Goldendoodle hell

[nancylebov]

And heaven forbid you try to do any home improvement. Don’t do any gardening, since Doodles thrive on a steady diet of mud and earthworms, which they will then vomit all over your freshly-cleaned carpets. Oh, once, I painted a floor. Having understood by then that I was not harboring a canine but a small demon in dog form, I blocked off the only door to the room. The dog still managed to walk in the paint and then played a game of fetch with himself. All over the house. The paint, mind you, was bright blue. Not that I think you have painted floors at the White House, but this is information you need to know– right! The porch. I don’t know if the White House has a wooden porch, but if you ever have to stain one, the dog will promptly roll in the fresh stained areas. You will then have to strip and restain the deck, and shave the dog.


You know how people say that if you adopt a real mutt (not one of those named cross-breeds), you don't know what you'll get.....this has always mystified me, since there are nasty problems you get with purebred and designer dogs which are somewhat predictable.

To be fair, in the midst of all the horror stories there is one commenter who says they have a great goldendoodle.

Comments

[redbird]

Maybe they figure it's easier if you know what problems you'll have?

My family had a mutt when I was growing up (starting at age 10, I think); my parents had some idea of what to expect, because they adopted a puppy from a litter a friend's dog had, so they knew one side of the family, at least. But I think that was "well, the mother is a nice dog, and we have an idea of how big the puppy will get," not specific expectations of personality.

[twistedchick]

This is a generalization, but I have found that the people who complain the most about their dogs' behavior are the ones who can't find the time to pay attention to the dogs and train them. Training requires that they learn to think like their dog and be smarter than the dog. It's not something everyone does well, but every dog owner should be doing it.

[nancylebov.livejournal.com]

Still, I get the impression that some breeds are more challenging than others. A while ago, I was poking around terrier sites, and they all said "not recommended for the inexperienced owner". Apparently, you're supposed to start out with a half-terrier for practice.

[nellorat.livejournal.com]

Yes, and even a pro-dachshund book said, "It is not surprising that a dog bred to hunt badgers in their own lair would be strongly independent." What a euphemism.

[twistedchick]

Terriers, some hounds, and certain varieties of sheepdog (border collie, for instance) were bred as *working* dogs, not companion animals. They want work to do. They want to chase things, dig stuff out, herd whatever's moving and chew things till they're dead, because that's what they're supposed to do. Anyone who doesn't understand that should get a different kind of dog.

[nancylebov.livejournal.com]

Unquestionably. But that implies people who have such dogs aren't failing to train them properly.

[twistedchick]

It implies nothing of the sort.

[nancylebov.livejournal.com]

Excuse me-- I was being sloppy.

It implies that people who have difficulties with such dogs aren't necessarily failing to give them enough attention and train them.

[sterlingspider.livejournal.com]

Some breeds are definitely more challenging then others, but if everyone wanted the same dog there wouldn't be so many kinds.

Each of these breed typical personality types has its purpose and if a good match is made between breed type, dog (as of course there are ranges of expected behavior), and owner then there's no problem.

Anyone who thinks a rottie (a classically INCREDIBLY laid back breed) and a goldendoodle are comparable enough in personality to think that having an older rottie should have prepared them for the experience of a doodle is just setting themselves up for failure.

You might as well plant an oak tree and then curse it for not giving you apples.

(whoops! mis-closed tag)

[sterlingspider.livejournal.com]

Golden labs and poodles are both INCREDIBLY high energy dogs. They're both hunting dogs who've been bred for generations (centuries for the poodle) to run around fields/swim about in water for hours and love it!

Anyone who gets a goldendoodle thinking they're going to get a mellow, chill about the house, Nana from Peter Pan sort of dog is guilty of not doing their research and I'd say they get what they deserve, but that's doing a grave disservice to the dog who is really the one suffering the most.

Most people have no idea whats involved in properly caring for a dog, especially one with even moderate exercise needs. I truly and deeply love dogs, and that is exactly why as a busy working stiff who enjoys sleeping in the morning and taking weekend jaunts out of state I don't have one.