Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG, he is the best! I recommend goldendoodles highly. Here's the breeder we used, whom I also recommend:

http://laurelridgegoldendoodles.com/

Look at their website. Basically a puppy mill

Not sure why you think it's a puppy mill. The breeder is also a veterinarian, the dogs are well cared for and socialized with the family's many children. I've know several people with dogs from there and none have had any complaints.

^^Everyone asks for "the calm one" But the breeder has to find homes for all of them.

As a breeder I can say this: When you breed an animal, you always want the best aspects to come forth in the off spring. So the golden doodle is supposed to have the calm nature of the Lab, with the non-shedding of the poodle. The poodle is a terrier (a kind of hunting dog known for having opinions) which means generally a very intelligent, high strung, and can be manipulative and crafty in getting their way. And barky.
A lab (also a hunting dog) is a large, exercise needing, can be high energy, very strong dog that delights in jumping in ice cold water to retrieve ducks. As a pet, it is known for its docility after the puppy years are over.
So you could get a large docile non shedding smart dog who needs an expensive grooming every month.
Or you could get a large, high strung, crafty hunting dog who needs lots of exercise and loves to swim in the mud. And still needs an expensive hair cut. My neighbor has this one -- a pure nightmare.

I have one that's about a year old and am very sad to say that we are thinking of giving him up. He is (and the breed, in general) can be very hyper, jumpy and rambunctious. With 3 young kids in the house, it is just not working. Every time they jump or dance or get excited, the dog goes crazy. Same thing whenever anyone comes to the door, or whenever there are extra kids in the house. We have had half a dozen private sessions with a trainer, enrolled him in 2 obedience classes. He does fine in the training sessions and classes. He can sit, stay, heel, etc. The problem is that he is huge and he jumps all over children and adults and has the ability to really scare and injure people. FWIW, we asked the breeder to please give us one of the calmest dogs in the litter, and she claimed she did. HA! I have yet to meet a calm doodle...

Anonymous wrote:OMG, he is the best! I recommend goldendoodles highly. Here's the breeder we used, whom I also recommend:

http://laurelridgegoldendoodles.com/

Look at their website. Basically a puppy mill

Fox creek farm in West Virginia- great breeder and love our mini

Anonymous wrote:For those with minis, who did you get them from?

I'd rather not say as one of them has health problems and we basically found out the "hybrid rigor" is a bunch of bunk. The breeder is actually a reputable one, so maybe it's an anomaly, but I really can't recommend them (nor will I trash them).

For those with minis, who did you get them from?

LOVE ours. Only complaint is that she is so good that I find her boring. I used to find the crazy sneaky dog/puppy stuff funny with our other dogs. This one is so obedient and compliant that there is no challenge.

Do your research on the breeder though - my sister got a golden doodle who is now on anti-anxiety meds due to jumpiness/aggression. They can't have him around other dogs anymore and are considering re-homing because we don't completely trust him around their kids.

We love ours with all our hearts. He is hands down the best dog either DH or I have ever had. Smart and sweet -- a winning combination.

Yes. We have a pair of them. Minis.

Oh yes. LOVE her. She's 7 months old and great with kids and other animals. She was easily house broken and is a fast learner in general. Just a sweeet, sweet dog.

OMG, he is the best! I recommend goldendoodles highly. Here's the breeder we used, whom I also recommend:

http://laurelridgegoldendoodles.com/

Strongly thinking about one for our family.