I Know This Has Probably Been Done To Death...

[mowgliandme]

The thing that always comes up in these discussions on DOL is the bias of people who just don't like them and say they are ALL stupid, rude, ugly, untrained etc etc.

As you can see just from the few examples given in this thread, they are not ALL like anything, any more than any other type of dog are ALL like anything.

I agree with all the reasons already given for their popularity and the fact is they aren't going away so there's no point getting mad about them. I wish the focus could be on trying to ensure they are bred and sold in a healthy, happy and responsible way rather than on just saying none of them should ever exist.

And yes, I do have one. He was my first ever dog and I got him because I knew someone else with same mix and he was a great little dog. I didn't know much about dogs at the time but fortunately he has turned out great. At 7 he has had no health issues, is obedience and agility trained, is super adaptable, great with people and dogs of all sizes and even patiently continues to let me use him as a training tool for my 30kg foster dog who he is well aware wants to kill him (that sounds awful but it's carefully controlled).

I second this too :) i have one too (cobberdog/multigeneration australian labradoodle/and i'm not fussed if you call her a mutt/anything else for that matter!)

and i don't believe anyone could describe her as stupid or untrained or nutty

I spent at least 5 months researching breeds and and 4 months researching and contacting breeders (i exposed a few puppy farms while i was at it too)

There are breeders out there who are breeding for the betterment of that "type of dog"/breed (even though its not an official one) just like some purebreed breeders.

They also health test extensively, socialise the puppies, do ENS, arent puppy farms, take into account temperament before breeding and choosing a home for a puppy, will rehome the puppy if the owner cant take care of it, really care about which homes their puppies go to and provide a lifetime of ongoing support as well as genetic guarantee. etc.

[juice]

I havnt met one crossed with a lab , only small ones , and apricot seems to be the rage here .

I find it amazing people will part with at least $2000 for a mongrel , although they seem to think they have a purebred "cavoodle" ????

Can't argue with stupid .

[Simply Grand]

Apricot was one of my criteria when searching for my small (non-cavoodle) poodle x, funnily enough. I didn't want white and didn't want the fading that comes with the darker colours as they age. Yep, superficial, but something I was willing to search and wait for. I also wanted, and got, a blue merle purebred Australian Shepherd, because it looks pretty, there aren't any temp or health differences in the colours (other than double merles).

Would I get another oodle? No, because now I know more I know that I got lucky with Saxon's health, size and temp being what I hoped for and there is far from any guarantee I'd get the same again. I know plenty of people who thought they were getting one thing and ended with something else, although they still love their dogs. Would I get another predictable sized, predictable coated, predictable to a degree temperament, carefully bred from health tested parents, dog like him (say a small Cobberdog), absolutely!

[poochmad]

Well she has now revealed that in her yuppy area in Adelaide, 5 of her friends have one and rave about them She bought the pup from someone who seems to be doing the right things (and yes, I agree there are people trying to do the right thing.

So even though I gave her multiple dogs to choose from, she went with what her friends have...sigh...

She also now calls it the pure x breed.

Which is a start. I'm a pure dog person through and through so have trouble being 'excited'.

[Simply Grand]

poochmad, I do totally agree with you about the whole designer name/calling them a breed thing! Total false marketing and misleading (for unpedigreed, unpredictable crosses). And I agree the prices are ridiculous, unless health testing and careful raising are done. For the record, I paid $550 for my oodle 7 years ago and $1000 for each of my pure breds 5.5 and 5 years ago. All three were chipped, vaccinated and came with a puppy pack of info and food.

Edited December 7, 2016 by Simply Grand

[westiemum]

I recognise times are changing, particularly in the many years since I proposed on DOL that doodle cross-breeders needed to be regulated under the same umbrella as purebred breeders given the jeanie was well and truly out of the bottle and I got completely howled down (yes folks that was me about 8 years ago!). I also know there may be a time when doodles are recognised breeds bred by responsible breeders. But that time is not now. And while there might be some responsible doodle cross-breeders it it is not a recognised breed now, nor will it be in the foreseeable future.

For me the problem remains - the more popular these cross breeds become the more unethical people will want to make a quick buck and damn the cross breeding results or the puppy factory/industry of misery behind them, regardless of what any responsible cross-breeder does. And yes I would be interested to know how many of these doodle owners who bought from petshops and puppy farms have actually viewed the conditions the parents of these cross-breeds are kept in

On a personal level, my poor old wobbly Sarah couldn't even quietly sniff around the dog park, minding her own business last Monday afternoon without getting bowled over by one of these stupid 'globs' of dogs. Other dogs at the dog park introduced themselves well - except the 'glob' of course with its clueless owner.

So my name is westiemum and I do not like these doodle cross breeds. I admit my bias but I also will never forgive how my Andy and departed Mac were abused and neglected breeding these 'glob' dogs for a gullible public. And until that stops... my name is westiemum and...

And yes to me they are gangly, unco and butt ugly. How anyone can look at the video that Krislin posted of the whippet and mates and then choose a noodle I'll never know.

Flame suit on...

[Simply Grand]

Yep, because staffy, husky, shepherd, border collie, shih tzu, chihuahua, kelpie, pomeranian, mastiff, dane, rottie etc etc etc mixes (note the lower case in recognition of lack of pedigree) are not bred in crap conditions and sold purely for profit!?!

The issue is dogs being treated badly, not what mix they happen to be.

Edited December 7, 2016 by Simply Grand

[westiemum]

SG happy to agree to disagree. I was using the oodle term as a generic term for so many of these cross-breeds marketed under the cross-breed marketing terms - 'pugalier' 'beagleir' etc etc. - not just the poodle crosses.

The issue is the cross breed popularity which is driving unethical people to mass breed these cross breeds purely for profit and the gullible public and damn the results or the dogs suffering behind the scenes. They do not breed to improve the cross (with I'm told a couple of exceptions). Its a demand and supply issue - if the gullible public didn't buy these cross-breeds then these unethical cross-breeders would have no demand for their 'product' and would stop.

[mowgliandme]

I doubt oodle owners really care about whether its called a labradoodle or if the cobberdog gets recognised as a breed or not – the breeders seem to care about that the most.

I also doubt that they're super interested in fancying up their dog by using a designer name, its just easy to use, its just slang and most people that ask about a dog understand what it is rather than explaining its “multiple generations of Labrador retriever and miniature poodle crosses with some spaniels in there too”

By all means hate them and consider them ugly... but I think they’ll be popular whether purebred owners hate them or not, but they are less likely to be abused dogs if there was more of a push for reputable breeders. The breeder of my puppy actually encouraged us to sign the purebreddogs.org.au petition saying that she supported their values.

Edited December 7, 2016 by mowgliandme

[westiemum]

mowgliandme I'm not following what you're trying to say in your first para.

I don't hate them - yes I dislike them. I absolutely object to the gullible public falling for spurious marketing of non-shedding (no such thing), hypo-allergenic, non-smelling etc etc dogs, then not getting what they paid for and then dumping them in pounds (or worse) for rescue to pick up the pieces. The pounds are full of these dogs. Go and look. I also absolutely object to the conditions that the mass cross-breeders keep their dogs in - my Andy and Mac were two of them. And yes I visited the puppy farm they came from. it was hell on earth .

The ones I have met time and time again are unco, bad mannered and ugly adults even if they were cute as pups - in other words 'badly bred'.

One thing we agree on is that there needs to be a distinction between unethical mass cross-breeders and the few responsible cross-breeders that I'm told are out there. And until the unethical profit-driven cross-breeders are stamped out then the problems with these dogs and their unethical marketing to the gullible public will continue who will almost always buy cheaper dogs rather than quality, almost regardless of what any responsible cross breeder does.

Edited December 7, 2016 by westiemum

[mowgliandme]

mowgliandme I'm not following what you're trying to say in your first para.

I don't hate them - yes I dislike them. I absolutely object to the gullible public falling for spurious marketing of non-shedding (no such thing), hypo-allergenic, non-smelling etc etc dogs, then not getting what they paid for and then dumping them in pounds (or worse) for rescue to pick up the pieces. The pounds are full of these dogs. Go and look. I also absolutely object to the conditions that the mass cross-breeders keep their dogs in - my Andy and Mac were two of them. And yes I visited the puppy farm they came from. it was hell on earth .

The ones I have met time and time again are unco, bad mannered and ugly adults even if they were cute as pups - in other words 'badly bred'.

One thing we agree on is that there needs to be a distinction between unethical mass cross-breeders and the few responsible cross-breeders that I'm told are out there. And until the unethical profit-driven cross-breeders are stamped out then the problems with these dogs and their unethical marketing to the gullible public will continue who will almost always buy cheaper dogs rather than quality, almost regardless of what any responsible cross breeder does.

I was just trying to say that most people aren't really that fussed on whether they are ever recognised as a breed or not :)

I definitely agree on the distinction needed though between those two types of breeders, i also object to the conditions that mass cross breeders keep their dogs in!

[JulesP]

I would like to know were these ethical breeders of oodles get their breeding stock from to start with.

[westiemum]

Good question Jules.

[Malamum]

I think it comes down to the simple fact that they've met lots of those kinds of dogs.

They've met them, they thought it was cute and the ones they've met are healthy and easy dogs to live with (or at least they believe that).

I really don't think it's any more complicated than that these days.

This has been my observation. I know quite a few people who have these types of dogs and I have another friend who wants one. She wants one based on all the ones she had met in real life.

I've moved recently and I actually see a lot of them out and about and although they are not the type of dog I would ever get personally I can't say they aren't pretty cute. They all seem well trained and well behaved enough and seem to have pretty good lives by getting out and about with their owners (I see a lot of them at the local cafe's and down by the lake and near the beach etc).

[chaostheory]

Most of the ones I have met have been very friendly dogs.

As someone who was recently in the process of researching and deciding what kind of dog to get and where to get one from, I found it a very difficult process.

For all the information about how wonderful pedigree dogs are there is also information regarding the health issues which is very scary and off putting for a newbie to read. I can see why people choose cross breeds if they (perhaps mistakenly) believe they will get a healthier dog.

Where I am I actually see a lot of very strange looking french bulldogs bought their trendiness for exorbitant prices from dubious places.

[curly]

And for those who want a Pocket Puppy, or Toy Cavoodle, or what looks like a perfectly common or garden variety cavoodle - the bargain price is $7000. Yep, $7000.

That why people pay ridiculous prices for 'oodles, because of superior marketing. It's a pretty website.

My cousin bought an 'oodle puppy. They went on sale at 9am. You put your name down for your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice, and if you're quick enough, you get it. Buying sight unseen from a photo.

It's much easier than buying a real poodle, when you have to convince the breeder you know what you're doing and are suitable to own the dog.

[Maddy]

I doubt oodle owners really care about whether its called a labradoodle or if the cobberdog gets recognised as a breed or not – the breeders seem to care about that the most.

I also doubt that they're super interested in fancying up their dog by using a designer name, its just easy to use, its just slang and most people that ask about a dog understand what it is rather than explaining its “multiple generations of Labrador retriever and miniature poodle crosses with some spaniels in there too”

By all means hate them and consider them ugly... but I think they’ll be popular whether purebred owners hate them or not, but they are less likely to be abused dogs if there was more of a push for reputable breeders. The breeder of my puppy actually encouraged us to sign the purebreddogs.org.au petition saying that she supported their values.

I'd disagree that the ridiculous names are just slang. "Mutt" or "mongrel" is slang, Cavoodabeagledor is the very deliberate marketing of an animal as something prestigious and exclusive, even though they're churned out in droves. Some people don't want to be seen buying "mutts" (hurrhurr) from dirty backyard breeders who call them by their breeds names (like "shitzoo cross moltese terriors") and only charge $250 each. They want their new dog gift-wrapped in shiny bullsh*t*, not picked out of a laundry basket, in someone's backyard.

*Like being hypo-allergenic and non-shedding and being born automatically great with kids, etc.

[cannibalgoldfish]

I work with a lady who is researching her next dog. She used to have a schnauzer. She was looking at a few breeds, Kerry Blues, Airdales, .. (I forget the others). She likes the larger terriers. I mentioned in passing about the Soft coated wheaten terrier. She googled them and loved what she saw. She told me she Emailed a breeder and was told the pups were $3000. She knows the rarer breeds are more expensive, but she said she really can't afford $3000 for a dog. Thing is, there is a good chance she will just end up buying a dog from the paper because it costs less.

Ok, this really has nothing to do with people getting an Oodle. But it does explain why some people shy away from getting a pedigree dog.

I'm still working on her, lol. I'm telling her to look for older retired show dogs/rehomes in the breed she wants. Not sure if it will work..

[poochmad]

Well, like it or not, she's bought one and even though she knows I disagree, I don't want to fight with her, so I will have to get on board...like providing advice about grooming, socialising, toilet training, interaction with the kids etc.

I said to my husband, we are definitely getting a Lagotto now.

[poochmad]

I should also add that the only way I'd get a mixed breed is through rescue, where the dog has been vetted and the temperament is known.

Every time I hear of someone getting an oodle, I think: ARRRRGGHHH!! And when I show them a list of breeds that are low shedding, they're like oh, I didn't know.

When I meet one of these pups, I can see the attraction. They are cute. They are calm. They have all grown up to be wonderful dogs.

The price people pay, astounds me. You paid $4000 for that???? You know you could have paid a lot less for a dog that has been bred the same way for DECADES, but it falls on deaf ears.

While people keep buying these dogs and they all seem to be, through a photo, but 'the breeder is really nice' and inside I think: ARRRRGGHHH of course they are! They want you to pay the deposit and sell their pups.

And in all fairness, the people where they are getting the pups from, are doing things I agree with. Offering lifelong support, breeding cross to cross instead of poodle to lab, desexing the pups, offering to take the pup back for ANY reason, at ANY stage of life. Using only healthy stock and providing paperwork of hip, elbow and other tests done to prove their pups are sound.

so there does seem to be people out there who are trying to do the right thing.

I think we have to face it, these dogs are here to stay.

I also know a lot about puppy farms. When I was at uni, I did a paper on them and how they are raised.

Thankfully, there seems to be a growing trend for people going the other way.

Edited December 8, 2016 by poochmad