Breeder vs. Family Dog Standards

amyg · 01-03-2008, 02:50 PM

Hi. We plan to buy a Labradoodle for our familiy pet as soon as the breeder has one available for us. I've read a lot of great information on this forum and spoken to several breeders about the importance of testing for eyes, hips, vWb, etc.. One of the breeders I spoke to mentioned that there is a different standard a breeder is looking for when purchasing a puppy then would be expected for a dog being purchased as a family pet.

My question is - assuming the puppy I get has good test results for vWB, hips, eyes of the parent dogs, how often, if at all, do I need to have my dog tested for these problems once I own it? Or is this something only breeders do for dogs they plan to breed?

Doodlesville · 01-03-2008, 03:37 PM

Normally just general folks dont do testing unless there are issues

breeders are tested

**MaxandMe** · 01-03-2008, 04:57 PM

amy , if you are getting a doodle just to be a family member/pet then you don't need to test the doodle at all.

Breeders test a adult dog to make sure the hips, elbows, eyes etc are good to being clear and noncarriers and so on.

a breeder looks at puppies differently cause that's what they do; breed for optimal temperament, health, coat for nonshedding and color

whereas when you look at a puppy you should try to put TEMPERAMENT aka personality at top of list, look at the one you would love and fit in your family and heart easily

good luck!!!

and I now have 3 doodles

01-03-2008, 08:05 PM

Hi Amy:

I agree with what Annmarie stated. Breeders look for certain things like color and coat more to get different combos with thier own breeding stock or to replace a dog that has been retired from breeding. Being just a buyer for a pet I would look at temperment first. I must admit I did not do as much research as you have when I got Maya. I knew I wanted a female and that was my only requirement. I got lucky with Maya's temperment. I think all doodles have great temperments but some are a little more "rascalish" than others. Luckily Maya doesn't get into much (I can list on one hand the items she has chewed as a young pup), I don't think I could handle a dog with biting mouthing issues. (That's just me though). My trainer laughs and says I rule Maya with an iron fist!!!!!

01-03-2008, 02:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
amyg Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 84	Breeder vs. Family Dog Standards Hi. We plan to buy a Labradoodle for our familiy pet as soon as the breeder has one available for us. I've read a lot of great information on this forum and spoken to several breeders about the importance of testing for eyes, hips, vWb, etc.. One of the breeders I spoke to mentioned that there is a different standard a breeder is looking for when purchasing a puppy then would be expected for a dog being purchased as a family pet. My question is - assuming the puppy I get has good test results for vWB, hips, eyes of the parent dogs, how often, if at all, do I need to have my dog tested for these problems once I own it? Or is this something only breeders do for dogs they plan to breed? __________________ Amy Columbus, OH

01-03-2008, 04:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
MaxandMe Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Upstate, NY Posts: 15,103	amy , if you are getting a doodle just to be a family member/pet then you don't need to test the doodle at all. Breeders test a adult dog to make sure the hips, elbows, eyes etc are good to being clear and noncarriers and so on. a breeder looks at puppies differently cause that's what they do; breed for optimal temperament, health, coat for nonshedding and color whereas when you look at a puppy you should try to put TEMPERAMENT aka personality at top of list, look at the one you would love and fit in your family and heart easily good luck!!! and I now have 3 doodles __________________ *Annmarie, Max,& Peanut* "Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." Anatole France uncondtional love: what a dog always does for us and humans strive to do but can we?

01-03-2008, 03:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
Doodlesville Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: North Carolina/Virginia Posts: 2,740	Normally just general folks dont do testing unless there are issues breeders are tested

01-03-2008, 08:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
Guest Posts: n/a	Hi Amy: I agree with what Annmarie stated. Breeders look for certain things like color and coat more to get different combos with thier own breeding stock or to replace a dog that has been retired from breeding. Being just a buyer for a pet I would look at temperment first. I must admit I did not do as much research as you have when I got Maya. I knew I wanted a female and that was my only requirement. I got lucky with Maya's temperment. I think all doodles have great temperments but some are a little more "rascalish" than others. Luckily Maya doesn't get into much (I can list on one hand the items she has chewed as a young pup), I don't think I could handle a dog with biting mouthing issues. (That's just me though). My trainer laughs and says I rule Maya with an iron fist!!!!!

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