To not understand the obsession with ‘doodle’ breeds

[CherryValley5]

Eg: labradoodles, cockapoos etc.

They are absolutely everywhere! Why are people actively seeking out and paying pedigree prices for dogs that are effectively mongrels? Behavioural problems are all too common, not to mention hereditary health issues due to poor and unethical breeding - I am a dog owner and the vast majority of doodles, ‘poo’ breeds etc that I meet are incredibly hyperactive, with owners who have no clue how to deal with them. Obviously there are exceptions, some are lovely but as a rule of thumb they’re dogs that I tend to cross the street to get mine away from.

The breeder who created the labradoodle calls it his ‘life’s regret’ - that speaks volumes in my opinion!

It was another poster that mentioned them. She has an actual pyrenean mountain dog. Yes, they're a thing but probably much rarer than bernedoodles. Tbh, you could probably find pretty much any dog crossed with a poodle if you looked hard enough now, not always the best idea though I realise.

What makes me laugh about poodle crosses (and each to their own I guess) is that it’s seen as this new and original idea! Where as Lurchers are the original ‘cross breed’ and far superior in my mind. (Disclaimer I am massively biased).

However on a serious note whenever these threads come up people fall over themselves to say ‘my puppy definitely was NOT from a puppy farm!’ when they handed over £100’s if not £1000’s of pounds. How naive! The vast majority of poodle crosses are puppy farmed (no they are not a friends of a friends dog that accidentally got pregnant just this one time) or in the least worse case scenario they are a ‘family pet’ who is over bread to make the family a bit of money.

Just to add, I've been asked if my poodle/retriever cross is an old English sheepdog (bit odd as she's red) and a Leonberger before 😂 Mostly they ask if she's a Highland cow though! I think people see big dogs and just name one of the few large breed dogs they've heard of. Interestingly, most are surprised to hear she's mostly poodle!

You're probably right and that in itself is a worry. Pyreneans are one of the heaviest shedders in the dog world and very far from being hypoallergenic. Marketing them as a low shedding cross would be totally misleading and lead to even more being dumped in rescue when the first heavy moult occurs.

Highland Cow 😆😂😄

Most doodle owners don't think their dogs are superior... I really don't know why people have that impression. When I'm asked what breeds my dog is, I tell them then usually add "so basically she's an expensive mutt" and laugh. I'm under no illusion I have a purebred or some made up breed with a silly name.

I haven't fallen over myself to announce my dog isn't from a puppy farm. I have said she isn't, as repeatedly on here it's been stated that ALL doodles are from farms/dodgy breeders. Of course I'm going to say mine isn't, or do you expect me to lie?!

I just finish their sentence now, they always start "oh she looks just like a... " then hesitate as though they're going to offend me (or her!). One day I'll be tempted to play along and be enraged they've compared my prized pooch to a heifer 😂😂

I’d never buy from a puppy farm. As my post said, I would rescue one. Please stop trying to twist my words. You’re trying to paint me as very naive.

I live in Northern Ireland. Puppy farming in ROI is very lucrative, hence puppies being smuggled across the border, destined for the rest of the UK is a practically daily occurrence. They get seized by customs and end up in our already overflowing rescue centres - every spring you’ll typically see entire litters of purebred pups like GRs etc.

They don't all have a short lifespan.

All mine have been purebred Pyreneans with French bloodlines. I've had two girls get to 12 years and 6 months, my other girl was still very active at 11.5 but sadly got Pyometra and we lost her. Two of my boys were 10 years and a few months. Sadly I lost one at just under 8 years old with a vaccine reaction and one at age 4 with epilepsy.

Giant breed dogs don't all keel over at 5 despite what the anti-pedigree dog folks would have you believe. I've known Pyreneans get to 13 or 14 and I know someone whose Newfoundland reached 13 also. Anatolians can live even longer than that.

That's a relief then. Not twisting your words but that's what your post implied.

I think a large proportion of them have been bought because of the ‘no shedding’ belief and because they look cute in terms of the Cockapoo but I don’t think by experienced owners - more those who think they’ll make a good family pet for the average busy family that don’t really do a lot with the dog (training, stimulating, meaningful walks etc). I’m sure there’s a whole host of people who own them responsibly however and give them lots of what they need.

All of the ones I’ve seen pull like trains on a lead, go manic the second you walk near them and make a range of awful noises from high pitched barks to shrieks or have no recall. A puppy near us had to be PTS recently because a woman allowed her out of control Cockapoo to manically approach and then chase the scared puppy, off lead with no recall, who ran onto a road and was hit by a car.

I admit I’m a bit of a breed snob and have a few Labs; think it’s a bit silly to ‘ruin’ them with a Poodle (which I really dislike as my grandparents had a few throughout my life who were all awful 😂) but that’s my personal choice and I can’t really bash people just for their choice of dog. The owner has a lot to do with the experiences others have of their dog.

@CellophaneFlower my poodle mix also used to have the look of a highland cow 🤣

He struggled with all the grooming though, which in turn meant I would get overly anxious about the usual mud and water that could come with our walks.

The very last thing I was going to allow to happen was for him to get matting, so after about a year of this we went for a good old shave and we haven't looked back since. We're both much happier for it....although I still don't allow stream dips until around mid way between grooms 🤣

That's good to know. The first thing I did when checking out breeds (contrary to what some would believe, I didn't choose a doodle as it's the latest fad) was look at life expectancy. I would never use it to sway people from getting a pedigree dog. Most people go for smaller breeds anyway, which do live longer in general

Mine hasn't been professionally groomed yet, but she will be before the heat next year. She would matt terribly if I didn't keep on top of it. She did struggle with the heat this year and I contacted a load of groomers who all refused to scissor cut her and would only use clippers. I was going to attempt it myself, but I've already given her a dodgy fringe so I'm a bit scared to 😳

Just to add, she's a bit of a princess with mud and dirty puddles and will walk round the edge 😆

Ah, we're every 6 weeks without fail - costs me a bloody fortune!

If he was happy with all the daily brushing I would have kept him longer, but he really didn't enjoy it, so (again - contrary to what some love to say about poodle mix owners) regardless of how gorgeous he looked, practical won.

I have a good relationship with my groomer (which, if this thread was to be believed is impossible, because they all hate us) and contacted her to arrange his first appointment before I'd collected him. I don't actually don't like the more common 'doodle' cut so we worked out how we could avoid that without him looking like he'd had a hack job. I'd quite like him closer on his snout, poodle style, but she's said it wouldn't work well with his head shape.

I'm so glad yours is more happy to be pampered 🤣

I think most doodle owners keep theirs quite short. I also don't think groomers hate them as they're probably where most of their business comes from!

Leave his snout alone!!! 🤣🤣 Mine has a wonderful 'tache and beard. The beard is also useful to hold on to when I'm cutting her fringe 😂 I wouldn't say being groomed is her favourite thing in the world but I do it when she's passed out relaxed and when she's had enough and moves I leave her. I really do need to sort her fringe though as she looks like Tina Turner currently 🙈

To be fair, people like us, who do in depth research on a breed and its health have different priorities though. The average pet owner puts size or appearance ahead of anything else, hence all the free ads by backyard breeders here there and everywhere. People mostly have an idea if they want a small, medium or large dog and the rest is just down to it having the right look. Most wouldn't have a clue about Westies being able to get to 18 or Wolfhounds being old by 6, they don't know about dysplasia, entropion and bloat or that there are heart issues in certain breeds, they just want a puppy. And those people, largely, are the ones supporting puppy farms and whose dogs end up in rescue with problems.

Yes! PMD always walk around mud and puddles too; they loathe having wet or dirty feet!

Agreed. I researched so many breeds for a good few years before deciding on one. Then spent another year looking for the right litter. I knew I'd never be able to rehome a dog if it turned out not to be right for us as a family, so wanted to be as sure as I could that I'd get the dog I wanted.

Most dog owners I know, decide they want a dog and have one within a month. This includes people with purebreeds. Mostly it works out for them but I'm always shocked by how little they actually know about the breed they chose. It usually ends up with me telling them all about them and I've never even owned one 😂

I have been known to enjoy a puddle or 2 in my wellies 😳 so when I walk through, she goes round the edge and I swear she looks at me like I'm the most disgusting weirdo she's ever encountered 🫣

Very true. I looked into dog breeds for ages before choosing a bernese. Went to Discover Dogs and looked at all kinds. And then I know several people who took sprocker spaniel pups because someone they know had a litter without remotely considering how much stimulation they need. People are always asking me if I have a big house as we have 2 adult bernese, but they barely move about the house. People really don't understand breed traits or think they are relevant.

I agree, that is a shocker, people who don't know what their own breed is for or anything about its history. Again, it's another factor in dogs ending up in rescue. It's vital to know whether your pup is likely to hunt or herd or guard, it can make all the difference as to how you go about training it, and yet so many dog owners haven't a clue. You see that on here, in The Doghouse threads, all the time. Sometimes, sadly, it's obvious that people have chosen completely the wrong breed for their lifestyle. I was lucky; my Dad got it right for us when I was 13 and I've stuck with the same breed. But I know it's not that simple for everyone.

I get the big house question as well. We had three Pyreneans here for many years but we only live in a 3 bed end of terrace with quite a small garden. We are lucky enough to be on the edge of moorland though and we have a nature reserve within 10 minutes walk so we do fine.

As with Bernese, the Pyreneans are very calm at home, they'll just lie quietly in house or garden and as long as we're here to be their flock, they are very content and not much trouble. Downsides; heavy moulting and deafening bark.

We live in a semi in sw London! We are right next to extensive woods, a big recreation ground, Richmond Park....the dogs have plenty of space. They like the rec best unfortunately- not my favourite but so many dogs use it, it's great for sniffs.