Need some input!

[macata]

I'm hoping you all can help me! I'm trying to find the perfect dog for our family. I though I had found it in the English lab. Then I realized how much it sheds. My husband, who is not the animal lover that I am would be really stressed out by that. We have 3 kids (14, 11 & 8). I'm really hoping I can get a puppy I will be able to train as a therapy dog. I also want the dog to be a total part of our family - cuddle with us when we watch t.v., go hiking, canoeing, whatever. (just background on us and what we're kinda looking for in a dog) It will also be an inside dog. I've narrowed it down to 3 types of dogs - Labradoodles, Goldendoodles and Standard Poodles. (oh, I also want a big dog) I would love any and all of your input! Pros, cons, whatever! I've never even met a standard poodle so I have no first-hand knowledge. Just what I've read on the internet.

Thank you in advance for all you're help!

[Stella]

If you want a low shedder, you might want to consider either the poodle, or a multi-generation doodle. Many first generations ones shed too!! We have a standard F1 labradoodle that does shed a bit, but he is still allergy friendly (we got lucky), he is 15 months old and weighs 72 pounds, so he is fairly big. Doodles vary so much in size, depending on the kind of poodle they are crossed with. Doodles are great dogs - cute, friendly, smart, and amzing personalities, I have two so I am biased (!!). There is a standard poodle that our older dog plays with at the dog park, he is huge!!, but is also a really great dog. The best thing to do might be to go and visit breeders of all three kinds of dog you are considering, and ask to meet the dogs they use for breddimg from. That way you will get a good indication of the adult personalities, sizes etc. It is too easy to go and fall in love with a puppy when you see a litter, without being sure what you are getting into! Some doodles can top 100 pounds - how big do you want your dog to get??!! Good luck with the search.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jane, I agree that the poodle site looks wonderful, but there is no mention of health testing on the dogs. It is not enough for them to say they do not inbreed, they MUST provide proof of testing for HD, von Willebrands, sebaceous adenitis, etc. This is crucial when buying any puppy, but with the more popular breeds such as poodles, it is a MUST. There are just too many genetic diseases that run in poodles...as well as labs & goldens, and many other popular purebreds.

[Connie]

I can only speak for myself. I grew up around labs and poodles, so when it came to finding a dog, I wanted the best of both worlds - labradoodle. I was truly blessed last December when Reily came into my life. He so lovable and sweet natured and smart. He learns new things quickly. He does not shed at all. Reily is a multi-generation Australian Labradoodle. Reily is not certified as a therapy dog, but I take him to visit my father who is in an Alzeimhers facility - he has made friends with many of the other residents there. He seems to have a real affinity towards very small children and elderly - he seems to know that both ends of the human spectrum are fragile individuals. Reily is pretty easy to care for as far as grooming, he has a fleece coat that does not tangle or mat. Fortunately, he loves getting bathed because living in the rainy pacific northwest, he gets into a lot of mud and since he is cream colored the dirt really shows up. I have found that when he dries the dirt easily comes off. I bathe him more frequently than some people might simply because he is training to be a service dog and I want him to be as clean as possible.

I have never met a Doodle I did not like! Perhaps there is a Doodle romp in your area and you visit with some doodles. Some doodles do shed or their coats have a tendency to mat, so just be aware of that fact when making your choice.

Good luck in your quest to find a perfect match for your family.

Connie

[Tamara & Giada]

Our Labradoodle is great!! No shedding, very well behaved, easy to train, excellent with kids ( I have 14, & 11 yo too) and very loving!!! She is an F1b Chocolate standard LD. I agree with Stella, if your looking for non shedding I would go with an F1b (3/4 poodle).

[LINDA & TEDDY]

We brought our Goldendoodle Teddy home 6 years ago. With allergies in the family, we needed a non shedding dog. She is an F1 and does not shed (not uncommon with goldendoodles). It seems that the F1 Labradoodle coat has more of a tendency to shed. With the higher generations, shedding is less likely.

As far as temperament, Teddy is as sweet as they come. She loves to be with her family, is gentle and joyful, runs like the wind but indoors is happy to just lay and sleep. Having been at many doodle romps, I have to say that all the doodles are beautiful and have a special personality that is so endearing. The doodle community is very enthusiastic and enjoys life with a doodle.

Here is my beautiful girl Teddy.

[Tamara & Giada]

Look at that sweet face!!

[Shanthala Rajagopala]

Linda, Teddy is really really cute...BTW, how do you keep her beard soo clean? Mine is also a cream labradoodle and i am finding it have to avoid the stain around her mouth Thx

[Lynda Kamrath]

We have had all three dogs- first the standard poodle, then a labradoodle, and finally a F1b goldendoodle. None were shedders (although the labradoodle sheds a little), and all were non-allergenic to all members of our family. I would also recommend the F1b labradoodle or goldendoodle as they have even more of the poodle coat, but the retriever personality. And April is the month for doodle romps. Find one in your area and attend to meet lots of doodles of all types and sizes.
Have fun looking for your special puppy. If you need a special recommendation, my goldendoodle breeder has three litters ready to go in the next month or so. I have photos if you are interested and she ships all over the U.S.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Samantha is an F1 Labradoodle from the genetic standpoint we are lucky she doesn't. She does not shed at all nor has she ever had a knot much less a mat - again we are lucky. She looks like a long haired Lab - her hair is mostly straight with little waves - her only Poodle characteristic seems to be the little curls on top of her head. I am no expert on Doodles - I can only share info on Samantha.
Her personality is like all Doodles we have met - fun, silly and brings a houses full of giggles. Samantha is ball obsessed which would be great for your kids but sometimes a pain if you just want quiet time (which I assume you don't get much of with 3 kids at those ages)
Good luck on your search.

[Adina P]

The only thing I'd add is that with a poodle you KNOW exactly what you'll get in terms of coat and allergenic quality. With a doodle there is enough variation that unless you can MEET the puppy and spend some time with it you can't know. EITHER of the three is great..but go with F1b or higher generation if you want high chance of nonshedding.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I am biased because I own two mutigen Australian Labradoodles. But I did do lots of research before we adopted the first one, because DH is highly allergic to dogs and after 40 years of Siberian Huskies, if I was giving up my huskies, I also wanted to give up the constant vacuuming. I have not been disappointed both my ALDs are mediums, but they come in large, too. Be very sure that you buy from a home breeder, a reputable breeder. Really good breeders will only have one or possible two litters at a time. It just takes too much time to socialize puppies properly if several litters are born close together. There is at least one exception to this rule who is breeder on this website. But she has daily help. Enjoy the search.

[macata]

(if this gets posted twice sorry :) - it didn't seem to work the first time I did it) Thank you all so much for your input! I will definitely keep you informed as my journey continues. :) I've been to the breeder recommended group to check out the different breeders. One breeder I have been looking at is Teddybear Goldendoodles. I haven't been able to find it on here. Does anyone have any experience with it?