Hello everyone! Long time no see. So almost a year ago I have really gotten into the dog world, and I really wanted to talk about ethical breeding here on this forum. The first thing I wanted to address was "doodles".
An extremely common occurrence nowadays, any breed mixed with a Poodle and sold as a rare or hypoallergenic "breed". First, Poodle mixes are not a breed, there's a good chance it won't be hypoallergenic as advertised, they're hybrids so you actually have no idea what kind of temperament and energy level they'll have, and the places they come from are less than ideal. Yes, the term "Australian Labradoodle" exists, which people claiming to use several generations of hybridization, but in the end, this mix with the name "doodle" has really only existed for less than 30 years, which is EXTREMELY short for things in the dog world. No doodle "breed" is recognized by any reputable kennel club, and because you are unable to show them, the number of people reputably breeding them suffiers.
Now, you may wonder, what does showing and show breeding have to do with reputability?
“I don’t care about papers.”
“I just want a pet, not a show dog.”
“Who cares if it’s out of standard, I just want a companion.”
I see this time and time again when people are on the hunt for a new puppy to add to their family. It is often used as an excuse to purchase from a less than reputable breeder. They feel they don’t need all the “bells and whistles” because they do not understand why they are so important. Breeding should be for a purpose, and it is okay if that purpose is companionship, but it should still be done in order to better the breed. So, what exactly does that mean? It is a multifaceted concept, but in short bettering the breed means breeding toward the standard, breeding away from structural faults, breeding for ideal temperament and drive, and breeding away from heritable diseases. The breed standard encompasses everything from structure to temperament to color. It is designed in such a way to provide a dog most well suited physically and mentally for whatever job they were meant to do.
The breed standard is also one of the wonderful things about owning a well bred purebred. It means you know exactly what you are getting into, from size to energy level to drive to coat type. When the breed standard is ignored, you end up with dogs with structural problems that lead to degenerative joint issues or dogs with temperaments the exact opposite of what they were supposed to be which can often result in dogs being rehomed. So, while you may not want a show dog, a breeder who shows their dogs in conformation is proving objectively that their breeding stock fits the standard and a breeder who shows in sport or work is proving their dog has the correct trainability and drive.
Every litter from two show dog parents is going to consist primarily of pet dogs, which is a better source for your family pet than the backyard breeder you found on Craigslist, because *buying from a breeder who doesn't breed to standard is like purchasing from a company who doesn't build to code.* Breeding away from heritable diseases is one of the most important aspects of reputable breeding in my eyes. It means doing thorough health testing based on what the breed club recommends and only breeding those who pass. The goal is to create an even healthier next generation. Health tests are one way of doing this, but registration and pedigrees are the other.
For example, there are not any reliable DNA tests for epilepsy which is one of the few issues Siberian huskies can have. Because there are no tests, it is important for a breeder to be able to study pedigrees and avoid lines known to carry it. So, while you may not see the merit in papers, they serve a purpose and an important one. (It is also important to be aware that papers/registration *alone* does not make a dog well bred.) The world of reputable breeding is a big one and it can be a confusing one, but it is important to understand these things. The sooner we stop making these excuses for backyard breeders due to lack of education, the sooner we can put an end to them. (Courtesy of AOADM)
This is a great explanation of why show breeders are THE most recommended place to get your new puppy. Many show breeders have been doing this for decades, and they know the most about their breed, and the specific health and functional issues their specific breed has. The whole point of breeding is to IMPROVE the breed. I'm not one of those people who think that every breeder in the world has to show, but it is certainly greatly preferred because the breeder is proving their dogs. Especially in a breed so common as the Golden, there are many, many show breeders, so personally I would not understand going with a pet breeder over a show breeder. With a companion from a show breeder, you're getting a dog that is the correct, ideal temperament, has correct structure, and the correct health. There is also a specific standard among breeders, and the best show breeders are awarded "AKC Breeder of Merit", which is not achievable by pet breeder. They are by far the most reliable and consistent source.
Now, this advocacy for purebred dogs is not for the sake of being snobby or weird. However, it is just true that because these mixes do not have consistency nor a universal standard yet, very few are actually evaluated, and very few within those mixes have knowledge of OFA, PennHIP, etc. Therefore most of the designer mixes you will see are more often than not from puppy mills or unethical breeders, both of which make a dog more prone to health and behavioral problems, which I know anyone would want to avoid.
Another point to consider is that purebred doesn't mean well bred. Of COURSE there are puppy milled and unethically bred purebreds everywhere you look! Which is why it is important realize that people who breed these mixes do not typically have good stock because show breeders/reputable breeders will not place a puppy with someone who has to plan to breed it without proving it, much less crossbreeding it. Well bred Goldens will be bred to well bred Goldens. Well bred Poodles will be bred to well bred Poodles. Well bred Cockers will be bred to well bred Cockers. When you're purchasing a mix like that, the parents of the dog are likely very poor quality members of their respective breeds, in temperament, structure, health, etc. Reputable Poodle breeders will not sell dogs to those who intend to crossbreed.
Another thing to consider is that high shedding double coated breeds (like Labs, Goldens, Berns, Aussies) are often bred to Poodles, which are a coarse single coated breed. The result? An extremely difficult to manage and highly mattable coat, which you will spend HOURS daily brushing out to make sure their coat doesn't matt painfully. You might think that a resulting mix would just be a [insert non poodle breed here] except hypoallergenic, but no, it is not. The Poodle coat is water resistant, has coarse, durable hairs that was purposefully bred for hunting for hundreds of years. If you're set on the "doodle look", just get a Poodle. They're athletic, predictable, there are actually ethical breeders out there, and if you choose not to shave them, they look EXACTLY like poodle mixes. (Yes the dogs in those photos really are purebred Poodles.)
Also, a word on purchasing from a reputable breeder. Health testing is the first, most important sign for a responsible breeder. BOTH parents of the litter should have OFA/PennHIP done. Ask for their OFA codes so you can search in the OFA database for their hip and elbow scores. Hip Dyplasia is a huge problem in many breeds, and it costs $5k+ per hip to do replacement surgery, which is needed for a dysplastic dog because they will literally break down. The breeder should also perform all recommended breed tests by the breed not just Embark or some other basic DNA test. (many backyard breeders will say "Embark cleared", but Embark is NOT enough.) I strongly recommend going through a show breeder as "pet breeders" have a tendency to be sketchy. The breeder should readily provide stacked photos of both parents and provide a 7-week stack of the puppy they select is the best fit for you when it reaches the age (puppies should never be sent home under 8 weeks of age). Also steer clear from breeders who have multiple litters or puppies from different litters available almost all the time. Also avoid people who breed more than 3 breeds, and
*AVOID most who breed random mixes, like any kind of Doodle, any kind of Poo, silver "labs", merle "poodles", etc.*
With that last point, "silver" is not naturally occurring in labradors. That is a result of Weimaraner crossing, not a "hidden dilute gene" like people claim. Merle is also not naturally occurring, as in most breeds actually. Merle Cane Corso, merle APBT, merle shih tzu, merle labradors, don't exist. Those breeders who tout colors as "rare" or breed in unnatural colors and proclaim their dogs as purebred do not typically health test, and are only crossing random dogs to make money and will charge you ridiculous prices for a mix you could literally adopt from the shelter since shelters are pretty rampant with results from unethical breeders. That is a recipe for disaster, which is evident from the amount of behavioral and health issues that BYB dogs have.
Instead, what you are paying for is a responsible breeder who will sell you a puppy that is pedigreed, has a health guarantee, comes from happy structurally correct champion parents, health tested parents, is temperament tested, and you have the ability to return the dog to the breeder at any time and you will know it is in safe hands. Now, I know you might think again, "why do I need to go through a show breeder? all I want is a pet." However, the reason is temperament, structure, and health. This is what the structure of a Poodle should look like. Now this is a backyard bred Poodle. Just compare that structure. He's too long, swaybacked, high in the rear, has a straight front, and a straight rear. And no- these terms aren't just "looks", these universal faults in dogs hurt their mobility and functionality. This specific dog developed hip dysplasia by 6 months of age, and has difficulty running. This the danger of BYBs. I have met many doodles as the fad developed, and I have never met one that is structurally sound for each of their parent breeds. Both Goldens/Labs and Poodles are supposed to have level toplines, yet most of the ones I've seen are high in the rear with straight fronts and hyperactive, reactive personalities. It is a guarantee they came from an unethical place.
There is also a misconception that show dogs are dragged around like Barbies and are abused. Well... I show dogs. I am currently showing Barbets, a French water dog bred for flushing and retrieving waterfowl, and I have also shown a Korean Jindo. Next week I'll be handling my mentor's Barbets, a Schipperke, and some Pharaoh Hounds in the ring.
And from our showing community and the many breeders I know personally, these people really CARE. They put tens of thousands of dollars into health testing, showing, and breeding their dogs. They evaluate each litter carefully to pinpoint which would bring the breed forward, and the rest of the puppies go into equally happy pet homes. While I am a strong advocate for adopting and rescuing, I do not agree with "adopt don't shop" if the shop part includes ethical breeders. Without ethical breeders, breeds would cease to exist, well bred dogs would cease to exist, and the vast majority of ethical breeders in existence would disappear.
Are you looking into getting a puppy? Here are some questions you should be asking yourself of your breeder.
Does your breeder do OFA hips, elbows, patellas, and everything else that is asked of by the breed club? (A sign of a reputable breeder)
Does your breeder do ENS, Puppy Culture, Avidog? (A sign of a reputable breeder)
Does your breeder choose your puppy for you? (A sign of a reputable breeder)
Does your breeder prove their dogs in some way? (conformation, hunting, performance titles) (A sign of a reputable breeder)
Does your breeder show knowledge in conformation, structure, and breed type in their breed of choice? (A sign of a reputable breeder)
Does your breeder breed more than 3 breeds? (Red flag.)
Does your breeder breed dogs under 2 years of age? (Red flag.)
Does your breeder mix breeds for no purpose? (Red flag.)
If anyone needs reputable breeder recommendations please feel free to inquire.
Now, I would like to conclude this by saying that I am NOT bashing anyone who has a "-oodle". No. I have a designer mutt myself, and I love her very much. But I do not agree with where we got her, and I know I will do better next time and vett my next breeders properly to make sure they are ethical and are doing the breed a service, not a disservice. I hope this post will help educate for the future. If there are any questions, feel free to ask.
