The Labradoodle is the Perfect Dog for non Dog People

golden labradoodle

Not too long after I married my husband, a bonafide dog lover, his dog, whom he often referred to as his ‘other woman’ passed away. He was simply heartbroken. I, however, didn’t really consider myself a dog person. They seemed to shed all the time, barked, yapped and generally made more work for me than I was really prepared for. Still, he seemed so sad so I relented.

I started looking around for a breed of dog that would meet our needs. I wanted a friendly, larger dog that was known as a ‘low-shedder’ and I found the perfect solution in the Labradoodle.

My hubby was, at first, skeptical. He couldn’t imagine that a dog with a name like Labradoodle was anything other than a ‘girly’ dog. I convinced him to visit a local breeder and he changed his mind. We settle on a ‘standard’ male labradoodle whom we named Caliber. He fit the bill perfectly. Because my husband insisted on a larger dog, the male labradoodle was perfect. As full-grown adults, standard labradoodles average between 55 and 75 pounds and can reach heights of 26 inches. Caliber’s size was just right.

labradoodle

Labradoodle Temperament

We soon learned his temperament was perfect as well. Labradoodles are known for their innate intelligence and my husband found that Caliber was easily trained. In no time at all they had a large repertoire of ‘tricks’ – Caliber even ‘dances’ with him. Our Labradoodle is by far the most even-tempered dog I have ever come across.

Labradoodle Grooming

Even better, Labradoodles are known to have little to no shedding throughout the course of the year. No ‘dog bunnies’ for me to clean up! Caliber’s coat has been easy to groom. The somewhat curly nature of his fur is attractive and we have managed to get by with only two trips to the groomers each year. Our breeder also explained that the Labradoodle is one of the best breeds for anyone concerned about mild allergies. This may be due to their lack of shedding. My mother-in-law is mildly allergic to pet dander and hasn’t had any trouble with Caliber.

Dark Labradoodle

My husband and I have both been ‘sold’ on the Labradoodle. Our local breeder has told us that many dogs of this breed are used as guide or therapy dogs because of their even temperament. We specifically asked about Labradoodles and children, as we are hoping to start a family soon. Our breeder explained that while each dog is different, the Labradoodle breed is one of the best breeds for families with children because of their temperament.

While no dog could ever replace the one my husband lost, our Labradoodle Caliber has come close. He and my husband are now good companions. Instead of having ‘another woman’ to hang out with, my husband now jokes that he and Caliber need ‘guy time.’ I would suggest this breed to anyone looking for a larger dog with an even temperament or to someone suffering from mild dog allergies that still wants to enjoy a dog. As for me, I think I have finally become a dog lover and am considering getting a miniature labradoodle for my own.

Read more: The Labradoodle is the Perfect Dog for non Dog People

Designer Dog? Hybrid? Mutt? OR are Doodles the Best Kept Secret in Town?

Doodles, what are they? For hearsay, I am talking about just a Labradoodle and Goldendoodle though to-date there are numerous poodle mixes being coined as “Designer Dogs” in news articles, magazines, by pedigree breeders, and other organizations with set standard rules on form, structure, temperament, size, weight and more.

So why does the term Designer Dog ruffle a few feathers or at times denote a negative image? If you haven’t tried it, don’t knock it, walk a mile in my shoes [with a doodle on the other end of a leash], or possibly do some research. Lastly, read articles, such as mine, and see why a Doodle was originally created and how they go beyond original expectations of the first breeding back in 1988.

So why was a Doodle originally created? Simply put, to be a service dog for those that are allergy sufferers that need a dog with excellent temperament, friendliness, high intelligence, no shedding to very low shedding coat, good health, and even more. Thus comes the mixing of excellent breeds of dogs that have to-date shown good results with doing guide, service and therapy work to helping others out. With mixing a Standard Poodle with either breed, Labrador Retriever or Golden Retriever, a tendency of having a allergy friendly coat and high trainability for service work the Labradoodle and Goldendoodle began its new career to working towards helping those in need. Additionally, the ultimate result also revealed a great family dog good with children and other pets in a household. The term HYBRID VIGOR meant that in many cases the crossing of two different breeds could result in getting the best genetic mixture for a healthy dog as well.

According to canine history, in reality there is no domestic dog today that is 100% purebred. I see a few eyebrows rising and some head tilts along with a “what!” look in the crowd. Now before anyone forms any prejudices let us step back a moment and think about how many breeds came to be in present day. Could it be the infusion of breeding several types of breeds to obtain one breed of dog? YES. But my job is not to argue this point nor be a professor giving a lecture, rather my job is to tell you that my Doodles were designed just for me , they act like Mutt and Jeff at times and really are one of the best kept secrets in town. After fostering dogs for over 30 years, Doodles really are a godsend especially for those with allergies such as me and my family. And might I add one of the best dogs ever to enter my life! Okay, let’s get down to real facts: what the big secret about Doodles?

1. You have to have one living in your house to totally realize the secret. So those of you without a Doodle in your life, I am not going to easily share this secret. Instead keep reading to see if this is one time a secret isn’t meant to be kept private yet to be shared with one and all.

2. I’d love to give you my definition of what a Doodle really is and not in a technical canine Webster dictionary style sense. Okay, Doodle is an abbreviated nickname for Labradoodles and Goldendoodles. Moving right along, the next thing to portray is that a Doodle is just that. A what? Yes a Doodle! When considering what we do when we doodle, such as scribbling a drawing on a piece of paper while thinking at work, at a seminar or talking on the phone, aren’t we using our creative side? Okay there is intelligence behind a doodle as well, as some type of thought goes into a designed doodle on a piece of paper. At that moment aren’t we trying to relax too? To this day I remember the Spyrograph where doodle drawings were made with enthusiasm by kids of all ages, sometimes adults got into the act. So normally when one thinks of the word “doodle” it conveys a happy, silly, maybe even goofy yet creative moment that later can evoke laughter or a an appreciation of a spontaneous creation and possibly just being yourself. Getting back to a “Doodle” in the canine sense.

3. A Doodle has a beautiful, sweet temperament, with many creative and comical antics along with great intelligence. These Doodle dogs do go through many stages as any other breed of dog, however with a bit of twist to it at times. What do I mean by this? Well, if you keep reading I will reveal to you what I and others that have these Doodle dogs really are a hybrid of laughter, love, and much more. Doodles originally designed aka bred to create a wonderful guide/service/and/or therapy dog back in 1988 that somehow got noticed as being also a great family pet and companion in life.

4. My Doodles do guide me to their food bowl when hungry, or to their water dish when empty. They provide me with excellent butler service: announcing the arrival of visitors at our door by loudly barking, lick up all crumbs under the dining room table better than any vacuum I’ve had to-date, will eagerly clean plates when asked, pick up any clothes especially socks lying on the floor. However I have yet to teach them how to push the buttons to activat
e the dishwasher, serve me afternoon tea, or ring a bell when dinner is ready. The therapy I obtain from my doodles is better than lying on a couch and talking to some therapist for $80 or more an hour. Rather, I talk to my doodles daily for FREE; they listen intently, and afterwards give lots of kisses. They also provide unconditional love 24/7 unless they are asleep, snoring louder than my dear fiancé, Dave.

5. Doodles have an unbelievable nimble agility to their movements when running, jumping, and even wrestling with each other. At times they can easily jump over our legs resting on a coffee table; sail through the air sideways at eye level yet when watching something of this nature their movements can be as graceful as a ballerina. Yet I have to admit while their paws barely touch the ground as if there were layer of air supporting them as they glide and prance about the house, there are times that surprise you with sounds of teeth clicking wars. Getting a picture of this in motion makes them almost look ferocious as a lion on a food hunt. But to this day, my doodles have yet to break or knock anything over other than pull out an electrical cord that manages to get in their way. Simply put, it’s almost like these doodles study the layout of your home, have a mental blueprint image in their head and can run faster than a speeding bullet missing all breakables, jumping over chairs with ease and elegance, but come to a swift, silent screeching halt if food is being prepared in the kitchen.

6. Training a doodle is done with positive reinforcement, a soft voice with gentle correction, much praise and very few treats. I tried treat training my doodles when little puppies at potty time outside. That ended on the first day when Max faked pooping and peeing just to get a treat. Back to basics to training Max with love, praise, hugs and acting like I had a winning Lotto ticket when he did “business” outside. Peanut, my other doodle, took a bit longer as she knows how to do something but would rather find just the right spot which can take numerous paces, sniffs, and about 15 minutes or more at times. Regardless, they train easily if given enough attention and love.

7. Doodles love having a task to do and learning ‘words’ or sentences. Maybe it’s a game to us but to them it is serious business to be devoured like a great mouth watering Thanksgiving dinner. They sometimes as puppies start out as the class clown in obedience training yet seem to rise to the head of the class after they’re done socializing and pushing your buttons. As they mature, Doodles have a way of sensing depression/sadness, illness, stress, injury and will lie faithfully by your side offering both their companionship and assistance when possible. How so? Maybe I should say SOME Doodles are like this but for me I have witnessed our Max assist my daughter when she had knee surgery and offer support by leaning into her good leg and waiting for her to rest her hand on Max’s back for support. I have also seen Max run and break my fall once when I was running a high fever and was very unsteady. I was falling face first into the coffee table but somehow Max managed to have me fall on top of him instead. Maybe to some these are silly examples, but for me and others that have Doodles we have all at one time or another seen and felt their instinctual caring helping and loving ways in times of need.

8. I may joke around much about Doodles comical antics yet there is intelligence behind their attention getting ways. Or as some say, “a method to their madness”. Peanut, a goldendoodle in reality, is now called our Golden Pocket Theiver. My son has more homework eaten and been corrected for leaving his homework out where a doodle can find it. But my son didn’t leave his homework out! His homework was safe and sound or so we thought till we discovered Peanut unzipping his book bag and politely teasing out papers that just happened to be a 3 day project he just completed. This past winter somehow the receipts I need for my taxes were ending up inside the roof of Peanut’s mouth as that is the first place we now check when she wears a Cheshire cat smile. What happened is Dave and I both one night watched in disbelief as Peanut would walk around our dining room table, sniffing each pocket on the coats that we place on our chairs. We were in shock as Peanut, the cute little princess that she is at 55 lbs and 22in tall, every so gently uses those tiny front little teeth to quickly unzip our pockets and in about 2 seconds flat either inhales or licks or teases out a receipt. If caught, she blinks those soulful eyes while picking up one of her toys and feigns complete innocence. In our house the “Black Hole” truly exists as this is where her thievery stash is kept: inside her mouth behind a toy she’s supposed to play with. If you ask me, that takes a certain amount of intelligence and dexterity.

9. I could probably list more than 50 reasons of why Doodles are a hybrid dog designed to be the best kept secret in town. For my family, friends, and myself or should I say anyone who lets any doodle into their homes and heart no longer will try to classify this type of dog and as time goes by is affected less by adamant remarks as to a Doodle is less than other kinds of breeds of dogs presently classified according to strict standards. Most doodle owners are strict about the standard of living their Doodle receives, realizing they are a “people” dog needing to be part of their family. And come to think of it, what dog doesn’t deserve that as well as need it: to be loved as part of the family. So while all opinions and articles will have differing views, my view is that I could not, nor would not turn back the hands of time before I had Doodles. Yes a Doodle, or any dog for that matter, will take up your time, test your ability to laugh when they’re sitting with a $20 bill have eaten in their mouth, perhaps may taste a sock or shoe, need vet visits, feeding schedules and more. Then again what you receive in return money cannot buy: unconditional love from a Doodle that teaches you how to live a fuller life, take time to stop and smell the roses, laugh more often and enjoy those you love. In my case, my Doodles are included as being a part of my family and shared with my closest of friends.

Read more: Designer Dog? Hybrid? Mutt? OR are Doodles the Best Kept Secret in Town?