On the Topic of Labradoodles

Let’s start this column with a question: What is the purpose of a breed club? Answer: To protect the breed for which is was formed in all respects, and to educate the public about said breed!!

I have been involved with Poodles, all three varieties, throughout most of my life as my mother was one of several fanciers that owned and bred the breed when it first became popular.

In the ensuing years (more than sixty) I have enjoyed the breed as a challenge to breed and raise correctly, enjoyed the preparation and presentation of the breed as a breeder as well as a profession handler and have enjoyed the Standard Poodle as a hunting and retrieving wonder dog.

In all of these years I have seen many other breeds take the liberty of breeding to my breed- the Poodle. This has resulted in Peke-a-poos, Cocker-poos, Schnoodles (the Schnauzer cross), etc. These crosses made to incorporate the Poodle intelligence, spark and training ability into the other breeds.

None of these crosses have prospered except in the puppy mills and pet shops. No thought of creating a new exciting breed, until now. The emergence of the Labradoodle has swept through several countries, with possible thought of producing a new and registerable breed!

Billed as non-shedding, intelligent breed for all reasons, plus the hybrid vigor would supposedly stamp out the heritable diseases of both breeds.

Jump started in Australia as the perfect breed for the blind, a program was instituted and the results followed for a proper length of time, and has now been discontinued. The reasons: not all of the non-shedding promises held true. The animals produced were a little too full of themselves to be trust worthy guide dogs, plus the heritable disease of both breeds were very similar and were inherited into each new generation.

However the crossbreds continue to be bred in both Australia and the United States as they are very saleable and for huge prices. One and two thousand dollars per puppy is a very good price, particularly for a non-registerable mutt or mixed breed.

Where will this trend lead our breed? We must, in order to protect our breed from further exploitation sell pet puppies on a spay-neuter contract to stop them falling into the wrong hands. Do not ever allow your stud dog to be bred to a bitch of another breed. If you are a member of a breed club, this could put you in line for charges being brought against you. Why? This is not responsible behavior if you are protecting the Poodle. It has now come to my attention that Golden Retrievers have joined the ranks with Labradors! Golden-doodles! Beware- Anne Rogers Clark