the little ones, that isn't going to happen.

[Stephen Gonsalves]

Leaving the dog in the yard would never happen as I live in Toronto, and winters can get pretty harsh. He/she will definitely be an indoor dog, he'll just be in the backyard for some added exercise when I can't get to a park :)