Just curious (not trying to be a rabble rouser as I have no opinion either way). I've been reading a lot of different posts on here and another forum and have read some negative things about "Doodles." I'm talking specifically about labradoodles and goldendoodles. I'm a standard poodle person myself but since my favorite breed is a part of this designer breed I'm curious, why the bad rep? I've only ever met one, a goldendoodle. I'm a nurse on a pediatric floor of a hospital and we have a goldendoodle therapy dog that comes around and she's very sweet, gentle, and all the kids adore her. So any thoughts from people who have had some experience with these dogs (groomers, dog walkers, owners, vets)? Are they really as "mean" as I've read in some posts?

Thanks!
Meghan

P.S. I'm not trying to start a debate about BYBs (as I've seen in some other threads) want to limit this strictly to info about the personality of these dogs. Also would like to say I'm not looking to get one, when I get a dog it will be a rescued Standard Poodle, I'm just curious.

Thanks everyone! :-)

[Lara's mom]

I wish I could give you an answer...I'll take a stab and say it has a lot to do with a mixed breed being sold for a great deal of money to people who don't understand what they're really getting. Personally, I love all dogs, regardless of pedigree or lack of one.

Here is an interesting link on doodles: http://www.grca.org/pdf/all_about/doodle.pdf

These doodle "breeders" (and I use the term loosely)feel they are not required to health test their dogs and are most likely breeding dogs with heart defects, bad hips, cataracts and other problems creating tons of unhealthy mutts that people then pay $2000 for instead of going to a shelter to rescue a mutt that needs a home.

Also after 13 years as a groomer, working at kennels, grooming shops, etc. and now owning my own business I have yet to meet a nice labradoodle (ok I do have a friend who has a labradoodle as a service dog but it is dog aggressive) or goldendoodle. All the ones I know and it is at least 75 over the years, have all been hyperactive, aggressive and completely unpredictable. One daycare I worked at had to excuse a bunch of doodles for biting staff members and mauling other dogs. They are bad news if you ask me and are NOT to be trusted around children.

Thanks Lara's Mom and Orangedog,
That's good info. I know a lot of it has to do with poor breeding practices, testing, etc but it is surprising to me since labs, goldens, and standards tend to be such great dogs, although when you don't do it correctly you risk getting all of the negative aspects of the breeds' personalities and a dog that's wired funny.
Thanks again,
Meghan

Unfortunately they are no healthier than the pedigrees that they are made from. Many try to say that they do not moult and a large majority of them do. They of course can be any size, you just never know what you are going to get. Just looking at UK health tests an US ones you will see that they have many health problems that pedigrees have, if not more due to the doubling of breeds with specific problems.

I have known a few BYB poodles and goldens who have been biters also but it seems to be higher in doodles as ALL doodler breeders are BYBs and don't look into pedigrees, health etc.

As a breeder I can trace my pedigree back to the early 1920's and know health and temperament for dogs generations back!