New here and so bloody confused

[Mossy]

Hi everyone.

My name is Jennifer aka Mossy and I live in the Sacramento, California area. I have been researching doodles for sometime now and have become obsessed with making the right decision of which one to get. I was up researching breeders, etc but it gets to be alot and I need some help here.

I have one child and she will be our only. She will be 3 years old in one month. And then there is my husband and I. I currently stay at home but may venture to get a part time job as I would like some adult interaction. Anyways, I have looked at the following: cockapoo, labradoodle and goldendoodle and can't make a decision. There are pros and cons and I keep going back and forth. At first, I was kind of set on the cockapoo and then I read about the doodles. Then all the terminology like F1b, etc. What do all these mean? For me, it just puts more confusion on my head. I found a couple breeders but then I don't know really who to go with. Also, is the price. Maybe a rescue one would be good for us.

We live on 1/3 acre and have a large home. We have a pool but it is fenced. Our daughter is extremely active and we really aren't. We want a dog who will be trainable but in the middle of the road as far as being quiet and playful. I don't like the doodles that look more like a poodle. Where else can I go to really educate myself correctly? Sorry, I sound panic stricken but I am and just want the right fit. Can anyone help or give me some sound advice. Thank you for reading.

[windex]

First off, you need to be 100% committed to giving whatever dog you get a home for up to 14 years or so.
That said, it would seem to me that perhaps adopting an older labradoodle or goldendoodle would be a good option because it already has established its personality and behaviors. That way you don't have as many surprises. Additionally, there are a lot of doodles loking to be rehomed out there due to the economy, owner health, etc...
Definitely check out www.idog.biz and see what they have available and keep checking back because they get dogs daily.
Also... I think that perhaps a medium sized doodle may be best for your daughters age because they can run into kids at any size, but the big ones weigh much more than your child and could hurt her.
I have no experience with cockapoos, but have two rescued labradoodles and love them both. One is an F1 and he doesn't shed or look like a poodle, the other is an F1B and looks very poodlish and sheds lightly.
Good luck....

[Jac]

Hi Mossy,
Welcome to the forum! We are pretty close and there are quite a few of us in the Sacramento area...there is a Doodle Romp scheduled in October, I believe, in Davis.
You might want to meet a few doodles before you decide.
Most important, I think, is finding out about the parents. Of course, your commitment to proper training is critical too. You get what you put into training.
Sure, puppies are puppies and you can expect some difficulty, but if you are putting the time and energy into training, your pup will quickly learn what is expected.
I am going to send a PM to you...so check the top of this page where it says "Your have ___ New Messages" and click on that.
Also, check the archives of this forum. You will find so much good information and links to great resources, but it does take some time!

[Doodlesville]

Hi there, I would highly recommend a Puppy over a adult with the age of your child,

Bearing in Mind all along that puppies play rough , biting, scratching Jumping, etc,
Every time the pup is out you will need to supervise it, especially anytime the pup is interacting with your child

In most cases, parents are not aware of these challenges, and are not prepared to train the pup to become the wonderful family pet it can be
or blame the pup if the child gets injured, its not the pups fault !!

I tend to think the look you are looking for would be a goldendoodle,
I would never recommend a cockapoo for a family with children ,
cockers have a nasty attitude in most cases

Anyway good luck in your search , you may want to read the book
Be the Pack Leader, as well as ,,raising puppies and children together

[Cinsmom]

I am a former "parent" of a cocker spaniel and I can tell you he was dumber than a box of rocks. No matter how much time we spent on him, there was no way we could let him off leash for a moment. Now he wasn't part poodle, but I don't think a cock-a-poo would be half as smart as a doodle.

A labradoodle is a mix of 2 very trainable dogs. While it's true you can get one that's not as trainable as others, you will find that a doodle for the most part is a very loyal, fun loving, all around "people dog'. They love to please.

If size is what you are worried about, there are various sizes from the minis to medium to the big standard size.

As you can tell, I'm kind of biased on dood's. I love them. I don't think we could go with any other kind of dog now, and we've run the gamut. From the big German Shepherds, a Rottweiler, Beagles, Coon hounds, a cocker, and now a Labradoodle. Saved the best for last!

[MaxandMe]

i've had dogs and fostered dogs on an off for 30years.

the F1 Goldendoodle might be more what you're looking for


I have both a a f1 LD and f1 GD
i have found goldendoodles are great naturally with kids
with very little training. but then again it could be the parents that were used to create the puppies.

labradoodles , goldendoodles they come in all sizes even mini sizes

if you don't like poodle look then go for F1
means std poodle mixed with lab or golden

[julie_s]

Hello Mossy, you know on this site we are all so smitten with our doodles that you are going to get biased comments. So here is mine. . .

We recently added a dog to our family, and our children are ages 2, 4, and 6. My one requirement was that the dog had to be gentle with our kids--I didn't care what size or shape. For this reason, I feel so lucky that we ended up with a labradoodle!

During our search, we went on a home visit to a dog (whose breed shall remain nameless) and the 12-month-old "puppy" leaped all over us and our kids, jumped on the couch even when my son was hiding behind my back for protection, chewed up a video game that was on the floor, and "mouthed" (I call it biting) not only our kids, but also the kids who lived with the puppy. We left sad for the dog b/c it had not been socialized, but knowing that there is no way we could add that dog to our household without going crazy.

When we met our Labradoodle Stella, she was so well-mannered that we knew right away it would be a good match. She is playful with the kids, but not clumsy and rough. She seems to be graceful and know her space rather than bowling the kids over when they run around together. That is, she kind of leaps like a rabbit rather than trods all over the place crashing into anyone in her path. She is on the large side, very tall, but underneath her fluff she is not heavy. So, for example, when she wags her tail she does not put an eye out on my kids! And if she accidentally steps on a kid's foot, no harm done. She just has some instinctive dog manners that my vet attributes up to the poodle in her.

She happened to be housebroken and a nonshedding F1B (curly haired) labradoodle, which were just icing on the cake to us. With her temperament, we would have adopted her no matter what her look or size was.

In my opinion, labradoodles are the best with kids. Stella is playful (tries to follow them up the slide when they go), plays nicely with my toddler, etc. But she is not "in your face." I do have to supervise at all times, but this is for Stella's protection from my toddler who loves to give her hugs (that may feel like headlocks to our poor dog). She has caused some heated kid fights in our house, mostly regarding whom she gets to sit next to in the van, and who gets to hold her leash when we take her walking!

I suggest getting a labradoodle who is a few months old so you can really see his or her temperament to decide if the dog will fit in with your lifestyle. If the appearance of the dog is really important, by then you should be able to see its coat and maybe have an idea of the adult size, although from what I have read here, the coat can change quite a bit once they lose their puppy coat and the size can be unpredictable.

Watching Stella interact with the kids has been one of the best parts about having her. Doodles seem to love the water, so your backyard pool could be a great play place for the pup. Good luck!

[Mossy]

[i]Good Morning!
Thanks for all the replies. So good to hear them to be honest. I was a little concerned over the cockapoo since I know cockers can be snippy. I do come from a dog background and had dogs my whole life with the exceptioon of the last 8 years. My scottie was poisoned from a piece of meat with antifreeze. We never found out who did it. So upset that I haven't been able to get a dog since. This happened in Pennsylvania. He died a violent death and those memories are still very clear and present at times.

I agree a puppy would be best as they can be raised with my little one. I just have to see which one; that being a golden or lab (doodle). I am excited now to visit with some doodles. I will have to go to that doodle romp in Davis. I am not worried about the playfulness with my daughter and I am big on training. I would prefer a smaller one with a wavy coat and not really curly but I let me heart speak when I see pups. It is like they pick me!

Again, great to be here and thanks for the warm welcome.

Best,
Mossy[/i]

[mtd885]

I like the fact that you acknowledge the puppy should show interest in you! Too many folks fall for the solitary puppy hiding behind a bush or something (never a good choice) and the 'mothering/saviour' thing takes over. You are on the right track! Now go out and Play with some Doodles

[cissy k]

I was in the exact same place as you at the beginning of the summer. (except I was considering the LD, GD or Portuguese Water Dog). But I got very confused with all the information.

There are some awesome breeders in California who post regularly here and I think it is a GREAT idea that you attend the romp near you. The posters here are so nice and helpful and no question is too dumb....believe me, I have asked some doozies!! LOL!!

We are now the proud parents of a 15 week old Labradoodle. She is exactly what we wanted and getting the right breeder made all the difference. She was able to steer us in the right direction when we were considering her litter. She knew her pups and which one would be just right for us.

Keep reading and posting. We are glad to have you!!

[blueteal]

Welcome to Doodleland
Good luck with your choosing............
We chose a Labradoodle because we have nine cats
and needed a breed that would be able to handle other animals
really really well and for us it has worked out very well.
Lots of love , praise and training, is how we did it.......

[Mossy]

Good Sunday to all!
We have decided that we are going to go to a doddle romp and get to talk with people and see the dogs for ourselves. I think both the golden and labradoodle are great looking. We are going to take our time as we want the right fit. I love reading the posts here because it really gives me a great insight to this breed.

Again, thanks for all the replies and I really hope to meet some of you in October.

Mossy aka Jennifer

[Jac]

Very good decision and very responsible way to begin your research! Congratultions and best wishes!

[doodledash]

Well we have been so so lucky with both our dogs Freya is an F1 labradoodle but very bouncing maybe too bouncy for a young child.
Well then we have Elmo The Bear a huge gentle giant of a dog 70lb plus and still growing a F1 Goldendoodle a real teddy bear.
Elmo is 9 months old and has been this gentle since we got him at 14 weeks but i cannot speak for others on the Goldendoodle's just on Elmo as i think he is unique.
Hope this helps a little good luck with your doodle search

This is Elmo


This is Freya

[Jac]

Elmo and Freya are both just adorable!

I mentioned to Jennifer that it isn't so much the breed but the parents...and the breeder can usually tell which pup will take after which parent. For instance, in our litters, the same parents mind you, we get intelligent, wild, escape artists that are always looking for trouble and we get the big, quiet, sweethearts that sigh when you pick them up for cuddles...the smart, wild ones usually take after their mother (both Goldendoodle and Labradoodle) and the big, quiet snuggle baby is almost always like Chase, the mellow sweetheart of a daddy.
So...in our case it doesn't matter which breed the mother is, we get mellow, gentle dogs because of the daddy. I would be able to find both kinds and some in between from every litter, Goldendoodle or Labradoodle (or NAR for that matter!)