Animal Planet looking for goldendoodle stories

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

I just received this e-mail from a doodle meet up group I belong to in NYC. This sounds like a good opportunity to help educate people about goldendoodles and any misconceptions there may be.

The e-mail is below:

I work on the program Dogs 101, a series for Animal Planet. We
are currently researching stories on the Goldendoodle breed and
I thought you might be able to help. Specifically, we're
interested in folks who have Goldendoodles with some
interesting, unique, or even wacky story about them. Has a
couple met because of their Goldendoodle? Does someone bring
their Goldendoodle to their place of work?

I'm wondering whether any stories may come to mind.
Please let me know if you think of anything
as we have a deadline approaching on this particular breed.

For your reference, here is some information about our program:

DOGS 101 is the television encyclopedia of dog breeds. Each
episode explores the history, purpose, temperament, amazing
accomplishments, and curious facts about the most popular dog
breeds in the world. A crucial theme of the series is the
powerful love, the intense emotional bond that forms between
dogs and their humans. Using canine experts, owners and
narration, DOGS 101 focuses on the three basic elements that
make each dog breed unique; history, physical characteristics
and the human connection—all highlighted with a simple rating
system to evaluate the dog in several clear categories. The
show is full of simple clean graphics that highlight incredible
facts about dogs that even seasoned owners will find amazing.

To find out more information about us, you can go to our
website at:
http://animal.discovery.com/tv/dogs-101/
Thank you so much for your time!

Sincerely,

Sivan Ilamathi
_________________________________
Associate Producer - Dogs 101, Cats 101
Powderhouse Productions
212 Elm Street
Somerville, MA 02144
[phone] x 290
[e-mail]

[Sally, Ditzy Mitzi & Sgt. Pepper]

I totally applaud anyone that rescues and contributes to the education of caring for any animal. It just seems to me that this would be a perfect opportunity to reach many, many people with good and
positive information regarding these dogs.

[Adina P]

I agree that it's likely a lot of first time dog owners choose LD's and GD's -- but I'm curious about your sentence:

"Statistically there are more first time dog owners with doodles than any other type of breed or mix"

Is there an organization who conducted such a survey or poll...do you have a link to the original data? I think it's an interesting statistic and would love to read this research.

[April Cliber]

Jacquie, what you do for rescue doodles is amazing, I commend you for that and agree with you much of the time. :o)

I have to respectfully disagree with you on this though. Although goldendoodles are not a breed, they are one of the most popular poodle crosses. Many like the variety and prefer the look that goldendoodles have over some other poodle mixes. Their popularity is huge regardless of whether or not Animal Planet does a show on them. If the show is done well, and I think it would be (I watch too) it will be a good opportunity to educate the public. Perhaps they can state that doodles (or any dog) are not hypoallergenic and that some goldendoodles do shed. I think it's a great time to celebrate a great type of dog! Although they aren't a breed they certainly are recognizable and have a distinct look. They can also talk about responsible breeding practices and the importance of not buying from a pet store.

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

April I apologize if anything that I wrote was in any way offensive to you......I respect and appreciate you as a person as a breeder and as a fellow advocate of rescue...Thank you for all that YOU do for rescue too.....

[April Cliber]

Not offended in the least! Please don't think that. :o) Just offering a different perspective, although it looks like others also did at the exact same time.

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Also I agree.....It would have to be an honest show that discussed the negative aspects as well as the positives.......That is all that we can possibly hope for......

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Jane...You are a sweet heart....I just took an opportunity to rant...( ok and also try to educate a little...lol)

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

I personally would offer Honeys story, as well as my brothers story of his Doberman that just died, and as you all know both came from Almost Heaven (Hell) Kennels. One of the largest puppy mills in PA. I also am very much into rescue, and also do pet sitting and take my dogs to work, along with having a disability and using my doodles for that disability. I think it would be a great opportunity if presented right, a chance for the public to know about Doodles, up's, down's and in's and out's. I also think Jacquie, and Lynn from the DRRC and Adina should also be featured in this show as I feel they are our best advocates in presenting our Doodles on a program. I also feel someday it would be nice to see Doodles as a breed, they are every bit as good, if not better, as the dogs they are breed from (Golden Retreiver and Poodle). I also feel with this show if the public see's how true Doodle family's are devoted to this breed, it could better educate people and maybe ...just maybe there will be less doodles to rescue......just my opinon which is probably worth squat...but had to say anyways...lol

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

To be honest with you Denise I would love the opportunity to contribute but Shannon @ IDOG would be my first choice as an expert..

[Adina P]

Just wanted to mention that I did write to Sivan earlier yesterday both to find out what the deadline was, get more info, told him about DK, IDOG, and GANA ... AND made a list of myths/facts about goldendoodles I HIGHLY encouraged him to cover because so many journalists do not. The list of myths/facts was:

1--no dog is hypoallergenic and many doodles do shed
2--GD's are not a breed in the strict sense and thus there will be variation
3--non-shedding doodles have a high maintenance coat
4--GD's come from two potentially high energy dogs so any owner needs to be ready for time in training
5--GD's CAN be obtained via rescue

I wrote more than those short sentences, but you get my drift.
I also told him I still think they are a great dog, and doodles in general are my favorite, but not for all so people need to know the facts before adopting.

[fergie11]

I think the show would be a good thing too. The purpose of the show is to educate people. I'm sure they would do that - without any prejudices. After all that represent a different "breed" every week. Even though it is not a AKC breed - it is a very popular dog and there is a reason for that.

THERE IS NO BREED - AKC OR NOT - THAT IS PERFECT FOR EVERYONE! That's one of the beauty of dogs. There's usually one out there for everyone.

This show would help people make the right choice - some people would say YES and some NO. But, maybe it could show some of the drawbacks. Take the grooming for instance, I don't think that's a drawback. I love to brush and comb and groom my doodles. It's fun and they love it. I'd, personally, miss that if I didn't have to do it. Some people hate that sort of thing though. All - all - all dogs need training as we all know. That's not a drawback either.

My vote - run the show and have you responsible knowledgeable people tell both the pros and the cons of our wonderful mix - doodles.