Don't get me wrong, people that own these mixed breeds absolutely love them. I think adopting a dog from a shelter is a wonderful idea. Just when you see the countless adds for Pekepoos, Chi-Poos and other mixed breeds in the newspaper with hefty price tags, remember that you can in a lot of cases find those same mixed breeds at your local shelter, or contact an all breed rescue organization and adopt a dog in need.
Originally bred to try to produce a non shedding service dog, labrador Retriever breeders around the world took hold of the idea of this mixed breed with great gusto. As Labradoodle breeders appeared, the results of the crosses were not very consistent. Litters were produced with some having the double-coat of the Labrador and some having the single coat of the Poodle.
With their popularity soaring, Labradoodles have become the "Breed du Jour" and pet stores, puppy mills and backyard breeders are capitalizing on it's fame, selling fluffy puppies of dubious parentage and breeding to an unsuspecting public world-wide.
There are some breeders who are trying to keep a tight reign on how Labradoodles are bred. Some are doing health screening for HD, Cardiac and eye problems. But many are just trying to capitalize on a new fad breed, saying that because it is a cross it has the best qualities of both parents, wrapped up in a package that has hybrid vigor and no health problems. Any time you bring two living breathing creatures together, be they pure bred or Heinz 57 variety, you get a combination of both parents. You can get all the bad things from both parents just as easily.
Here is a link about Labrador Retriever Potential Health Problems
Labrador Retriever Dog - Health Problems
Lately, in the press, purebred dogs have been described as �genetic nightmares�. It is true that purebred dogs have many geneticly linked traits ranging from those that are innocuous unacceptable colors or coats in some breeds, for example) or easy to repair (entropion, the turning in of the eyelid) to those that are crippling or life-threatening, such as (HD) hip dysplasia or (PRA) progressive retinal atrophy.
It is not true that mixed breed dogs are free of genetic diseases due to �hybrid vigor." Dr. George Padgett, a leading canine geneticist, wrote in Dog World in January 1997 that mixed breed dogs can have the same genetic diseases as the original parent breeds.. Padgett said that his files include information on 102 genetic defects identified in mongrel dogs, more than double the number identified in the Cocker Spaniel, one of the country�s most popular breeds.
Labrador Retriever + Standard Poodle = Mutt
Poodles are popular dogs with which to mix breeds. They are friendly, very intelligent and possess a rare and wonderful asset: they are low-shed. So it stands to
reason that the labradoodle, peke-a-poo and cockapoo are also low-shedding, smart and lovable dogs.
They are not purebreds as defined by the American Kennel Club. These breeds are registered as �miscellaneous� under the Continental Kennel Club, which
promotes and encourages crossbreeding. (essentially, they encourage the deliberate production of Mutts!) With so many animals in shelters, where millions must be
put sleep for lack of good homes, it�s irresponsible to breed more animals for their �chic mutt� value.Breeders may say, for marketing purposes, that a pup is a
purebred labradoodle, but this is just salesmanship.
They are not allergy-free dogs. All dogs shed; some shed more than others. The labradoodle, cockapoo and other crossbreeds may have less dander and require
less coat maintenance than their purebred parents. But don't be fooled by claims of �no-shed� dogs. If you have allergies, and are looking for a dog:
Allergies are associated with the dander produced by the dog and not the dog himself or the dog hair. Dander is the dry skin that flakes off, floats through the air and
induces the classics signs of allergy. A low dander dog is what you should be looking for. The best thing you can do is choose a breed, and spend some time with
one for a day, and see how it affects your allergies. The 1998 AKC allergy info page lists the Poodle, Bichon Frise, Bedlington Terrier, Miniature Schnauzer,
Kerry Blue Terrier, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Maltese, Portuguese Water Dog, Italian Greyhound, Basenji and the Chinese Crested.
"Oodles of Doodles"and
"Lhasa Poo"
These are some other mixed breeds that people saddled with catchy names, to make you think they are an actual breed, and dupe you into paying big bucks! You
can find them all at your local animal shelter!
Goldendoodles (Golden Retriever mixed with a Poodle)
Some people do not seem to understand what exactly it means for a dog to be named a pure breed. There are constantly breeders popping up claiming to have just
invented a new breed by simply crossing two already established breeds.
Many people will have you believe that these dogs and others are in fact �rare� purebreds and therefore worth a substantial amount of money. It is up to you as the
consumer to know exactly what it is that you are paying for, if it is simply a mixed breed then why not just go to the pound and get a dog, you will probably find the
same �breed� that is in desperate need of a home.
Cockapoos (Cocker Spanial mixed with a Poodle)
Schnoodles (Schnauzer and Poodle)
Bich-poo (Bichon Frise, and Poodle)
Peek-A-Pom (Pekingese mixed with a Pomeranian)
Pekepoo (Pekingese mixed with a Poodle)
Pomapoo (Pomeranian/Poodle mix)
Malti-Poo (Maltese/Poodle cross)
Chi-Poo (Chihuahua/Poodle cross)
Shepadoodle (German Shepherd/Standard Poodle mutt)
English Boodle (English Bulldog/Poodle)
Pugapoo (Pug/Poodle mixed breed)
�Rare!� �Exotic!� �One of a Kind!� �Luxury on a Leash!� proclaim the ads in the Sunday pet classifieds. �Get the best of both worlds!� �Registered New Breed!� �Special Price - this week only - $599!�
The curly is an active dog, with a great sense of fun. They are well balanced and slightly longer than tall. They are also distinguished from all the other retrievers both in temperament, being slightly more aloof with strangers, although a protective and loyal family dog, to their distinctive tightly curled, dull coat, which is impenetrable to water. The face and front of legs remains straight haired.They are the tallest of the retrievers ideally being 27� for a male and 25� for a female. They are slow to mature and this needs to be taken into account when any training is given. They are highly intelligent dogs and their brains need to be used to the full. Although their coat is so distinctive it is virtually trouble free, no daily/ weekly brushing or combing is required (although this can be helpful when they do moult) Damp the coat down once a week, massaging it with the fingers and patting flat is all that is required. Grooming the Curly Coated Retriever
Temperament:
Self-confident, steadfast and proud, this active, intelligent dog is a charming and gentle family companion and a determined, durable hunter. The Curly is alert, biddable and responsive to family and friends, whether at home or in the field. Of independent nature and discerning intelligence, a Curly sometimes appears aloof or self-willed, and, as such, is often less demonstrative, particularly toward strangers, than the other retriever breeds. The Curly's independence and poise should not be confused with shyness or a lack of willingness to please. In the show ring, a correctly-tempered Curly will steadily stand his ground, submit easily to examination, and might or might not wag his tail when doing so. In the field, the Curly is eager, persistent and inherently courageous. At home, he is calm and affectionate. Shyness is a fault and any dog who shies away from show ring examination should be penalized. Minor allowances can be made for puppies who misbehave in the show ring due to overexuberance or lack of training or experience.
General Appearance:
This smartly upstanding, multi-purpose hunting retriever is recognized by most canine historians as one of the oldest of the retrieving breeds. Developed in England, the Curly was long a favorite of English gamekeepers. Prized for innate field ability, courage and indomitable perseverance, a correctly built and tempered Curly will work as long as there is work to be done, retrieving both fur and feather in the heaviest of cover and the iciest of waters. To work all day a Curly must be balanced and sound, strong and robust, and quick and agile. Outline, carriage and attitude all combine for a grace and elegance somewhat uncommon among the other retriever breeds, providing the unique, upstanding quality desired in the breed. In outline, the Curly is moderately angulated front and rear and, when comparing height to length, gives the impression of being higher on leg than the other retriever breeds. In carriage, the Curly is an erect, alert, self-confident dog. In motion, all parts blend into a smooth, powerful, harmonious symmetry. The coat, a hallmark of the breed, is of great importance for all curlies, whether companion, hunting or show dogs. The perfect coat is a dense mass of small, tight, distinct, crisp curls. The Curly is wickedly smart and highly trainable and, as such, is cherished as much for his role as loyal companion at home as he is in the field.
This RingSurf Ring Of Retrievers Net Ring owned by Labradoodle. |
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