Alternative to a "groodle"

[kamuzz]

One of my colleagues is ready to buy her first dog. She looked after a friend's groodle puppy and is smitten.  After a couple of conversations on the topic (thanks for this link), she is willing to look at other dogs.

 

Her question today was: 'So what pedigree dog is like a standard groodle?'.  

 

What breed would you suggest?

- Not as big as a Golden retriever or Labrador 

- low shedding

- good with kids (she has one daughter, near the end of primary school)

 

[Rebanne]

obvious answer is a Standard Poodle

[JulesP]

Yeah standard poodle in a shaggie cut. Show the pic first and then tell your friend it is a poodle! 

[kamuzz]

She doesn't like poodles apparently. They do always seem to be "fussed" a lot, but maybe that says more about the owners!

[tdierikx]

The Standard Poodles are not like the smaller versions... much more like "regular" dogs, but they don't shed... bonus!

 

... and they look gorgeous in the "puppy" or shaggy clip.

 

T.

[kamuzz]

Like this?  http://thedogist.com/post/131715420011/razzmatazz-penny-standard-poodles-1-2-yo 

[Pjrt]

If they have their heart set on the ‘groodle’ Then make sure they find a quality breeder. There are breeders of these dogs out there that do a terrific job raising lovely companion animals. Just because they can’t be judged against a written standard doesn’t mean they can’t be judged as good dogs of sound mind and body. Of course there are exceptions, as with any type of breed, but over all, the ones I’ve met have been good companion animals. High energy silly happy dogs. 

 

As a dog groomer I’ve learned to look at the dog in front of me and not judge it against where it came from. We see standard large size groodle, many of which for some reason are like ponies, bigger than either of their origin breeds, and we see increasing numbers of ‘miniature’ groodle which are usually around Springer size.

 

I don’t think any of the Standard Poodles I’ve met have been like the groodle I’ve handled day in day out for years. Maybe it’s because we see a lot more of the designer mutts than pure breeds these days on our grooming table, but I rarely meet one I don’t like. 

 

I guess other breeds they might look at in medium ish size range would be Springers, PBGV, Tibetan Terrier, Miniature Poodle. All the other breeds I can think of in the shaggy happy family dog are large dogs 

[Dogsfevr]

Portuguese Water Dog would be the closest option 

[sandgrubber]

9 hours ago, Rebanne said:

obvious answer is a Standard Poodle

I'd guess she's liking a miniature poodle x GR (they do shed, btw).  A standard poodle is  pretty near as big as a Lab or Goldie.  The obvious suggestion is a lagotto, which I'd advise with great caution.  Expensive.  Hard to find.  Many temperament problems.

Need to know age and temperament of the children to make a recommendation.  

Edited May 24, 2018 by sandgrubber
More thoughts

[Two Best Dogs!]

I imagine the puppy’s personality and actions had a huge impact on her view. Perhaps she might like a Murray retriever? Not an ankc breed but they breed true and are Australian grown. More medium but more maintainable coat. 

 

All the usual stuff of looking looking for a responsible breeder apply. Meet the parents etc. 

 

or you could point her to the groodle rescue but they’re super popular when for adoption and super rare to surrender in first place * so that might take awhile if ever to find one that way. 

 

I cant think of any other dogs that might fulfill that particular type of look and personality without heavy compromises. 

 

Could get a smaller golden retriever?

 

* wish all dog types had that combo going for them

[Rebanne]

15 hours ago, kamuzz said:

She doesn't like poodles apparently. They do always seem to be "fussed" a lot, but maybe that says more about the owners!

yet she is happy to get a poodle cross which will have lots of poodle traits. What will she do when her oodle turns out more poodle then golden?

[Dogsfevr]

1 hour ago, Rebanne said:

yet she is happy to get a poodle cross which will have lots of poodle traits. What will she do when her oodle turns out more poodle then golden?

This is very true as a groomer I can’t tell how many groomer shop because there poodle cross has taken on the poodle look and they think a groomer can create anon poodle look 

[Loving my Oldies]

17 hours ago, Rebanne said:

obvious answer is a Standard Poodle

LOL!!  You said it so I don’t have to.    

 

@kamuzz my groomer who is literally 50 metres down the road from my house is a breeder of Standard Poodles.  She regularly has a few of her dogs at the salon and they are extremely loving and fun dogs.  When she has a litter she has them at the salon (once they are old enough) as well, so they get lots of socialisation with lots of other dogs.   

 

If your colleague would like to meet a few, she would only need to give Jeanette a call and arrange to visit the salon when Jeanette has some of her dogs and/or puppies (no puppies at the moment though I think).  

 

All her “pet” dogs are just cut in the shaggy cut and look beautiful.  She does show and I have seen them with the show cut as well (I will hold my tongue LOL !!!).  Many of her clients are her puppy buyers and many have come back over the years to adopt again and again.  

 

Phone  0418 698 831 (Styles Dog Grooming)

[westiemum]

Briard? 

[grizabella]

A long wait would be expected, but how about an Irish Water Spaniel? Or a Tibetan Terrier? Those are the breeds I'd look into if I had no interest in poodles- though if I didn't like poodles, I wouldn't want a poodle cross either. There is a great spectrum as to what a 'groodle' is 'like' because they are a mix with varied traits, which makes it hard to give a purebred equivalent.

 

Working in a groomers, most of the poodle/golden mixes I saw were absolutely enormous; I'd steer clear if I wanted a smaller dog, not knowing what the pup would grow into.

[Dogsfevr]

Should also have asked .

What sort of dog do they want long term.

Obviously any cute puppy is easy to fall for but what expectations do they have of there dog as an adult .

Are they prepared to brush and pay a groomer .

Do they want to go walking daily or more a lounge lizard if we miss a walk the world won’t end .

Inside/outside dog .

Maybe get a list of what they want from there dog and easier to pick some suitable options 

[kamuzz]

 I don't think she is being unreasonable saying she doesn't like the thought of a pure poodle.  Poodles have a different shape of face to a groodle. And they do seem to have different temperaments to the groodles. 

 

@Dame Danny's Darling Styles Dog Grooming comes up as being in Pennsylvania. Somehow I don't think that is the one you mean?

 

@mingaling thank you. That advice was really helpful.

 

@grizabella somehow I don't think a long wait is on the cards. 

 

@Thistle the dog interesting. I'll look into the Murray retrievers

[Loving my Oldies]

LOL. No - Normanhurst.   

[JulesP]

A friend didn't like poodles either. She got a poodle cross. 

 

Then we saw some standards in a shaggy clip and she loved them. 

 

There is not guarantee what temperament they are going to have as they are mutts. I've dealt with heaps of them btw as a trainer and groomer. Some even have thin muzzles so no guarantee what face shape you are going to get. 

[gillybob]

Fauves are awefully cute pups.  I have one with a short coat and one with a long unstripped coat, people all seemed to like Cedro because of his long shaggy coat.