So hard to chose!!

gracielou · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 7:25 am Post subject:

After raising and having F1's and Multi's I would go for the Multi for the no shed factor but that's me. I'm sure which ever you pick you will love no matter.
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DaDoodle · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 8:18 am Post subject:

Wow!...hard choice for sure...they are both just darling!

I have a male Labradoodle and a female Shih-poo. My female is almost 4 and has always had an attitude...but that is one of the things I love about her. She is small and just runs the whole house.
Bailey is almost 7 months and is just oozes LOVE! Now, I have no idea if that is because he is a boy, or just because!!! He is an F1 with a fleecy wool coat that doesn't shed which is exactly what I wanted.

I am sure regardless of which puppy you choose, you & your family will have many years of joy!!!
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~~Kim & Bailey~~

Jac · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 8:22 am Post subject:

I know that it is very hard to choose, both are adorable!
I would look first to the temperament, assuming both are great, then look at the actual scores of tested parents. How good are they? If one has better hip scores, for instance, that would help me choose.
Coat quality is hard to predict at this early age. I am not certain you are looking at a fleece coat with the boy...it may well be, however fleece is not that common with an F1 and although the first picture definately looked fleece, the second picture reminded me of some of my F1Bs that get a definate "Disney" look...and often their coats become coarse and slightly shedding.
At this age, you could tell a bit about shedding...you pull gently at the coat in several places and hold your fingers to the light...any hair? If so, you will have shedding...if not, there is still a possibility, but bad shedding begins early on. (By 7 weeks I know if I have a heavy shedder.)
All puppies feel soft and fleecy...so I would take a good look at the breeder...how experienced? How is the warranty? The contract? The customer references? Does the breeder have similar puppies, from the same parents, that you could check on to see what they are like now?
Either way, you win, they are beautiful pups!
The gender issue is probably not a biggie. Most dogs accept puppies of any gender. I have heard that mixing genders is a good plan, but for us it has not been any problem at all.
There is a very good chance that the F3 will have a good coat, looks curly, so it may be a bit wiry...again, any past litters to compare with?
I say, look to your breeder...not the "memberships"...FYI, I am not big on memberships...someone declined a puppy from me because I have not sent ALAA proof of my testing...but I HAVE the testing, I just dont' feel it is important to earn the "silver or gold paw award" ... so... let that just be a very small part of the decision.
Do they show YOU the testing results? Are they good? Do you know the pedigree? Will they let you talk to their vet?
Many other ways of determining a good breeder than looking for memberships. IMHO
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seazr · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 9:37 am Post subject:

HEY!!! Morning coffee is a wonderful thing! While sipping my first cup, I came up with the PERFECT solution!! Get them BOTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Very Happy

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annabelles mom · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 9:52 am Post subject:

Good choice Diane !

I did that with my last lab babies - went looking and were only 2 left , could not leave one behind so both came home with me Laughing

I'm getting soo anxious wanting another furbaby
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Linda · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 2:49 pm Post subject:

This is a fun thread. Marty, I do believe as others have said (based on my VERY limited experience Laughing

) that male dogs are more cuddly and have less attitude. If you want an independent, non needy pup, I would choose a female. Bella is curly and I know now that I would prefer wavy. (Poor Bella, thank God she can't read or she would have a definite complex by now since I have decided I would want a wavy, male, fleece dog Laughing

) Both are adorable, but the white chested puppy wins my vote based on what we know. Now an in person visit or additional temperament info could totally change my mind! Temperament is so important!

sessa35 · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 4:28 pm Post subject:

its just my 2cents here...and a bit late a that but...

I really see NO obvious difference between the sexes--given they are spayed/neutered!!

I have owned/known/trained them all----boys with attitudes...mellow lads....girls with panache and flair....or laid-back gals.....in fact, I've never chosen a dog based on sex---I place higher importance with temperment and energy levels! Wink

(just my opinion and experience though! Wink

)

I also echo what the others have emphasized: I would concentrate on the "other" issues at hand----temperments, coat preferences, breeder, contracts, testing, etc....

GOOD LUCK!!!
Looks like you have some TOUGH decisions to make---BUT---remember, it's supposed to be fun!!!
And one last thing---its the advice that I harp on with art collectors...."Follow your GUT!!"....when you've made your decision, your heart and soul should sing with the outcome (that means you followed your gut and instinct!!)....ENJOY!! (I'm totally jealous!! Embarassed

)

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Jorja'smom · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 5:09 pm Post subject:

This has all been SO helpful!! Thank you all for your input. I greatly value your wisdom. I have decided on the little boy. Laughing

I love my Jorja so I would feel that I would get a good puppy with the little girl but I know that the testing and interaction is much greater with the little boy. This breeder also feeds the BARF diet. Previous puppies from this mom and dad have gone on to other breeders to be studs and mommies. The breeder has agreed to have him neutered before she sends him since the price is much cheaper to do it where she lives. He will be 4 months old when we get him and will have a lot of that early puppy stuff behind him. Not that I don't enjoy getting them little but since we've just gone through that with Jorja less then 2 years ago I'm excited to have him a little more finished, I guess. She has agreed to keep him until we get back from California in November to welcome back our son from Iraq. This was a big deal to me since I didn't want to just get this puppy then leave him for 4-5 days. That would be painful for all. So we should be getting him around Thanksgiving. I'm excited!!!!

Now, to plan for 3 dogs in the house!! Very Happy

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Maureen · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 5:18 pm Post subject:

isn't it great to have a good vs. good choice?
If that's the case, how about looking at timing? Do you want a puppy NOW?

I know the girl is worth waiting for, but the 2mos. age difference - does it make a difference to you in any way? Will you be home at Christmas? Any travelling over the holidays?

Is your heart just yearning for a puppy NOW?

If you can wait, then I guess you can wait!

If all things are equal, such as breeders, well-adjusted puppies, all of that, then the more shallow, or lesser factors can come into play. Coat preferences would be one of those things that could flip you one way or other, based on allergies, or not wanting grooming. Both are black, so that's equal.....
this is how we make these decisions here, so I thought I'd offer it.

By the way, living with 2 girls, 1 boy, or 3 spayed girls shouldn't make a difference. If all dogs are sexually neutral, I can't see why there would be a difference in gender.
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dixiedi · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 9:45 pm Post subject:

YIPPEE Marty Laughing

Congratulations on your up and coming new addition Very Happy

Now for a name Wink

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Di & Archie

If you want to feel rich, just count all of the things you have that money can't buy...

Maureen · Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:54 pm Post subject:

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

I think our posts sort of crossed....but that's great!
You will have SO MUCH to be thankful for, this year!

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~Maureen
LabradoodleRanch@aol.com
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Jorja'smom · Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 3:11 am Post subject:

Thanks again to every one! I told my husband I would let him name the puppy but this will take a lot of faith and trust on my part. Wink

Not sure I can do it. I kind of already have names picked out but if he names the puppy maybe he will feel more attached to the little guy right off the get go. Anyways, I would feel better having all of you help with the name. Laughing

As you can see, I trust all of you a bunch!!

I hope to get more pictures of our little guy soon and will share them with you. I'm so relieved that I don't have to take him to the vet to get snipped. Man, I hated taking Jorja to get spayed. It brought back so many difficult feelings of the last time we left our dog at that vet's office, she died. I know all of you feel the same nervousness when taking our fur babies to the vet anyways for that operation. I don't have to see him in that stupid lamp shade either. Yea!!

It will be a fun time to get this puppy then our son will be home shortly after that and can help me with the doggies. What if my son gets too attached to this puppy and wants to keep him?? Shocked

Guess, we'll cross that bridge if we come to it.

Do you think the puppy will still have puppy breath at 4 months? I sure hope so or maybe the breeder will have to bottle some for me.

Get ready for lots of pictures of my new puppy. I know none of you like to see puppy pictures so I'll really torture all of you. Smile

Marty, Anna, Jorja and ??
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Marty (Jorja and Chester's Mom)
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lisarundell · Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 5:16 am Post subject:

Congratulations on your new addition and your son coming home! Can't wait to see photos of both together. I was secretly rooting for the little boy, something about the little white toes and the spot on his chest. Toby has turned out to be such a sweet boy, naughty but sweet, I wouldn't hesitate to get another male. Not that the doodle bug would bite for a third time, I'd be living in the garage according to my husband!
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gene · Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 5:19 am Post subject:

Congrats Marty!! I'm so happy for you and your family! Let the fun begin!! Laughing

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MaxandMe · Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 10:05 am Post subject:

Wow...congrats marty!! and it seems you went with your heart.
can't wait till you post more pics of the little guy Wink

and Peanut is the 1st female i've ever had...i see differences in training with Max and Peanut both have pros and cons. Till I got peanut i'd always say pick a MALE...and to some degree i am still that way.

Females are sweet but rule the roost with their sweet wiley ways Wink

hahahhaa
Males can too but give in to females at the end hahahahhaaa

kinda like us humans? Wink

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