How do you deal with doodle snobs?

[jamiegirl]

Ever had a not-so-friendly response to your doodle?

I took our girl to the vet today and saw a couple with a couple of toy poodles. The lady started off by saying that Jamie needed a haircut. (I don't think that she does because she looks just like the other doodles on this site.) To sort of make small talk, I confirmed that the dogs they had were indeed poodles before I commented on how hers and mine can be distant relatives. She looks at Jamie, scoffs and says "Hmph, I don't think so!"

I was so surprised by her response that I wasn't quick enough to react the way I wanted to. We usually get compliments or at least curiosity about our doodle but nothing negative till today. I went home upset at myself for not being able to stand up for our Jamie. I know that she will not be registered by the AKC as a pure breed but we love her anyway.

Have you had any similar experiences? How have you handled them?

[Joy Originator of GiantSchnoodles]

Hi Ann, I beg to differ. Its a toss up between poodle snobs & Giant Schnauzer snobs. At least some poodle owners are testing. Try & find a tested Giant Schnauzer. And the owners are horribly agressive like long past rude. At least some poodle owners around Ca are coming around. But its kind of a toss up. Doodle & schnoodle people are the best!!! PUppy love from Joy & furry folk

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Silly woman. Don't give it another thought. Since you don't know her, you can pretend that she has not a friend in the world, is heavily medicated, and severely disoriented. That's what I do when someone is mean. Then kill them with kindness - after all you are supposed to be very kind to the sorry and sad people of the world.

[fergie11]

LOL

[Elaine]

Ignore the comment, and feel sad that she doesn't understand the joy and happiness these dogs bring!

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

I think the reason why this person was a snob is because we who love our doodles took two AKC breeds to make one, and to them we ruined their gene pool. Life goes on, our doodles we will always love. If someone is snobby towards my dogs, I just look at them and tell them, a true animal lover, loves all and is not selective, dogs are not selective with their love, it would be nice if all humans can be that way. This usually shuts them up right away!!!!!!

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

I have learned a few things over the years.

1. Never expect other people to understand your love for your dog and the mix
2. If you dont want confrontation dont ever start a conversation with a poodle person who doesn't also have a doodle or expresses their love for them.
3. If your dog behaves better than their dog you WIN... Good reason to train your dog beyond just Sit and Come, if your dog goes into the vet, pet store, groomer, dog park or on walks with you train it to perfection, when you meet others with dogs they will be so impressed by your dogs behavior that they awe struck. No better satisfaction than going to the vet and having your dog Sit Stay and not bark while others around are pulling at the end of their leash and cant be controlled!!!
4. Keep your dog well groomed~ I mean really well groomed, good cut not poodle cut or shaved down.
5. Study the breed and what makes it special, study the breed standard for the breed behind your dog. Know your talk.
6. Perfect your speech on breed development... find a man made breed like the poodle and find what went into making it.

[fergie11]

That is so true and that is what I'm doing. Of course my doodles are young and it's a work in progress. I take my dog to a little bar in my town and because Fergie is so-so well behaved there, my little town has now turned around it's way of thinking about these dogs. In fact many of them say that a doodle will be there next dog when they get another dog. The bad thing is is that there is a doodle in town who doesn't get the training or the exercise it needs and is a little out-of-control, giving the doodle not such a good name. I'm working very hard to counter-balance that thought.

[Stella]

That is what we have done in our town. We worked so hard at training Hartley and he is so striking that people are always really impresssed with his behaviour (well, most of the time anyway!!) and his looks. We have had many people say they will consider a doodle next after seeing him, although we are always quick to remind them that an awful lot of work went into training him. So many AKC breeds were created by breeding together other kinds of dogs way back, so how can anyone look down on a "mutt"? And, of course, as we all know so many AKC breeds are suffering from too much inbreeding and the associated health problems that who can blame us for seeking out a bit of variety?!!!

[Hollie Slattery]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't they ALL man made breeds? I watch a lot of Dog 101 on the Animal Planet Channel and every single dog they have ever talked about was bred for a certain reason. Our little doodles are just the latest in a very long line of "mixed breeds"! I suppose if you wanted a true pure bred, you should get yourself a wolf!

[Tante & Jordan & now Annie!]

I say that ALL the time!!

[fergie11]

This happened to me at the dog park. Fergie was running around playing and being as nice as could be and oh-so cute. There was a group of ladies with their dogs and they didn't even want to talk to me. I could just tell they did not want to hear about doodles and how great they are. A lot of people have only heard about the high-high dollar doodles. They think you must be a rich snob in order to own one, much less two. They don't realize that there are reasonably priced ones from reputable breeders and there are a lot in rescues. It's kind of the Volkswagon vs. the Lexus thing I think. I was upset at the dog park too. I still am even though I shouldn't let uninformed people bother me.

[Jaime]

Our dogs are mixed breeds. It's the reason we love them. It's the reason we chose them. It gives them personality and charm. Don't let people's silly comments bother you. We know how wonderful our dogs are.