The Benefits of Rescuing a Labradoodle

When the time comes to bring a labradoodle into your home, think about adopting your new pet from a rescue shelter. Many people are under the misconception that rescue dogs are hard work or have behavioral issues, but this usually isn’t the case. There are a whole range of benefits to adopting a rescue doodle in comparison to buying a puppy from a breeder. Ask your local shelter to contact you when any labradoodles come in, or look out for a specialist breed rescue.

You Get a Dog Who Fits Your Lifestyle

When you get a puppy, you have no idea whether or not that dog is going to fit in with your day to day life when he grows up. At a shelter, the staff will be very careful to match you with a dog who is going to be suitable for you. These staff have spent months, or sometimes even years, with the dogs in their care and know what kind of household they’ll fit in with. You’ll have to let the staff know about your routine, whether you have kids or other pets, and other such information, and they’ll make sure you find a pooch who is right for you.

Your Dog May Already be Trained

While some people believe that rescue dogs are all badly behaved, which is why they’re up for adoption, many dogs end up in this situation through no fault of their own. The dog’s previous owner may have had to give him up due to illness, a move to a home that doesn’t allow pets, losing a job, or any number of other reasons. An older labradoodle from a shelter is likely to already be socialized, housebroken and trained to follow simple commands.

Size and Age Are up to You

You may not want to adopt because you have your heart set on taking home a tiny doodle puppy. Well, there’s still the chance this could happen. A surprising amount of puppies end up in shelters, so you may still have the chance to adopt a young pup. However, older dogs are often a lot easier to get along with, as they don’t require so much training and close attention. Size can also be an issue. Labradoodles come in three size ranges: miniature, medium and standard. The problem is that since these dogs are a hybrid breed, their traits aren’t precisely set. So, for instance, if you get a puppy who is meant to be a miniature, he may end up growing much much larger. If you know you want a dog of a particular size, your best bet is to rescue one who is already fully grown so there’ll be no surprises!

You’re Helping Out Animals in Need

When you rescue a labradoodle, not only are you giving him a loving home, you’re freeing up a space in a shelter for another dog who needs to be taken in. Dog rescue shelters are often under funded and over crowded, so you’re doing a great thing to help unfortunate dogs but rescuing a doodle instead of going to a breeder.

You’re Not Contributing to Animal Overpopulation

It’s no secret that there are many unwanted dogs in the United States, not to mention the rest of the world, so why do we keep on breeding them? Sadly, thousands of dogs get euthanized every year because nobody can offer them a home. While there are some wonderful, reputable breeders who do all the right health checks and ensure their pups go to good homes, far more dodgy backyard breeders exist, who are usually only in it for a quick buck. By rescuing a dog, you’re not contributing to canine overpopulation.

You’ll Save Some Money

Although most shelters ask for a donation when you adopt a dog, this can sometimes be waived if you can’t afford it and is a far smaller amount than you would pay to buy a labradoodle from a breeder. What’s more, shelters will almost always spay or neuter your new dog, which will save you money in the long run. If the dog you adopt has an existing medical condition, some shelters will agree to pay all future vets bills relating to this condition.

Photo credit: Jeremy Taylor/Flickr

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