How to respond to personal attacks about owning a doodle?

[Camilla and Darwin]

I did so much research on what breed of dog to get, I was shocked when I started getting attacked for being ignorant. As soon as some people hear I have a doodle they go on a rant about not buying designer dogs, how he is nothing but a good for nothing cross breed, you shouldn't pay money for a cross breed, I should have done more research, etc. I feel so frustrated because I considered both purebred and crossbred dogs in my search, and did extensive study on the Goldendoodle breed. Yes, I know they are a cross breed. (I do not feel that only purebreds are worth money. That is ridiculous! A worth of a dog should not be determined by pedigree) I also know that they can be unpredictable as far as shedding, size, temperament, etc. I try to calmly explain this to them but it's as though I have morally offended people. Do you get the same response from some people for "buying into the designer dog craze"? How do you respond?

[Camilla and Darwin]

I agree I shouldn't feel that I have to defend myself. I wish I didn't, I should just let it roll of the shoulders. I know I don't have to explain it to them, it just floors me that people are really that angry about this issue. I actually was in contact with a breeder of Great Dane's prior to getting Darwin, and when I told them that I had decided to go with the Goldendoodle, she flipped out. She told me all of the above statements and that I shouldn't expect to get one of her puppies if I was that ignorant about buying a "designer dog" Numerous people have put me down like this. It's just so baffling! Oh well, I wouldn't trade Darwin for anything, they are truly amazing dogs.

[texanmom4]

Well, I just smile and don't say anything usually. I am used to it I guess b/c we get that a lot about having 4 children and having another child in our 40s. I've had purebreds that cost me WAY more in cost and med bills than Ruger. Let's just say with Ruger, I ordered a specialty dish 'off the menu'! : )

[Dan, Judi, & Timbow]

I have encountered people that call Timbow a mutt and different things like that. These are also the people that won't pet him or try to get to know him. The people that actually get to know him love him so much. I'm thinking about getting a Crossover car right now (which is basically a crossbreed of a car and suv)...maybe I should go talk to all of the regular car dealerships and see if I'm being ignorant. haha. I agree with Jane though. I don't think you need to say anything 'sassy' back, but rather either ignore them or tell them they are rude.

[Heidi]

You know when people get worked up about the cross breed thing, I simply don't understand it. I guess, they are not informed. I believe purbreds today are a result of crossbreeding to get a certain dog type. So what is the difference? In the future, there will be AKC purebred doodles. They are just being perfected now. Doodles aren't going to go away as a fad, they are too fabulous. They just have to get used to having a new breed take over in popularity.

[Adina P]

I don't think doodles will ever be AKC -- most don't want anything to do with the AKC and lots of people will fight to keep the variation in doodles (F1, F1b, etc) which will make them unlike purebreeds. But that's okay... AKC is a club--it is not the be all of dogs nor does it prove a dog is good or bad.

[Adina P]

I haven't gotten any real snotty people comment on my dogs. I'm even a member of our local AKC Kennel Club and take Rosco to the meetings when I go. They have all been pretty nice and really love Rosco. The ones that probably find doodles to be an abomination don't say it to my face =) But I also try to be casual about it and might even refer to Rosco (jokingly) as my designer mutt. Usually when strangers ask what kind of dog he is I say "half lab-half poodle" and if they ask "oh a labradoodle?" I'll say "yes." But if not I don't delve into a long explanation.

A couple years ago when I was trying to plan a romp and finding no locations that didn't require a major event insurance policy...I attended our kennel club's board meeting to beg to be able to hold it under their name. I was proud of my bravery -- LOL. And to top it off one of the board members was a poodle breeder who showed/competed and I could tell she was a bit shocked I had the huevos to ask... She did mutter something a bit negative but I just smiled and gave her some facts...I really didn't care what she thought.

So....most of the time I let it roll off my back (but negative stuff has been VERY rare). But am glad to engage the person in a real discussion of facts if they seem willing to listen or discuss rather than just make a snide remark. I think it is good to be armed with a good apologetic (as in "apologetics" not apologizing for a wrong) argument and know your facts in case you can educate someone...but ya gotta be choosy on who you waste your time on. Fact is most people who scoff at the idea of doodles aren't scoffing at YOUR dog personally. They just have some preconceived notions about the whole IDEA of breeding doodles -- so I don't take it personally. They don't know me or my dog and most likely they'd love my dog...but if they have a misunderstanding (most likely) about the whole crazy idea of doodles being purposely bred, then it will be difficult for them to accept it as a valid concept. So it's not about YOUR dog..but their lack of knowledge.

[Ann]

I had someone come up to me and say "oh, you have an Obama dog. Too bad for you!!" What??? What??? I just did not respond.

[cheryl & oliver]

I guess we have just been lucky, but people seem to flock to Oliver when we take him somewhere...They ask what kind of dog is that? and I reply that he is a Goldendoodle...They absolutely love him, and he knows it, lol, he sits for them and just hams it up, he literally smiles at people and gives his paw and high five for all to see how special he is, lol...He loves to sit and let people gather round and adore him, lol, he just eats up all the attention,,,I think he is just gorgeous, and I believe that all that see him, think so too...I agree with others, who cares what these stupid people think or say...I myself would answer with you don't know my dog, so you can't judge him or his breed...Until you own a doodle, you know not what you are talking about, laugh and walk away...BUT so far I have not met these kind of people...Oliver is the hit of Petsmart, and the other dog stores...The help all know him and love hime, and people just keep walking over to see what he is and pet him,,,Who cares what these moronic people say, they aren't as lucky as us to own a doodle!!!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Yes, I have also had a lot of people come up to me asking me about what kind he is. For all the negative comments I have received, the positive far outweighs it. So many people we meet just love Darwin and want to know what kind of dog he is, where I got him, etc. How can anyone not love doodles?

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

LOL Actually, I have not had anyone be mean to me about my dogs, curious, interested, but not mean. I would probably just laugh and tell them if I can't be foolish at my age, then just when do I get to. Don't pay those mean people any attention. Who died and left them in charge the dog world? Also I love the wolf answer - seriously.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I really haven't encountered too many people who comment on Gracie Doodle being a mixed or hybrid. Only one or two that I can remember and they were both old grouchy negative men!! I always get the opposite. People go out of their way to come over and ask me what type dog Gracie is. I tell them and answer all the questions they have. They all fall in love with her. They even make the comment that their next dog is going to be a Goldendoodle!! I really can't think of a time that someone has not liked her. If asked why a Goldendoodle I tell them how they are the sweetest, lovingest, loyalist, silliest, entertaining, smartest and best dog there ever was...PERIOD!!!

[Julie B.]

I was just at a CWAGS obedience trial this weekend with Luah and I find the ones who give me grief about my Labradoodle are the really intense AKC folks whom you find at these events. Most people on the street are very complimentary and interested in my dog. Anyway, the "crabby comments" yesterday were backhanded compliments... "So what kind of parents produced that color?? It's really rather nice". "I've never seen a Labradoodle that is as calm as yours, most of them are out of control". I look at Luah as a goodwill ambassador at these events. She is a great advertisement for the "designer mutt".