My Dog, the Diva Designer Dog

[Kim]

I had to take Allie to the Vet on Saturday, she has Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) and an Ear Infection. We weren't able to see our regular Vet as he wasn't in. The Vet that did see her noted how thick her file was (lol). I told her that we are at the Vet's office more than all 3 of us combined are at the Doctors. Her statement was "you get a designer dog, you get designer problems, and a designer Vet bill." It sounded like a joke at first, so I chuckled. After thinking about, I kind of got offended. First of all, I'm not really sure why they are called designer dogs... is that a more expensive term for "mixed?" and do "Non Designer Dogs" not get ear infections, and pink eye, or Lyme Disease, sliced all over the place by the Groomer, or attacked by a German Sheppard? Those are the "designer problems" in her file. And was I charged more because she's a designer dog? I compared the bills to our old bills and we didn't get charged more. I guess I'm really not sure why she said that, so I'm just venting.

[Sessa]

Precisely. Very well put.

I embrace the term "designer" because I understand it from the point of view that there was PURPOSE and PLANNING behind the birth of my doodle. To design is to create with intent and direction.

HOWEVER, I reject the association of "designer" as being something that is necessarily elite. Purpose and planning is not exclusive to those with gads of money.

All of this, of course, is not to denegrate or belittle those innocent lives that are born of uncertain beginnings---all living creatures DESERVE equal attention, compassion, and love. ;)

These two viewpoints do not cancel each other out either.
They are simply two different paths to an end.

[Kathy Wilson]

I LIKE that definition!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I believe that the reason standard poodles weren't used had to do with body structure...true service dogs have to be physically very strong as they are often used for physical support in guide work & working as service dogs for physically disabled people. That would be the only area in which a retriever would have the edge over a standard poodle, as standard poodles are absolutely brilliant in training and about as "people pleasing" as it's possible to be; plus they are much more focused and less easily distracted than retrievers are.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Luca the labradoodle has never been to the vet except for routine visits in the year and 2 mos. I've had him--
kow. Rutland Manor refers to these dogs as "a purpose -bred dog created to be an intuitive non shedding allergy friendly family companion, and the ultimate Assistance and Therapy Dog". sounds good to me!

[Debbie and Thomas]

I think your vet made an inapproriate comment!! I agree with the term "Hybrid" in which two superior breeds(and healthy, friendly and smart breeds) were joined together. The result was an amazing, gorgeous dog that people must want. So they have become popular yes, but many dogs have frequent health problems. Generally, I think doodles are VERY healthy. Our vet has two English Bull Dogs-which are very expensive to buy and he told me that they cost HIM a fortune in vet bills, tests, surgery and meds. My dood is only 9 1/2 mths old and so far just the nuetering bill and shots. Vets see many dogs each week and I guess they know what the "dog of the week" is but I guess what I am trying to say is that comments like this make us doodle owners feel a bit offended somehow-like we brought one home because they were popular, on a whim so to speak. As you all know-this is not true.

[Debbie and Thomas]

Oh yeah-I forgot to add that we cannot go anywhere with our Thomas doodle without being stopped by people asking about him and giving us compliments on his gentle behaviour and how great looking he is. So- if he is a designer doggie-then so be it. What is really wrong with that-Gucci, Channel, Doodles... works for me.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You know, I don't think there is any kind of dog you could have where someone couldn't make some kind of negative comment that would hurt your feelings or upset you if you let it. Purebred, mixed breed, hybrid, "designer dog", shelter dog, they all have their upsides and downsides. I think the late Rick Nelson said it best:
"You see, you can't please everyone, so ya gotta please yourself."

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

If you're vet wasn't joking, she's out of line. Doodles area hybrid and now we have hybrid cars etc etc. I really don't understand what the problem is. Yankee sits in the front seat with me and rarely does a day go by when he doesn't bring a smile to someone in the next car. He also gets attention and smiles everywhere we go as well as compliments on his behaviour. That's not a problem for me.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

If your vet WAS joking, fine, but if you feel that it wasn't joking but a rude comment, I would say something to your regular vet. My husband - who is overweight - saw a different doctor because his was out of town. This substitute doctor made a very rude "joke" comment about his weight. He reported it to the regular doctor and to the medical clinic. He received an apology.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

It seems it was just her (Vet's) opinion, as there is no reseach to substanciate such a comment. And opinions are like
A- - holes, Everyone's got one....

I have asked many a doctor to please show me his/her research to back up thier statements.....again, there usually is none, which then makes it an opinion or assumption....and we all know what happens when you ASSume.......
So for being so anal ....not usually that way...but the nurse in me has very wierd sense of humor, usually involving body parts....:)
Asking for the research usually shuts them up and can sometimes even change thier attitudes.

[Karen L Semmelman]

Take a look at the book Holistic Guidebook for Healthy dogs. We spent 8000 so far this year and finally understand why after reading this book and several others. We now have switched to a holistic vet and raw food and finally see some improvement... Good luck. This book says a lot. Karen

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

I agree it was an inappropriate comment by the vet. Almost all pure breed dogs started out as 'designer dogs'. Open to just about any breed listed in the AKC Dog Book and you will see 9 times out of 10 the breed's heritage was a mixture of other breeds brought together to improve/enhance a desired look or speciality. As far as designer problems, the most expensive dog I own from a vet bill perspective was an English Springer Spaniel.

Vets (and all doctors for that matter) need to remember that even though the are highly trained and specialized, they are still providing a service and YOU are their customer. You would not tolerate a rude comment from a sales clerk nor would the clerk's employer. The same holds true for doctors and his/her clinic.