Personal Thoughts Regarding Rutland Manor

[Tanya]

Ever since I have had my ALD, I have been reading this forum. It is a wonderful place to learn and get information regarding my sweet little guy who is 14 months old. I don't think that any of us wouldn't say that we just love the doodles as well as anybody else that knows or meets them.

I have been reading and staying up on the whole Rutland Manor situation. My guy is from a US breeder who I have respect for and who has always been helpful and is always interested in how her pups are doing. But here is the thing... Augie is directly related to RM Shasta/Grandmother (Shasta's first EARLY litter) and his Mother was bred at RM and sent to the states.

I have been keeping an open mind regarding everything I have been reading - all over - involving Rutland Manor. But I have been also pondering many things in my own mind. Not all these organizations, Baw Baw, neighbors, breeders that have spoken out, a university,and so on and so on,. are in a massive conspiracy out to get Beverly Manners. I feel very much that they want/need to see these unbelievable sweet ALDs rescued from these conditions of which they are living in.

I have read numerous times that people are asking for more 'proof' from these organizations. It seems clear to me that there is an ongoing investigation and they might be under advice or orders to not post all the evidence that they have in their possession RIGHT NOW. Here in the US, whether it is police, sheriff, FBI, IRS or any other departments that have investigations, they do NOT play 'all their cards' until they get their entire case together. I am wondering if this might be the case in Australia too.

In all civilized countries, children and animals are protected. They are the 'innocents' that can't protect themselves. If there is a united ongoing investigation, I am sure that these people and organizations are hopefully or SHOULD be all working together to protect these dogs. I am under the belief, after reading everything I find with a completely open mind, that many people would love to get up on the highest steeple, with the largest megaphone, and yell out all they know right now. I don't believe they can YET!

My greatest worry is regarding my totally loyal and loving Augie. There is nothing that I wouldn't do to protect him in the past, present, and future. But right now, I have NO TRUST, whatsoever, of Rutland Manor's part of the pedigree and health testing of his close relatives. I am very concerned about what might appear in future years and the heartbreak that may come. This is a new breed. I am worried.

But I love these dogs. And I wouldn't hesitate to get another one. But I feel that we all have to hold our breaths concerning any pedigree that is from Rutland Manor or the late Teagan Park for potential health problems in the future. And my hope is that all OTHER breeders of these dogs, with this BEAUTIFUL temperament, keep breeding them all over the world so other families will have the same joy that I have with my guy.

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Well said and beautifully written my friend..Thank you....

[Laura Powell]

Karen,
I am very sorry that you bought your dog from an unreliable breeder but, Beverley Manners has no control over what other breeders do. She did however form an organization called ALFA http://www.australianlabradoodlefoundersalliance.com/
to register breeders litters and "To nurture, protect and promote the genuine Australian Labradoodle's health status, soundness of conformation, unique nature and temperament characteristics and allergy friendly non shedding coats according to the vision of its founders. To provide an educational source of information for the public and to support breeders committed to the purity of the Australian Labradoodle as developed by the founders."
However, she can't force membership on breeders now can she?

Karen, I checked out your rescue site and was unable to find any Rutland Manor Dogs on that list or any Craigslist for that matter and if there were any, I am sure that Beverley Manners would assist on finding homes for any of her former dogs.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Laura,
If you read my post, you will see that I didn't buy my dog from anyone. I adopted him from the shelter where he was dumped by the people who did buy him.
The origin of the doodles available for adoption from any source is often unknown, not usually published, and not the point. (That's pretty amazing that you were able to check "every Craig's list" so quickly, though, or that you can tell from an ad where a particular dog was bred.) The point is that neither price nor popularity is proof of quality, and not all labradoodles are healthy, non-shedding or hypoallergenic, regardless of their origin.

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

I just pulled a "genuine Australian Labradoodle" from a kill shelter in PA yesterday...The dog was an "owner surrender" ....Since the DRC began 5 months ago we have had 4 "genuine Australian Labradoodles" in our program...2 of which were miniatures.....I have also personally fostered several "genuine Australian Labradoodles" for IDOG within the last year......

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

One year ago I visited an Amish puppy mill in PA near the Ohio border....The mill owner had two "genuine Australian Labradoodles" he was using as breeding dogs. When I inquired as to where he had managed to get his hands on the dogs he told me he had "purchased them at an Ohio auction"........Tell me why no one from RM was stepping up to the plate when Angela Wetzel Cunningham was auctioning off her breeding stock and dumping the remainder in shelters across the south?

[F, Calla & Luca]

Beverley Manners says that she did what she could for her daughter's dogs when she was aware of problems. Whether she truly did or not I don't know. She was not however responsible for an adult daughter's misdeeds.

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Agreed...She is not responsible for her daughter's actions....She is however partially responsible for the media hype and for perpetuating the "hypo-allergenic myth" in regards to these dogs......

[gkce5pjesxm9]

Correct. I remember that horrible situation. It took a lot of effort from the US breeders to help those dogs - especially a couple from Florida who almost single handedly kept a viligent eye on the entire process. There were a few dogs that did contact (or had) Parvo and those were euthanized. :+(

I know for a fact, that helping hands were offered to Angela to help with these dogs and she made the decision to place them in a kill shelter instead. Such disregard for the lives of these dogs still haunts me.

Potential clients need the truth, not 'advertising'.

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

Wonderful Karen!!!! Amazing that when I continued reading that your views are being disputed because they are not being read correctly or completely. "The most violent element in society is ignorance. ~Emma Goldman" And that can be said for anyone that runs or defends a puppy mill, unethical breeder, etc. or anyone that spouts off information before they have all of the facts :-)

[gkce5pjesxm9]

Fear not. There are plenty of reputable US breeders producing wonderful Labradoodle puppies, why even risk the mayhem going on across the pond?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Do you love your dog? Do you feel it is as healthy as it can be? Pedigree knowledge is fun but not an absolute to guarantee a healthy pet. My dog is an American born ALD with both Rutland Manor and Tegan Park lines. He is beautiful and I love him. Many people here have Rescue dogs or Pet Store dogs that are entirely healthy and we know where they probably came from. Please don't condemn or worry overmuch.

[Adina P]

I agree with others who have said not to worry. Regardless of whether his pedigree is healthy or not, the fact is right now you have a healthy dog and don't know otherwise. So unless you find a problem, don't worry about it ... just enjoy your dog and hope for the best because nothing is a guarantee (even if your dog came straight from an Amish puppy mill there is still a chance it could be FINE for the rest of its life).