labradoodle

[linnie]

Ok so we all agree we dont need to have designer breeds but today an oppinion was given to me and it made me pause to give thought

If you have an allergy to dog hair and you want a big dog as a protector then wouldnt that be a valid reason to breed a labradoodle???

[elegy]

no.

standard poodles are quite large. there is no guarantee you're going to get a "hypoallergenic" dog from crossing a lab with a poodle anyway.

[rutylr]

Standard poodles(even tho you thing they are a foo foo dog) can be a great watch dog,hunting dog and all around buddy.Why mix when all the dogs you need are here already
Donna

[annie_so_pink]

linnie, I know what you're saying...There was a lady in our beginner obedience class that had a bichon frise/yorkie that she got because her husband was allergic to dog hair....but, personally, I don't really know what I think about it...

[bigdoglover]

I, too, can see what you are saying. But like Elegy said, why not just get a Standard Poodle and be done with it?

[Pugdawg1]

Stick with the Standard.. I don't see a need to mix the lab into it.

[Shalva]

the basics of genetics say that when you breed two first generation animals there will be some that will have some traits and others who will have other traits there is no way to guarantee that the puppy that you get will have some of the hair traits of a poodle vs. the lab.

If a person wants a hypoallergenic dog and even poodles arent hypo allergenic then they should go to a breed that has those traits.... poodles, portuguese water dogs.... bichons.... etc..... but creating a breed by using first generation animals, there is no guarantee that they will actually get what they are looking for anyway.

[Giny]

Both Standard Poodles and Labs were originally bred for the same purpose, which was to retrieve. So to breed a labradoodle for protection purpose is kind of a strange reason seeing that neither breed was bred for it. And the whole hypo-allergenic of the labradoodle is a myth, nothing will guaranty which characteristic the dog will inherited from the parents. That's why the original breeding program started in Australia for the Labradoodle was abandoned because it produced inconsistent results.

[elegy]

are dogs like giant schnauzers and bouviers good choices for people with allergies? they seem like they would be, but i don't know how allergenic they actually are.

[GSD]

Originally Posted by elegy

are dogs like giant schnauzers and bouviers good choices for people with allergies? they seem like they would be, but i don't know how allergenic they actually are.

I'm not sure either, I think I remember hearing that about a Giant Schnauzer somwhere. Either way, Both of these breeds would be 1000x's better at being a protective dog than a lab, poodle or mix.

[Shalva]

the whole Idea of a labrador or a poodle as protective kinda cracks me up to be honest......
I never understand the protective thing... if you want protective buy an alarm system....
I just have visions of a big goofy lab and poodle protecting a house... more like the sofa.... "gee mom they didn't steal the couch" ..... but ok kidding aside....

what a person who is looking for a hypo-allergenic dog is looking for is a dog that has hair vs. fur.......
portuguese water dogs (not protective)
poodles (lol.... ummmm not intimidating)
bichons (very intimidating looking.... wink)
these dogs don't shed the way other breeds do their hair grows like people hair....
the idea of a labradoodle to be protective is really quite funny as most are pretty goofy looking.... cute sure but goofy.....

the thing is when breeding first generation animals you will get no consistency in breed type or traits... .because it is not a breed that has been developed over years and years .... so when you breed two poodles together... you are going to get a puppy that looks like a poodle.... when you breed two first generation or even 2nd and 3rd generation animals you will get a mix mash.... some will be more like labs... some more like poodles... some might have the hair you are looking for some won't there is no genetic consistency so the argument doesn't hold water.....

the individual is better off getting a pet to be a pet and a alarm system to be protective.....
maybe they can find an alarm system that barks....?
S

[linnie]

Great replies and yes I suppose it would seem strange to expect that breed to be a protector

[Ritz459]

Well, let's see....if you want a large dog that will protect you that is "hypoallergenic" (low shedding/good for allergy sufferers) you have some of these choices:

Porteguese Water Dog
Irish Water Spaniel
Standered Poodle
Gaint Schnauzer

Those are the ones I know off of the top of my head. A Curly-Coated Retreiver may work too, but I'm not as familiar with that breed so I don't know. And don't forget the big black low shedding mutt from the pound!

And then, that still won't change the fact that the Lab/Poodle mix breeders aren't breeding for a set breed, they are breeding for a mix. Simple as that.

[shandoggy1]

If it is protection they want without the allergies then the Giant Schnauzer is the BEST way to go. Poodles, labradoodles, forget it no guarantee their! LOL!

[Cassiepeia]

If you have allergies, you're better off going for an established breed that is guarenteed to have the right coat type. Cross breeds can't guarentee the dog will be non-shedding. And labs aren't the best protection dogs, unless the person drowns in the saliva from being licked so much. LOL

I see no reason to breed these dogs.

Incidently...Linnie, did you know that we Aussies have an actual breed of curly coated dog called the Murry River Curly Coated Retriever? I only found that out a few months ago. It's rare, but still present around it's home turf. Pure working dog, as far as I'm aware. I know that has nothing to do with the topic, but just thought you'd be interested.

Cass.