Labradoodle, schnoodles and goldendoodles

frankie55

Just to reiterate Tipplehead. Mini Schnauzers are fantastic litte dogs, though quitre small they look like a proper dog.....important to my OH who does all the walking lol I've had mine for almost a year and she is the sweetest most loving dog I've ever had. She's good with young un's and always ready for playtime or walkies, but is quite content to snooze through the day, she has ber mad times when she pulls all her toys out of her toychest and 'kills' all the teddies, and then falls asleep for the night. She like routine, is good in the car either wearing a harness or in a crate and is always up for adventure, she doesn't even eat a lot (John Burns). She doesn't shed at all. but if you don't grrom her 2 or 3 times a week she will get matts in her coat, She needs to be clipped about 4 times a year or you can do it yourself.
I know a Standard Shnauzer very well and they have a very different temperant being qote stubbon and needing a lot more exercise and the Giant Schnazers also need huge amounts of exercise and a strong willed owner to train them.
My mini is the best thing that has ever happend to me, I also suffer from quite serious asthma and she hasn't caused me any problems.

foreign_correspondent

Just to agree with those who have already said there is absolutely no guarantee that and dog (crossbreed or not) will not set your allergies off... and ignore any breeder who tells you that their pups will definitely not affect you - they are lying!

For the dogs sake, and your own of course, you need to be very careful that you do not get a dog you cannot live with and cannot keep - it looks like you are keen to research this carefully so I am sure you will make a well informed decision.

Also, christmas really is not a good time to get a pup, puppies are like new babies being seperated from their mums - they need a quiet time to settle in (without loads of visitors) when you can pay a lot of undivided attention to them to get them started off on the right footing - you will need to be taking it outside every 30 minutes for wees, mopping up the inevitable accidents and moving anything it can chew (not easy with presents, wrapping paper, fairy lights etc!) - it may well also cry at night when left alone.

Trying to manage all this whilst entertaining relatives and trying to get the turkey on the table will most likely be nothing but stress, for you and the dog!! Also be aware you will need to get up in the night to take the pup out.

Also bear in mind that any breeder who is breeding for the christmas market is clearly putting financial concerns above the needs of the pups (for all the reasons stated above) so buyer beware!

Why not present your son with an IOU voucher for his birthday then have a look at rescues in the new year..? they will most likely be heaving with the very puppies that seemed such a good idea to so many buyers just before christmas!

This would also give you the opportunity to spend time with some individual dogs to find out if that actual animal bothers your allergies or not... even in a litter of labradoodles only a proportion are non shedding! (about 2/3 I think - anyone know the genetics on this one?) It would also save you a small fortune...

... my rescue dog 'cost' me a £95 donation, and she was speyed, vacinated, microchipped and wormed just before I got her. To buy a dog from a breeder you are probably looking at anywhere from £200 to £600 or more for the pup, plus about £125 for neutering, £35 ish for vaccinations, £20 for microchipping £10 for flea and worm treatments etc etc - so probably a bare minimum of £390! (and that is before you consider beds, bowls, leads, insurance or savings for unexpected vets bills and food)

How old is your son by the way? Will he be responsible for walking it, training it, picking poo up and grooming it, or will you do these?

minimacka

Thank you all for your comments and believe me they are all being carefully though through. There are 2 reasons for wanting to get a dog at christmas time one is for my sons birthday (xmas eve) and the other is that as a family we are off from work for 2 weeks and thought that it would be a good time to introduce a pet into the family. I appreciate all your concerns about crossbreeding and will think carefully about buying one. I had not realised that other pure breeds eg the bichon frise was non shedding so i will look into that. I was going to interact with the dogs before buying this is why we are thinking about this quite far in advance but didnt think about christmas time for the breeders being a difficult time. If need be then if we can get a dog before christmas then we will do.

Keep you advice and comments coming they are being taken onboard, and I do appreciate them all.

foreign_correspondent

just found this which gives the lowdown on allergy and labradoodles, which may be useful - also how to work out if you are allergic to a particular dog..
http://www.labradoodle-rescue.com/allergyinfo.html

tipplehead

Good link FC - there are so many poodle crosses turning up in rescue because, unlike the OP, people buy without doing the research first. Well done OP, you are most certainly going about this the right way. Have you looked at the Spanish Water Dog - they are more an enthusiasts breed, but would suit an active, responsible family and are low moulting. Great breed for the right family. http://www.spanishwaterdogclub.co.uk/index.htm .

Whatever breed or cross you go for please be prepared to wait for a good dog from a good breeder or rescue - this dog could be with you for 15 years and if you jump in and get either an unhealthy pup or an unsuitable breed you will be left with heartache - and big vet bills.

minimacka

Dont worry tipplehead I deffinately will not be buying a puppy until we are sure that im not allergic to it, we are actually considering other breeds of dogs to look at at the moment but I need to be able to go and have a feel for them (if that makes sense). The nearest dog rescue centre is in Whitby and as I live in Scarborough its about 40 mins away. I wish we had one nearer so that I could go and visit the dogs. I will have a look at that link and thanks.

pamelab21

I don't really agree in the deliberate cross breeding of dogs to create an expensive 'designer dog' when there are so many standard breeds out there that could be given a loving home and they could meet all your needs anyway. There are no guarantees in cross breeds of the shedding aspect I would imagine.

My aunt has two standard poodles and altough a little big for me they love them and her two sons who have allergies, asthma and excema do not have any problems with them at all. I don't see why you would need to pay for a labradoodle when these standard poodles are very similar and at least you could say they will definatley not shed. They do need grooming but most dogs need some form of grooming anyway.

We have a Lhasa Apso and I have asthma and excema also and she has the perfect hair in that it doesn't shed.....however I know when she needs a bath as she can set off the excema if I handle her (this could be more to do with pollen on her hair etc...not sure). A lhasa does need grooming but I keep her short and clip her myself so save a fortune! She can be stubborn but she is a very loving dog, also very lazy and this is another reason she is good for us as she is happy to sleep all day while we are at work....(she does not like this pattern being interrupted!)

Good luck in your search.

minimacka

pamelab21 - Im beginning to think that i dont need a cross bred dog, i think that a labradoodle would be too big for our family home anyway, a schnoodle dog would be perfect size but there are other breeds out there that are non shedding and are about the same size.

I really wont just buy a puppy for the sake of it believe me, we have thought for a very long time about a dog and now that my son will be 12 i think he is old enough to have the responsibility to take it out, feed it, groom it etc. He has always been a (dog person) and I know he would love one.

foreign_correspondent

If you decide that you do want to go for a pedigree dog why not have a look at the breed rescues? -

http://www.dogpages.org.uk/breeds.htm

I met an older lady with a lovely little minature schnauzer they had adopted via the breed rescue - they had one before, called Lucy, who died - then when they contacted the breed rescue they got a call asking them if they would rehome another 'Lucy'!! - they felt it was fate and were delighted with her!

If you rehome an adult dog you are getting more of a known quantity - it may well be housetrained and happy with being left alone for a few hours at a time which would make the whole process easier - and a rescue is likely to be very honest and open about the dogs as they want their adoptions to be sucessful - not all breeders are as open.

I can see you are thinking about this carefully - However, please do be careful about researching whether you are actually allergic to the coat rather than the dander/skin as this would make any dog unsuitable.

Also, be prepared for your son to be less keen on walking the dog when it is chilly, rainy and dark, and you may end up having to do this! - although I am sure he is excited about getting a dog he may be less excited with the reality (this is not doubting your son in any way - I really have to drag myself out some days, but I do - however, as much as I have always loved dogs I am not sure I would have been so dedicated at 12!)

pink_piggy17

I don't know anything about allergies, but maybe a greyhound would be OK as they barely have any fur so shed very little? they are also probably the most healthy breed around.

as for definite non shedding breeds, I can personally vouch for Bichon Frise, I used to be friends with a girl who has one and besides the fur thing they are such playful friendly little dogs, they have a wonderful temperament and love to show off. (they were originally bred to perform in circuses so that might explain that particular trait of theirs!!)

you can find breed specific rescues on websites such as www.animalrescuers.co.uk but be warned many rescues don't allow rehoming around xmas or dogs to be adopted as presents as even though you may be offering a lovely home they are worried about dogs being got as a gift only to find out the person didn't want a dog at all and then the poor dog gets dumped back on the rescue (although I'm sure you're son would be absolutely thrilled to get a dog!) It's good that you are really thinking this through. Also, unless you (or somebody else) are at home all day you really need to get a dog older than say, 6 months, as pups need constant supervision.

Good Luck!