Weimardoodles...

[Novel]

This morning I received this e-mail from a person that had visited my website:

I am looking for a weimardoodle....do you know anyone who has them...Thanks (contact infor withheld)

This was my response:

Hi there!
Although there are many people out there that breed Weimaraner / poodle mixes, I would never recommend one. They are designer dogs and serve no purpose. There are many, many problems associated with the breeding of these dogs, too many to get into here, although if you are interested, I would be more than willing to explain myself further.
However, the Weimaraner and Standard Poodle are both great breeds. If you look at each dog as a purebred, you are bound to find one that fits your needs. Or, the American Kennel Club also registers 150 other breeds, all of which have their own distinct traits and characteristics. www.akc.org has a description of each one.
If you decide on a pure bred Weimaraner, I would be happy to point you in the direction of many reputable breeders, as well as help you find exactly what you are looking for.
Good luck in your search for the right purebred for you,

Their response:

No thanks I am wanting a doodle....I don't understand you statement....They serve no purpose??? Dogs are raised and sold to be someone's loving companion...and I am sure they would be that. I am not sold on purebred dogs either..I have had to many friends who swore by purebred dogs and they ended up with health problems...Also if you look back into the Weimaraners history I am sure it was a mixed bred at one time....all dogs were you know....Thanks for you time.

My response:

Weimaraner/Poodle mixed breed dogs do not serve any purpose that a purebred dog does not already provide.
What is it about this mixed breed dog that appeals to you? It is probably met by one or both of the original purebred dogs.
Unfortunately, there are millions of dogs in shelters right now that could be loving companions. There is very little reason to breed to produce pets. Breeders breed their dogs to produce better dogs, which also serve many purposes, which may be hunting, showing, agility, tracking, Search and Rescue as well as being loving family companions.
Along with a proven lineage and genetic health testing, you also have some assurance of traits. You do not get that with any Weimaraner/Poodle mix breeder that I am aware of.
Purebred dogs in and of themselves are not perfect. A dog with AKC papers is not necessarily health guaranteed, genetically health tested, or from superb parentage and background. Being purebred and being raised by an ethical breeder is what you want. That is what I can offer to help you find. A breeder that has proven their dogs to be worthy of breeding through various types of competitions, and who have researched their pedigrees and matched up a sire and dam to produce exceptional puppies. These puppies are not cheap, but you get what you pay for, like with everything else.
All dogs have a history, and yes, over 200 years ago, there were not the same standards we hold to today when breeding dogs, but, the same care was made as today to do everything in their power to produce offspring that exceeded their parents in some way. In that time of canine history, dogs were being bred for a purpose, herding, hunting, protection, etc... Because we do not have need of many of those skills today, it does not mean that the dogs do not still need to be able to perform the skills that they were originally bred for.
I invite you to spend some time on this forum, if you have not done so already, and meet others that have mixed breed dogs, including the so called "doodle" dogs. There you will get a more complete story of what really motivates breeders, their intentions, struggles and hardships. There are also thousands of other companion dog owners who would be willing to help you find what you are looking for. www.globalpaw.com

Their response:

My question is what in a dog appeals to you....now you have answered your own question....I have 6 vets will I have inquired with and they all say the hybrid line is the healthier line...I disagree that they is no reason to produce pets!! If that is the case then there is no reason to produce purebred pups either...they are thousands of them in the rescue system also...so you are contradicting yourself....Also I have meet this mix and have investigated the breed...talking with vets, breeders and owners and I am very satisfied I am getting a good, healthy pet. Good luck convincing someone else with your story.....You didn't convince me. You can get the genetic testing on the purebred parents of a doodle that would prove just as much as on one of your purebred pups.....No need to respond....I have am getting a doodle....

I responded within their e-mail because I didn't want to miss anything. My responses are in blue:

My question is what in a dog appeals to you....now you have answered your own question....

No each person has personal wants and dislikes that they have when they search for a dog breed. I wanted an athletic dog, intelligent, short haired, and medium to large in size among other traits. The Weimaraner fits that, as do some other breeds. That is what I was asking you. What is it that you want? A "doodle" is not a perfect dog, and does not fit any wants and desires that a purebred does not already fit. The only thing a "doodle" offers is trendiness and a fad. That is a poor poor reason for getting a dog. They are not fashion accessories.

I have 6 vets will I have inquired with and they all say the hybrid line is the healthier line...

Your vets have been proven wrong time and time again. "Hybrid vigor" is not only extremely difficult to attain, but much more often, the crossing of two breeds produces dogs that do far worse than either of their parents.
If you have a vet that is recommending a "doodle" you need to switch vets.

I disagree that they is no reason to produce pets! If that is the case then there is no reason to produce purebred pups either...they are thousands of them in the rescue system also...so you are contradicting yourself....

I challenge you to find a well bred purebred in the shelter system. A well bred dog is cherished because it's genes insure that more exceptional dogs can be produced. Each breed out there has a written standard. That standard clearly spells out exactly what the breed of dog should embody. By the way, there is no "doodle" standard, they are mutts, being bred indiscriminately.
There are purebred dogs in the shelter system, bred by breeders much like "doodle" breeders who have no idea what they are doing and only want to produce a "product". I never have and never will look at a living thing as a product. The goal of reputable breeders is to improve their specific breed of dog. Again, that is why they show and compete in thousands of activities each year. This is an effort to meet the requirements set for the breed. Show me where they are competing with "doodles"!

Also I have meet this mix and have investigated the breed...talking with vets, breeders and owners and I am very satisfied I am getting a good, healthy pet.

What is it that convinces you? Because the puppies they have produced already are healthy? Even a simple understanding of genetics shows that these breeders have no idea what they will get in a litter and you are merely taking a huge risk with your time, money and love on a dog that may or may not be what the breeder would like it to be.

Good luck convincing someone else with your story.....You didn't convince me.

That is too bad. I hope you do not suffer the consequences.

You can get the genetic testing on the purebred parents of a doodle that would prove just as much as on one of your purebred pups....

No you can not. There is no way to know how the genetics of one breed of dog will match up with the genetics of another breed of dog. It is difficult enough to combine the genetics in a purebred dog to produce a quality dog. Remember, the number and complexity of genomes in a canine are as numerous as that of a human. No medical professional or research scientist has been able to prevent genetic diseases in people. In canines, because we keep each dog to a specific breed, we have narrowed down the possibility of combinations a million fold and still work hard to eradicate disease. When you breed two separate breeds together you are mixing the pot beyond any ability of the current human race to predict what you are going to get. Those are the cold hard facts!

.No need to respond....I have am getting a doodle....

That is your choice. You came to me.

but was met with a simple e-mail that states: I said not to bother replying... I feel like I went wrong somewhere and perhaps could have handled this differently. Was I abrasive?

My question is this... If someone contacted you about a doodle of your preferred breed, how would you respond?
Should I have responded differently? I would like any critiques or suggestions, as I know this will happen again.

[bigdoglover]

I think you did a fine job...you provided valid information, links, and your expertise....what more could you do? I would have done the same thing, but mine would have been progressively more rude. But you know me, .....LOL

[Novel]

I thought I did get a little ruder towards the end, especially in my last post, but, I felt deceived. What was this person really after??

[Cassiepeia]

I think you did well, but I would have emphasised the numbers of mix breed dogs in shelters and even offered to help them find a rescue "doodle" instead.

It did sound a bit like you were saying only AKC dogs should ever be bought. I know you didn't mean that. I know you'd never say that intentionally, but unfortunately that person doesn't.

Cass.

[bigdoglover]

After re-reading the whole thing, it seems to me this person was just trying to be a jerk. They emailed you, stating they had talked to breeders, vets, and owners, and they supposedly all agreed that the hybrid was the way to go. I asked myself, are we talking dogs or cars here? Sounded to me they either had their mind made up before emailing, were a broker, or just some immature troll trying to get you fired up. You did fine!!

[Carrie]

No, you handled that perfectly. There is no possibility or any amount of refinement of your discourse, which would make productive, any discussion with a moron. Can you imagine trying to explain all that to a two year old? How would they absorb it? It's the same thing, only a two year old who isn't a moron would probably store it and use it later.

[bigdoglover]

Cass and I posted at the same time...LOL....but on the shelter note...I think this person was against shelter dogs as well....maybe I read that part wrong, though.

[Novel]

Originally Posted by Carrie

No, you handled that perfectly. There is no possibility or any amount of refinement of your discourse, which would make productive, any discussion with a moron. Can you imagine trying to explain all that to a two year old? How would they absorb it? It's the same thing, only a two year old who isn't a moron would probably store it and use it later.

That brought a smile to my face....

And BDL and Cass, yes, I should have emphasized adopting a mix from a shelter more, but, by the time I had thought of it, I'd perceived the growing hostility was going to cut the conversation short.

[elegy]

geez, novel. she already knows everything. why should she let you educate her in any way?

i really think it's a shame so many people who have bad experiences with horridly bred purebred dogs don't seem to grasp that it's all in the breeding, and that unhealthy, unsound dogs are the result of poor breeding practices, and unhealthy dogs will create more unhealthy dogs, purebred, mixed-bred or whatever.

sigh.

[Novel]

I think it has something to do with being blinded by the words "AKC registered". People have little to no understanding of the difference between poorly bred purebred and well bred purebred. We have all heard the stories of AKC reg. kittens, dogs from different litters and the way many mills abuse the registrations completely.
Education is the only thing that can really make a difference, and some people simply think they already know it all... I know I don't, so it surprises me every time I meet someone that thinks they do!

[PawNclaws]

I think you handled it very well, they should of used that information and soaked it in.

[Rip's Girl]

You handled it wonderfully and must have the patience of a saint. There is just no getting through to some people. . . Good for you for trying, though.

[Novel]

Thank you both. I walked away feeling I had failed, but you all, as usual, have given me the determination to keep on trying.
I always think, even if it doesn't sink in now, maybe someday, something I've mentioned will click, and they'll at least be one step closer to being responsible pet owners.

[TribalRats]

Novel you handled that a heck of allot better then I would have....Good for you.