This is really upsets me to see these kinds of responses pertaining to doodles. All breeds had to start somewhere. Most of the well known breeds today are actually a combination of 3 different breeds, some that are no longer around. Personally I'd prefer there not be a standard done on labradoodles or goldendoodles simply because of what happens to the breeds that are "AKC" out there.
OP, please check out
www.doodlekisses.com you'll be able to find out information you're looking for there without being judged.
There is a HUGE difference between breeding towards a goal and just rutting any old poodle available to any old golden or lab or cocker or whatever and throwing doodle at the end.
You are right that most breeds are a combo of others. But that is where any similarity stops.
In order to create a new breed, you first have to have a vision and a goal. Then, extremely careful selection has to be made with every breeding, with copious documentation kept, in order to continue to become closer to the goal. Litters are evaluated and then it takes huge knowledge and careful research to choose the dogs who will best add the qualities of the breed you are trying to achieve.
It takes many years of extremely careful, selective breeding by very knowledgeable dog people to create a new breed.
None of this is being done by the doodle mills.
Everybody and their brother breeding a poodle to the neighbors' dog down the street and adding doodle to the end is nothing more than a very expensive mutt, designed specifically to suck money out of gullible buyers. You want a mixed breed dog, look on petfinder or go to your local shelter. They are filled with mixed breed dogs. Give it your own fancy designer name. Don't fall for the scam of paying big bucks for a mixed breed dog just because somebody was clever enough to realize that "doodle" sounded like it would bring in more money than "mutt".
There is absolutely no way any kind of doodle is anything more than a mixed breed dog. It is NOT and never will be a breed of any type.
The reason there are so many health and genetic problems being seen in the doodles is that no reputable poodle, golden, or lab breeder would EVER allow their extremely well bred dogs, ones that are screened and tested regularly for genetic problems, be used to create mutts.
So, this leaves the doodle breeders with backyard dogs and puppymill dogs as their foundation stock.
And when you breed two poorly bred dogs together, ones that are carrying all sorts of genetic crap, you are are going to get a poorly bred dog, no matter how much one argues hybrid vigor.
IF the OP is bound and determined to throw her hard earned money at a mutt, then absolutely make sure that you research the genetic diseases of both the poodle and the lab and make sure that the breeder has done testing for these on both parents.
At the very bare minimum, the "breeders" should be able to show you the results for cerf, hips, elbows and cardiac.
Real story: friend of ours wanted one. Went to a "breeder". Fell for the hybrid vigor/intentional hybrid schtick. Paid $1500 for the mutt. Puppy is 10 months old and due to parents not being screened, puppy has so many issues that the vet estimates the vet bills will be over $7500 over the next year. Dog needs several surgeries and a lifetime of expensive meds.
You will get a far less expensive and far better quality dog from a reputable breeder if you go with the poodle or the labrador or golden. AND you will have the peace of mind of knowing what traits, what kind of temperament and what your dog will look like when they are adults.
. It had the long hair of a sheepdog but it was curly.
Just make sure they are a clean kennel, doing all the necessary tests available for each breed, and try to see the parents. I am a firm believer ALL dogs need a home, not just the ones in the pound. Just because it's a new or designer breed, doesn't automatically peg the breeder as a backyard breeder or puppy mill.
