Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:The grooming is pretty intense to do properly (full brushing to the skin every day to prevent mats) which is why so many are shaved.
The issue with doodles is that no high quality breeder is going to sell their poodle (or the other half of the mix) to a person who wants to create doodles. That means you are starting with lower quality breeding stock to begin with. Likely no health testing was done on the prior generation, almost certainly no health testing was done on the current generation. I would not buy one for that reason (and I'm not anti-purchasing a healthy dog! I own 1 rescue and 2 purchased dogs)
But if you're going to rescue anyway, the health reality is the same for nearly any dog in a shelter or rescue, so that doesn't really differentiate.
I tell all my clients who want to rescue that they should choose a specific dog, not a specific breed or mix. The standardization isn't there in non-responsibly bred dogs, so just because you're adopting a ______ doesn't mean it will behave like ______.
I never brush my dog and she has no mats.
Anonymous wrote:Most of the dogs at our local dog park are doodles of one kind or another, and they generally are very nice dogs. That said, every single owner complains about the grooming. It's very expensive, and they seem to bounce from groomer to groomer trying to find someone they like that isn't $150 or more per groom. And in general the professional grooming isn't enough by itself, you also have to brush them several times a week or they mat terribly.
As a PP said, I would also be concerned about the breeding situation, since most of these are puppy mill dogs.
Anonymous wrote:tell me about your doodle! I am looking for a dog (young or puppy) and I am curious about doodles. They seem to be everywhere - is there really something to them? I have had rescues before - large lab/shepherds. Are doodles all they claim to be - smart, friendly, trainable? How often/how much do you spend on grooming. I'm not interested in a mini. Thanks!
Anonymous wrote:The grooming is pretty intense to do properly (full brushing to the skin every day to prevent mats) which is why so many are shaved.
The issue with doodles is that no high quality breeder is going to sell their poodle (or the other half of the mix) to a person who wants to create doodles. That means you are starting with lower quality breeding stock to begin with. Likely no health testing was done on the prior generation, almost certainly no health testing was done on the current generation. I would not buy one for that reason (and I'm not anti-purchasing a healthy dog! I own 1 rescue and 2 purchased dogs)
But if you're going to rescue anyway, the health reality is the same for nearly any dog in a shelter or rescue, so that doesn't really differentiate.
I tell all my clients who want to rescue that they should choose a specific dog, not a specific breed or mix. The standardization isn't there in non-responsibly bred dogs, so just because you're adopting a ______ doesn't mean it will behave like ______.