"Doodle" Dogs

Designer dogs have become popular. I’m going to focus on two particular breeds, the Labradoodle and Goldendoodle. These breeds are a combination of poodles and Labrador or Golden Retrievers. All of these breeds, of course, are wonderful. The only downside to Retrievers is that they shed – sometimes a lot! The great advantage to “doodle” dogs is that you have wonderful dogs that don’t shed. However, there’s another side that most people don’t realize when getting these dogs. They require frequent grooming. Poodles generally have thick coats that require frequent brushing, or they can become matted. So, when people adopt these dogs, many believe that the grooming is similar to the Retrievers, not the Poodle. Unfortunately, I’ve had to shave several of these dogs because they do get matted. I’ve had more than one customer tell me that they thought they were getting a Lab that doesn’t shed. That is true – but, they get a Lab with a much thicker, higher maintenance coat. Here’s one rule of thumb that is generally true – you’re either going to get a dog that sheds or one that requires grooming/trims (sometimes both!). So, before getting a dog, you have to decide if you’d rather vacuum dog hair or pay to have your dog trimmed on a regular basis. Everyone’s priorities are different, and there are so many wonderful breeds that you can choose from. It is definitely beneficial to do your homework before choosing a breed of dog. That will be the topic of another blog!

If you want a Labradoodle or Goldendoodle, either have them trimmed short, or brush them frequently – at least a few times a week. They are fantastic dogs and will be wonderful pets for you and your family.

If you have anything you’d like addressed, please feel free to email me at thedapperdog@hotmail.com. Thanks for checking out my blog!