Puppy

[HGD24]

I have pet allergies and it's my understanding that allergies have to do with dander, not the fur that is shed. The fur can carry the dander, but the dander also falls off and ends up on furniture, carpets, walls, clothing, etc.

Check out this site for more info on pet allergies:
http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=18&cont=236

OP - I'm assuming the Australian part of this dog is an Australian Shepard?

If so, we have an Aussie and while we LOVE her to death and can't imagine our lives without such a loyal, loving dog, she sheds like crazy. As others here have pointed out, you'd be mixing a sheding dog with a possible non-shedding dog and you could end up with a shedder. Be prepared to deal with lots of fur all over the house! Also, they aren't called "bossy Aussies" for nothing. Our girl can be quite bossy if we let her (which we don't - thanks to obedience classes!). They are herding dogs and like to be in charge and they NEED a job or else they will think up one on their own - likely a job that you don't approve of (like chewing furniture, shoes & counter surfing)

There are many hypoallergenic breeds as another pp pointed out. Check out this link to the AKC for a list of dogs that would be good for people with allergies.

http://www.akc.org/about/faq_allergies.cfm

 

[SarahKate]

I agree with the other posters that you never know how the shedding is going to be because maybe they take more after the shedding parent than the non-shedding parent.

If you are open to other breeds, we got a Shih Tzu in March and just LOVE him. He does not shed. My husband has allergies and so far has had no issues at all. It's wonderful not having hair on our clothes and on furniture.

They get to be about 15 pounds so smaller than what you're looking at.

He's a great dog, and is super smart. The only thing I'd say about the breed is that they can be a little on the stubborn side.....but I'm currently training our little guy and he is doing beautifully.

 

[SarahKate]

Oh yeah, and I meant to also suggest having your family spend a little time around the pups if at all possible and see how your DH does. Any reputable breeder will allow you to do that.

 

[Fortune1211]

First of all I'd like to point out that all the known breeds today were at one time a "mutt", some breeds have been 2 or 3 breeds together to make todays breed of dog!

Ok now that I got that out of the way, we actually just got a labradoodle on Sunday and she's freaking adorable! We didn't get a labradoodle because of allergies or the shedding factor but because we wanted the best of both breeds. The breeder we got our puppy from actually "picked" our puppy for us, we told her what we wanted tempermeant wise and coat wise and so far we're very happy with her.

The Australian part simply means that the dogs came from Australia blood lines where the labradoodles were first bred, ours is not an Australian labradoodle. Good luck with finding your new best friend!

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

First of all I'd like to point out that all the known breeds today were at one time a "mutt", some breeds have been 2 or 3 breeds together to make todays breed of dog!

!

Yes, this is true. But alot of research went into breeding different dogs together to create another breed.

Not just throwing 2 breeds together, charging thousands of dollars and making up a name for it, then claiming these dogs are hypoallergenic.

Sorry but this whole designer dog thing really irks me as you can tell.

If you want to pay thousands of dollars for a mutt that is certainly your right, but no matter what kind of dog you get , research people. Don't go by word of mouth or what one so called breeder told you.

Get information, read and then get more information and read some more. Remember a dog is for life.

 

[kacaju]

Yes, this is true. But alot of research went into breeding different dogs together to create another breed.

Not just throwing 2 breeds together, charging thousands of dollars and making up a name for it, then claiming these dogs are hypoallergenic.

Sorry but this whole designer dog thing really irks me as you can tell.

If you want to pay thousands of dollars for a mutt that is certainly your right, but no matter what kind of dog you get , research people. Don't go by word of mouth or what one so called breeder told you.

Get information, read and then get more information and read some more. Remember a dog is for life.

I agree!!

 

[jrmasm]

but because we wanted the best of both breeds.

You are just as likely to end up with the worst of both breeds.

 

[Fortune1211]

Yes, this is true. But alot of research went into breeding different dogs together to create another breed.

Not just throwing 2 breeds together, charging thousands of dollars and making up a name for it, then claiming these dogs are hypoallergenic.

Sorry but this whole designer dog thing really irks me as you can tell.

If you want to pay thousands of dollars for a mutt that is certainly your right, but no matter what kind of dog you get , research people. Don't go by word of mouth or what one so called breeder told you.

Get information, read and then get more information and read some more. Remember a dog is for life.

I must have missed reading something regarding the "designer" dog, she's not going to be going around wearing Prada or something! No where did the breeder we got our puppy mention anything about her being designer.

And I agree that you can get the worst of both breeds but honestly it's not like we're talking about a pit/rottie mix ok. Both a lab and poodle (or golden and poodle) are intelligent breeds that are ideal for families. I didn't want to deal with the shedding of a lab nor did I want to deal with the constant grooming of a poodle. We got our puppy from a breeder who has been breeding doodles for a number of years but bred labs prior so we felt very comfortable with their knowledge as well as the for the care they gave their animals.

OP, if you are looking for a hypo-allergenic dog there really is no guarantee with any breed. Maybe you can find a local breeder or someone who has one and take your family to visit and see how you all react. GL in your journey!

 

[kacaju]

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/designerdogs.htm

 

[ma2jr]

Maybe contact rescues in you area (link below) and ask to foster a homeless dog. This way you can help a dog all the while seeing if any issues come up with the breed. Just a thought...

www.petfinder.com

 

[Terapin]

We have a standard poodle and really like the breed. I was told that she would require a lot of grooming, but her coat doesn't matt and shush, don't tell, we don't brush her at all. We get her professionally bathed or groomed every 6-8 weeks and that's all. I know, I'm bad. But she stays in good shape (no matts ever) and I have three kids to also groom!

She is not what I would classify as an active dog. She runs around with the kids in the backyard, then lazes around all day. She is queen of the floor, actually. She's 4. She house-trained quickly, and learned some commands. We also get her groomed in just a puppy cut - no one can guess her breed. She is very good with the kids, a bit food-obsessed, and a good guard dog. She has a fierce and louddddddd bark.

My dp is very allergic to dogs and as long as the dog is recently washed and doesn't smell too doggy, he's ok with her, even in confined spaces. But we don't allow the dog upstairs to the bedroom areas, or the basement where his office is. She has free run of the main floor, and that seems to strike the right balance for my dog-disliking husband and my dog-liking nature.

My dad breeds labradoodles and goldendoodles, and we still decided to go with a standard poodle because of the risk of the hair/fur issue. Our purebred poodle was also cheaper than his run-of-the-mill mixed breed.

 

[StitchyPoo81]

I am a dog groomer and I know alot about the doodles. The GoldenDoodles are not suppose to shed. The Labradoodles may shed depending on the coat they have. The wire coat do shed and the fluffy poodle type coat does not. But no matter what you get you will end up shaving the dog. I always shave them people try so hard to keep them long and they get very matted and fast that they have no choice but shaving. Both breeds of doodles are great family dogs. We are going to be gettting a Labradoodle

 

[rottiemom]

I must have missed reading something regarding the "designer" dog, she's not going to be going around wearing Prada or something! No where did the breeder we got our puppy mention anything about her being designer.

"Designer dogs" is a term I've heard used for mixes purposely bred for their cute names. It's pretty common. The Prada collar is optional .

So far I've seen labradoodles, goldendoodles, cockapoos, muggins (pug/min pin...seriously), malti-poos and even doxie-poos. But you can always pick up a bargain basement designer dog knock off at a shelter & make up your own cute name for it . What infuriates me is that these dogs are coming from puppy mills...it's another way for them to make money.

And I agree that you can get the worst of both breeds but honestly it's not like we're talking about a pit/rottie mix ok.

Oh dear .

You weren't....stereotyping...breeds, were you? My husband had a standard poodle launch itself out of a moving car at him so that it could attack whereas the worst a rottie or pit has ever done is shed on him .

Both a lab and poodle (or golden and poodle) are intelligent breeds that are ideal for families.

So are rotties and pitties . As with any breed you need to do your research and find out what breed is right for you. This is what the OP needs to do. Maybe the Australian Laboradoodle will turn out to be the perfect dog for the OP? But a dog is a lifetime commitment & you need to research before you commit.

I didn't want to deal with the shedding of a lab nor did I want to deal with the constant grooming of a poodle.

This is a serious question because I'm honestly curious- so what happens when it comes to grooming your dog? If they don't shed or have to be groomed? Or does your dog just need grooming less frequently? The Bijon next door goes for a trim every 12 weeks or so, I guess that poodles need more frequent visits? I always assumed that doodles just didn't shed so they had to go to the groomer.