Puppy

[garanorymom]

We are considering getting an Australian Labradoodle. DH and DD have allergy issues. Anyone have a Labradoodle? I'd love any info or pics. Thanks.

 

[momofrrr]

I don't know anything about labradoodles but we have an Australian Shepherd puppy that was a Father's Day gift. She is our second one. The first one did not have the best disposition but this one is toooooo sweet and very smart. Just ask when you go to pick one out to see both parents. Their disposiston is a very accurate example of what your puppy will be like.

 

[deva]

Our friends have one and it is very sweet, but please know that they CAN shed - A LOT. (Our friends get theirs shaved becauses it sheds so much.) With a mixed breed like this there is always a chance you can get "the one" that has the recessive traits. I've always heard that there is really no such thing as an "allergy free" dog although dogs like standard poodles are better because they have "hair", not "fur". Granted, people with allergies may react to breeds differently so if you've been around one and DH and DD have not had a reaction then you may be OK. Just wanted to warn you that there is no guarantee you'll be shed free.

 

[StitchFanZ]

I've met one labradoodle and its a great dog. But if your daughter has allergy issues, check into a standard or miniature poodle as you have a better chance of it working due to the shedding issues with other breeds. You can get the poodles trimmed so they look like a normal dog. Standard poodles are great dogs and very active. Most love to fetch and need lots of exercise. I grew up with miniature poodles and they were clean, easy to train, and easy to take everywhere. Ours also loved to fetch. It almost always had a tennis ball in its mouth.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

You are paying big dollars for a mixed breed dog plain and simple.

The dog can get either the good traits or the bad traits from either parent. None is guaranteed. You are breeding a Lab (high shedding , high energy dog) with a poodle ( no shedding, high energy dog) . Its a crap shoot. Who knows what you'll get? And there's not a person out there who can guarantee you anything no matter what they tell you.

If allergies are a huge issue, look into a non-shedding breed, There are plenty out there.

 

[stace1214]

There's really no guarantee that a labradoodle won't shed and won't cause allergies to act up. We have a goldendoolde and purposely got one because of my husbands allergies. Luckily, she never sheds and doesn't bother his allergies one bit, but we went into this knowing that he may have had to begin allergy shots. Labradoolde's are very active, sweet dogs and from the few we know, are very smart. And of course, they are super cute too! One thing to consider with a mixed breed like a labradoodle or goldendoodle is the amount of upkeep their coat requires. Depending on what traits the dog gets from it's parents, it could need very frequent brushing and grooming. Our dog needs to be combed and brushed every other day and needs to be groomed every six weeks due to how easily her fur becomes matted. Maybe not a big deal to some people, but it gets pretty expensive and is not something we thought about when we got her.

 

[kacaju]

We are considering getting an Australian Labradoodle. DH and DD have allergy issues. Anyone have a Labradoodle? I'd love any info or pics. Thanks.

What is an *Australian* labradoodle?? Is it something *new* so these people can charge even more for a mutt??
Please, if there are allergies in the family look into a poodle

 

[lucigo]

My DH also has dog allergies, and we have been through MANY dogs, including some that are supposed to be on the hypoallergenic side. We finally have one that has worked, and it really makes no sense because she has "real" dog hair so I can't explain it. She is a mini australian shepherd, however she was the smallest of the litter and has short hair and pricked ears, and hardly even looks like what her papers say she is. Nevertheless, she is a great little dog and my husband just loves her.

 

[copwife92]

We have two standard poodles and I love them!! They are great family dogs and they don't shed at all. I don't understand why someone would pay maga bucks for a poodle mix when a purebreed is such a great dog.

 

[DISNEYNV]

Didnt know they were breeding AussieDoodles now too! I think the combo would be very cute. I had two Aussies in the past and they were just the BEST dogs ever! Smart, loyal and soooooo adorable. I wish my DH liked dogs I would consider another Aussie in a heartbeat

 

[QueenGoblin]

I have to send up some poodle love too. Standard poodles are smart, funny and great family pets. Why take the risk that your pup will get the sneezy gene when there are some really great established poodle breeders out there who have breeding their lines for generations? Poodles get a bad rap because the little ones can be yippers and they often have silly haircuts, but standards are great dogs!

Our most recent poodle addition is reddish brown and we keep his coat all one length. People are always stopping us to tell us how beautiful he is and ask what kind of dog he is. They often assume he is a "doodle" mix. He was house trained in days and is the sweetest dog you could ask for! There are other established breeds with coats that are more hair-like, for example the PWD that the Obama family owns, and many terrier breeds.

 

[bellebud]

just remember that every litter can have many different personalities in it. just because both parents are great dogs, the litter can have a shy dog, a dominant dog, a submissive dog, a razor-sharp smartie, a goofy not-so-smart one, etc. These different personalities are what make the dogs good w/ kids, not good w/ kids, watchdogs, playful or lazy, etc. Watching the litter together w/ each other is a good way to see these personalities.

we have a 1yo male goldendoodle, and a 2yo male german shephard. the goldendoodle doesn't shed, but needs to be brushed constantly or shaved to 1" or so because of matting.

i do agree w/ other posters though, that if allergies are involved, i'd go w/ a poodle or other dog that has 'hair'.

good luck deciding.

 

[Jdougherty]

You don't need to get a labordoodle to get a dog that doesn't shed, there are plenty of breeds out there that don't shed. AKC will list them, it all depends on how big of a dog your looking for. depending on how young your childern are should determine the type and temperment of the dog you get. Also think of how active you are and that should be how active your pet should be.

Personal favorite non or very lowshedders. Schnauzers(mini,standard,and Gaint), Italian Grey hounds,Grey Hounds,Basenji's

 

[kitsch4]

We have a labradoodle, and she is the sweetest dog. She is an F1b labradoodle, which means one parent is a labradoodle and the other is a poodle, so she does not shed. Here is a link to a great labradoodle website so you can get more info: www.labradoodle-dogs.net The website also has a discussion forum where you can ask questions if you are considering getting a doodle.

Here is our Lizzie with her summer 'do:

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

She is an F1b labradoodle, which means one parent is a labradoodle and the other is a poodle, so she does not shed.

Thats still no guarantee your dog will not shed. You are breeding a shedding dog with a non-shedding dog. Any trait could come out of that breeding.

 

[kitsch4]

Thats still no guarantee your dog will not shed. You are breeding a shedding dog with a non-shedding dog. Any trait could come out of that breeding.

That's true, but the OP asked for our personal experiences. That's what I posted.

 

[GISELLEROL]

Just got a miniature schnauzer a couple of months ago it is also a nonshedding dog..

 

[rottiemom]

Kitsch4- what a cuuuuutie! Look at that sweet face.

For me, I'm involved with breed rescue so I'll withold my opinion on designer mixes but if you have any allergy issues you want to make sure that you definitely have a hypoallergenic dog. So it would be best to stick with purebreds. Some great breeds have been suggested and I'd also like to mention the Bijon. Our neighbors have one and he is the sweetest little guy. Looks like a small poodle. They got him as a pup via Bijon rescue (sadly, there is a rescue for every breed of dog). He is purebred, doesn't shed, has a great temperament & is great with the kids. The mother has awful pet allergies & has no problems with this little guy.

Good luck!

 

[jaleaton]

Here's a big question for you: have your DH and child been around labradoodles, to know they won't be bothered by them? I would be cautious when picking a dog since owning a dog is an investment monetarily, as well as hard to part with after bonding has occurred.

I am allergic to dogs, and it's funny which ones bother me or not. I know people say that poodles are supposed to be better for people with allergies, but this is not the case for me. I have 2 aunts with poodles, and both give me great fits anytime I'm around them. I'm even worse with Dalmations (I mean we're talking break into hives if I come into contact with one), but fine with Border Collies for several hours, whom have long shedding hair. I've been in allergy shot therapy for over a year now, and still really don't notice a difference when I'm around animals.

Hopefully you can find the "right" dog for your family!

 

[minkydog]

You are paying big dollars for a mixed breed dog plain and simple.

The dog can get either the good traits or the bad traits from either parent. None is guaranteed. You are breeding a Lab (high shedding , high energy dog) with a poodle ( no shedding, high energy dog) . Its a crap shoot. Who knows what you'll get? And there's not a person out there who can guarantee you anything no matter what they tell you.

If allergies are a huge issue, look into a non-shedding breed, There are plenty out there.

Amen and amen. Labradoodles and Goldendoodles are mutt-dogs. Excessively expensive designer mutt-dogs.

What exactly is an "Australian" mutt-dog? Please tell me that you're NOT shipping this dog on a 27-hour flight from Australia. No no no no no....

I have a Some-Kinda-Doodle. We got him from a rescue after his breeder tossed the fullbred Standard Poodle mama dog because she accidently bred with another unknown dog(he couldn't sell the pups.) The 13 puppies were born into rescue. We paid about $100 for our mutt-dog and he was already neutered.

Minky looks very much like a Standard Poodle and we keep him groomed in a puppy cut. We were told he would be about 2-1/2 feet tall and weigh about 50-lbs. Well. He's the biggest Standard Poodle you've ever seen--3-1/2 feet tall and 80-lbs. A whole lotta dog. He's sweet as can be, and he has the personality of a Standard Poodle--aloof, gentlemanly, playful, loyal, good guard dog, loves kids. Lucky for us, he doesn't shed. However his (much larger, 110-lb!) siblings *do* shed, so there you go.

If you really want a dog that doesn't shed call a rescue group. They will be able to tell you whether the new mutt-dog sheds or not. It might take a few months to find just what you want, but it will be worth the wait--especially to the dog.