Doodle Research Questions

[Sebastian and Chester's Mom]

Hi, everyone! I introduced myself a while back, and then things got a little crazy. In a nutshell, my Mom is looking to bring either a Standard Poodle or a Doodle into her life, and we are in the process of doing careful research to see which kind of dog would be the best match for her and her lifestyle. She is looking for an older puppy or young adult, and is open to working with either a reputable, responsible breeder, or a rescue to find the right dog for her.

My Mom lives alone in a townhouse in an urban residential neighborhood. She has a small, fenced-in area (maybe 250 square feet?) in back, and is committed to leash walking. My Mom works, but would be able to come home at lunch for potty breaks. Also, my sister has offered to let any potential new dog come to her house for “day care”. There is almost always someone home at my sister’s house during the day, as well as my sister’s nine-year-old Goldendoodle, Abby. My Mom also lives very close to a fantastic daycare and boarding facility, which I will strongly encourage her to utilize (my two dogs used to go there before they started having issues with new dogs).

She is also committed to training. We had Standard Poodles when I was growing up, and trained and showed them in obedience. She is looking to earn the CGC title at a minimum, and potentially do therapy work, so long as the dog enjoys it. As it has been a long time since she has had a dog, and a lot has changed since then, I am putting together a reading list of books on science-backed training and behavior.

I understand that every dog is an individual, and when you have a cross of two different breeds, it can be a toss-up as to which traits are inherited from which breed, but I do have some broad, general questions that I hope you all can answer. I thank you all in advance!

My dog, Chester, sees a Veterinary Behaviorist, who mentioned one time that she sees a disproportionate number of doodles in her practice. For the senior members here, which behavior problems to you see people posting about most frequently, and in your opinion, do the issues seem to be rooted mostly in nature or nurture?

Someone told me a while back that Goldens can be prone to same-gender aggression. Have any of you found that to be the case?

What about Separation Anxiety? Does that tend to be a big problem with doodles?

Does there seem to be a significant difference in temperament between Goldendoodles and Labradoodles? For those who are familiar with purebred Standard Poodles, do either GDs or LDs differ in significant ways from their poodle ancestors?

Is there anything else we should be aware of that I haven’t mentioned?

Again, thank you so much in advance!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I think I can answer your questions in one sentence: Your mom should get a Standard Poodle.

If you consider the fact that there is not one single doodle breeder in North America who has ever put an obedience title on any of her dogs, despite the fact that the AKC does allow mixed breeds in obedience competition, you will understand the reason for my answer. 

[Sebastian and Chester's Mom]

Karen, thank you so much! That is very very very good to know! That probably wouldn’t deter her from adopting the right doodle from the right rescue, but as far as breeders go, I think that she would prefer one that is involved with some type of dog sport.

I can’t thank you enough!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

My pleasure. There are two well-established nationwide doodle rescue groups, IDOG, and Doodle Rescue Collective (DRC). Your mom may want to submit applications with both. 

She should also search Petfinder.com at least twice a week (doodles in rescue are in great demand), using Standard Poodle as the breed, as there is no "doodle" option. 

I am sure your mom knows how to find an excellent Poodle breeder. The local AKC regional breed clubs are a good place to start.  

[Sebastian and Chester's Mom]

This is amazing! Thank you so much!

Next month, there is an all-breed conformation show being held close by, that we were already planning on going to. I will encourage her to talk to the Lab and Golden breeders as well as the poodle breeders to get a feel for the differences she could reasonably expect between a poodle, a GD and an LD.

I will also encourage her to check the rescues often.

Again, thank you thank you thank you!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

A word of warning: Most purebred Lab, Golden, and Poodle breeders of good quality and reputation take a very dim view of breeding doodles, so expect some negative if not outright hostile feedback if you mention LDs or GDs to these breeders. 

[Sebastian and Chester's Mom]

Thank you for that! I have definitely seen some hostility toward doodles from both breeders and breed clubs. I could go on an epic rant about that, but I’m pretty sure it has already been addressed somewhere.

I would probably approach the issue by saying that we were doing breed research before bringing a dog home (which is the truth), and would like to know more about the differences amongst the different types of retrievers. Why did this breeder choose, say, Labs over Goldens? Why not Flat Coated Retrievers or Chessies? Hopefully, I won’t come off as being too annoying...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I think that line of questioning will get you better responses, lol.

Although the difference between a Golden Retriever and a Chesapeake Bay Retriever in terms of temperament is like the difference between a house cat and a Cougar, lol. I'd stick with why Labs over Goldens, or vice versa. :)

[Sebastian and Chester's Mom]

My Sebastian is a Saint Bernard/ Great Pyrenees/ Anatolian Shepherd mix, and is a bit on the Cougar end of the spectrum himself! When he was an adolescent, I used to say that he had some wildcat in his mix when people would ask what kind of dog he was. He is definitely not for everyone, but he is perfect for me!

[Stella]

Not sure how old your mum is, but doodles can and do excel at agility!!

[Sebastian and Chester's Mom]

She is definitely active and in good shape! I think one of my nephews is interested iin helping with training, as well. He is about the same age as I was when I started training.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Karen has given you excellent information. My son purchased a poodle puppy last year from a reputable breeder.  I am totally in love with that dog and she with me.  She has a wonderful temperament and is well behaved, however she has excitement pee. They come over often and we always clean up pee - we all hoped she would outgrow it but she hasn't. 

I adore my doodles. One I purchased as a puppy from a breeder.  He is more independent and isn't snuggly.  I have two rescue doodles, both rescued at age two.  Both are wonderful dogs, the newest one, is pretty high energy still, barks, and humps other dogs when meeting them for the first time - things we might have worked on more easily if we had gotten him as a puppy.  He also runs when you go to discipline him - obviously learned that worked in his previous living situation. His favorite place is on the couch with us with his head and paw on a lap. He is the absolute expectation of what a doodle's personality is characterized to be.

We used to have a Springer Spaniel who was so high energy that it made me tired. He had separation anxiety, was nervous, and was the sweetest, most unassuming dog that you could take anywhere and count on him to be friendly and non-aggressive. He was from a backyard breeder.

I mentioned these things because they are dog things and not breed things. Some I think are the result of poor breeding, and some are just individual personalities.

[Sebastian and Chester's Mom]

Nancy, thank you so much! You all have been so helpful!

My Chester has terrible Separation Anxiety which is now thankfully under control with medication and behavior modification. When he was at his worst, it was devastating to see him so upset. I am fortunate and thankful to live in a city where we have access to the kind of help I needed to get him through (he sees a Veterinary Behaviorist as well as a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist). I wouldn’t wish SA on anyone.

Two of our poodles when I was growing up were from the same breeder, and same lines. They could not have been more different in personality. Mattie was very reserved, and a little bit prissy, while Mamie was an extroverted goofball. They were both wonderful dogs, and are missed every day.