This also drives me crazy, as I hear "is your dog a mix?" On a weekly basis. My dog doesn't fall amongst the breed standard as your dog does but it's still irritating. It's to the point where I'm just very blunt "No, she is just more petite and on the darker end of the golden spectrum". That ususally shuts them up. I don't think your dog at all looks like a doodle so I can't see where they are coming from. I get the Irish setter, duck retriever quite a lot on my girl. I do hear "why don't you just get a doodle" and that is another battle. Your right, doodles aren't bred to a standard and I think they are really just this decades phase. Kind of like "teacup mixes" were in the early 2000's. They are cute, don't get me wrong but if I am paying that kind of money for a dog it better be to a standard.

 

Regarding the "why don't you just get a doodle" question; because I don't want to support irresponsible breeding or be forced to groom my dog every 2 months. Sure I have to brush and bath my goldens on occasion but I never have to trim the fur on their face so they can see.

 

I wouldn't take offense. Not everyone is up on dog breeds and what they look like. The maintenance man when we moved asked if Chloe was a lab. I just said nope a golden. He goes oh that makes sense. Same thing with the English cream. Not everyone is up on everything when it comes to dogs.

 

Totally agree with this.

I get asked all the time if Shala is a puppy, or if she is mixed with Duck Toller. I don't take offense at all. She IS small and red - a very petite (but perfectly proportioned) 46 pounds at the moment - and much more rare in my neighbourhood of pretty standard medium gold to light gold Goldens. I often wind up telling people she actually IS breed standard (thanks to that one-inch leeway on height!) and that the big, huge 100-pound Goldens they might see are not. But mostly, people are just making conversation while they love all over my dog and rave to me how soft, how beautiful, how sweet she is. I never take offense at that! :smile2:
Plus - I always keep in mind that while I DO know most large breeds, I have no idea what is what in the small dog world. Havanese, Pekingnese, Coton, Shih Tzu, etc. I wouldn't even try to guess.

 

There is this breeder that keeps popping up on my Facebook that is selling labradoodles for $1900. Just ridiculous. These dogs arent even cute. He isn't even breeding full poodle and lab. He is breeding the labradoodles. People are going crazy wanting one in the comments. As long as people are going to spend and go to a breeder like this they won't go away. I do think goldendoodles are cute. Especially when a mini poodle is used. But to spend money on a mutt is stupid.

 

I don't get the whole doodle craze either. I work at a dog training facility and I have yet to meet a doodle I like, and I've met a lot of them. They're all high strung and crazy and they tend to be really dumb. Plus their face beards get gross.

I've gotten the doodle and lab comments before. I don't get it because I think Kaizer is very type-y. He also gets called a girl all the time, so I don't really put stock into what the general pet public says All golden and other breed people I've met have always commented that he has a very masculine head, and those are the opinions I care about.

 

I had to laugh because I know a couple who owns a Golden Retriever and later added a GoldenDoodle to their family. They comment all the time that their Golden was easy to train but that their Doodle is dumber than a post.

 

Interestingly kids never seem to get it wrong. When we go out with our dogs grownups say the weirdest most random thing. Kids almost always go, “Look at the Golden Retriever”.

 

I've noticed that too! So many people ask me if my dog is a mix, and it's odd how many are genuinely surprised when I say she's all golden. She doesn't look like anything else and is a very typical golden. But the kids always say they want to "pet the golden retriever".

 

I got golden doodle once when my girl was a puppy. I am always asked what kind of dog she is when I take her out. She is small but within standard. Inevitably, I get a story about so and so’s 90 pound golden. I tell them that she is about the size they are supposed to be. The best wrong guess I’ve heard would have to be English Shepherd!

 

SweetGirl, you like the way I am all jazzed to meet Shala and then as an afterthought..... Oh it would be really awesome to meet you too S

 

I honestly think that the temperament issues boil down to not breeding the best of either breed. I had three poodles growing up. I adored my little toy poodle (was kept as a show prospect but outgrew the standard) he could intimidate dogs ten times bigger but was the absolute sweetest with people, good with the other dogs and smart as a whip. Not high strung at all and a piece of cake to train. I honestly think under the right circumstances-health texting, the best breeding stock, etc.-that doodles could be a decent dog breed. We breed goldens with good temperament, I don’t know any reason why if you bred a great golden temperament to a very similar and great poodle temperament that it wouldn’t have a good temperament. I think it’s just too many people with zero breeding knowledge or experience putting together their goldens and poodles.

At the same time, the standard poodle is exactly what most doodle owners want and they’re adorable puppies so I don’t see the need for a doodle. Too bad the poodle marketing isn’t as good as the doodle marketing haha.

 

I never got offended by people not knowing what Cooper was (heard Great Pyrnees a few times) but the doodle thing gets to me. Even the English Cream question doesn’t bug me like the doodle question.

 

The doodlers I've met have been less than what I would want in a dog whether F1 or this or that. All dogs are good but the ones I've met have the IQ of a hamster. No offense to hamsters

You want a a mutt get a mutt. I am not against that unless you pay thousands of dollars for one.

 

I have never been asked if my golden was a doodle, but I do get asked if she's a lab or a puppy. She is a 50 lb golden and there are zero good breeders in my immediate area, so I think people are used to the ginormous goldens and then think one that's breed standard size must be a puppy. I find it interesting that when you meet people out and about and they ask you "is that a golden?" they always then have to reply in a superior tone, "I have a doodle." As a groomer, I absolutely DREAD seeing a doodle on my schedule-they are worse than poodles to groom. At least with poodles, people tend to know they need grooming, with doodles they wait til the dog is matted to the skin and then they get mad when you say its in the dog's best interest to shave it. Their temperaments seem very unpredictable-I've groomed maybe 1 or 2 with nice, steady temperaments; the rest are really iffy-several are biters. I agree that the majority of them seem to be as dumb as rocks. A friend of mine wants to get her kids a dog and she wants something that doesn't shed and she is really interested in doodles. I told her all the problems and lies doodle breeders will feed her, but she still is interested in a doodle. When I asked why she doesn't just get a standard poodle she said its because she doesn't like the way they look. ??? If you ask me, doodles like a heap more like a poodle (albeit and ugly poodle) than a golden! Shoot, I can groom a poodle and make it look like a doodle if you want (not sure why anyone would want a dog to look like a doodle, but to each his own)! Another distant acquaintance has a doodle that she just bred to a poodle and she wants $1800 for the pups-ridiculous beyond belief! I paid less than that for my purebred golden from generations of clearances and CH's and GCH's and CD's and other performance titles, plus I had a pretty good idea of how she would look and what her temperament would be-you don't get any of those things with a doodle. As Good As Gold golden rescue in IL just had 3 doodles adopted out-for $450-go rescue one rather than grossly over-pay for one! Sorry for the rant in response to the rant, the doodle thing is a sore spot for me, lol!

 

Totally agree!! I think poodles look much better. I was just googling—people are paying THREE THOUSAND here for “Australian labradoodles” around Houston. Naturally I emailed to see about health testing because there wasn’t any on the website. I’ll admit-she had a cute little of black and white ones (and despite my love of goldens, I’m a sucker for black and white) but the adults are fairly awful. I don’t understand why people don’t go for the standard poodles or PWDs myself.

I’m going to start calling them “go poos” instead of goldendoodles. Hahaha.

 

We have a 4-H kid with a 7 year old doodle that has won a fair amount of titles. Nice dog.
Not fond of the way they look. Sort of like a funky sheep dog or something. And the coat looks like it would be a pain to upkeep. Much more work than running the brush through Penny.
Our trainer has a standard poodle. Not fond of the poodle look but a very nice dog, if a bit of a spaz. I?d do that over a doodle any day.
We have what we believe may be a Tibetan Spaniel/ Golden mix. Thought he may have been a chi/golden when he was a pup but now deffinatly heavy on the Tibetian. Lovely little pooch, super smart. A few issues as he was a rescue but coming along well. Seems to have the good temperament qualities of both breeds. If you ever see a breeder of said mix in say 20 years it may be my son, he is pretty in love with his dog. He is a good match for Penny.

 

Like some of the other posters here, I've also been asked what breed Bodhi is-once by another golden owner. The golden owner who asked about his breed had a ginormous golden that is nowhere near breed standard as far as weight goes-I'd guess the dog was 110 pounds and was white as a cloud. Beautiful dog for sure, but when I replied that Bodhi was indeed a golden and that he was 7 months old and still growing, the owner seemed to doubt me. A part of me wanted to reply to her that just because her dog is practically a polar bear with a head the size of Texas and our dogs look quite different does not mean my 7 month old, 50 pound puppy is any less golden. I've also had someone assume he is a doodle because his back hair is wavy. It's all a tad annoying.

Anyways, I find it absurd what people will pay for a doodle. 1800? 3 GRAND? For chrissakes.

 

The general population is, understandably, ill-informed about dog breeds. We have the "adopt, don't shop" slogan as our main public awareness campaign. There are very few benched dog shows, and when I attended shows before we ever entered with our own dog, I felt like I was intruding on a private event. (To an extent, I still do!) We know the supply/demand for quality purebred dogs is not balanced. Good breeders are often too busy taking care of their dogs and working to have time to educate the public. The AKC site isn't what it could be. We expect price to be some reflection of quality, and "designer" dogs are expensive. So how is the public supposed to be educated? This is a pickle.

Anyway, my biggest issue with goldendoodles is that they aren't a breed. There is no breed standard, consistency, maintenance of records, code of ethics, etc. And "breeders" aren't working towards any of this. At least Australian Labradoodle breeders are making an effort to become a recognized breed. I give them credit for that.

http://www.australianlabradoodleclub.us/
https://www.grca.org/about-the-breed/articles/goldendoodles-grcas-position/

 

wow!

I can't believe what I'm reading here, although I shouldn't be surprised. Do you know how you all sound? I actually have one of each. A gorgeous Golden Retriever (the reason I have been coming to this site) a lovely Standard Poodle, and the sweetest Goldendoodle you will ever meet and no I'm not a breeder. You simply cannot generalize dogs by a few people's experiences. You aren't just generalizing doodles but pure bred standard poodles as well. My standard is the most wonderful, smart, loyal dog! He loves his people and other dogs, is totally chill and just wants to please. My doodle is sweet, intuitive, funny as hell, and very smart, my golden is beautiful, loving, needy and stubborn, and I adore them all. My doodles parents were both health tested and had wonderful temperaments. All dogs have value and I realize you love "your breed" but you sound quite snobby. Just as you are offended when people think your dog is a mix I am offended that you assume based on limited experience that my dog is an unintelligent spaz! I won't be back here.

 

I can't believe what I'm reading here, although I shouldn't be surprised. Do you know how you all sound? I actually have one of each. A gorgeous Golden Retriever (the reason I have been coming to this site) a lovely Standard Poodle, and the sweetest Goldendoodle you will ever meet and no I'm not a breeder. You simply cannot generalize dogs by a few people's experiences. You aren't just generalizing doodles but pure bred standard poodles as well. My standard is the most wonderful, smart, loyal dog! He loves his people and other dogs, is totally chill and just wants to please. My doodle is sweet, intuitive, funny as hell, and very smart, my golden is beautiful, loving, needy and stubborn, and I adore them all. My doodles parents were both health tested and had wonderful temperaments. All dogs have value and I realize you love "your breed" but you sound quite snobby. Just as you are offended when people think your dog is a mix I am offended that you assume based on limited experience that my dog is an unintelligent spaz! I won't be back here.

This is a group of Golden Retriever lovers, not a group of Poodle lovers, who are, for the most part, offended by the hype and huge prices being asked for a mixed breed dog. No one is offended by the dogs themselves, although our groomer has said much the same things that have been said here about how the owners rarely know how to care for these dogs and they frequently have to be shaved to get rid of mats. The true snobs that I've met have been the people who announce that they paid over $2000 for their mutts (and yes, they are mutts) and that they got an F2 - most of them have no clue what that means but it sounds impressive.

I love most dogs, but if I want a mixed breed, I'll go to the shelter and pay $100. I'm also not one of the people on here who thinks that anyone who gets a Golden from anyone but their list of "reputable" breeders is worse than a doodle owner. And I still say, if you want a poodle, get a poodle. If you want a golden, get a golden.

 

and if you want a doodle get a doodle. I know how to care for my doodles coat and most people I know who own one do too. I didn't pay 2000 for my doodle but what's it to anyone how much I paid for any of my dogs. You can justify all you want but you still sound ridiculous. A groomer who speaks like this shouldn't be working with dogs. I am a member of a poodle forum and they don't do this at all!
.

 

Thank you kwhit

 

I've met a couple wonderful golden doodles, and some not so great ones (just like any other breed). There was one that at 8 months old passed the CGC test, so I would definitely disagree with the stereotype that they are all dumb. My issue is, like some have mentioned, the price tag associated with completely unhealth tested parents that aren't competing and proving their dogs are excellent representatives of the breed. There was someone charging $1800 in South Dakota for a litter of goldendoodles and neither parent had any health testing. I got my purebred golden for $1500 from fully health tested parents from Champion lines. The breeder of these goldendoodles is obviously breeding purely for money so yes I have a big problem with that! That and the lies they tell the puppy buyers! There is no guarantee an F1 litter will not shed, its a total crapshoot and saying otherwise is completely dishonest.

 

My issue is, like some have mentioned, the price tag associated with completely unhealth tested parents that aren't competing and proving their dogs are excellent representatives of the breed...

I agree, except for the "representatives of the breed". There is no breed standard because there is no "breed". There can be so many variations within a litter that it's virtually impossible to ever expect one. Some do testing, though, and I hope that if someone wants a Doodle, that they would support those that do.

 

@Meeka's Mom: I suppose we (or at least me) do come off sounding snobby. Sorry about that. For me personally, even though I like all dogs, there are some that I just don't like the looks of, and doodles are one of those. (In general, I don't really care for the hairy face look; so its not just doodles, its wheatons, Portugese water dogs, etc. Just my personal preference in looks.) I have no problem with people getting a doodle if that's what they really want. What I have a problem with is breeders feeding people lies and telling them whatever they want to hear in order to charge a ridiculous price. I hate seeing people get taken advantage of. And that happens in purebred dog too. And my opinion of doodle intelligence and temperament is based upon my grooming clientele. Maybe they're worse in my part of the country, but they just aren't the brightest dogs and they just don't have the steadiest dispositions. I did groom one doodle that is a child's service dog, and that is the only one I can think of that is bright and even tempered (and I've groomed a ton of doodles). So I guess I just can't help but to develop a negative opinion based on my personal experiences. And its easy to lump all dogs into a certain stereotype based on personal experiences (even if it isn't right and we try not to). Same thing goes for my experiences with pit bulls. Without going too much into it, my experiences have lead me to completely distrust pits and have an extremely negative opinion of them. I'm glad you have a smart, friendly doodle and I'm glad he has you to give him a loving home! And I'm sorry to have been one of the offensive posters.

 

I think when Doodles first started out the people doing it had good intentions but they quickly learned that genetics doesn't exactly always do what you want. I do know some Doodle breeders that did health testing on their dogs and once they learned how few of the puppies actually were hypoallergenic started to do the testing before the puppies went home to make sure they where hypoallergenic. So many doodles ended up in our local shelters when their owners dumped them because they shed and or they caused allergic reactions. For awhile it was pretty sad how many were in our shelters and rescues and a real reason so many are frustrated its often the dogs that suffer for human greed or status.

I don't have anything against the dogs but more the thoughtless breeders that treat dogs as disposable or money sources. The temperament of the puppies goes back to the parents temperament and the socializing that was done with the puppy. if you do not start with great temperaments and structure your unlikely to get it in your puppies. And if you do not bother to properly socialize your puppies well all kinds of problems come from that And ethical breeders were absolutely not letting their dogs out to be used to create a mix breed dog so what was used to breed was often not anywhere near either the poodle standard or the golden one.

 

Exactly. I totally agree.

 

The GRCA’s response to an offended goldendoodle breeder:

https://www.grca.org/about-the-breed/articles/goldendoodles-grcas-position/

 

I'd be offended if any group of dogs were talked about like this, not just Doodles.

 

I have spent several days restraining myself from posting in this thread. Unfortunately, I am out of chocolate, so now it seems as if I will have to chime in, which I suspect will either further fuel this raging dumpster fire of a thread, or will toss a wet blanket on it. I would guess the former because of the levels of personal offense that people take to the opinions and feelings of others.

First, people are entitled to feel as they feel and it has zero bearing on your life, so let it go. This isn't kindergarten. You're adults. If someone doesn't like doodles, they're allowed to feel that and say it. If someone doesn't like Dalmations, they're allowed to feel it and say it. If their personal experience with a given breed/mix leads them to have certain opinions on that breed/mix, that has zero to do with your personal dog or whatever dog you personally know. Every person on the planet is the sum of their own experiences, not yours. Therefore, their opinions and mindsets aren't always going to mesh with your own. That's what makes everyone different. If everyone was the same, exactly one breed of dog would exist and we'd all have it because we'd all want the same thing.

Second, doodle lover or not, I think everyone can agree that what the crux of the problem is, is irresponsible breeding. It isn't just about health certifications and function, either. It's about consistency in temperament. Example: Your friend has a golden or a doodle. You love the dog's personality and you want one. This dog is great with kids, and is smart and biddable. You go find a breeder, only you find that your dog is NOTHING like your friend's dog. Your dog doesn't like your kid. Your dog is a spaz and difficult to train. Why? Because you've either a) gone to a golden breeder that does nothing but breed for color and money or b) you've purchased a doodle. Doodles haven't been around long enough to eliminate the majority of variability in temperament. Further, you can't even assume that it will be similar to a poodle or whatever said poodle was crossed with. Why? Because the dogs being bred aren't the dogs that have been carefully bred for generations for function/reliability of temperament because no reputable breeder of a purebred dog is going to deliberately breed a mix. Generally, it's a complete crapshoot. If you don't understand this, then you don't understand genetics, and I'd recommend that you go do some research. Gregor Mendel is a great place to start.

Is there a market for these dogs? Sure. Do some of the breeders do clearances? Yes. So, what's the problem, then? I'd argue that it's reliability. What are you really getting? Are you going to get the same thing next time? Maybe. Maybe not. But the variation in what you get will be much more extreme than if you stick with a carefully bred, recognized breed. For some people, that's fine. For others, it's a problem. It's a problem when you have kids. It's a problem when you want a dog of particular size. It's a problem when you want a dog with a certain temperament and you don't get what you expected. It's a huge problem when the dog is so far out of line with what you wanted or can handle that said dog ends up in the shelter. Please note - this is a general "you" not a "you" specific to anyone on the board - before you get all up in arms about that comment. Plus, let me just add, there are so many different doodles - labradoodles, goldendoodles, aussiedoodles, etc - that I have a hard time believing that any one group of breeders is really focusing on anything other than money. They are all over the board, and it seems people will cross just about anything with a poodle. That alone seems odd, given that poodles themselves have such a variety of color, size, and function.

Here's a cautionary tale of a deliberate mixed breed. Border jacks. Heard of those? Two breeds that really need a job in order to not be neurotic. What happens when you cross two possibly poor representatives of each? You get a dog with two very different drives. It wants to herd and it wants to hunt. The ones I have met do not have off switches. One is on prozac, despite constant mental stimulation in the form of training and an owner who is a tri-athlete, who makes sure the dog gets enough exercise. Most people would send a dog like that to a shelter. This was an adopted dog, from a rescue group, and the owner had no idea that's what she was getting. Lots of people get these little guys by accident.

As for doodles, would I want one? No. Am I against the practice of breeding with no purpose other than to make money? Yes. And please don't use the hypoallergenic argument here. There's no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog. Doodles are no more hypoallergenic than a poodle, and that isn't a trait for which there is some kind of genetic test. Goldens are definitely NOT hypoallergenic. Any promise that you are "guaranteed" a hypoallergenic dog, when half of the genes are from a Golden, is completely illogical and anyone making that statement needs to learn how genetics works.

For those of you who'd argue that Doodles aren't a marketing scheme, let me share this. I have a neighbor who, one day, shared with me her excitement about getting her doodle. My neighbor acted like she was getting some kind of super exclusive dog, which, by the way, was from four states over and being flown in. Why? because it was an English Cream Doodle. Astonishingly, this dog isn’t even remotely a light golden color. He's a somewhere between a red and an apricot. Why did she care about “English Cream” if her dog isn’t even light colored? That’s how ludicrous this “English Cream” business has become. People selling Goldens based purely on color have so convinced the average person that the English Cream Golden is a completely different type of Golden, an exclusive type, that now they can cross them with Poodles, and people don’t even care that the dog isn’t cream colored, at all. Now, is anyone here really going to try to convince me that her "English Cream Doodle" (that isn't even cream colored) is *not* a marketing scheme?


Let me just add, for the record, that I've had mixed breed dogs. I've loved them dearly. I have nothing against them. I'll also add that my dog's regular playmate is, in fact, a doodle. They are the best of friends. Do I agree with all of this doodling? No. Do I want a doodle? Again, no. But at some point, you have to step back from your own personal viewpoint and see the entire issue. Some doodles are dumb. Some are not. Some Goldens do not have a temperament that is within standard. It doesn't mean that any given dog isn't loved or cared for. It means that some people are greedy and irresponsible, and that only hurts the dogs, in the end. If you care about dogs, regardless of breed, support the people who are doing the right things - health clearances, breeding for reliable, consistent temperaments, etc. Those dogs are less likely to end up in shelters or rescue groups because people know what they are getting.


That's my two cents. Take it or leave it, but please stop taking other people's opinions on certain breeds/mixes as a personal affront.

 

I have spent several days restraining myself from posting in this thread. Unfortunately, I am out of chocolate, so now it seems as if I will have to chime in, which I suspect will either further fuel this raging dumpster fire of a thread, or will toss a wet blanket on it. I would guess the former because of the levels of personal offense that people take to the opinions and feelings of others.

First, people are entitled to feel as they feel and it has zero bearing on your life, so let it go. This isn't kindergarten. You're adults. If someone doesn't like doodles, they're allowed to feel that and say it. If someone doesn't like Dalmations, they're allowed to feel it and say it. If their personal experience with a given breed/mix leads them to have certain opinions on that breed/mix, that has zero to do with your personal dog or whatever dog you personally know. Every person on the planet is the sum of their own experiences, not yours. Therefore, their opinions and mindsets aren't always going to mesh with your own. That's what makes everyone different. If everyone was the same, exactly one breed of dog would exists and we'd all have it because we'd all want the same thing.

Second, doodle lover or not, I think everyone can agree that what the crux of the problem is, is irresponsible breeding. It isn't just about health certifications and function, either. It's about consistency in temperament. Example: Your friend has a golden or a doodle. You love the dog's personality and you want one. This dog is great with kids, and is smart and biddable. You go find a breeder, only you find that your dog is NOTHING like your friend's dog. Your dog doesn't like your kid. Your dog is a spaz and difficult to train. Why? Because you've either a) gone to a golden breeder that does nothing but breed for color and money or b) you've purchased a doodle. Doodles haven't been around long enough to eliminate the majority of variability in temperament. Further, you can't even assume that it will be similar to a poodle or whatever said poodle was crossed with. Why? Because the dogs being bred aren't the dogs that have been carefully bred for generations for function/reliability of temperament because no reputable breeder of a purebred dog is going to deliberately breed a mix. Generally, it's a complete crapshoot. If you don't understand this, then you don't understand genetics, and I'd recommend that you go do some research. Gregor Mendel is a great place to start.

Is there a market for these dogs? Sure. Do some of them do clearances? Yes. So, what's the problem, then? I'd argue that it's reliability. What are you really getting? Are you going to get the same thing next time? Maybe. Maybe not. But the variation in what you get will be much more extreme than if you stick with a carefully bred recognized breed. For some people, that's fine. For others, it's a problem. It's a problem when you have kids. It's a problem when you want a dog of particular size. It's a problem when you want a dog with a certain temperament and you don't get what you expected. It's a huge problem when the dog is so far out of line with what you wanted or can handle that said dog ends up in the shelter. Please note - this is a general "you" not a "you" specific to anyone on the board - before you get all up in arms about that comment. Plus, let me just add, there are so many different doodles - labradoodles, goldendoodles, aussiedoodles, etc - that I have a hard time believing that any one group of breeders is really focusing on anything other than money. They are all over the board, and it seems people will cross just about anything with a poodle. That alone seems odd, given that poodles themselves have such a variety of color, size, and function.

Here's a cautionary tale of a deliberate mixed breed. Border jacks. Heard of those? Two breeds that really need a job in order to not be neurotic. What happens when you cross two possibly poor representatives of each? You get a dog with two very different drives. It wants to herd and it wants to hunt. The ones I have met do not have off switches. One is on prozac, despite constant mental stimulation in the form of training and an owner who is a tri-athlete, who makes sure the dog gets enough exercise. Most people would send a dog like that to a shelter. This was an adopted dog, from a rescue group, and the owner had no idea that's what she was getting. Lots of people get these little guys by accident.

As for doodles, would I want one? No. Am I against the practice of breeding with no purpose other than to make money? Yes. And please don't use the hypoallergenic argument here. There's no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog. Doodles are no more hypoallergenic than a poodle, and that isn't a trait for which there is some kind of genetic test. Goldens are definitely NOT hypoallergenic. Any promise that you are "guaranteed" a hypoallergenic dog, when half of the genes are from a Golden, is completely illogical and anyone making that statement needs to learn how genetics work.

For those of you who'd argue that Doodles aren't a marketing scheme, let me share this. I have a neighbor who, one day, shared with me her excitement about getting her doodle. My neighbor acted like she was getting some kind of super exclusive dog, which, by the way, was from four states over and being flown in. Why? because it was an English Cream Doodle. Astonishingly, this dog isn’t even remotely a light golden color. He's a somewhere between a red and an apricot. Why did she care about “English Cream” if her dog isn’t even light colored? That’s how ludicrous this “English Cream” business has become. People selling Goldens based purely on color have so convinced the average person that the English Cream Golden is a completely different type of Golden, an exclusive type, that now they can cross them with Poodles, and people don’t even care that the dog isn’t cream colored, at all. Now, is anyone here really going to try to convince me that her "English Cream Doodle" (that isn't even cream colored) is *not* a marketing scheme?


Let me just add, for the record, that I've had mixed breed dogs. I've loved them dearly. I have nothing against them. I'll also add that my dog's regular playmate is, in fact, a doodle. They are the best of friends. Do I agree with all of this doodling? No. Do I want a doodle? Again, no. But at some point, you have to step back from your own personal viewpoint and see the entire issue. Some doodles are dumb. Some are not. Some Goldens do not have a temperament that is within standard. It doesn't mean that any given dog isn't loved or cared for. It means that some people are greedy and irresponsible, and that only hurts the dogs, in the end. If you care about dogs, regardless of breed, support the people who are doing the right things - health clearances, breeding for reliable, consistent temperaments, etc. Those dogs are less likely to end up in shelters or rescue groups because people know what they are getting.


That's my two cents. Take it or leave it, but please stop taking other people's opinions on certain breeds/mixes as a personal affront.

Wow...so much for letting it go.

Edited to add: It's good you're out of chocolate...it's not good for you, anyway. :

 

What I would give for some Malted Milk Balls! :yes:

But...I have an autoimmune liver disease, so there's no more chocolate, or any sugar at all, for the rest of my life. I told my kids that when the doctors say there's nothing else they can do, just give me some Oreos and keep them coming! I think I'll add malted milk balls. :dblthumb2

 

Now there's something we can agree on! Malted milk balls are not allowed in my house because I can't leave them alone.

 

Aren't they great? I even had a certain way to eat them.