I was at The Farm today for lunch and met a really nice couple with a goldendoodle. I want to rescue (I lost my Sammy 1 1/2 years ago and have been scouring the sites recently trying to decide what to bring into my home. I really liked his look (he was a CUTIE!!) and what they had to say about his temperament and health etc.
I was wondering if anyone would take pity on me and would give me pros/cons on the labradoodle, schnoodle, and goldendoodle? Or any sites to visit to educate myself? I know I am looking for female or submissive male, 6 mos to 2 years must be good with kids, cats and dogs..Any opinion? Between say 30 and 60 lbs. Are they pretty sturdy...can they handle rough play?? We have another dog that doesn't know his own strength at times =O) Also, can someone tell me about grooming needs? Is it something that can be handled at home or do they need to see a groomer. I had a Samoyed so I am very comfortable with a dog with heavy grooming needs (in fact I love to do it...it is great quality time) but don't want to get into a situation with high grooming costs/frequent trips to the groomer. What is an average lifespan? Any health issues?
Thanks for any and all help in my search for a new someone to love! =O)
Michelle
My F1B female is a bit crabby to my 10 year old son. I have been told that males are more child friendly (it would probably depend on who you ask).
She has to be groomed every 5 to 6 weeks or she will get matted - severely. If she is matted, the price for grooming goes up severely! If you are comfortable doing it yourself, I don't see a reason why you wouldn't/couldn't. I am not comfortable doing it myself - so grooming is a VERY BIG expense for us.
You said you have a Samoyed, so I'm assuming allergies/shedding aren't an issue for you, as Doodles are NOT hypoallergenic, and some DO shed.
I want to rescue -- I think that is fabulous! And there are lots of doodles in need of new forever homes. Here are some places to check:
--- Place an application with IDOG (they are the main doodle rescue/foster group for the USA). People with applications will get notified of new rescues that fit their needs BEFORE they are listed for the public.
--- Check Poomixrescue.com as they list doodles they find on petfinder.
--- Search petfinder.com several times a week looking for "poodle" or "schnauzer" or just do a blank search for any dogs within your zip code or nearby.
-- Place an application with any poodle, golden retriever, lab, or schnauzer rescues near you as they may occasionally get poodle mixes.
I really liked his look (he was a CUTIE!!) and what they had to say about his temperament and health etc.
I love doodles too, but remember that because they are a mix they won't all have the 'same' temperament or health, etc. So what you get may be different than what you saw.
I was wondering if anyone would take pity on me and would give me pros/cons on the labradoodle, schnoodle, and goldendoodle?
I have two labradoodles and think they are great. But they are NOT a dog for all. I have ZERO experience with schnoodles. Are you thinking of a miniature schnoodle or the Giant Schnoodle? Our member Joy breeds (though not currently) Giant Schnoodles and could give you some idea of what they are like.
The most important things to understand before plunging into the world of doodles are:
-- They are a mix...and have the variety of a mix so one doodle and another doodle may be very different in temperament, size, coat, shedding, grooming needs. There are no guarantees.
-- You need to be sure that you like the individual breeds that go into the making of the mix you choose! I recommend you visit the websites of schnauzer clubs:
-- http://amsc.us/
-- http://www.standardschnauzer.org/
Read about their temperament, their exercise needs, etc. If you think you would like a schnauzer and only want the poodle added for looks...go for it! But if you're not sure about the schnauzer as a breed 'for you' then pick a different mix as there is NO WAY to predict what amount of temperament a mix will get from the two breeds. It's NOT 50/50 except statistically.. Also I believe schnauzers don't shed so if you like the breed...then that is one way to guarantee your doodle will NOT shed. But check to be sure.
Also do you like poodles? Do you like labs? Do you like goldens? Do a search for "(insert breed here) Club of America" and you'll learn a lot about each breed as well as their health problems.
I know I am looking for female or submissive male, 6 mos to 2 years must be good with kids, cats and dogs..Any opinion?
A good rescue (who uses foster homes) will likely be able to tell you whether the dog in question is good with kids, cats, dogs--IF the foster home had kids, dogs, cats. Some shelters also are good at testing for these things, but many don't know and it's a wild guess. I have to ask though....why female/submissive male? Some females can be pushy!
Are they pretty sturdy...can they handle rough play??
I think most dogs can handle rough play...but it depends on their individual personality.
Also, can someone tell me about grooming needs?
This is another "it depends" answer. Because it's a mix it truly depends. Typically the LESS a dog sheds the MORE grooming is required. If you look through our "Doodle Grooming" group (covering basically Labradoodles/Goldendoodles) you'll see lots of questions about matting. Doodles who don't shed tend to mat very easily and can be a pain to keep mat-free without keeping their coat semi-short. But it can be done and if you enjoy it it shouldn't be too difficult. The shedding doodles don't have much problem with matting...or at least MUCH less. So depending on the dog you end up with the grooming needs can be high...or low. Also if you do keep your doodle trimmed short (1/2 inch to 2 inches) usually it's not too difficult to keep up. But if you want the long, flowing locks...it will be a regular chore.
What is an average lifespan?
Since doodles are fairly new...there aren't too many old seniors to draw facts from. But I would guess whatever the average lifespan of the two breeds in the mix would probably be true for the doodle.
Any health issues?
Any health issue of the parent breed is possible in the doodle. So if a poodle can have something...the doodle may. If a lab can have something...the doodle may. Here is the article I wrote on potential health problems in doodles: http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/potential-health-problems-in
Hope this helps! Do peruse our various groups and search our past discussions for more answers!
I have a male goldendoodle who at 9 months is right around 60 pounds. He is a great dog, but requires a lot of exercise (currently we walk him three times a day, 30 minutes each time, and we also have a fenced yard to play in.). He tends to be submissive, but was a real biter as a puppy. That took some training. He was also intelligent/stubborn (still is) and could get past any barrier I put up when he was little to get into places I didn't want him to be. He is sturdy, yes, and can handle rough play, but definitely doesn't like it. We have had him groomed once, but keep him well brushed out ourselves. The groomer said he was the best brushed out doodle she's come across. He had no mats, but that was due to frequent brushing on my part. I find Toby to be very smart - but that's not always a good thing. :) He's smart enough to know how to get away with things, how to find things I don't want found....however, he's also smart enough to learn well (just passed Grade One obedience), and remember what he's learned. It is definitely a lot of work, but worth it.
I have two Australian labradoodles. They tend to be the most consistent in looks, shedding, etc. My dogs are both darlings but tempermentally very different, as are all dog breeds. I think you might have the most success checking in with several of the ALD breeders who are members of this sight. A lot of the ALD breeders know each other. Occasionally they have or know of older dogs who need a home. I had Siberian Huskies for 40 years. So I know about grooming that type of coat ( like a Sammy). Grooming my ALDs is a lot harder. But they do not shed. So it is sort of atrade off. Most huskies do not bark, so that has been something I have had to learn to manage and tolerate to some extent. On the other hand if a husky goes out the front door you are in for at least an hour of "fun" to return him home. My doodles would not even consider not coming back in the house when they are called. To learn about the ALD google Rutland Manor or Teagan Park, read and follow the links and you will be thoroughly educated. Just remember doodles are dogs, just like Sammies and Sibes. They have some traits that are wonderful and others not so much. They still all need to be taught manners and basic obedience. Unless you are lucky and find a trained dog!