Looking for puppy- have some questions

[kirama]

I am in Northern Nevada, my husband and I want to get a goldendoodle or labradoodle male pup. He would be a companion to our aging Aussie female who thinks she is 'queen of the world' so he would need to be ok with that. We have a budget of $1,000 for the pup, but that would have to include shipping unless the pup was within driving distance. I have emailed alot of people who are running ads, and looked at dozens of websites, and I am more confused than when I started. I want a pup with a nice coat- not a 'lab' coat, but alot of the pictures of pups that I can afford appear to have very flat coats, how in the world do you look at a 6 week old pup and determine what it's coat will be like when it is grown? When I email a breeder I mention the issue of wanting a non-dominant male and have never gotten a straight answer, mostly they say "oh all these puppies are really sweet"..so maybe I am asking the 'wrong question'? Am I wasting my time looking for a pup with the money that I have set aside to pay for it? I know I'm picky, but we don't throw away our pets, they are with us until they die, so we try to spend alot of time initially choosing a sound, healthy pup that would fit in well with our family.

[tuffystar]

I want to say I am glad you are doing your homework. There are breeders that can tell you more than I can. That being said let me share with you that we have always had male female combination in our home. What we find with them being spayed or neutered is the females have been dominant. I don't know why this is but out of 5 sets of combination males and females that has been the case. I have to say that if your funds are limited and you want to be sure of temperament you ought to think about rescue from a place like IDOG. I am going to be a foster for them and there are several fosters on this forum and they can tell you that they are open and honest about the dogs they foster. That is because we so want to find the right family for the dog. Another advantage to a fostered dog is they get some of the possible socializing problems along with other quirks either worked on or known. This helps you pick a dog that is best suited to your family. A puppy from a breeder is awesome but if you can't afford one this may be the way to go.

[Raleighsmom]

Welcome to the forum Kirama and best of luck with your search for the right puppy! I think if you post this question again in 'Finding a Breeder', one of the very experienced breeders might just be able to help you!!! You've certainly come to the right place to ask and have your questions answered, and I guarantee that you'll love it here!

[KingstonTodd]

Welcome to the forum. I sent you a PM. This forum is a friendly place to find excellent breeders that have health testing and the temperment of thier breeding dogs as a priority. Yo will meet a lot of great breeders, and many more crazy, wonderfull, funny, and loving labradoodles and goldendooles. This site is a great way to spend time laughing and all the funny things are doodles so, and ask all the questions that about the weird stuff that doodles doo too! Good luck finding the right puppy and the right breeder, and remember to post lots of pictures of you doodle once they arrive.

[Maureen]

Originally Posted by kirama

I am in Northern Nevada, my husband and I want to get a goldendoodle or labradoodle male pup. He would be a companion to our aging Aussie female who thinks she is 'queen of the world' so he would need to be ok with that. We have a budget of $1,000 for the pup, but that would have to include shipping unless the pup was within driving distance. I have emailed alot of people who are running ads, and looked at dozens of websites, and I am more confused than when I started. I want a pup with a nice coat- not a 'lab' coat, but alot of the pictures of pups that I can afford appear to have very flat coats, how in the world do you look at a 6 week old pup and determine what it's coat will be like when it is grown? When I email a breeder I mention the issue of wanting a non-dominant male and have never gotten a straight answer, mostly they say "oh all these puppies are really sweet"..so maybe I am asking the 'wrong question'? Am I wasting my time looking for a pup with the money that I have set aside to pay for it? I know I'm picky, but we don't throw away our pets, they are with us until they die, so we try to spend alot of time initially choosing a sound, healthy pup that would fit in well with our family.

hi, and welcome!!
I think you have stumbled onto something....it IS important to ask the right questions!
I have a caution about a breeder who will not answer your questions plainly, and it sounds like someone who doesn't want to lie but either
A) doesn't know the puppies and who is and isn't dominant or
B) doesn't have a non-dominant male and doesn't want to admit it

I have to be honest and tell you that our puppies with the softer, fleece coats are not in your price range, but that the puppies who do seem to show some shedding (no way to know how much, honestly) at 6wks old ARE in your price range, if they are solid color, not rare markings. As I have said before, and others with me, there is no judgment about your price range or ability to justify or pay a certain price over another but there is a reality and difference in breeding and in the quality of breeding stock, and future health issues or integrity in breeding between puppies who are dramatically less expensive than others. "you get what you pay for" is an addage that can often times be applied to puppies and breeding.

Here is an example: I know of a breeder in CA (NOT from this forum) who sells puppies for less than $300 but the fact is that she has breeding dogs that can and do throw dysplastic dogs! And she doesn't know it, I imagine but I know it from seeing and knowing one of her puppies. So I dont' think she is doing something malicious or premeditated, but the truth is that she is doing something with NO regard to the consequences. So her inexpensive puppies are going to be very expensive to their owners, eventually. Or die young, I suppose to avoid medical bills. (shrug)

About coats: at 6wks old we can see differences in the textures of the coats. Some breeders sell or assign puppies before 6wks but since I have seen coats change from soft and curly to coarser and some shedding between 4 & 6 wks, I wait. And NO one knows what a coat will be like, exactly, at maturity but so far so good for me, on checking and validating types, without promising specific results. If you can feel 2 different textures and levels of coarseness at 6wks, you can bet there's an undercoat that will shed somewhat. I've been told that the flatter coats in F1b litters shed less than the same type of coat in an F1 litter but honestly I can't verify it so I can't promise it. But that's just me.

Lastly, a RESCUE could be a WONDERFUL WAY for you to get to know and find a doodle to love!! Email or pm Gene and the others and you'll find a whole community of support right here.

I hope this helps!! One of the beauties of this forum is that threads stay forever so there is a LOT of research you can do and a lot you can learn just from poking around old threads! And a word search is a handy tool too.

Best wishes,

[Lucky Me]

Hi! and welcome to the forum!!
I sent you a PM....just look up at the top of the page.

[lindamarie]

Lots of good advice given here especially to go to the breeder forum. Many will have better answers.
So glad you joined and can't wait to hear more about you and your new pup..when you get it!

Welcome. I got my Maya from a breeder in Canada. She was an older pup (3.5 mos) when I reserved her. She was "discounted" because she was older. There was nothing wrong with her but the breeder had another litter and 2 more litters on the way so she worked with me on price. So I gues my point is that if you are looking at a site and see older pups see if the breeder will work with you on price. It doesn't hurt to ask.

Also IDOG is a great rescue organization. I had a foster for a while and she was a great dog and went to a great family. Check out poomixrescue.com there are a lot of doods in need listed there.

Good luck in your search

[kirama]

Thanks for the help, since I posted this, I was out browsing the web again, and found a breeder in Canada, he has new pups that sound just perfect for us. They cost a bit more than I had budgeted, but my husband saw the babies pictures and agreed that we could make it happen! I was lucky in that he still has some males that have not been reserved, and seemed very helpful in making sure that we get one that will suit our needs. I don't know if it's ok to post a link to his site here, if it is I will do so, he is very helpful and informative and didn't seem a bit troubled by my many questions.

[anny51]

Hi Kirama - welcome to the forum. I can't help much with your search for a puppy cos I'm in NZ but there are plenty of 'local' members coming forward to help you. Good luck with the breeder you've been in touch with, and don't forget, if you're not happy with anything there walk away....there will always be other avenues to explore.

[Jac]

Hi Kirma,
I am very happy that you were able to find the right puppy for your family! I hope that you will post pictures when you get him...and also pics of your female.
On this forum, we are not allowed to either promote a breeder or bash a breeder, so if anyone wants the informaton on the breeder you selected, they are welcome to send you a PM and you can deliver the information privately...but I am very glad that you found a breeder you trust.
Best wishes!

[MaxandMe]

Hi Kirma and welcome ~ so happy you also found a breeder who could not only answer all your questions but work with you as well.
CONGRATS.......can't wait to see pics of your new baby doodle puppy soon.

Oh, i am glad you stuck to your guns on finding someone who could also help you with the "non dominant male" as i am very much like you
in they type of male dog i look for. You'll be quite happy you went for TEMPERAMENT !!!! so many tend to say coat, color etc first.

I myself have a easy going laid back male and will say now that he's 2.5yrs old ...he was probably the easiest puppy to raise and train ever!
MAX is the male i am talking about ......peanut too is same way far from being dominant and Both of them are the best dogs i've ever had to-date.

You might find with your doodle puppy you'll bond and be closer than other dogs you've had before as they're quite unique dogs:
highly intelligent, extremely loving and people oriented and my dad swears they're at least half-human and can think like us

in a nutshell: CONGRATS as you your family and older dog will have an excellent companion to love for the next 10 to 15years!!!!
This forum is excellent in that it's members are friendly, openminded, very helpful, caring and at times full of crazy fun loving happiness and jokes!

[kirama]

I just told our elder Aussie that she would be getting a baby brother in March, as you can see- she was beyond excited. Kira is a sweet girl, as long as you acknowledge her by her proper title "queen of the world". She has lupus and a host of other medical issues, the vet is surprised she is still with us since she is nearly 9, but I have faith she will be around for a long time, she's too stubborn to die.

[mtd885]

Just in case you chose a particular criminal breeder in Canada I sent you a PM hoping you avoid the cost and misery some of us went through with them.

[MaxandMe]

NOTE: I know who the breeder is in Canada and it's NOT THE same one MTD got Abby from (whew!)
which is good that we PM this info to members.

KIRAMA......the breeder you're getting your doodle from is reputable, responsible, has doodles themself and the list is so
contiguous as to you being safe, secure and very happy with your decision on this cute doodle.

I LOVE your pic of your stubborn yet VERY CUTE AUSSIE who is going to love having a little one to play with soon
This is sooooo exciting!!! more puppy pics coming soon