these are pictures of my girlfriend's new labradoodle puppy. why am i posting the pictures? well, we are considering getting a puppy for the girls as a christmas gift. we are having a hard time deciding, and we can't seem to agree on the type of dog.
i really would LOVE a labradoodle (lab poodle mix), and steve hates anything that looks or sounds like a poodle.
there are several reasons i'm sold on this breed: 1. i grew up with labs, and they are a lab mix; 2. they don't shed (and i don't clean enough, so this is good); 3. they are hypoallergenic, and since both girls and i take allergy medicine every day it's important that our dog would not mess with the allergies; 4. they are CUTE! 5. they are bred to be a medium size or a large size (we would go with the smaller of the two)
a few reasons not to get this breed: 1. they are EXPENSIVE; 2. steve isn't sold on the whole lab poodle combination.
i've scoured the internet, and searched through rescue sites and classified ads but haven't found any available on rescue sites or puppies under $850.
what do you think? is it worth it to pay for a dog that would fit your family requirements best (allergy free, no shedding) or should we just go with the standard ole pound pup and risk it all?
remember- this dog will become part of our family for a number of years....
also, any one have connections for labradoodle puppies? especially any FREE ones? :)
16 comments:
glad to see we aren't the only family having the dog conversation! it's a daily convo for robert and i....see...i really would like a dog--problem is we live on the third floor of an apartment building and i know i would be the one that takes the dog out at 6am (and i'm realizing i now sound like my mother!)...so my new deal is...robert can have a dog...when i have a fireplace.....sounds fair right?
Does not sound fair at all... and I had no idea there was such thing as a labadoodle!? That sounds like a sissy dog... Poor Steve, 3 against 1... bad odds. I bet ya'll probably have a fireplace too... (spellcheck does not recognize "labadoodle" - am I spelling it wrong?)
I'm with Robert. That sounds like a sissy dog.
Australian Shepherd. That's a dog! They do shed though, but you can just wait for the tumbleweeds to form and then pick them up. Self-cleaning really.
You should get it! It's only $850 once and then he's a part of your family for a LONG time! I'm sure Steve will love the dog once he gets to know it. :) Tell him not to be prejudice!
(Prejudice: preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience!)
first - labs chew things, second - "does not shed" doesn't mean that it never loses hair - it does, but not in the quanity that short, straight-haired dogs do. I'm all for getting kids dogs and the puddle mixes are adorable and smart - which is important for training purposes. But I'm always cautious about pound dogs especially puppies - you're getting a pig-in-a-poke - it could turn into anything. And I think that Steve lost the sissy-thing years ago when his oldest daughter was born - face it Steve - you're outnumbered - I have a thought - get a male labradoodle. Definately not an australian shepherd!
Well...we were also deciding between a labradoodle and a cock-a-poo. We chose the cockapoo b/c 1.) it was a smaller breed and we have a teeny tiny yard. 2.) it was cheaper than the labradoodle. We love the cockapoo...she could get up to 20 lbs, doesn't shed and is such a smart dog. We love having her...although it has been some work! I think it would be such a fun addition, my kids love having her! The kids and I saved up money to buy her but it was well worth it!
Thanks for the encouragement Robert and Bill...Jessie, prejudiced?? Not the right word to use as I have had dogs, been around dogs and have never liked the type of dog we are talking about getting. Yes I am outnumbered but I am bigger (I mean that used to count for something back in grade school). So we will have to wait and see. We will keep you posted...Bill and Robert...pray for me that I win out. All you women folk...don't pray!!;-)
Unless you absolutely love dogs, have hardwood floors and a fenced in backyard, and don't mind cleaning up pee and poop for three to six months on a regular basis, oh and the barking and whining, exercise needs, etc, I would strongly suggest NOT getting a dog as a gift. You will be the ones taking care of it, and it's a full time job - like having a baby - and puppies are a real pain in the butt. That being said, do not go with a mixed breed dog. Go with an INTELLIGENT pure bred animal that suits your family's needs from a temperament perspective. All the superficial external factors such as shedding, appearance, etc mean nothing if the dog is a big dingbat. We did this last Christmas, and gave the dog away in April. Absolutely the cutest dog we've ever seen, but we were wishing for a shotgun by the end of it. Jason knows a LOT about dogs, he could probably help you find a good breed worth paying for that will be intelligent, loyal, and easy to train. You really ought to get a wolf, but I'll leave the explaining of that one up to him.
Both of our dogs are rescue dogs. I had Casey before I moved to Georgia, but Darren and I rescued Buddy here. Both are WONDERFUL dogs. We have friends who foster Labs through Labrador Friends of the South. This is a GREAT non-profit rescue organization that fosters the dogs and/or puppies before they are adopted. Here is the website http://www.labradorfriends.com/ Give us a call if you want to know more.
OK, I am impressed that a woman who gave birth 3 days ago can get on here and offer her comments on the dog dilemma. Nice work Tara!
Steve -- I'll pray, but I really don't think God cares about this one.
I have to admit, the labadoodle is very cute but $850? Yikes. I am a big supporter of "pound" animals. All of our animals have been rescued animals and we have had very little problems with them (we have on cat who is a bit persnickety, but she is a cat after all). On the other hand, my brother had a pure breed and it was nuts. They would have to lock him up whenever someone came over because he wouldn't stop barking and growling. I am sharing this to say that a pure breed does not guarantee a nice animal nor does having a mixed breed guarantee a problem. A quote from many vets I know "a mixed breed tends to have the positive temperaments of the breeds and not the negative". All this said, you should get what fits best for your family! There is a risk with any animal as far as temperament, regardless of where you purchase the animal from. I look forward to seeing what you decide on. Our dog is a black lab/chow mix, sweet as can be but sheds horribly. Next time around we will need to find an animal who does not shed quite as much since Savannah and I both have tons of allergies :(
We have a close friend with a black Labradoodle. Pretty sure it's the large size because he's huge, hyper and knocks my kids down - even 65lb, Forester. Micah always cries and ends up in scratches. Now this could be due to "parenting" but that dog, though oh so loving, drives me insane. No shedding but looks just like a large standard poodle when they don't shave him. Shaved down, very cute.
I miss having a dog and puppies pull at my heart strings...but we travel waaay to much to care for a "real" pet. Forester got a hamster for his bday - this was a big upgrade from the hermit crabs since this pet actually moves. :o)
amy here:
cave! cave!
Our good friends have a labradoodle - it is INSANELY CRAZY!!!!!
Probably worth the money, especially in regard to allergies and shedding. Margot is hypo-allergenic, and Amy sheds more than she does. Worth the $600, and that was when we were impoverished newlyweds (unlike now, when we're impoverished...twolyweds? Is that a word?)
As for the puppy thing, they are a hassle. But so are kids. You're getting a dog, not a robot.
I'm with Steve on the poodle thing though.
Go to the pound, save yourself the cash and the trouble of having an inbred dog that has a tendancy to get sick all the time. We have met many Labradoodle owners (including the couple the Kirlands know) who have lots of problems with food and other crazy allergies...all of that adds up.
And I second Clay's thought...those dogs are crazy!
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