Goldendoodle questions

[yentna]

I'm a new member (obviously), trying to figure out where best to get a golden doodle. Our only contact number for a Utah breeder is out of service and we've had no luck finding her other ways. My BF is allergic, so we need a dog that doesn't shed, but also can handle backcountry skiing with us, so we've chosen the goldendoodle. However, it's difficult to find a breeder here! (Utah) Anyway, I'm happy to have found this forum since we'll be needing information and support for raising our puppy, but for now..........

Does anyone know of a breeder in the Utah area? We are in Park City. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[AmberwayGSD]

You should look at a Standard Poodle or Portugese Water Dog Than.Golden doodles are just a over rated mutt.They are not always hypoallergetic.So for someone with allergies a purebred is best.

[juliefurry]

there are places like puppyfind.com that advertise breeders. Most people here are very leary of finding breeders online. Maybe trying looking in dog magazines to see if any breeders are advertised. Some golden doodles do shed though so be very careful when selecting your pup. Have you considered getting just a regular poodle? They most likely would go for the same price and the can handle the backpacking and swimming and hiking. Me and my husband are getting a standard poodle at the end of this month.

[Fran27]

I would rethink it... Some goldendoodles shed, some don't (same as labradoodles), so you are not guaranteed to have a non shedding dog at all. I would look at poodles instead if you really want a dog that doesn't shed.

The other problem is that most goldendoodles breeders are not serious, and just breed them for money without making sure that the parents are actually healthy, and they ask way too much for what is, really, mutts.

If you want a poodle/golden mix... you can find lots at your shelters, and it won't cost you $1000 like most of those breeders charge.

But anyway, if you want to see what people here think of those 'designer breeds', you may want to look at this post below :

http://www.chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8146

[nedim]

I could go on forever advising you against buying an intentionally bred mixed puppy. No responsible breeder would ever mix two dogs together to make a new breed, its just plain irresponsible. A good breeder will only breed purebreds together to improve the breed of dog. I will however suggest a visit to your local humane society, or shelter. More than likely, a dog that is perfect for you is waiting to be adopted. Dont take this as an insult, because thats not what I'm trying to do. I'm just trying to inform you, is all. Please keep us updated. Maybe post a list of characteristics you are looking for in a dog and we can be able to help you.

[Gempress]

Goldendoodles, temperamentwise, are lovely dogs. But, like everyone else said, their hypo-allergenic qualities are NOT guaranteed. They are just as likely to be like heavy-shedding golden retrievers as they are non-shedding poodles. It's just like with humans: just because your dad has brown hair doesn't mean that you will too.

Go with a purebred standard poodle. Poodles were originally bred as hunting retrievers, so despite their pampered appearance, they are actually great at outdoor activities. And that way, the non-shedding trait will be guaranteed.

[juliefurry]

Well let me defend this person a little bit. When I first mentioned getting a standard poodle to my husband he just rolled his eyes at me like I was insane. Most people don't realize that poodles are not wussy dogs that need to stay inside by the fireplace 24/7. Standard poodles are quite energetic and can do the backpacking and swimming and hunting thing same as a golden or a lab. Most people just don't realize what kind of a dog poodles are. They were bred to retrieve game from the water and they love swimming. They are very active and intelligent dogs. If your boyfriend is a little unsure of how he would look walking a poodle let him do research and he will see that they are not the wussy dogs that people make them out to be.

[yentna]

Thanks Julie! And thanks for the comments everyone, don't worry I'm thick skinned and not offended (as if you'd worry, heh). Anyway, my BF isn't really interested in a poodle, though I'm very aware of how surprisingly tough and fun they can be. A family acquaintance in Alaska used to mush a team of poodles in the Iditarod until he got banned (appropriately I think, the dogs hair would freeze to the snow and pull out when on overnight trips). But, they were tough and interesting and smart and curious and fun, so I wouldn't mind a poodle. He's pretty open minded about them, but seems set on the doodle.
And he wants a bigger dog, isn't the portugese water dog pretty small?

qualities we're looking for:

smart
friendly
hypoallergenic
outdoorsy - can take him/her backcountry skiing and camping and biking

[Gempress]

Has your boyfriend tried allergy shots? Depending on the person, they can work miracles. One of my coworkers is allergic to cats and dogs, but since she started taking allergy shots, she's been able to have both dogs and cats without any problems. That could open up a bunch of opportunities for you.

[nedim]

Hey yetna, check out this site, it may aid you.

http://www.dogbiz.com/faq-allergies.htm