<p>For those of you that get the New York Times, check out Sunday’s Style section, page 5. The Ralph Lauren ad has a goldendoodle in it; looks like my goldendoodle before she had her summer cut. How could anyone say no to that face!!</p>
<p>You know, alwaysamom, I’m with cyclistsmom on the -doodle crosses. How did your breeder get a poodle to breed to a lab? What breeder sold a poodle to be bred to a lab? Is it a breeder that makes sure his/her dogs have the appropriate titles?</p>
<p>I researched the labradoodles a while back. I was unable to find a single -doodle breeder who had a parent–much less both parents–who had a conformation title or an obedience title. I wanted both in the parents of my dog. </p>
<p>I’m glad your dog has been a joy to you. Your breeder may be great; all too many -doodle breeders are in it for the money.</p>
<p>After all, if what you want is a smart, non-shedding, playful, non-allergenic dog—why not just go straight for the poodle, instead of taking your chances with a mix that might or might not have all those properties?</p>
<p>Obviously, there are certain physical things like shedding, etc. that are bred in dogs and some personality tendencies, but isn’t the majority of a dog’s personality going to have more to do with how it’s raised and socialized? I mean, I’ve seen a mean Lab before and I’ve also seen Rottweilers and Akitas that were essentially just huge, friendly lapdogs. Any expert opinions on this?</p>
<p>Of course some of how a dog behaves results from how it is raised. The dog should be socialized early, taught what is acceptable behavior and understand who is the “alpha dog” in the home (ie, YOU). I think people see the need for large, powerful dogs to be trained for safety, but let small dogs get away with too much. Then they are annoying and uncontrollable. Just like kids, you have to teach them firmly, but with love.</p>
<p>OTOH, it seems to me that alot of canine behavior tendencies are hard-wired through genetics. For example, my poodle just loves to retrieve anything you throw (never taught to do so), and my neighbor’s sharpei has always been feisty and protective (they were guard dogs for Chinese palaces). Through the years, popular breeds have been damaged as a whole by irresponsible breeding. Poodles and cocker spaniels are examples. Unscrupulous breeders out to make a buck perpetuated negative conformation and behavioral traits to sell more puppies. THis is why it is so important to find a reputable breeder. Do some research.</p>
<p>A couple of comments about doodle mixes. First, you never know if you will get a shedding or a nonshedding coat…could be either. Also, due to popularity, you get alot of back yard puppy mills trying to create these. Be careful and NEVER buy from a puppy mill. You might get a sweet, healthy dog, but you might not. Meet the breeder, see the parents, see the kennel facilities.</p>
<p>dmd, as I said, EVERYone who is looking for a puppy should do their research, not just those who want a doodle. There are many reputable breeders who are more than happy to provide detailed information on their breeding dogs. We found several from whom we could have chosen. We visited several, on more than one occasion, we talked to previous buyers, and we made our decision based on the information gleaned. We have not regretted our decision, and neither has any of the many doodle owners we’ve met. We didn’t get a poodle because that was not the dog we were interested in, and we didn’t feel we were taking a chance, because we’d done our research. If it wasn’t the right choice for you, that’s fine, but I’m not sure why you find it necessary to denigrate the choice of others. It’s funny, you know, I’ve heard about people who look down on those who have a particular type of dog but I had never experienced it personally until this thread. I’ve volunteered with shelters and rescue programs for 20+ years, I’ve seen every conceivable type of dog abandoned by owners. People need to research and make an informed decision when they buy a dog, and not every dog is going to be the perfect family pet for every family. Unfortunately, there are puppy mills producing puppies of every breed. Until people stop buying from them, they will continue to exist. And also, there are many breeders, of every breed, who are “in it for the money”. Dogs are such an important part of any family, I wish that more people would make the right choice for THEIR family, and then perhaps I wouldn’t be so busy with rescue work. The analogy to finding the right <em>fit</em> for college is not all that different! :)</p>
<p>Thank you alwaysamom; I couldn’t have said it better. I love my doodle, and would get another at the drop of a hat if I am ever in the market for another dog.</p>
<p>Agree with the suggestion of adopting a greyhound. You can find them in the 50-60 pound range. Great pets; good house dogs; some don’t do well with cats or other small furry things. We had two. I miss them.</p>
<p>Tsdad, I’ve been in touch with our local greyhound rescue. Do you have any advice as a former adoptive parent? My hope is to get one that is very companionable as I am at home full time. Thinking a female since I’ve read they like to share the couch and bed and a female would be a little smaller.</p>
<p>imoremom - about breeding our dauchshaund…yes, we wanted to do it once (well, the kids wanted to do it once. I’ve had enough of breeding) but the boy dog we booked got sick. So I think we’ll get her fixed after she gets out of heat. Also, I know Doxies can have a difficult time birthing babies and we could lose her. Also her fiesty temperament may not be something I should willingly pass down to another generation!</p>
<p>1moremom</p>
<p>We had males. Both were nuetered. I think all adopted greyhounds are fixed before they’re released. You’re right though, females tend to be smaller. But greyhounds come in all sizes and many, many different colorations. </p>
<p>Our first greyhound, mostly white, was 75 pounds and he was attached to my wife. Followed her around and excitedly greeted her when she came home. He recognized the sound of her car and ran downstairs when he heard it. Not sure why since I and my son walked and fed him. </p>
<p>I played with him and let him off the leash something you’re not supposed to do with greyhounds. He used to run in these great circles; watching him accelerate was beautiful. The second greyhound, which was black, didn’t care to run when off the leash although one time he did chase down and catch a squirrel. He also caught my neighbors silky terrier. That was embarrassing. If you do get a greyhound, and they’re fresh off the track their hunting/chasing instincts will be pretty strong so keep it away from small furry things. The hunting instinct will calm down after awhile in the house. </p>
<p>They are very quiet dogs, almost no barking. They will spend most of the day laying around, that’s why their known as the “50-mile an hour couch potatoes.” The first greyhound slept on my son’s bed until he got too big. If you have a place where they can lay and look out the window they’ll be very happy. They are after all sight hounds. They’re smart, but not so smart as to be a problem. They have no body fat and hence no doggy odor, but be careful of temperature extremes. Heat seemed to bother our dogs more than cold. One of the greyhounds shed, the other didn’t. One had skin problems; the other had bad teeth and gums. We had to brush his teeth every other day. Both had to be put down because of cancer, which sadden us.</p>
<p>Somed added thoughts. You might want to try and get a young dog around two years old; one that wasn’t suited for the track. You’ll have them for more years than dogs that were successsful runners. Most of the latter animals are four to five years old when you get them. Also get a crate to keep the greyhound in when it first arrives. That is how they are housed on the track or in kennels and they are comfortable in one. They regard the crate as their house so keeping them in one might help you with housebreaking.</p>
<p>Most greyhounds have had no experience in walking up and down stairs so you’ll have to work with a new one on that skill. Finally, the pads on their paws will be very soft since they have not been walking on concrete sidewalks. They’ll have to be toughened up, and because they have been walking around on grass or dirt a new adoptee’s nails may have to be cut.</p>
<p>Do you remember about how long it took the dogs to settle in (and housebreak)? I’m wondering if we would have time before the fall (Big Ten football) B&B season. Did you get both your dogs at the same time? (I like the idea of two, but husband will require some work.)</p>
<p>We didn’t get them at the same time although they did overlap. The first one was already housebroken. He had been returned by someone who couldn’t really take care of him. Plus that person’s cats had infested him with fleas and cause dermitis, which the owner couldn’t deal with. </p>
<p>The second one came right off the track and took a little while to housebreak. Not too much of a problem. But remember these are fairly big dogs, and they can make big mistakes.</p>
<p>Also keep in mind that these are not outside dogs. If you have a gated porch you can keep them on it for a while, like when you give them a bone, but greyhounds are really inside dogs.</p>
<p>days? weeks?</p>
<p>Sorry, can’t remember. I do remember the first day he was in the house he lifted his leg and peed on something. I don’t think it was a problem for long.</p>
<p>Alwaysamom: I don’t look down on those who have poodle mixes. I’m just sad that so many of them have said to me that the dog wasn’t what the breeder promised them. And also sad that so many of them have said that they wished they’d just gotten a poodle. Those dogs end up in rescue–something we’re both trying to avoid. I’m also sad about the people who have small apartments and are told that a border collie is a good dog for them. Or a lab. Or a golden retriever.</p>
<p>I dread the day that poodles are as popular as goldens or labs.</p>
<p>It takes a lot of research to find the right dog. It’s not made any easier by going to the local humane society and seeing dog after dog that was let down by its people.</p>
<p>Talk to knowledgeable breeders about getting two dogs at once. I think if you get one, he will bond to you and if you bring in two together, they will bond to each other more than to the family. That might be what you want. My point is there are implications to getting two dogs together versus sequentially, and you should know what the differences are.</p>
<p>lefthand-- I was thinking sequentially, but that is an interesting point. BTW, I laughed when I read “If you have a place where they can lay and look out the window they’ll be very happy.” My house was built in the early sixties, apparently before many of the current building codes wre in effect. We have sliding patio doors on the second floor! The first step’s a doozy, but the views are great.</p>
<p>My poodle breeder told me the same thing about getting two dogs at once. They will bond to eachother rather than to you…maybe it’s a pack thing? I used to think our dog considered us to be his pack, but now I realize that he thinks he is a human and that he is like one of the kids!</p>