Guardianship

[Misty Roberton]

In our search for a labradoodle we have been presented with the opportunity to be a guardian for an 8 month old red labradoodle who will be used as a stud for a breeder about 2.5 hours (by car) away. We are considering this because this dog has been the basis for what we've been looking for in a puppy. His temperament is incredible, he's the right size, he's gorgeous. But I have some reservations based on the following: 1) what kind of behavior can I expect from a fully intact male? We have 2 little boys, ages 3 & 5. Will there be excessive humping, aggressiveness, etc.? 2) Will I be putting the dog at a higher risk for testicular or prostate cancer since he would not be neutered early on? 3) Should I anticipate any behavior issues that will be more of a challenge to correct since he is already 8 months old? (i.e. chewing, dominance, etc.) 4) Will there be a noticeable lack of bonding in not getting him as a puppy? 5) How often should I expect to either "loan" him back to the breeder or take him to the vet for semen collection?

I have posed all of these questions this morning to the breeder... she will be getting back to me shortly. But I felt it worthy to hear some other opinions.

I apologize for the "lingo" but I'm not versed in breeding terms. :-)

Thanks for any insight you can provide!

[Adina P]

What great questions! I can't answer all of them, but as far as humping, dominance, aggressiveness, etc....my opinion is that it is highly dependent on the individual male AND your training of him. There are many people who show dogs (and thus must keep their dogs intact) in conformation AND compete in obedience with intact dogs that have wonderfully behaved dogs due to their care, breeding, and training. So it is definitely possible to have an excellent intact dog.

That said, my only concern (if it were me) would be the in-the-meantime (before training is complete) desire for an intact male to wander. I think often dog parks or at least people in dog parks tend to 'frown' on intact males. Also I've never had an intact male, so I don't know much about propensity to mark indoors or not, but in the back of my mind it would be a question.

But again, while most people are adamant about 'never leave a male pet dog intact because he'll do x, y, z" I don't fully agree because again training makes a huge difference. And it sounds like (if you've met him) this pup at 8 months (usually a high adolescence period) has an amazing temperament so you may be okay.

Okay now to await the experts responses =) Hopefully some breeders will pipe in. Oh one more thing...we also have a group on here for Guardians--check it out!

[fergie11]

I have a dog in a guardian home and they do really love him. They are doing extensive training with him so I am happy. I also am very interested in hearing the answers to all your questions. My big concern when I placed my dog in a home was if they had a above ground fenced in yard. I really wanted to make sure he was not out running around. I wanted to make sure we'd have no accidental breedings of any kind. Do you have a fenced in yard?

[Adina P]

I've emailed our breeder members...hopefully you'll get some more experienced answers from them.

[Barbie]

I have 3 intact males living in my house. They all can and do play together but NEVER when a girl is in heat.(I don't want anything to happen) I have male guardians living in the same house together - never an issue.

Training is huge, as it is with any dog intact or not.

As far as how often they are going to use him? that's up to them or if other breeders are looking for stud service. Personally I don't place guardians that far away unless I really know them.

I don't think you would have a problem, just find out how they have done the training, and be consistant.

As far as humping, I've never had an intact dog hump anything he wasn't suppose to! lol!

Hope that helps.

[Klutch Marlow]

I agree with all of these answers to your questions. Based on my experience with my intact male it really has a lot to do with training. I had him in a group training course and it seemed to be the mold for positive/listening behavior. When he was young (during potty training) he would have a few accidents here and there, but never as a territorial marking, simply an oops; but he did learn very quickly. My guy does not have any sort of aggressive behavior at all. He only gets super excited around other dogs and has had a couple encounters to date where another male dog (both intact and neutered ) has been aggressive towards him b/c of the dominance factor. I have only encountered this problem when the other dog has aggressive and territorial tendencies ( usually when in the presence of a female that is apart of the other group). From a couple negative experiences (at the dog park and the beach ) He now takes a cautious approach around other unfamiliar dogs. One thing about my little guy is that in some cases he finds one dog that he gets along with great and plays for a long time and almost become obsessed with. Following the other dog around and trying to get him/her to chase him and he has tried several times to hump a dog that he is attracted to in the ways stated above.

Other than a few issues he is completely manageable and very very sweet. No aggressive tendencies what so ever. Although of course every dog has different personalities, but this bread is extremely intelligent so any issues that you see developing; nip it in the bud and immediately train at all poor behavior tendencies. They catch on very quickly and want to please their pack leader. I talk to my boy and he responds very positively and by now has caught on to alot of phrases i use. Such as "Wanna go on a walk" (perks up and runs to the door) or "Go Play" ( He jumps around like a bunny and grabs a stuff animal toy and whips it around) ...thus my point here is talk to him and he will catch on and respond.

Hope this all helps. ;0)

[340mjy65tdofw]

I have two male studs and I find that they are quite aggressive with my grandchildren when they visit especially when they are denied access to the girls,they will hump anything coats children & soforth I usually lock them away when the kids are around.My Wheaten stud actually bit the Vet tec who denied him access to a bitch in heat, she had been looking after the dogs while I was away. He is a well trained and a CnCh although he is now 8 yrs of age and may be getting grouchy.

[RIDOODLES]

In our experience, Kozmo was not fixed for 2 years and he never was dominant at all, still isnt, infact he is th eopposite, he is super laid back, very calm, no humping anything accept Monet or Kelsey when in heat...He has been fixed but still will hump the female DOGS....not people....

He will mark territory mmore often when one of our females are in heat....If they will not be living with intact females, I do not think your dog will feel that nessissity..hope this helped, good luck!

[Misty Roberton]

Thanks so much to everyone for all of your advice. I'm not sure what we are going to do yet... but I'm certainly more educated to make a decision. Thanks so much to all of you. This is such a great website!!!