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  1. #1
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    Looking for breed advice

    Hello,

    I know this forum is specific to labradors, so I hope joining and posting this question is okay!

    I am on the search for a dog breed very similar to a lab in all regards minus the shedding. I grew up with labs and absolutely love them... in my mind there is no better breed. However, my significant other has severe allergies that are greatly exacerbated by most dogs, especially high shedding breeds.

    We are a young, active couple looking for a dog to join us on runs, hikes, swims, camping, etc.

    My SO has been suggesting a labradoodle. Her sister owns one and my SO has been around the dog for long periods of time with no allergic reactions. However, in my research I have found that labradoodles are generally frowned upon in the breeding world and not guaranteed to be "hypoallergenic" etc.

    So, I have a few questions:

    Are there any labradoodle breeders that are considered reputable? I have read that there are some breeders who are working to "standardize" the breed. Is this likely to ever happen?

    Is there another breed out there very similar to a lab in size, temperament, activity level, etc., but with very little to no shedding?

  2. #2
    Senior Dog Shelley's Avatar
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    Why not just get a well-bred purebred Standard sized Poodle?

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  4. #3
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    The issue is that they have not found a way to standardize a cross. Sometimes what you get from a Lab/Golden looks like a poorly bred poodle and sometimes it looks like a Golden Retriever having a very bad hair day. Or anything in between. Temperaments are all over the board, too. Someone in my training class has two, and one sheds worse than my Lab who sheds worse than any Lab I've ever had.

    You can always look for a doodle dog in a rescue with a Lab temperament and poodle hair as that is the only way you'll know what you're getting.

    Here is a list of hypoallergenic dog breeds (though they recognize that no dog is 100% hypoallergenic). You have some options in regards to sporting type dogs. The Irish Water Spaniel, Poodle, Lagatto Romagolo and the Portugese Water Dog. Personally, I like the Portugese Water Dogs most of out of this list.

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  6. #4
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    I like Portugese Water Dogs, too, but....one couple I know has two that are not temperamentally what you're looking for despite being socialized well as puppies. Another person I know from the park "had" to give his up because of his fiancé's allergies pre-wedding.

    I've also known folks who got Labradoodles...including one from a supposedly great "Australian Labradoodle" breeder somewhere south of Maryland...and have just as many allergy issues as they would have had with any other breed.

    I'd vote for the Standard Poodle. Give it a "puppy cut" and it's hard to tell from a curly-type doodle.

  7. #5
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    We have a couple of labradoodles in our neighborhood in their current homes because a member of their previous home was allergic to them despite their reputed hypoallergenic nature. Neither of them is especially cute in appearance either but they seem friendly enough.

    Since you mentioned reputable breeders, around here, we think of a reputable breeder as someone who carefully considers the ancestry of any dogs they plan to mate, that the dogs and their parents, grandparents etc have been health tested for disorders common to the breed, which in labs include having hips and elbows tested at 2 years of age, eyes, and hearts checked for transmissible genetic disorders, exercise induced collapse, some others. Reputable breeders of purebred poodles would likewise do testing for disorders common to poodles. These breeders would also work hard to prove their dogs meet the breed standard in conformation or prove them in hunting or similar venues. How to determine how reputable a doodle breeder is would be harder to define- what health testing is needed for a labradoodle? You can find sites that tell what testing purebred dogs should have but labradoodles are a mix of other breeds so what needs to be tested for maybe not well defined. Orthopedic Foundation for Animals And I'm sure you've read the AKC's description of the labradoodle. Labradoodle - Mixed Dog Breed - American Kennel Club

    Getting a well-bred purebred dog makes it more likely that you could predict the dog's temperament and other characteristics.

  8. #6
    Best Friend Retriever silverfz's Avatar
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    I see alot of labradooles , goodlendoole and my fav due to coloration and temperament sheepadoole.

    Mix are a crap shoot. I have a lab gsd mix. She got the protective instinct from the German Shepard side and makes a excellent watch dog . She also has a habit to dominate and sit on dogs if the playing gets too rough sometimes.
    She patrol her territory too which more of a German Shepard thing.

    Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

  9. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by silverfz View Post
    I see alot of labradooles , goodlendoole and my fav due to coloration and temperament sheepadoole.

    Mix are a crap shoot. I have a lab gsd mix. She got the protective instinct from the German Shepard side and makes a excellent watch dog . She also has a habit to dominate and sit on dogs if the playing gets too rough sometimes.
    She patrol her territory too which more of a German Shepard thing.

    Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
    My purebred yellow girl Honey used to do this...she's the only one of my Labs who did.

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  11. #8
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by SunDance View Post
    I like Portugese Water Dogs, too, but....one couple I know has two that are not temperamentally what you're looking for despite being socialized well as puppies. Another person I know from the park "had" to give his up because of his fiancé's allergies pre-wedding.

    I've also known folks who got Labradoodles...including one from a supposedly great "Australian Labradoodle" breeder somewhere south of Maryland...and have just as many allergy issues as they would have had with any other breed.

    I'd vote for the Standard Poodle. Give it a "puppy cut" and it's hard to tell from a curly-type doodle.
    The Portugese Water Dogs I've known were really wonderful. Sweet dogs, good with other dogs and do very well in competition and are highly trainable and biddable. I'm sure they are all over the board like any breed though, and the breeding counts for something. Can't say anything about their coats being hypoallergenic as the people I know who have them don't have them for that purpose.

    I have a ton of co-workers with doodles though, and proud of it. I'm not sure what the draw is, personally. Has anyone here met one they like? I know people who have never met one that get one because they assume the dog will be the best of the Lab and the Poodle and hypoallergenic. So, I do know people that get them and their energy level is way more than they bargained for, but that's true with Labs, too, so not sure it's a doodle thing. The ones I've known, even ones that do OK in competition, have been huge (26" or so), bouncy like a poodle, whiny with some separation anxiety (not sure where they get that from) and with really poor conformation to the point of injuries and discomfort doing things like sitting. I've yet to meet one that reminds me of a Lab in any way. I'm not sure why these people don't just get a well bred Poodle and call it a day.

  12. #9
    Senior Dog zd262's Avatar
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    I really do not understand the draw to doodles, they are so popular these days! Most people think that they are getting a hypoallergenic lab or golden, but based on the research I've done, they're usually at least 75% poodle. I have never met a poodle that I like and consider their temperaments to be very different from labs & goldens.

    Also no dog is truly hypoallergenic (it's a complicated subject) so it is important to do your research and figure out if how your SOs allergies will react to these dogs. Is it the shedding itself or the dander or something else that usually sets her off? It all makes a difference.
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  13. #10
    Senior Dog Shelley's Avatar
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    Actually the man that "created" the mix regrets it now, and say he made a huge mistake.
    https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog...s-his-creation

    So, when you mix two breeds of dogs, now they have the genetic potential to acquire all of the diseases of Both breeds. Can you see what a disaster this could be? Yikes.

    Recommended health clearances for for Poodles from the Poodle Club of America
    Hip Dysplasia: OFA, OVC or PennHIP Evaluation
    Eye Exam by a boarded ACVO Ophthalmologist (results registered with OFA or CERF)
    Health Elective (one of the following tests): OFA Thyroid Evaluation from an approved laboratory OFA Sebaceous Adenitis (SA) Evaluation from an approved dermatopathologist
    For Standard Poodles, the PCA Foundation also strongly recommends the following testsfrom an OFA-approved laboratory DNA Test for Neonatal Encephalopathy with Seizure

    For Labradors
    Hip Dysplasia OFA evaluation
    Elbow Dysplasia OFA evaluation
    Annual eye exams by a Boarded ACVO Ophthalmologist (results registered with OFA or CERF)
    EIC DNA test from an approved Lab
    D Lucus (Dilute) DNA test from an approved lab
    Centro Nuclear Myopathy (CNM) DNA test
    prcd-PRA DNA test from an approved Lab
    Advanced Cardiac Echo performed by a boarded ACVIM Veterinary Cardiologist
    Last edited by Shelley; 03-18-2017 at 02:12 PM.

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