The History….
It wasn’t that long ago that you would have said the name Labradoodle and the response would have been….. “what”? Of course, it would have been pretty easy to dissect the name and come to a conclusion of what it means, but if you fast forward a few short decades you would be hard-pressed to find someone that hasn’t heard of, let alone fallen in love with them. Outside of the fact that they are silly, fun, loving, gentile, and brilliant, they are wrapped in a furry package that is allergy and asthma friendly. Something that has become a highly sought-after trait.
Back in the late ’80s, a man by the name of Walley Conran was the breeding manager for the Royal Guide Dog Association of Australia. Their main focus was raising and training Labradors as service dogs for the blind. He was approached by a blind woman needing a guide dog that wouldn’t aggravate her husband’s allergies. Conron’s first choice was the Poodle but quickly realized the temperament was not at all a good fit for a service dog. He then looked for “a dog with the working ability of the Labrador and the coat of the poodle”. He eventually found a mix of both was the perfect solution, and with the introduction of the first Labradoodle guide dog “Sultan,” the rest is history. The Labradoodle has grown far beyond the vision-impaired community and become a household name. Their intelligence, unconditional love, sweet temperament, and amazing coat have raised them to stardom.
Because of its rapid gain in popularity, the Labradoodle has also become a dog that in some cases, has been overbred. So much so that you may have read a misused statement that Walley Conran now regrets having created this spectacular breed.
As a professional dog breeder, Wally says his biggest concern was always about breeding the healthiest pups. He believes that didn't end up being the case for a lot of labradoodle breeders who “got on the bandwagon". "I realized the reason for these unethical, ruthless people [was] to breed these dogs and sell them for big bucks," Wally says.
The popularity of the labradoodle was overwhelming and Wally became increasingly concerned about the quality of the breeding process being adopted. Thirty years later- it still haunts him." I opened Pandora's box and released a Frankenstein's monster," he says. “When I'm out and I see these Labradoodles I can't help myself, I go over them in my mind. "I look at it thinking, does it have hip dysplasia, has it got elbow problems, any other problems I can see?
Like me, you may have seen places on the internet where the statement about releasing a Frankenstein’s monster was quoted out of context. Many use that statement to paint the Labradoodle in a bad light. There are many “purists” that have tried to downplay the success of this new “designer dog” because it is not a purebred dog when the fact is, if you research most dogs you will find that they started by paring 2 or more dogs. In fact, it wasn’t long after the creation of the Labradoodle that the Cocker Spaniel (American or English) was introduced into the breed, now known as the Australian Labradoodle. Let me explain further- Most everyone has heard of the Russell Terrier. This sweet and fun-loving pup was believed to get its start as a cross between the Fox Terrier, Bull Terrier, and Beagle, all of which have been around much longer. Most people don’t realize that the Russel wasn’t actually recognized as a pure breed by AKC until 2012.
Knowing this, and reading Mr. Conran’s statements in context, I don’t at all believe he regretted the creation of the breed itself. What he regretted is that the Labradoodle has become so popular that in many cases, conscientious parings have been disregarded, and backyard breeders and puppy mills have become more of a norm. The world is filled with breeders that stick 2 dogs in a backyard and hope for the best. No health, genetic or temperament testing for the parents, no puppy curriculum or socializing, and to take it a step further, no setting up the puppies and their new owners for success by temperament testing them and making sure they are placed in a home that fits them and the family. On top of that, countless other breeders have gotten on the Doodle bandwagon, with the introduction of new breeds like the Goldendoodle, Bernedoodle, and Aussiedoodle just to name a few…all trying to follow in the footsteps of Sultan.
I don’t know about you, but reading these statements from Mr. Conran really resonated with me. When I see how many unethical breeders there are, it hurts my heart. Not just for the dogs, but for the unsuspecting people in search of their next family member. I feel as an ethical breeder it is not just my obligation to raise the best quality puppies I can but to educate along the way. I have found that most people don’t even know what to look for, so for them, it comes down to price. Comparing apples to apples, why would anyone pay 1K, 2K, or (depending on the breed) in some cases up to 5K or more for a dog, if the Amish family in the next county over has that same breed of puppies out in the kennel for a fraction of the cost. The problem is, that this is not an apples-to-apples comparison.
Getting my Doodle….
No matter what the breed, if you are looking for a quality bred, well-raised puppy, you will have to do some research. Living in the days of internet shopping, instead of home visits, it is much easier for a puppy mill or backyard breeder to mask who they are by a few pretty pictures, or worse yet- the corner puppy store with adorable puppies in baby cribs. All puppies are cute, but NOT ALL BREEDERS ARE CREATED EQUAL. And when puppies are concerned, you don’t always get what you pay for. There are some puppy mills that sell puppies at a discount, which are easier to spot, but there are also puppy mills whose puppies live in abhorrent conditions that mask themselves as quality breeders and sell their puppies for the same price as legitimate ethical breeders.
At Sunday Doodles, we put much thought and effort into every breeding, wanting to improve the breed with every pairing. I hope I am the breeder for you, but if not- let me help find the right one. If you are looking for a puppy and have ended up frustrated and about to give up, let me help!
First- Most ethical breeders will have some sort of questionnaire or application that they will ask you to fill out. Some people think that is insulting or a waste of time. But wouldn’t you rather partner with a breeder that cares enough about their puppies to not only know what kind of home they will be going to, but that the puppy fits the family’s wants, needs, and lifestyle? You may know that you are a fantastic puppy at home, and you should want your breeder to know the same thing!
Here are some ideas/questions that you can ask each breeder that can help you understand where your puppy is coming from-
Website? Most reputable breeders have a website dedicated to their breed and business. If not, ask for a Facebook or Instagram page. These should give you a better insight into the parents and how the puppies are raised.
How many dogs do you own, and where do they live? (It’s not just about how many dogs a breeder has, but how are those dogs cared for. Do they live in a kennel, garage, back yard, or are they family pets?)
How long have you been breeding? (New breeders are not a bad thing as long as they are doing it right!)
What health testing do you do?
Do you offer a Health Guarantee?
Can I meet the puppies/parents? (Except for puppy pick-up day, and a possible meet and greet due to health concerns, most reputable breeders have had to stop allowing home visits. Face timing and posted pictures and videos to social media have taken the place of a home visit. Each breeder is different so make sure you ask! )
What is the temperament of the parents?
What age can I pick up my puppy? (Puppies should stay with their litter until 8 weeks or more depending on the breed and size of the puppy)
What makes you different from a puppy mill or backyard breeder?
Why are your puppies so much cheaper/more expensive than other puppies I have found?
When can I pick up my puppy?
Are your puppies available as first come first served?
If not- Why do I have to wait so long to pick the puppy I want?
Do you choose my puppy for me?
This is not an exhaustive list but can take you a long way to finding the right breeder for you. A good breeder will not try to sell you a puppy, but explain why it’s their program that will make their puppy a fantastic addition to your home.
My last piece of advice…. Be patient! Finding the right breeder can take some time, and waiting for a puppy can possibly take even more…. at least it feels like it! But food for thought: this baby will be one of the few family members you get to choose and will be part of your life for a long time. Won’t the right puppy be worth the wait?