Are Doodle Breeders Ethical & Responsible?

Today Uncle Stonnie is asking the question, are Doodle (Poodle Cross) breeders ethical and responsible. In this video Stonnie lays out some of his opinions related to dog breeding in general and specifically asks the question of how ethical and responsible dog breeding should be defined.
We hope you guys enjoy!
#godlendoodle #labradoodle #poodle

[@StonnieDennis]

Are you a fan of my training style, but can’t travel to Kentucky to see me in person? No worries! I offer an awesome online puppy training course, which includes access to an array of exclusive videos and content, personalized coaching, journaling, and in-depth mentoring and evaluation by yours truly! If you just need some an advice or have a couple questions you need answered, I also offer professional consulting by the hour. Both of these great services can be found here: www.kentuckycanine.com Thank you all for your remarkable support over the years! I cannot express enough how grateful I am for your appreciation and patronage of this channel, my training style, and my kennel. Always remember, it’s a great day for a puppy-sized adventure!

[@JulaneLund]

I’ve fostered a lot of dogs for our local shelter through the years and I’ve seen a lot of variety in dogs. Most of the dogs have been mixed breeds, but not all. Some of them I did not know the history of and others I did. Most of those shelter dogs ended up being great pets, but some have needed special homes. I recently adopted a standard labradoodle who has a straight coat that sheds. She was 9 months old when I adopted her. She is incredibly intelligent and loyal, which makes her a special dog. She is very attached to her family and she has been wonderful with all people. She especially loves children. She is extremely quiet. I never hear a peep out of her, even if someone bangs on our door. However, the bad thing is that she is over reactive with other dogs. Unfortunately, she gets triggered at times by other dogs and when she attacks them she tears them up. It is very sporadic. She can get along with a dog for 6 months and then she suddenly attacks them violently. I do not know much about her background or her breeder. I was told her first owner was a college student who realized his apartment was too small for such a big, boisterous puppy. My guess is that she has inherited a tendency to be reactive from one of her parents. However, I also think that her early puppy-hood was less than ideal. Those two things together have created a dangerous situation for her and for us as her current owners since we have to keep her separate from other dogs.

[@nungshipongen457]

You're cool Dennis.. Love that yellow lab❤.. Can you bring a Dalmatian.. How to increase the recall thing.. They're of course not very good bat that.

[@anyascelticcreations]

If everyone had someone like Stonie in their life the world would be a better place.

[@randomletter-5i4]

honestly...this is true...I think he should run a therapy camp for people with daddy issues...lots of them out there!

[@dogparty-tt8qw]

@@randomletter-5i4 lmao that’s awesome!!

[@C.Hawkshaw]

Like, comment and subscribe. Gotta get those Google algorithms working 😁

[@blackraen]

Exactly my thoughts, Stonnie. I think a lot of people miss that a "doodle" is called that because it's got poodle in the genetics, and poodles are working class dogs. In the last video a lot of folks commented about how great their doodles are, and I can believe it! A working dog can really make being a handler rewarding, but it's work and you have to at least have a plan and some level of activity to keep that dog well adjusted and happy. I think Stonnie-watchers are more likely, as a population, to be good homes for that kind of dog. A family with a 'does not shed' priority for their future four-legged family member generally isn't even aware of what their part in raising a working dog entails, thus we see doodles acting up so often. "Responsible" would be for doodle breeders to be up-front with potential clients that they can't expect them to be like labs. But then, I'm certain many probably are and people may not listen because they've got puppies on the brain. I think the truth is, though, that after doodles, there will be another breed/breed-mix that becomes more popular and trendy, and then we'll see that dog show up as the 'generally problematic breed,' just because of the people-aspect of this equation, rather than the dogs themselves.

[@angelinacamacho8575]

you reminded me of my aunt when she first got her cockapoo and was having prey drive issues so i told her "well you got a bird dog what did you expect?"

[@ChristineTimms]

​@@angelinacamacho8575my dog is cross cocker Spaniel cross labradore.When I got her,breeder said se was cockerdore,or spanidore,In my eyes she is a mixed retreiver that is great at her job.

[@PiaRavenari]

This is so true. When 'do not shed' is the priority, you end up with so many poodle x dogs who just never get the enrichment / stimulation / training they need, they often become quite neurotic or aggressive, and then of course they get their reputations with groomers etc. because no, they've never had handling training, grooming training, positive training, etc. I'm in quite a few cavoodle groups (as I have one) and I was kind of shocked at how many brought up very what I would call 'normal' dog or puppy issues in a way that made it clear they hadn't done a single inch of reading, at all. And some of these folks if you suggest the effort of even the most basic training (which helps with bonding, closeness, all the good things!) act offended, as though you don't think their dog is some perfect little 'cheeky' teddy bear, lol. I love that our dog is birdy. I love that he's excited to walk always. I love that he loves to sniff things and that he has opinions and is driven. I love that he enjoys jumping so much that getting him to sit for visitors was a challenge (we made it!). And while I don't love that he can be a bit anxious (we're working on Separation Anxiety via Julie Naismith's methods), we also saw over and over again 'can be prone to separation anxiety' in the research. So it's not like we weren't warned. We were very lucky that the breeder told us upfront they can be prone to SA and to start absence training gently but immediately. She gave us a socialisation checklist, as well as natural chews like cow hoofs and a split antler to start when his adult teeth started coming in. She told us to start daily grooming desensitisation, even something as simple as puppy wipes on the face and butt, followed by showing them scissors and brushes and giving treats. We were *very* lucky, I've had purebreed breeders not go into as much detail on the pros/cons as she did, and she taught us a lot, esp about natural chews and enrichment. But our boy his 75% poodle, and that's the way we like it. His muzzle is long enough to fit all his teeth (a problem the more cavalier leaning crosses have sometimes :( ), he's birdy and bouncy, he wants to please and he wants to feel as though he has a purpose. I really wish less folks thought 'that's a teddy bear and I want one, what colours does it come in.' (To be fair I've met reactive labs too, but also from folks who are like 'that's a cute dog what colours does it come in' and like... you know that's a dog that doesn't have a routine or any sort of enrichment/exercise in its life a lot of the time.)

[@jdoveyk9422]

As a trainer I’ve had 6 doodles in 2024 alone. One Brittany doodle and the others were Labradoodles. All of them except 1 had an unexpected behavioral change that was expressed quite violently and without warning. The one exception was a persistent humper and jumped on people but otherwise did not have this Jekyll/Hyde syndrome. 4/6 were active people who did some basic obedience with their dogs and took them on park outings, played fetch and were generally active. The other 2 were with folks who lived a more work focused very busy people life but not very dog centric. Those two dogs both had very bad separation anxiety and quite “headstrong” disrespectful personalities which I equate to lack of boundaries and generally more love than leadership. At least they ALL sought help! The approaches were different with each dog because what worked with one might not have worked with the others. *Ethics to me is the breeder screens for temperament and does behavioral assessments and environmental exposure during the first 8-10 weeks of the puppies life. Also, recommends the appropriate pup for the living situation and skill level of owner and desired traits. *Ethics is truth and transparency with the studs/bitches. Allowing the prospective owners to meet/see the dogs and facilities. Not overstating or selling on trendy buzzwords and gimmicks. *Ethics is genetic testing so as not to breed deaf dogs (achieving some certain coat and eye colors) and to greatly reduce serious health and physical defects. *Ethics is also taking the pup back if there is an unforeseen issue that is going to be especially hard for the owners to resolve. Genetic roulette is real and sometimes you get an outlier, it’s important for the breeder to know of these things and perhaps that will adjust their future breedings. Many of these will end up at the shelter instead because the owner will feel like they failed or the dog so just a bad dog and investment. I applaud owners who seek professional training and or veterinary behaviorist help because that is also ETHICAL❤

[@ladylyonteeth3952]

I had two cockapoos. One when I was growing up with a dream personality. The second, as an adult, and he was a total spazz. I couldn’t introduce him to people and he barked his head off over everything. He could turn violent when you tried to get him to go to bed. There were injuries to family members. I heard over-breeding is likely cause, but I had met his mother, and she was totally chill. It would be nice to be able to find reliable breeders the doodle style dog, and I really feel for people who get a problem pooch.

[@user-zb3ng7nl9e]

Totally agree!

[@GoodCitizen-jk9lm]

The grooming requirements are maximum and most people don’t understand

[@PrairieDawnC]

It's true! Either you're spending time and money to groom a Doodle or you're spending time snd money to clean German Shedder hair out of your car. It's truly about how you want to spend your time and money, because any dog deserves both. I have a Springer Doodle rescue, a German Shedder retired queen, and a Great Pyrenees X farm dog. They're all great dogs with very different coats and temperaments.

[@Cielovista]

My favorite dog of all time was an akc registered Labrador retriever who had a lanky field type build. I took her to the vet, and the vet without having been told, knew who the breeder was and the dog's parental lineage and knew the the health concerns associated with that line. She was brilliant in a lot of ways including fetching and athleticism in terms of keeping up with us on snow machines and hikes in Alaska. The health concerns did manifest. Was that breeder irresponsible? She gave us so much joy over her 13 year lifetime, and that's what mattered to us in the long run.

[@dogparty-tt8qw]

Mr. Dennis is a fountain of wisdom, I love this channel! Thank you Stonnie and company!!❤

[@wmickinley]

The world is doomed

[@Terrierized]

Most doodle breeders market them as 'accessories '... low maintenance, clean, friendly.. This lures a lot of amateur owners

[@user-bb3gk5wn4y]

I have owned black labs, great danes, collie/shepard mixes and currently own a F1b labradoodle (¾ poodle, ¼ black lab). I specifically chose a labradoodle because I wanted the intelligence of a poodle and the loyalty, calmness, people-loving, and retrieve drive of a lab. I specifically chose the breeder because they were veterinarians, own a farm, provide health certificates, and temperament test the parents and the puppies. I did not care whether the dog sheds (she doesn't). I took Stonnie's online puppy training course only because COVID made flying to his Kentucky kennel difficult. From 8 weeks of age, I have taken her on outside adventures multiples times per day and in many different environments, including riding a chairlift at a ski resort. At 4 years old, she runs off leash beside my bicycle (sprinting 13 mph), runs/jumps her heart out off leash at the beach, and loves retrieving balls on the beach , in the forest, at a public park. I can and do take her everywhere, she loves everyone and everyone loves her. She is the center of attention at the park where other people comment on how athletic she is. My point for all of this, is that it is all about training and adventures. Using Stonnie's method, you can have the perfect dog. And mine is a doodle.

[@StonnieDennis]

Very good points!

[@SouldArt]

So glad you’re addressing these topics! I wish more people paid attention to channels like this before they buy. I’ve owned a lot of different breeds over the decades, mostly dumped in my lap and now I have a doodle, but they’re all raised the same because I’m a believer in nurture vs nature when it comes to temperament and so far it’s worked out. I learned everything I know from wolves but that’s another story and I’m an Irish granny so I’ll stop myself now lol. However you can miss me with the low coat maintenance non shedding doodle lol I’ve never had more work with any dog and I’ve owned lots of long coats but this girl requires daily combing out which she hates but tolerates and there’s not a single groomer with 100kms of me that will touch a doodle other than to shave it down, which I did to her once and she went into a deep depression and dog therapists are costly lol and yes you’re right, even with long time dog owners these dogs become froofroo puppies from the start. So spoiled I’m ashamed. So we go through a lot of detangling product and combs lol My biggest concern with breeding right now is the number of mixed gsd’s there are for sale and how cheap they are. I can only imagine the issues and glad I don’t fix messed up dogs anymore. When I used to train unruly dogs I used the buy and sell papers to watch the trends so that I’d know what breed my next wave of clients would be 😁 Thanks for listening to me drone on. Take care and keep making videos you’re a valuable channel, I’ve learned a great deal from you. Cheers!

[@nibimocs]

As an avid outdoors person who especially loves to go on long, mostly solo, canoe trips in Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, but, who is also mildly allergic to shedding breeds, I'm definitely an exception to your "doodle owners typically buy doodles to be house accessories" statement. I'm on my 3rd schnauzer/poodle (schnoodle) mix now. The first was really my wife's dog and was acquired (taken off a friend's hands) far too late for us to do any early training but was still a great dog. Most of the time, he stayed home with my wife while I went out on my canoe adventures but, there came a time that my wife was out of town and I "had" to take him along with me. What an eye-opener that trip was! Even though he had no specific training for such an adventure and only weighed about 15lbs, he did great and was a great joy to have along. Over his 11 year life span, I only had a chance to take him on 3 or 4 trips but I sure enjoyed his company! He certainly did not like rain/thunder though and also did not like to swim (which isn't all bad when you want your dog to stay in the canoe!). When he passed, we decided to get 2 dogs -- another schnoodle for me and a shi-poo for my wife (yes, the latter was more as a house accessory). This time, we purchased from a "breeder". The schnoodle (Sam) was 5 months old with very minimal training but I couldn't have asked for a sweeter, more easy-going dog. I started getting him used to the canoe right away but waited a year before introducing him to camping and canoe tripping. As I said, he was very easy going, loved everyone he met but was very respectful of everyone too. We often thought he would make a great therapy dog but never followed up on that. In his all too short 13 years on this earth, he accompanied me on 28 overnight canoe adventures, many, just the 2 of us, and including a few 2 week long trips. He weighed about 25 lbs so was a very good fit in the canoe. He was a bit more tolerant of rain than our first one, didn't mind thunder one bit but still didn't like to swim... although he'd wade in up to his chest when it got hot. He was always the first one in and out of the canoe! After we lost Sam, we looked for another schnoodle -- this time, I thought 30 lbs would maybe be a better fit. The only ones we could find from breeders were all smaller... 10-15 lbs. And, expensive as well. We finally found a rescue, Ruby. Ruby weighs in just under 30 lbs, was about 2 y.o. when we rescued her last July. Being a rescue, she's had very minimal training although, she did know "sit" when we got her. She loves people but gets way to enthusiastic, jumping up at their faces to lick them. She's terrible with kids... doesn't know to tone it down a bit when she greets them so bowls them over. Always want to play with all the dogs she meets -- again, very energetically. She's a sweet girl, just too excitable! I've taken her canoeing and camping which she has enjoyed and has been fine on. Even took her on a 3 day canoe trip last fall... to an area I knew we wouldn't encounter many, if any, people. I've been trying to control her reactivity, have made some progress but still have a long way to go. At the moment, my biggest concern about taking her with me is the way she'll greet other people and dogs she'll meet on the portage trail... knowing that not all travelers are going to be very happy about a dog zooming towards them and jumping at them. From my experience, there's definitely a lot to be said for the nurture part of the equation as far as behavior goes. Again, my tendency towards doodles isn't because I want a dog that doesn't shed in the house (although that's good too) so much as it is that I want a dog who won't shed in my tent and make my allergies kick in. I just wish I could figure out how to rein Ruby in a bit.

[@veedebee]

❤ Wise words as always. As a groomer we saw A LOT of doodles and the ones that were treated as a substitute child were very often the more difficult ones. My sister has a doodle, she lives in central London and a cottage in the country and that dog could be riding a London bus one day and walking through a field of sheep the next and she’s absolutely great. I have a poodle and a field lab, you ask a poodle to jump, they ask “how high?” You ask a lab to jump they say “OK”.

[@dariuspringle2608]

At nearly 70 years old, I chose a Lab because I felt he was “trainable” at my level of ability. I took a deployed sailor’s year old bernedoodle for 18 months and realized he was more difficult to train into our lifestyle. He didn’t learn from a mentor dog relationship, making it really difficult for me. After our time together the Berne was incrementally better behavior wise, but still had moments where he just “lost his mind” , things I couldn’t figure out that no one, including multiple emails to stonnie, could give me an answer to. So the less fur “benefit” had very little bearing when it came to the adoption of a ten month old field bred lab. His lack of socialization was something I could work with, at an almost predictable outcome. The mentor dog relationship was an immediate hook up, to the point where he wants to please the mentor dog as much as me. The outcome is clear after a year in multiple locations, farm and field, and city downtowns. In most situations we tend to purchase things based upon how they look, but with a dog, for me at my age, that has very little bearing on my decisions now. After 26 adoptive dogs, these might be my last two, that’s okay as Harry Callahan said, “A man has got to know his limitations”.

[@carmelt]

My Ruby is half poodle, half king Charles cavalier spaniel known as Cavoodle in Australia. She was the runt of her litter so small like a chihuahua. She is super active, so fast that I can't keep up with her and we go hiking together. The downside, she's barkie. I love her. ❤

[@itsfinneganagain]

💥👍👏💥👏👍💥 What a WONDERFUL example of being a positive part of society in general AND an even better example of logical thinking and interaction within the dog owners' community!

[@inyourhomefitness2452]

Love your channel and all the info you give. You are spot on about doodles. Love labs, great family dog. I have a mini doodle who is incredible. Born on a Mennonite farm and last to go as she had an underbite. She grew up with a ton of little kids, which by the way they were sad to see her go, other dogs and farm animals. She was not quite 15 weeks. So she was socialized up the whazo. It was fabulous to have a social dog. She naturally walked great on a leash, good with kids and people. She is my perfect camping buddy and shopper. Loves to swim which I do and lucky for me I am a 10 minute walk to a Conservative area where we do a lot of swimming. I wanted a dog that could come everywhere with me and have fun, so that is why I got a doodle, plus the no shedding helps. Had a Great Pyrenees who was a rescue that lived to 14, but did not like the water or a good shopper. But she loved our walks in the conservation area and was great with my kids growing up. Like you have said in previous videos, get a dog that suits your life style. Now my mini doodle Dolly is very laid back, which is lucky for a doodle, but good training and understanding you get a great dog. Just have to put in the effort and time. So Dolly is off the lead trained, doesn’t run out the door when opened (waits for me to go first), fully house trained the day we brought her home (used the bell system and still do, hasn’t gone in the house except for the day we got her. And remember this was a farm dog who could go anywhere), great on a leash, best camping partner ( will not bark or go after other dogs, just sits in her own chair), best swimming bud. Each day is a gift with her and she is so much fun. Thanks again for sharing great information and I look forward to more. From Cambridge, Ontario.

[@HowAboutThat224]

Love this video. Great job and I agree with your logic. Extremely well said. I have a 95% chocolate lab rescue and a golden doodle. I get really tired of all the hate I see on golden doodles. He is such an amazing dog. Absolutely amazing and they get trashed so much.

[@colossusX1]

Got my F1 goldendoodle at about 16 weeks old (He was the last one available of the litter) and started training as soon as we got home. He's now almost 9 months and is well behaved for the most part (still a few puppy tendencies). He's great with my kids, did well when I boarded him with a friend who had a much bigger lab for a few days, and understands all basic obedience so far.

[@maryzuchowski253]

I have had all different breeds of dogs and some mixes. I have thought all of them were great dogs. I couldn't pick a favorite breed. I love them all. I also was a dog trainer, and all the dogs i worked with were very smart, and i truly enjoyed working with them. I love watching your videos!!

[@andykolber7167]

As someone who works with dogs I 100% agree with everything you said and wish more people understood it

[@BettyR500]

I keep commenting about our adopted bernadoodle puppies. We got them from the rescue after fostering and deciding to make them part of our family. They certainly were not from a responsible breeder but from a puppy mill. Thanks to this channel and our concerted effort to learn puppy training they have had so many puppy sized adventures and we are well on our way to well behaved and adjusted dogs. We just got back from a family vacation and brought them along. They swam in the lake for the first time and it was hilarious!

[@BettyR500]

Frankly, we have a lot of imperfection in our scenario as they are from a puppy mill and also are littermates! But we work so hard with socializing and training and giving them a good and loving environment and they are such a joy. Alot of work, but a lot of joy ❤So happy to have found you, Stoney! I watch your channel all the time since they were 9 weeks old! Your Littermate video was so encouraging. We did what we did for good reasons and then had to figure out how to do the best we could!

[@midnight-special]

Stonnie - This is so on the money. I have a working line Bouvier de Flanders, another dog which tends not to leave hair all over the place, but that is also a minimum 2.5 hr./day commitment between mental and physical exercise and obedience training. Also not an animal for someone unprepared to invest significant amounts of time and money into a trainer experienced with livestock guardian/herding breeds or their own time teaching the dog new things every day. It’s a lifetime commitment. When my dog exhibits leash reactivity, 8 of 10 times it’s a reaction to untrained doodles barking or growling. Half the time the owners are on the phone ignoring their dog’s behavior. In fact, they concern me far more than the bull and terrier breeds. I view it as a welcome training opportunity, she gets better every day at ignoring the yappy furballs. I figure it’s better than her getting close, having some Doodle act aggressively and having her decide to neutralize any perceived threat, which would result in a dead doodle in under a minute. Interestingly, the issue I’ve heard about with respect to doodles isn’t really that they’re inherently bad dogs that adhere to no consistent lineage. That’s a matter of perspective. It’s more the argument from some canine biologists and vet groups regarding the financial incentives to pull Golden and Lab breeders away, shrinking the gene pool and compounding health issues for dogs that can already be subject to extensive line breeding. Ironically, the meanest dogs around here tend to be Golden Retrievers. Of 5 in our neighborhood, just one is friendly to other dogs. 1 of the 4 owners of the animals of concern is at fault for not exercising or socializing their dog, but the others have all had Goldens for years. They are all baffled by the aggression of their latest pups (all are under 3). Anyway, keep up the great work!!

[@prestonberkeley9852]

I originally found your channel when doing research on Lagottos. We decided it was the right breed for us, and ours turns 2 this week and is a pretty good dog from our neighbors’ perspective. About half of the dogs she plays with are Doodles- a majority of which have maintained the positive qualities of the Labs/Goldens in a smaller package without the shedding.

[@ievabernieks325]

What’s a Lagotto dog? A cross of some sort? Would love to know.

[@prestonberkeley9852]

@@ievabernieks325 The full name is Lagotto Romangolo. They are purebred Italian Water Dogs, that are somewhat similar to lots of doodles. They are about 25-35 lbs. and don't shed. Stonnie has a full video titled Lagotto Romagnolo | Is It Right For You? that is all about them.

[@wirralsquirrel713]

I did a lot of research & spoke to a lot of KC registered breeders before getting a GSD puppy, my family’s tenth GSD. I’ve grown up with the breed & I love them however, there are many issues that come with poor breeding & especially UK Show Lines. I found an exceptional breeder of KC registered Working Line GSDs. They put in a lot of research, work & effort into producing excellent puppies of top UK & European Working Lines. I continued training & this progressed to more advanced levels were we competed in Working Trials. When out & about I get many compliments on my GSD but, I always advise that they don’t come preprogrammed. GSDs are a Working Breed that you have to keep physically & mentally stimulated, plus they shed once a year & it lasts 365 days! My issue is people get a dog without having a serious discussion about who they are getting the puppy from, why they want a dog & what the next decade of their life with a dog will be like. We come across many dogs that are badly behaved & have obviously had little training or issues that have not been addressed correctly. Some have even attacked my dog, when mine is on its lead calmly walking with me. I would say the advantage of breeding lines is that you can see the temperament & health of the parents breed lines. One of my dog trainers advised that some dog breeds should never be crossed due to the strong outcome of guarding & aggression. Also nervous & anxious or aggressive dogs should never be breed from. A responsible dog breeder should raise the puppies in a family home so they experience the environment they will live in. A new owner should always continue with the socialisation & training until the dog is an adult & beyond. I still ‘train’ my dog even though she is nearly 8. I always praise & talk to her when we are out & about. Sadly many people are too busy on their phones & don’t interact with their dog.

[@johnfarrow3463]

I have a family member who has 2 Labradoodles. Their first dog is an absolute nerve bag, he cannot be around any strangers & is afraid of anything & everything! Their 2nd Labradoodle is an awesome dog!! Very confident & social, with the perfect amount of socialization & obedience & imo is a very good looking dog & a very stable temperament. Here’s the kicker, t dog #1 was a rescue & clearly had zero training or socialization. Dog #2 was purchased from a very well known breeder & cost an arm & leg! I’ve owned & bred German Imported Rottweilers & Dogue De Bordeaux so Im Not oblivious to spending 2,000$-3,500$ for a good puppy with a health guarantee. But they paid much more than that 3,500$ price point. Our father has bred Field Trial & Pointer Labradors for 40+ years. I’ve recently purchased a Chocolate Lab who is super super high drive, & working with him daily. Both my Chocolate Lab & her Chocolate Labradoodle have that fearless temperament & high gear most other dogs don’t have. So the Doodles I’ve seen are 2 ends of the spectrum. I’d be interested to see these breeds in 10-20 years Edit:: I just heard you say what is an ethical breeder? Then saying for people to explain/describe their list or description of what’s ethical? If we ALL have to agree on one definition, that’s never going to happen. I’ll bite & give my definition. Health Tested & Passed OFA Hips, Elbows, Hearts, & CERF Eyes. Pass some type of Breed Suitability Test from that breeds Breed Club. Have a minimum of a basic working title for the “work” that breed was designed to do. Also maybe some type of Temperament Test to make sure the dog is clear enough in the head to function in society & its job or to make sure it’s nots so nervy that even with socializing & training it still potentially a fear biter.

[@CooperMaMa322]

EDIT: Regarding doodle breeders I see very little ethical breeding going on. My search for a breeder was made so much more difficult because of that. Backyard breeding is rampant and puppy mills get shut down regularly here in Florida. The poodle rescues here are over run with and forced to take poodle mixes. Let me also comment that even tho I consider my breeder a good one, all the health testing etc. is proper, they breed way too many litters. I currently have a standard Australian Labradoodle bred by a responsible breeder and he is confident with a good amount of drive. As an older female I also had him properly trained with a trainer who has an amazing resume. He is chill, pattern cognizant and a lovely dog. My best dog EVER in my life was an oops Golden Retriever & English Yellow Lab cross. He basically required no training at all although we did quite a bit of leash work because of his 90 plus pound size. Hardly necessary because he wouldn’t run off. Next, and entirely because of this amazing retriever/lab cross I adopted a 6 month old (who turned out to be a field bred) Yellow Lab. VERY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE. All of the balls and frisbees and walks plus bike rides, scooter and roller jogs were never enough to complete take the edge off this dog. He lived all of his life with us but if too much drive is a thing he had it.

[@rayr4320]

Unless a lab is mentally retarded (you occasionally see a slow one in a large litter) they are difficult to screw up. It is in the best interest of a pack species to have a range of temperament (submissive dominant). If you have a temperament preference in field lab, watch the puppies after week 5. Select accordingly. Generally speaking, the docile pup will grow up to fetch a ball- but be a mediocre retriever, but a fine companion. The dominant pup will have the opposing tendencies.

[@akeamee]

Don’t know why but would really appreciate a parenting video from you Stonnie mate you just seem to have an amazing understanding on things

[@nicmiller-clendon1929]

I bought a doodle after my previous rescue doodle died. She was incredibly well behaved. Her only quirk was she did not tolerate rude behaviour from other dogs and would give a reprimanding bark. My new pup will be trained because if you’ve got a combination of two working dogs you better be prepared to keep that brain occupied. He’s joyful , loves to please and would train for longer than I let him because he thinks it’s fun. I just call him a retriever cross since he currently looks like a retriever pup. I met both his parents - nice dogs who just needed some training to be great but from what I’ve seen many owners of slipper dogs (small fluffy ones) and poodle mixes think cute looks means they don’t have to train. I’m very intolerant of people who think a dogs going to do the training themselves and then launch a crazed dog on society. The key isn’t the “breed” it’s the commitment to your dog and training.

[@PaulaDTozer]

Over the years I’ve realized that all purebred dogs are, essentially, designer dogs. Consider what has been (historically) done to a puppy that doesn’t have the “proper” ridge on its back, and therefore cannot represent the breed standard for Rhodesian Ridgebacks. I’ve seen some German Shepherds from showlines that move like mutants, poor dogs. There are very few (popular) breeds that do not have some sort of inherent disease profile to which their breed is prone. Please correct me if I’m wrong, but Golden Retrievers are one of the most disease prone breeds. To mix that breed with a healthier breed genetically seems to me like an act of compassion. Of course, some breeders are in it purely for the money, and may overlook disease as a reason for not mating certain dogs, and continue to crank out animals who suffer greatly throughout their lives from various diseases, but how is their final product any different than the dog who is the result of mating grandfather to granddaughter, or even father with his daughter? Does nobody in the dog world see the insanity in that? In an “industry” whose elite members rely on inbreeding to achieve their ends and condemn those who design dogs with a more diverse genetic profile, how can we generalize and declare that they care about dogs?

[@Kaisa-Frank]

I have a doodle flatcoat retriver and poodle, and she love too train. What we are training is nose work and Rally in Denmark. My first 2 dogs were male labradors and I also trained them a lot, but my doodle has more drive to want to train. Best regards to you all!

[@LimitlessJayson]

I still stand firmly that people need to do plenty more research before they keep getting dogs that they're unprepared for... It'll never happen... But It's just how I feel the world would be bettered

[@LimitlessJayson]

I researched 20+ breeders before choosing the breeder for my WLGSD, we wanted a wellbred dog to be our first true experience in the breed. We've trained dogs highly in the past, so we took what we already knew & continued to apply it to him. Tell me why my 5 month old dog has better basic obedience skills than people who have owned dogs for 30 years? I'm only 20 years old. Recall in new environments? Not a problem Re-engaging after getting love from strangers? Not a problem Loose leash walking? Not a problem 90% of what we've done with him is all TRAINING on our part, but everyone we'll meet for the rest of our lives will just think he was born this way... Good genetics go a long way, but genetics don't train the dog.

[@Sanitynstuff]

Im glad you are making this video. I have a much loved Bernadoodle-my first dog that wasn’t a rescue. I’ve questioned the process ever since I got her. She is not like any dog I’ve been around. I got her from a “famous”breeder from S. Carolina who is not what they presented themselves to be. She is like a cheerleader/line backer personality wise. But i live in a forest and she is a great forest dog!

[@jdrankwalter]

Love Stonnie's broad perspectives. A real cool dude.

[@StonnieDennis]

Thank you!

[@wasColette]

Awesome video as usual. I have a smaller mixed breed terrier/havanese/poodle. She is my first dog as an adult. Before I got her I was watching Stonnie videos and other good resources. I made a little course for her in my small yard and worked with her every day. When we would walk in my suburban neighborhood I was always looking for different surfaces and small adventures for her. Lucky for her, my yard is a front yard with fence and right away anytime someone was walking by with their dog I would invite them in to meet her. She loved it and even though now she is 4 and does bark more than she used to, she is the best girl. I do think her breeder was very conscientious. She had a ranch with horses and chickens and big dogs that the puppies were exposed to. I do think there are people like me who are a bit older, want a smaller dog they can pick up if they need to, and live in homes with not huge yards.

[@wendyket]

You are right on, Stonnie. I've seen this so many times with people who own poodle crosses or so-called "designer" breeds.

[@jasoncollins369]

I know that yellow lab! He is doing so well!

[@kmsch986]

I’ve been in horse and dog world for a long time and it fascinates me how different the breeder responsibility is. In the horse world it’s 100% caveat emptor. You have to pay for a vet exam, blood work, X-rays if you want them and usually it runs around 700-1000$. If the horse fails, money gone. Next buyer comes along and repeats. Some buyers can’t afford this take a chance and if horse is lame later, was drugged at time of tryout they don’t really have a recourse. Happens all the time. I’ve always thought its great when dog breeders offer health certs, guarantees, image hips in vulnerable breeds, think through genetic traits. You don’t see that in horse breeding. The last horse I purchased, I did 9 vet checks on failed horses with problems- joint issues, OCDs in the joints that would affect soundness were found in all of them.

[@user-kt6pp2pl1q]

Love your show. You make sense.

[@Sanitynstuff]

Im glad you are making this video. I have a much loved Bernadoodle-my first dog that wasn’t a rescue. I’ve questioned the process ever since I got her. She is not like any dog I’ve been around.

[@user-jw8gt1co5z]

I like standard poodles and I like retrievers, Bernese etc, so I’m not opposed to crossing them. However, I have yet to find a doodle breeder that performs the same genetic health tests (skeletal, eyes, etc etc) that a good purebred AKC breeder does. Maybe they exist, but the OFA (Orthopedic Foundation of America) states that doodles have higher incidences of hip dysplasia than their pure bred relatives. Genetic diversity is fantastic, but if you breed a poodle with health issues to a Lab with health issues, you still get a puppy with problems. This is a call for ALL breeders to step up, please health and temperament test your breeding stock. The dogs deserve it.

[@StonnieDennis]

I do not believe the current genetic testing protocols are a net positive for dogs, in the aggregate.

[@terrybreen7804]

@@StonnieDennis That surprises me. Why do you say that?

[@morebaloney1539]

The hip issues are real. Sorta agree w Stonnie. The genetic tests are a) not determinative b) false impression of health risks-true of human tests too. TMI this thread. Nothing beats knowing the dogs canine relatives but that’s tough to impossible for avg buyer, and papers are easily forged.

[@user-jw8gt1co5z]

@@morebaloney1539 Maybe I’ve just been lucky, but I’ve had 4 large dogs (retrievers and giant breeds) that have had great hips with very limited arthritis throughout their lives. They’ve all come from parents with good or excellent hips through generations certified by the OFA. When I say my dogs’ have had great hips, I mean that they were pain free and enjoying walks/running daily and jumping in/out of SUV’s until their deaths.

[@user-jw8gt1co5z]

Also, the OFA has its own website that displays the results of all dogs that have had testing done under its scheme. The vet doing the x-rays sends the images directly to OFA, so the breeder is not involved (cheating is nearly impossible). If you check the OFA website, the information is always accurate. You should always double check all breeders statements regarding health on the OFA website.

[@user-wu6yj9fx1z]

He’s a very cute dog. I love the way he very carefully navigates the obstacles and watches all his footsteps down things, like the stairs… smart little doodle dog!

[@starlakelsey2782]

As a groomer my problem with doodles...clients wait until they missed window for grooming training then expect me to keep them fluffy at a point when it is pelted.

[@randomletter-5i4]

what you say makes total sense imo. I would love a labrador but they are too big and shed ...those two issues make them unsuitable for many people. I would never get a dog I could not easily carry or lift.

[@margaretfleming3554]

I’ve known 3 cockerpoos (cocker spaniel x poodle) personally. One wore a spray collar because it would bite or growl at anyone or anything that approached it outside the family. It was very cute but a cross between a mop and an anxiety attack! One developed Addisons disease and eventually couldn’t tolerate the medication it took to control that and was euthanised and the last got hip dysplasia at 3 and also had to be put down. Two of these dogs and my neighbour’s cockerpoo, who is a glorious pet, have quite severe food guarding issues - that I think is more of a Spaniel issue. All these dogs came from registered breeders. I see labradoodles whilst walking my dog and the owners report they are rather hyper.

[@PiaRavenari]

As someone with a doodle, in communities of people with doodles, I do overwhelmingly see a lot of owners that haven't done research into training, or enrichment, who don't even know how to toilet train, etc. They love their dogs, but are repeatedly baffled when they come across problems - everything from regular teething or adolescence in a dog that's never been redirected in its life - to 'I didn't groom my puppy for 6 months and now it hates grooming help' etc. - to straight up Separation Anxiety and intense reactivity. And it's kind of disheartening how many of those dogs would be doing great (maybe with some challenges, who knows), if they just got regular exercise - even a short sniffy walk - feeding enrichment, and some trick training and obedience training to work their minds. There *are* some sports minded folks in the doodle groups. I'm not one of them! I enjoy the training side of things, so we keep our boy active with exercise, routine, enrichment, training, but I'm never going to be a runner / hiker etc. We didn't get him because he won't shed on the furniture but because I have unpredictable allergies with dogs (even ones that don't shed) and after allergy testing about 20 litters, this combo provoked the smallest response. He's not my preference, and he's not the kind of dog I'd get if I had no dog allergies! We have cats that shed all over the furniture instead ;) Makes the house feel lived in. It does seem to be at least in some of the Australian doodle communities a split between people who care a great deal about force free training, enrichment, exercise, etc. and the ones who just get a 'pretty teddy' dog who are shocked that it has a personality and needs and desires. The ones who care a great deal are usually the ones organising meets at enclosed dog parks, who are the first to suggest actual techniques etc., and are also pretty quiet in some of the mixed dog groups because they know how they can be treated for having poodle mixes. And then you have the folks who just...don't want to train, don't care for training, and then just get repeatedly shocked that their dog is impossible to handle, doesn't stop barking, is unmanageable etc. Our boy isn't perfect by any means. He does have Separation Anxiety, and despite a lot of ongoing socialisation and puppy preschool and obedience, he has some dog friendliness issues. We mostly work on controlled exposure and desensitisation. We know those techniques work. Using them for grooming means he now 'asks' to be groomed in the same way he asks for dinner. He loves both. Wellness vet visits means he can enjoy aspects of being at the vet. Door is a Bore exercises and Absence training means his window of tolerance for us leaving gets longer and longer with ever month. But...maybe it would be callous of me to say that I sadly think many doodle owners would just not care about these things. They'd leave the house and let the dog bark incessantly in a panicked way all day. They'd have their dog shaking and terrified and muzzled at the vet. They'd rip a comb through them and be like 'oh our boy hates grooming so much!' And sometimes it's really just lack of education and not knowing you can change these things, but I sadly think some of it is also just inertia. I've met people in this category who own all kinds of dogs, not just poodle mixes. But I do think because poodle minds are sharp and they're quite active overall, their general temperament is less forgiving to lacking early socialisation and obedience training. I just don't think it's the fault of poodle mixes. I don't even think it's the fault of many breeders (there are ethical ones out there, just like there are unfortunately puppy mills). I *do* think it's the responsibility of many owners who just go 'that's a cute teddy bear, what colours does it come in, and will it mess up my house.' :/ That's a people problem. Not a poodle x problem.

[@hsgotwal]

Your videos are so thought provoking. Do ever think about ethics of buying from a breeder vs. Adopting from the shelter? And the pros and cons of each?

[@StonnieDennis]

Oh yeah, I think about a lot of things…

[@davidpeterson9287]

Well said Uncle Stonnie.

[@xray606]

The only problem I have with the whole doodle thing, is that it just seems a bit chaotic. It doesn't seem like anybody is trying to establish one or two solid official breeds. That said, I think any kind of breeder can be irresponsible, and lots of times the worst ones are the people scolding everybody else. I know breeders that will talk a good talk about caring about the dogs, but at the end of the day, they only care about one thing... Creating pretty dogs that can win shows. They'll breed together individuals who should absolutely not have their genes passed on, because they're loaded with problems. But they do anyway. Then the breeder will appease their guilt by denying their dogs have any issues. They'll blame the owners and say they're just doing something wrong, even when the individual clearly has huge genetic behavior issues from birth.

[@davidcorrick9416]

First, thanks to Mr. Dennis for his videos. I've learned a lot about dogs, myself and some of the things I didn't know. It seems to me that breeders should breed dogs that are most likely to be happy and healthy. Their chances of being happy will depend on their environment. My dog seemed to be built to protect our dwelling against enemies that were very rare. She was a great athlete but never got more than an hour of exercise per day on the weekdays. It was often difficult for her to relate to other dogs in ways that made her happy. She needed a farm but got a house in the suburbs. I think the black mouth cur is magnificent. It should never be allowed to go extinct. But I think there are more curs than there are environments where they can be themselves. That makes me think it would be better, more responsible if there were fewer curs, Malinois and Ridgebacks, and more English labs. My dog was the best that ever lived but she didn't have a chance to fully be who she was meant to be. God bless you, Grace.

[@skipwarren5448]

I think you are right about the typical owner of a Doodle. My experience genetics and the owner are the key.I have a 20 pound doodle who is well socialized goes to restaurants' and shopping but also goes to the beach, open space and woods everyday minus winter rain storms because I'm lame to want to go out. She could care less about walks in rain etc. She is a Doodle that thinks she is a Lab or Golden. Where I live it seems every other dog is a Doddle and I can say some of my neighbor's Doodles don't go on walks and others I have encountered have behavioral issues.

[@COscubagal]

I think sometimes people think dogs/ puppies are a commodity in that they don’t take into account the individual puppy’s nature. Have you done any content in how to pick a puppy from a litter based on their behavior as puppies (ex shy, confident etc.) and how the training needs of each “personality” might differ?

[@debraciola8998]

I think you nailed it!!🎉

[@sheenalambert5455]

I think that responsible breeding starts with healthy animals that do not express or carry generic disorders common to the breed. I think it's important to use an evidence based program like puppy culture to expose the puppies to the right stimulus at the right time to develop resilience. The dogs should be temperment tested so they can be placed in the correct homes. The breeder should require the owners to find a vet, a groomer (or get the education and supplies to groom at home), and basic obedience class prior to bringing the dog home. We waited for 2 years to get our pup. The dog the breeder selected for us had a very drastic temperament change between 8 and 12 weeks so she called us and told us that we needed to wait for another puppy as this one is too hyper and will drive us crazy. We listened and waited another 4 months and are super happy with our little Lagatto Romagnolo. She will be 2 years old in October. She's healthy with an awesome personality. We just got back from running around the park and swimming in the river and she is laying in the sun napping. A great breeder knows her dogs and her customers and matches the animals to to correct homes. Thanks for the awesome videos Uncle Stoney! You keep inspiring us to get out and do fun stuff and i managed to get her on the paddle board this spring:)

[@StonnieDennis]

Tests are only as good as the evaluators; I don’t know many top notch evaluators…

[@steelcitypoodle508]

There are good and bad breeders and owners of every breed and type of dog. In the UK , cockapoos and labradoodles seem to dominate and the problem ones are almost always sold as lazy, low maintenance companion animals when they are from intelligent athletic parents so need managing as such. Be a shame to lose the poodle as a breed, but if we as owners are not advocating for them and telling the world how awesome they are it's not doodle peoples fault.

[@HVACRat]

I have Standard Poddles (2) and we go on great adventures together, bird hunts, boating/fishing, camping, all the stuff; but they are mostly house dogs really. I got Poodles for all the reasons that other people want Doodles, less shedding, good temperment, working dogs who have drive (but not too much!). Obedience and socialization was started young, by me, and continues to this day. Having said that, I've never met a Doodle that I didn't like! Ethical and responsible to me is the care of the dog, not in the breeding (breed of dog) or the reason for the breeding (money, etc.). For me it's how they are treated, neglect and abuse are unethical and unresponsible and people who neglect and don't care for their dogs shouldn't have them or breed them.

[@Fanny1953]

I have followed you since I got my boy Harry eight years ago. He's a yellow "english" lab. - My fatty Harry is far from lazy - he loves to swim and run- he's just choosy about how and when he partakes. My black field lab Annie (skinny as a rail - can't keep weight on her) was given to me from a hunting plantation because she was not cutting it as a retriever - lived outside for her first 2.5 years ( she was trained by a cattle prod - !!! - no poop she was damaged). She is the sweetest most well behaved girl, loves to run and swim - I'm so lucky to have gotten her! Of course you are correct about early training and socialization - starts with the breeder. I also follow puppy culture - as a breeder she starts with the bitch even during pregnancy and then takes care to make sure the puppies are exposed to environments and people so that when they get to their homes they are on their way to being well adjusted dogs. I am just lucky that my girl Annie was able to overcome. As for doodles - folks are free to spend their money on whatever they want. Also, so loved your video about how to choose the right dog for you. Thank you for your videos!

[@kellywilliams5112]

My husband works as a prof. dog trainer, between the two of us we have over 70 yrs in dog training experience, we own 3 Belgian Mals, and a Pitbull, a rescue.. all with the average training that comes with the breed..personal protection search and rescue, drug search, agility.. yadda yadda... but occasionally we get people who get a puppy and want it trained on the basics, before they take it home..so we keep it for roughly 6-8 weeks for training,.. and I will tell you the most wonderful breed I have ever experienced for the first-time training was a Weimaraner, it totally threw me off guard at what a wonderful breed they are, I fell head over heels in love.,, so you guessed it, at first available time in life MaMa wants a Weimaraner..lol,,

[@Veroweithofer]

When I take our mutt to restaurant terraces here in the US I get so many comments on her good behavior and how their own dogs couldn’t be on this terrace as they don’t behave. They then ask me about her breed. Our dog is a beagle, border Collie, Golden retriever with some terrier and greyhound mixed in. She came to us from a shelter 6 months old. Straight to dog school training, a facility where our police dogs are trained. She heels, downs, sits etc. Nothing fancy. I am baffled why people don’t do that for themselves and their dogs. In Germany we take dogs into restaurants and cafes, they are just expected to behave, they lie under the tables.

[@user-zb3ng7nl9e]

Stonnie, thank you for your channel. It is always very informative! I learn so much!!! In my mind an ethical and responsible breeder is someone who breeds trying to stay pure to the attributes of the breed, health, well being, delivering happy pups that are well socialized. I'm curious as to why the lab is your favorite over the golden retriever. Don't get me wrong both are great dogs. Which would you recommend to a first time dog owner - and why? I personally don't care for the poodle. I find them to be a bit high strung. They're smart, but I prefer the more mellow natures of the golden retriever and labrador retriever. Most people that I know that bought a poodle mix did it for the "shedding" aspect which I don't think is a good reason. But again, just my opinion.

[@UltimoDogLover]

It really depends on breeding. A lot of doodle breeders only breed F1 mixes where it's largely luck which breed characteristics get passed down. But those doing coat and genetic testing (and of course otho testing) breeding multigen doodles can culltivate a temperament more akin to the labrador or retriever ancestor with the furnishing and shed genes of the poodle.

[@kenjackson5938]

Hi,Stonnie,, are there any issues of Black labs overheating in the Sunny heat vs Yellows?

[@memeh1290]

I had someone ask me ifmy black giant schnauzer was a dalmatian! Lol yep not everyone knows breeds! Love your video Stonnie.

[@Toobluejzs147]

My dog is 50 / 50 golden doodle, and his temper is pretty good, when people first come over he barks then settles down, he is 6 years old and wouldn’t change him for the world, but now i got a black lab 15 weeks and she is a hellhound compared to him when he was a pup, but funny thing is i got him for hunting, yes a doodle that duck hunts but finally decided i wanted a lab with the natural hunting drive,

[@bmelloyello]

I agree.

[@morebaloney1539]

Accessories? I do more with my poodle than any of my neighbors w barking labs and pointers behind fences that I have never seen. Sure he’s fancy, but he’s trained and fancy and fun to take out for a hike. It was a lot of work to get my fancy nonshedding ‘accessory’ ready for the world.

[@StonnieDennis]

Do you disagree with the point I made?

[@marrrrrrrrrrrrry279]

I like this point of view! A lab and poodle mix could be a very good dog, I’ve just never come across one. They are very similar in temperament so theoretically they should be easy to socialize and train. I do believe that backyard breeders target the kinds of owners you described, the ones that want dogs as an accessory, and it makes a bad name for different crosses and breeds. That bad name then makes its way to the purebred lovers and it reinforces hating on mutts. I’ve also struggled with the show and field line question for a long time, there are a ton of breeds that have huge a divergence between field and show, like the Labrador and golden. I’ve got a show line lab and would she be worthless hunting? Absolutely, but that wasn’t what I wanted in a dog. I wanted a dog that could be calm in the house on lazy days and keep up with me on adventuring days, however it is a bit disappointing that she doesn’t like to fetch much. I grew up with a lab who was probably a field line and he could go for hours, it was fun at times but he wasn’t properly socialized and was a pretty reactive dog. My show lab was the easiest dog to socialize and train. I wish there was a good in between because some of the field line dogs cannot calm down, and there are some days where I don’t feel like adventuring. I feel like the field lines have more practical characteristics, like shorter coats, tighter around the eyes, and drive but the drive part is where it gets carried away at times. Basically I wish the show dogs with the more tampered down drive still had some in them. Also, if we were smart with breeding crosses, genetically testing, temperament testing, and making sure the dogs aren’t too different physically I think we could make some really good and healthier dogs. Goldens have a 60% cancer rate, but they are awesome dogs, so if we added more genetic diversity by mixing other breeds then we would be able to get those cancer rates down. I’ve been using your comment section as a ranting spot lately hahaha. I want to get another dog but have been torn on getting another show lab or trying a working line dog because I want to go on more and longer adventures. Maybe I’ll just foster dogs until one of them fits. Great video as always!

[@StonnieDennis]

Rant away, that’s the whole point. As far as getting Field Dogs to calm down, that’s really just a matter of proper early training and socialization, just like the Doodles.

[@treasuretrovel3816]

Mixing a hair coat with a fur coat dog usually produces a dog with a miserable coat that has follicles that shed mixed with follicles that grow without shedding-- So they get super matted. That is very uncomfortable for the dog. It is possible to get a doodle from a well cultivated linage that is line bred with the right amount of outcrossing to get pups that don't shed (in other words, all the follicles are poodle). All the current AKC breeds were meticulously bred over many generations to try to have good characteristics (like a good coat, good balance of frame (usually for a specific, working purpose)). I've looked into doodles and the fact is that the miniature and standard poodle has been bred for hundreds of years to be a wonderful breed. I've yet to see anyone improve on that by crossing a pure bred poodle to another breed. The first "doodles" bred by what would be considered more responsible breeders were always poodles mixed with other haired breeds. In that situation, the coat generally came out good with respect to be all non-shedding and the same maintenance as a poodle vs. the mixed/messy coat that is a lot more maintenance than a poodle. This all said, there is the concept of hybrid vigor with respect to general health. This all said, I know a lot of doodles, big and small that are great dogs. Their caring owners sidestep the coat problems simply by keeping their pooch in a super short clip.

[@clarkcowden892]

George chasing the butterfly 😆🤣

[@JanStoffer-v4u]

Regarding your idea of a certain type of person who buys a doodle, maybe there are several types of people who buy doodles and the dogs develop according to that type of person. For example, my husband and I had 2 golden retrievers and a yellow lab when we got married. We are lab and retriever type of people. We had a son that has terrible allergies to animals. After much research and borrowing of different doodles, we purchased a labradoodle. The thought of not having another dog broke us (our last pre-children dog passed away during my pregnancy). Our personality is that of a lab and/or retriever owner so we have raised our doodles (who were raised with ENS, ESI, and early enrichment before they came to live with us) to be social and obedient. I wonder if there is also poodle type buyers that truly want a house dog, most poodle parents I know don't take their dogs with them when they leave the house? I want to make sure we don't continue the stereotype. If you look close enough, you will find that in every breed there are more social and more stay at home and to your self type owners and therefore dogs. Thank you for your objective discussion. I really think that there is a lot of "hate" in the dog world and it's one of the last places it should be. We all love dogs so we need to stop the judgement.

[@ulalaFrugilega]

😂❤🎉 from Germany: saying what I've been saying for decades, about Yorkies, Small Poodles, those really small Pinchers (we call them Rehpincher, Reh means deer)... y'all get what I mean. You take one of those and raise them like a real dog, you can have a fine companion and or rat catcher, but people going for them usually just aren't the kind of people to do that. Plus last week I heard Clint (the zoologist) say: "pure breed is just a polite way of saying inbred".

[@Kristen10-22]

You also need to know what to look for on the breeders testing

[@jenifermorrell1918]

This has nothing to do with doodles, but I am a full-time working 64 years old. My 3/4 show and 1/4 field Lab has the perfect amount of energy for me and my life situation! Run hard and be done! (And he's the sweetest boy to walk the planet!)

[@lizbethstringer3583]

You are a very reasonable individual. Thank you for talking down those reactive people that fly off the handle when everyone doesn't have the same limited view they have. Breeders of poodle crosses can be "ethical" to be forthright about the poodles high energy, and the breed characteristics of the breeds the poodles are crossed with. Like the poodle/cocker crosses... cockers were developed to go all day in field, poodles were developed to go all day in the field. They make for horrid couch potatoes. Adorable as they are, and most are, they need a very active life style, dedicated training, and socialization. A breeder would be 'ethical' to include a full discloser to what an owner can expect. AND not sell their puppies to just anyone.

[@TonyHarlan]

There's no such thing as bad dogs; just bad dog owners. Love your videos. Would love for you to meet my 1yo Goldendoodle. He's already the best dog I've ever had.

[@katierichardson6428]

I have a Goldendoodle, and I feel the same way. I hear this from other Poodle cross owners all the time.

[@GaserBeam-hi4ez]

There are bad dogs for most people. Most people shouldn’t have working dogs. No one should own breeds bred for fighting.

[@TheNecronacht]

This was my immediate response as well. That's not saying however that there are dogs of all breeds that can have temperamental issues at times. As to the breeder issues, yes, there are greedy unethical breeders that can contribute to problem dogs be it temperament and or health issues.

[@jfrankcarr]

In addition to a standard poodle we also have a Yorkiepoo that was a rescue from a shutdown puppy mill. The Yorkiepoo does have some genetic defects that require ongoing vet care. So far as ethical breeding goes, I think that keeping the parent dogs under humane conditions and doing genetic testing for defects is the most important thing. It does annoy me some that "puppy stores" sell questionable doodles for thousands of dollars more than well bred and genetically tested full poodles. I just hope people do their due diligence when buying a puppy.

[@GraemeSutherland13]

The trouble with Doodles is that they're expensive. The Peruvian Inca Orchid puppy that I'm waiting on will be cheaper, despite being a rare breed. It also won't shed, being a hairless dog. But this probably comes back to what Stonnie said about laziness: You need to go out and research breeds, find a breeder, and then wait for a suitable puppy to be whelped. That all takes time and effort. I don't think that Doodles are necessary bad dogs, and the ones I've spent time with have been lovely. Their reputation has probably been sullied by them being fashionable and not pure-bred. But there are more interesting options, and I wish people would look into these.

[@silvialintner3689]

What I am wondering if why wouldn't people who want a dog that doesn't shed just get a poodle? There are several different sizes, what is the reasoning for a poodle mix?

[@steelcitypoodle508]

Poodles have a BIG reputation problem. Doodle people seem to think the only positive thing the poodle contributes is their coat . I'm always happy to talk up my poodle and my lab and always answer why not just get a doodle in the same way- they are both exclent dogs in different ways.

[@Loveenahatcher]

I love my golden doodle dayquan

[@joecro1453]

and this is why your the best

[@StonnieDennis]

Thank you!

[@michaeljohnston4167]

Just saw the title and I am commenting on the title alone haven't had a chance to watch yet. But local to me a whole littler of golden doddles including the dam and sire was abandoned at a local shelter with the reason being the breeder was getting out of breeding and "retiring" so ethical I think not. An ethical breeder knowing they were planning to retire would have found homes for those pups prior to delivery.

[@ambra-stella8129]

I have master in biology and we always say it's about 20% genetics and 80% environment in most cases..

[@StonnieDennis]

That comment makes me think you don’t have much experience with dogs. Have you trained and/or managed many, different, types of dogs?

[@ambra-stella8129]

@@StonnieDennis I have not although I wish I did...it was just a comment and approval of what you have said in the video yourself... I am in fact a big fan of your work...

[@MrsinTN]

Responsible breeders should assure that they’re breeding dogs proven to not have health problems that would be passed along to their offspring; should have good temperaments, and should TEACH those buyers who need to be educated about that particular breed. Years ago, we had Field bred Labrador retrievers; they were wonderful dogs! But then, people began abandoning dogs at the end of our driveway. So, since THAT time we’ve had mixed breed dogs. Sigh…I would love another Lab, but their costs are now out of my ability to buy. I LOVED my yellow Labs!

[@Kristen10-22]

lol!!! Grew up with tons of labs We had yellow & white labs

[@lifecoachfordogs]

In my experience, I work with a couple of very ethical doodle breeders. They believe in what they are doing and have had to form their own community outside of the regular breed clubs. There are standards, community and passion for the breed.

[@Travis_T_]

If the Doodles are physically healthy and don't suffer from severe mental problems then I don't see a problem. I buy the dogs I like everyone should be able to do the same without being hassled.

[@angelinacamacho8575]

my dog is part basenjipoo (basenji and poodle) and i can see how if i did not put in the needed work he would be driving me crazy.

[@johnnyblaizee]

What leash is that ?

[@Pontiacdreams]

I bristled at this. I’m old and have a doodle as a companion. We walk together and spend our lives in twined. And that’s a bad thing!

[@StonnieDennis]

I’m not sure what you are bristling about, flesh that out a bit.

[@cjacksonelder]

My daughter has a leonburger poodle cross. He definitely has a ton of fur and could use training. She wanted a big dog for protection to scare people. There was a robbery close to her house. We have two full labs and have been thoroughly trained. She did not buy hers from a kennel as we did.

[@Trek2539]

I don't prefer dogs that don't shed. You have to shave them every few months or they'll turn into a mop. They could never survive in the wild. My mom has an F1b Goldendoodle who is white with copper spots. Parti coat. Looks pretty cool. She gets him shorn regularly. He's a fun dog. Very smart and gentle. Can be pretty funny too. I like my husky more though.

[@tobygrimes9633]

To me , ethics is more about the health than the appearance. A truly ethical breeder is cautious about who they sell to. I have a catahoula who will be 12 in August , and I am still in contact with the breeder. They love getting updates. The catahoula breed has a great deal of diversity in size and color but overall it is a very healthy breed.

[@Pakkerotten]

hi i just got a puddel+ somthing crossbreed, now 9 weeks old my my wife and i have mico homested live on the countryside but we do not like too clean more than we have too, i do hunt a bit and wil try if she (the dog) can be of use i would say that we take the training and social part rater serious ,by now we are training recall home alone leash walk met theneigbours dont chase the poultry, AND stop biting wich is come along Thank you for a nice tone on crossbreeds ps i think there are some truht in what you say of the poodel ownes i just hope not become one more in the line greetings from Denmark

[@edwarddurkin6635]

While we might not be able to define “ethical breeder”, we can see lots of examples of those that are not - the puppy mills.

[@StonnieDennis]

How do you define puppy mill?

[@debbiesmith2207]

I totally agree with everything Stony has said but, would like to add that many other breeds are subject to having mismatched owners. Malinois come to mind. Seems to me a lot end up in rescue because of lack of socialization. People think they're cool and athletic, but often have no idea what kind of training goes into having a super cool athletic dog. The other point I would like to respond to is some points regarding ethical breeding. Puppy mills obviously churning out puppies that have minimal contact with humans, minimal environmental stimulation etcetera are unethical. I think we all know what puppy mills are. Selection of parents based on health would depend on the breed. Hip dysplasia is an example. Don't breed dogs that have a bad hip score! Bloat, longevity..... these things absolutely can be Quantified. But it is beyond the scope of a poorly thought-out comment. As the owner of an intact male golden I can tell you I have been approached by people who would breed him without knowing his hip score. They feel they can charge a pretty penny for a dog that is not purebred ( golden doodles) yet in big demand. So the answer to them is no. One lady had lined up a stud for her female golden and he was too lazy to get the job done. The next stud died of bloat the night before they were to breed. I'm thinking a lot of breeds are not breed for good temperament and health! I'm thinking she wanted my boy to do the job but have a paper trail to one of the others. Unethical.

[@californiadreaming567]

All dog breeds were made by mixing dogs way back when. I had labs but got tired of dealing with all the hair so I got mix. I totally socialized my dogs and have them certified as therapy dogs. Poodles don’t have the same temperament as labs so mix often have a lot of poodle temperament. Had field lab when I was young and had tons of energy. English labs when I was older. Perfect dogs for my ages

[@Kristen10-22]

My dogs have always been priority. Lol! Idk about hair We have our 2nd Brittany

[@luannkelly5071]

I hear about labradoodles that are very hyper. I think that if a breeder is going to breed Labradoodles, they should strive to reduce that by using an English Lab instead of a Field Lab crossed with a calm poodle...health tests for both, etc. Back crossing to another poodle for 75/25 poodle to Lab is probably the trickiest part perhaps. That's the version most people want because less shedding. I am a black Lab fanatic, but my second favorite would be a Labradoodle with carefully chosen parents. I'm getting older and the weight of my English Lab may become an issue in a few more years.

[@_Tassadon]

@StonnieDennis Please check the golden retriever in the first 15 seconds of the videos' right elbow. It looks like there is a mass there and just want to make sure he is okay! My beloved golden passed away from a cancer that started there we didn't find in time.

[@IslanderT]

After working with dogs on the trails, I have only met 2 that well behaved. I totally agree that it is a people problem and not a dog problem. Also, this is totally a language nitpick, but the "d" in doodle is for the "dor" in Labrador. I wish people would call them poodle crosses like you did. Berners mixed with poodles doesn't equate to doodle lol They aren't "Bernadors" mixed with poodles or Berners mixed with a Doodle.

[@DougBillian]

I've learned recently that "Aussie Labradoodle" doesn't have anything to do with Australian Shepherds. Evidently, the first Lab-Poodle mix was the brain child of some dude in Australia, so it's confusing. "Australian LabraDoodle" is just a Labrador + Poodle... in Australia. No telling if that's technically/genetically accurate. Just what I've heard...

[@Inhoc1000]

Actually, there are Aussiedoodles (Australian Shepherd X Poodle) and Australian Labradoodles (Lab X Poodle X English and Australian Cockers). Australian Labradoodlea have been bred since the Eighties and have the longest bloodlines of all Poodle mixes. Hope that helps.

[@DougBillian]

@@Inhoc1000 Awe, FFS... Even as the relatively new owner of a designer Lab-Doodle-Spaniel-Whatever... the designer breed thing... I simply find it to be too much. She's a good girl and TONS of desirable traits... but F&^% All! Too much! Gimme a straight Lab and I'm fine...