How much is too much to spend on a doodle?

[Jodi Edsall]

I spent $1200 for Bailey and she is a great dog. A year later, I spent $186 on Murphy and he is a great dog. Both are loved members of our family. But my husband still reminds me that $1200 was a lot. I just inquired about a goldendoodle that was advertised (acturally there are three of them and they are 17 weeks old). The breeder said that they were originally $2300 but since they are getting older that he has lowered the price to $1800. Does anyone else think that is a lot to spend?

[fergie11]

I do so agree with you that $600 is way to much for a rescue dog. I do know it helps the rescue organization but I'd rather just donate some time or $$$$ and not pay $600 for a dog from them. It so defeats the purpose of rescue. That's really a sad situation that it took seven weeks for them to contact you. Shame on them.
The great thing is - it was meant to be. Holly was meant to be yours as I can see you realize now. As it turned out, you should thank those people.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

What should I sign you up for?? LOL
Could I ask that you click everyday and ask others that you know to do the same. It takes all of about 20 seconds a day, and it may help The DRC to win some desparately needed funds for the Doodles.

http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/shelterchallenge.fac...

Doodle Rescue Collective
Montclair, New Jersey

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Good luck with Bootcamp!
I am truly sorry that the rescue you dealt with was so unprofessional. An adoption fee of $600 is very high IMO but I have to tell you I know The DRC could really use that kind of money. We all know what it costs to vet a puppy - vaccines, neuter/spaying, worming, testing stool and urine. Add to that the cost of meds to treat fleas, mange, kennel cough, ear infections, eye infections, giardia, UTIs and countless other things that 'breeder' puppies don't usually get sick with. The adoption fee for 1 Doodle covers about 1/2 of the vet bills. We depend on donations to cover the other half.
I have spent countless hours searching PetFinders for Doodles - you just wouldn't believe what shelters think they are a combination of - and I have never seen an adoption fee that high for a 'pet' Doodle. I did see one with a much higher adoption fee since this particular dog was a service dog 'failure'.

I spend hours each week just answering emails. It is a shame that your experience was so ugly but things happen for a reason, don't they? If they answered your emails, you wouldn't have Holly!! I am so glad that Holly found you and Judy!!!

[Lorraine Bromley]

I still just don't understand why breeders of goldendoodles seem to charge more than the COMPARABLE breeders of pure bred dogs.(Pets, Not Champion and elite breeding stock)
Comparing apples to apples as in breeder standards.
The costs being the same?
I spent alot on my Doodle too BTW.
Is it just breed popularity? as it certainly isn't due to low supply increasing demand.

[Adina P]

Breed popularity I am pretty sure. Not really supply/demand as much as if the market can bear a price...the price will be what the market can bear. Since people are buying doodles on the high end, then breeders will continue to charge that much. Amazingly, sometimes charging more than is common can help a business do BETTER.

Although there MIGHT be a lower supply of the high end doodle breeders' dogs (compared to ALL doodle pups as a whole). I for one would pay MORE for a large standard size doodle than a mini...but minis are more popular and cost more.

[Lorraine Bromley]

I do wonder if, in the end this will contribute to a negative response to doodles as everything with a poodle in it in every price range will be available and since they are so inconsistent in standards people who buy into the craze only to find out the Real pluses and minuses of having a doodle will add to the fuel doodle haters already have.
I would have rescued if it had been 10 years ago and our needs hadn't of changed. We just didn't want to deal with the unknowns of a mixed breed with no heritage and possible high health bills
Its been a good conversation though.

[Adina P]

I definitely think 'everything-a-poo" is getting a little out of hand and definitely a bandwagon approach to breeding. I'm not a big fan of strict breed standards for pure breeds...but that's usually because what I think looks good is different than the standard =)

For example, I think a 'good' show lab is supposed to be pretty stocky. But I prefer the lankiest lab...I would love to be 'allowed' to breed lanky labs and not be shunned by the lab community (I don't really want to breed labs, but just for discussion). Border collies used for show are also getting worse looking...they are getting fluffier and it seems with less variety.

The aspect of 'designer' dogs that I LIKE is when a GOOD breeder actually has an eye for conformation and a special interest in breeding to their own high standard that involves their preferences, but includes health/temperament as primary goals. I think that's kind of neat provided they aren't compromising the dog in any way. To me it's a bit boring to enslave oneself to this arbitrary standard that may have had a purpose ONCE, but now when most dogs are merely pets (rather than working dogs) it's kind of pointless.

I think those who 'hate' the doodle trend do so in part for good reasons but also in large part because they don't really understand it and it is a huge paradigm shift from traditional breeding (even when it's done well). Obviously there's reason to scoff at those doing it cluelessly.

[Richard Crowe]

Speaking about a "designer dog" that "looks good"; visit the Shiloh Shepherd website at

http://www.shilohshepherds.org/

Shiloh Shepherds are bred, much like our Goldendoodles and Labradoodles to look good and have the best characteristics of their contributing breeds.

However, unlike the Doodles, most persons would not recognize the Shiloh Shepherd and would just think that it is a beautiful German Shepherd Dog. The Shiloh's look like the original German Shepherd Dogs did fifty or so years ago before the breed was destroyed by show breeders.

We were seriously considering a Shiloh Shepherd but, decided on a Goldendoodle because we like the gentle traits of the Golden Retriever as well as the lack of shedding inherrent in the Doodle.

We could not have been happier in our choice of Holly!

[Mommy2Max]

Nothing is too much or too little. What is expensive to one may not be to another. I've dropped lots of money for purses or shoes because I fell in love with them. I've also penny pinched on things like hotels on vacation. As Adina said - it's so personal.

I'd pay triple for Max if that is what he had cost. That being said, I'm blessed to have a roof over my head, bills paid and food on the table. It may be different if I was struggling to feed the family. If you love Bailey (and I'm sure you do), I don't think you paid too much. I think you paid just the right amount. Just my two cents though. :)

[Barbara J Brockett]

From what I have heard about Zack, he is worth every penny. You made my sister happy by putting up the great fence. He is a lucky boy to have you for parents and the joy he gives you is priceless. Can't wait to meet him in three weeks. Barb