WILLOBIE says:

Dear Andrew,

Breed clubs are formed by fanciers who are devoted to their breed and wish to improve it. They take this very seriously because it is their entire raison d’être. Breeds are not improved by wholesale commercial breeding, by puppy mills, or by breeding so-called designer pooches. Of course the puppy is not the face of evil, but maybe its breeder is.

A designer pooch breeder is someone who is trying to do in one dog generation what devoted breed fanciers have taken decades or centuries to do: produce a dog with superior characteristics that conforms to an agreed upon standard. The problem is that there is no standard for these expensive mutts and any superiority they may achieve is good only for that single generation. Designer pooch breeders are just supplying animals for a fad and they charge purebred prices for their concoctions. Since interbreed crosses are unpredictable, there is a lot of waste. For every “good “ specimen in their litters there are probably several mutts that nobody wants, because they don’t resemble the public’s idea of a good LabradOodle, PeekaPoo, CockaPoo, or, god help us, GreatDaneaPoo.

The poodle club is right to be concerned when its members stop trying to improve the breed and rent out their champion studs to provide window dressing for someone anxious to produce an impressive pedigree for a mutt. Especially since it appears to be poodle genes that are most sought after in the designer mutt business.

Many people seem to regard the purebred as an anti-democratic affectation (why should dogs be better bred than we are?). In many cases they are merely blaming ethical breeders for the sins of puppy mills and commercial breeding who exploit superficially good stock to produce animals of unregulated quality. If there were no breed clubs or recognized breeds there could be no designer dogs either. Just mutts.

Anonymous says:

she is so cute

Steve says:

So, if these designer breeds are so tragic (unwanted puppies, freak Frankenstein-esque dogs), why not focus on that?

Raving about legal action and “deliberate attempts to mislead the public” sound raving. Instead, if you want to put cross-breeders out of business, focus on perceived disadvantages; apparently there are many, if you ever get ’round to telling us. I find it weird that the Poodles’ page spends 80% of their text on advantages, then threatens legal action.

Suzanne says:

Willobie, those are valid concerns, but threatening legal action is pretty psychotic. Do members sign a contract promising they won’t deliberately breed their dogs with other breeds?

Mona says:

I am an owner of a 13 month old labradoodle. I have always had a dog and after loosing my last just a year ago I decided to try to find a breed that didn’t shed or have all those bad dog oders that come along with all the other dogs I have owned. I wanted my house to stay just a little cleaner. I had just about decided on a standard poodle when I was introduced to the labradoodle. I bought mine when he was 3 months old and I haven’t had a regret. Durbin in the smartest and best companion dog I have ever had. Can’t say a bad thing about the breed. I don’t care what any dog club says. I have the best qualities of both breeds and none of the bad. I would never own a lab. Must too stinky. I love my dogs in the house and on the furniture with me.

DaveV says:

Not sure if the first one went through.
Nice to here all the good things about the Labradoodle, we will be picking up our 6 week old puppy on July 3rd. Can’t wait.

Julie says:

DaveV: How did you find a breeder? I live in Tx. and would love to have one of these dogs. I love labs but not the hair, this breed seems perfect. Do you know if your pup is from a poodle and a lab or two labradoodles. Thanks I hope you check back to this post.:)

DaveV says:

Julie-the doodle we’re getting is from a male poodle and female lab. We live in Maine. The breeder is Maria Burgess 1.207.865.4869. She has a few pups left that are ready to go 7/30/07. Let us know how you make out.

dogtrainingal says:

Labradoodles are not necessarily non-shedding especially first generation ones. I think this is the biggest misconception about the breed. A few of my doodle client’s dogs shed.

jennifer says:

Labradoodles are NOT a breed…they are MUTTS…albeit cute, cuddly and hopefully with the best of the labrador and poodle BREED qualities. Unless you can reproduce the same qualities in a labradoodle three generations out, you cannot assume how wonderful this breed is…what happens when you mate two labradoodles together, what is the litter like?

Sorry, but I’ve worked at too many shelters where labradoodles, cock-a-poos, and other mixes have been humanely euthanized because someone got a bug in their head that this would be the next great “breed”, but instead ended up with cute but unsellable puppies as that “breed” fad went away…always with something else taking its place….as well as the puppies taking the place in the shelter.(does any one remember the popularity of the pomerian-chihuahua mix….where is that “breed” today may I ask?…just watch the animal planet, animal cops houston or new york, to find out.

MUTTS ARE THE BEST….BUT DON’T BE AFRAID TO CALL THEM MUTTS. WHEN SOME ONE ASKS YOU WHAT IS YOUR DOG…HE/SHE IS A LABRADOR AND POODLE MIX…NOT A MADE-UP BREED!

thanks, Jennifer

DaveV says:

Too bad there’s always a party pooper out there…

Anonymous says:

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww so cute just wana hoave it and cuddle it

kelly says:

My son just got a labradoodle. His name is Mic. He is now 5 months old and the sweetest dog ever! The combo of the lab and poodle is a great combo. We have always had goldens…but I think we may seriously consider changing to a labradoodle next time. By the way…In Australia, Labradoodles are NOT mutts. They are considered our equivlenent of an AKC…Got a book on Labradoodles at PETCO…imagine that!!

Jennifer says:

Kelly–I am happy to hear of your wonderful experiences with your puppy. However, according to the Australian National Kennel Council, there is no such breed as a labradoodle. Perhaps you are confusing them with the Lagotto Romagnola…a breed that has been around for centuries (not prevalent in the United States) that has similar features to some of the labradoodles I have seen.

Again, I have no problem with anyone owning a labrador/poodle mix. But it is a MIXED BREED by AKC (and apparently Australian and English) standards. Remember, there ARE unscrupulous people out there who will breed indiscriminantly just to sell the proceeds (those cute little fuzzy puppies you are talking about) and dump the ones that don’t sell at the local shelters. We euthanize far too many animals each year. And unless YOU have been the one to euthanize someone else’s profit loss, don’t call me a party pooper. Those who purchase these designer mixed breeds are as guilty as those who don’t spay & neuter because you unintentionally legitimize the puppy mill breeders. As long as there is a market, someone will be trying to make a profit. Stop the market and check out your local animal shelter–you’ll be surprised at how many labradoodles end up there!

[And those who are still determined to have a "Labradoodle"--perhaps you should check out the Portuguese Water Dog, Curly Coated Retreiver or the Lagotto Romagnola...they are established breeds with essentially all the qualities of your labradoodles--except that they been bred centuries ago, by people trying to make a better dog---not a profit!]

puppylover says:

I think she’s adorable!How could you say she’s the face of evil!!!!?The only face she is is the Face of CUTENESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!YOU PEOPLE ARE JUST TO MEAN!

jen8933 says:

people who intentionally breed dogs FOR physical deformaties object to ‘designer’ dogs.
bulldogs that can hardly breathe, pugs with eyes that pop out way too easily and all the long breeds who suffer from back problems. i’m sure there’s tons more examples.
those guys are throwing rocks from their glass kennels.

someone says:

i am soooooooooooooo gonna get a labradoodle!!!

Debbie says:

I, too, have a labradoodle… what we grew up calling a mutt. But whatever she’s called, she’s a great animal and a wonderful pet. I got her as a rescue … her poodle owner was not pleased when the neighbor’s gorgeous lab came over and took advantage of her … who was dumped at a local pet store. I could never afford the HUGE prices that people command ($2500 in The Woodlands) so I was very glad to get the chance to get her for nominal cost. She shed very little, was black and now silvering beautifully and is one of the smartest and best natured animals I’ve ever seen. Labradoodle .. mutt… possdle/lab mix … I don’t care. She’s a honey!

Anonymous says:

soo precious

Jennifer Geiger says:

Debbie, thank you for actually having a logical comment. I do not have any objections to labradoodles…simply that people are breeding them deliberately and then financially scalping simpletons who believe they are actually getting a pure-bred dog, when all over this country other mix breed dogs–which are perfectly healthy, loving and would also make GREAT PETS (read: members of the family)–are being put to death.

Anonymous says:

Yo this pup is sooooo cute!

Anonymous says:

I love my Labradoodle. He is truly the best dog-boy a family could have. I have had a labrador-boy and a poodle-boy (I showed and bred the Poodle and was a memebr of a club). My three year old Doodle-boy is a perfect mix.

The Labrador and Poodle didn’t start out as such. Over the years, breeders invented them. Just as some genius in Australia invented the Doodle.

The fanatics are overbreeding the so-called pure-breds. Introducing new genes into the pool can’t be a bad thing in the long term.

Jennifer Geiger says:

Dear Anonymous from April 2nd…I agree that overbreeding is not a good thing. Generally responsible breeders are looking to cover their costs, make a reasonable profit and continue to have healthy animals placed into good homes. The ALA (Australian Labradoodle Association—who recognize that they do NOT have a recognized pure-bred dog) has strongly recommended that people only purchase their puppies via their recognized breeders. They are trying to get labradoodles recognized and initially began trying to achieve a specific purpose with the breed—non-shedding, intelligent for use as guide dogs with those who have allergic reactions with most dog breeds. This is a lovely, lovely thing. I applaud their efforts. However, the amazing costs that are commanded by puppy mill breeders for these mixed breed dogs (if they aren’t recognized officially then they are still mixed breeds!) is ridiculous and offensive. So all of you who are looking for a labradoodle—please do your research!

Leland says:

People have been breeding designer animals for hundreds of years. Ever since they discovered some tie between the off spring, the father and the mother. I don’t see the problem.

millllliy says:

well i want one of those

micaela says:

wow you “The Labrador Retriever Club, Inc.” need lives.

they’re just dogs,
who happen to be very cute & well tempered.

the world will keep turning.

promise.

tommy says:

late i am in commenting, but these people are nazis who just can’t practice their art on humans.

come on! how did these effing breeds of dogs come to be? cross breeding.

they need to get over they bad selves, yo.

tommy says:

and afaik mutts are known for having better overall dispositions than ‘purebred’ dogs. i’d rather let my kid play with a mix of a st. bernard/pitbull than any pure-bred chihuahua, viscious little things they are…

MartheNorway says:

Aren’t the registered breeds we have now a result of mixing different breeds…? =)

As long as the breeders knows what they’re doing, i don’t see why it’s such a big problem. Breeders who breed dogs for profit is allso a common phenomenon/problem within “pure-breeds”

Labradoodle is proven to have become a successfull mix/breed and are effectivly used as rescuedogs and so on.

Labradoodle is by the way accepted as a breed in the US…

I’m so glad to hear all the positive comments about this breed, i’ve been thinking about getting one.