If you have spent any time on social media, you have probably seen some anti-doodle posts. Join a dog groomer group, and you will see it every day. I believe in 2023, Doodles are the most loved and most hated of all dog “breeds”. I will explain why they are hated in this post, and you can see why they are loved in the next post. :)
***Yes, I am generalizing people into groups. All do not believe this way, but in my personal experience, the ones that do not like doodles have these reasonings.***
The “My Dog is a Rescue” Group
First, I have no issue with rescues and shelters. If you would like to get a puppy or dog from there, then 100% do it. This group, as a majority, dislike doodles because they have a scarcity mindset. The idea is there are millions of dogs in shelters, and if you buy a doodle from a breeder, then that is one less opportunity for a dog to be adopted. If you stop buying from the doodle breeder, then they will stop breeding dogs, and pet overpopulation will be under control.
The Issue. Many people who buy from doodle breeders were never going to get a puppy from a rescue or shelter. It could be because they do not want a dog that sheds, they want a particular color or size, they want a puppy that has been properly socialized from birth, or they want a puppy with parents of known history and genetic testing. I am looking at our local shelter’s available dogs right now, and it is 90+% lab, shepherd, pitbull mixes. Speaking from personal experience, in my house, I would never want a heavy shedding dog, and I believe that choice should be up to me. If you believe you could put puppy mills out of business, then you are mistaken. If anything, they will just drop their prices to make the puppies more affordable, but then need to breed more dogs to make more puppies to make the profit. They will always exist, unless legislation is passed, and that is just the truth of it.
My Recommendation. Try to differentiate between puppy mills and ethical breeders. Just because a breeder crosses different breeds does not make them automatically unethical. Some doodle breeders raise their puppies better than people raise their children, and some breeders will raise 100 puppies in a barn outside. Allow people the free choice to make whatever decision they want without shaming them.
The Purist. Purebreeds Only Please Group
The easiest way to find someone that despises Doodles is to attend a dog show. A lot of purebred dog breeders do not like doodles, doodle breeders, or doodle owners. Their main thing is to keep the bloodlines pure. There are many breeders who if a stud (male dog) has been used to cross-breed, then they will refuse to use his services. As if he is unclean now. A second reason they despise doodles is the price they are able to be sold for. You could see Champion bloodline hunting dogs selling for $500-$1000. I’ve even seen champion line Labradors for Free. Even AKC poodles, with champion bloodlines, may go for $1000-$2000. Imagine all of the work of grooming, showing, breeding for decades, and yet the neighbor down the road mixed two random dogs together, to make a doodle, and is able to sell for a higher price than you. Even though they would probably never admit it, they are just upset that mixed breed dogs can command a higher demand and price than the purebreds. Another point they will make is the inconsistency of the offspring of doodles. This is a true point, but doodle breeders that have been selectively breeding many generations have been able to create more consistency in litters.
The Issue. I hate to break it to you, but all of today’s modern dog breeds are mixes. Fun fact: there were not wild poodles roaming the earth 1,000 years ago, not even 500 years ago. When were golden retrievers “created”? 1868. How? From mixing a wavy-coated retriever to a tweed water spaniel. I am sure in 1868 there was a Karen down the road complaining that dog breeds should not be mixed. The fact that there is inconsistency is the main reason that there is such a price difference in doodles. Find a doodle breeder that has been breeding for decades, is consistently producing beautiful puppies with great hair, health, and temperament, and they are usually rewarded with higher prices. Find a breeder that is randomly throwing a lab and poodle together, and you are going to find a lower price. If people value the skill of the breeder, there should be no shame in the breeder being rewarded.
My Recommendation. Do not worry about doodle breeders or doodle owners. If you only like “Purebreds”, then you can do that without bashing doodles. If you breed Purebreds, then more power to you, but that is not a legitimate reason to dislike doodle breeders. In the end, the consumer decides the market.
The Dog Groomers Group
You would imagine all groomers love all dogs of all types, but this is not the case. I am in a few dog groomer groups, and the Doodle Hate is real. If you are selecting a groomer and get the vibe they do not like doodles, then just find another groomer. So why the hate? Well for one, the doodle owners. According to them: doodle owners are particularly difficult, have unrealistic expectations, don’t take care of their dog’s coat, and overspent on an expensive mutt. You will see many dog groomers closely tied to the Rescue Group above, and they do not like the fact you spent so much money on a mutt, when you could have went to the shelter. I will agree with them on some of their other points. Not all doodle owners are keeping up with their dog’s coat and will let them get matted. Some doodle owners expect certain haircuts, but their doodle has a completely different coat type and texture that makes the look they want impossible. As far as the actual doodles go, the groomers will say: crazy, neurotic, and the worst breed they groom. For every 1 great doodle breeder out there, there are probably 3 mediocre ones, and 6 puppy mills. So I do not deny that they may be encountering some crazy ones. Fun Fact: there are some groomers refusing to accept doodles and others adding an extra “Doodle Fee” to groom them.
The Issue. Say it with me, “It is OK if someone wants to use his or her money how they please and buy an expensive dog that consists of 2 or more breeds.” I am sure dog breeds of all types come in with matted and poorly kept coats, in fact I know it.
My Recommendation. Try to educate the client, offer advice, and product suggestions. If you are seeing a doodle with a ton of mats each grooming, try to offer the client a weekly or every other week bath and brush-out program. Show them the proper way to brush. Many may not listen, but all you can do is try. As you know, not all doodles are terrible. I get reports ALL the time of owners telling me how the groomer was singing their praises with how well behaved their doodle puppy was. And if the dog does have a lot of mats, I believe there should be an extra fee, but that would apply to all breeds.
The Veterinarians Group
You would imagine Veterinarians would not care about breeds, and you are basically right. I would put it as less than 5% of Veterinarians that show any issue with Doodles. Maybe they are very good at hiding it, but it is a very rare occurrence I see or hear of it. Doodles, in general, are not known for any major health problems. The #1 issue I have witnessed is allergies, but that seems to be a common problem for most breeds today. Many positive reports/studies are actually coming out about the health of doodles compared to other breeds.
The Issue. There really isn’t one. Veterinarians are not seeing doodles coming in deformed left and right, or with major health issues, so they have not shown much anti-doodle behavior.
My Recommendation. Keep it up and also Thank You.
Summary
Mixing breeds together is terrible. Adopt don’t shop. Owners do not take care of them. They are inconsistent mutts. They have terrible temperaments. People should not waste their money on them.
Bonus: Even the First Doodle Breeders Says he Regrets It
The first labradoodles were bred in 1989 by Wally Conron. Why? He needed an allergy-friendly Guide Dog, but all of the poodles he attempted to train failed. He would go on to later say he created a monster and regretted his decision. HOWEVER, it is not because of the actual dog he created (which passed the testing), but because of the puppy mills that would try to copy-cat him. Doodles being bred as a fashion accessory, not for a purpose, was his true issue.
Now would you like to hear from people that actually own doodles??? Should we not go straight to the source? Check back for that post next week! :)
