The Golden Doodle for $999

[riderinthestorm]

I shit you not. At Petland.

So what is a Golden Doodle? A Golden Retriever, Doberman and Poodle cross. Isn't this a mutt? I thought this was something you got at the pound.

And the Golden Doodle is right next to the Puggle (Pug/Beagle) for $799 (on sale cause she was getting a bit old), who was above the Shnau-Tzu (Schnauzer/Shitzue) for $899 and that doesn't even mention the cages upon cages of Cock-a-Poos....

I know, I know, puppy-mill-puppies at places like Petland but my daughter was begging to at least go check out the puppies on sale and I caved.

Is this the new trend? High-end mutts? They were adorable (what puppy isn't?) but still.... $999???!!!

I always get my dogs at the pound so it's been a while since I've browsed the retail market but this just seems off.

[Dave Reynolds]

1. Sounds pretty mutt-like,

something that could be adopted from the shelter for a very small fraction of the price.

[democracyindanger]

2. Crossbreeding poodles is in

right now because they're supposedly hypoallergenic to some degree.

I can offer no explanation for the Puggle except that the name is merchandising gold.

[riderinthestorm]

3. Oh my god, and the Puggle was the cutest thing

Really, beyond adorable. But still these are mutts!! I couldn't believe it.

There were two Bichon crosses also but I can't remember exactly what. The only purebreds they had were a Jack Russell Terrier (probably the worst dog you could get from a puppy-mill breeder), a yellow lab, a boxer, a collie, a mini-Pin and a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.

This place had far more crosses than pure-breds.

[riderinthestorm]

4. Self delete. Dupe. NT

[petronius]

5. Sounds like someone at the puppy-mill left all the cages open

and now they're trying to sell off the mistakes with cutesy names...

"Holy crap! The beagle boned the pug!" "No problem, we'll just call it a pube...no, wait, a puggle!"

[Robeson]

10. I think you have a point....

...or should I say, "THE point"..

[XemaSab]

6. I have mused on this for a while

and I wonder if half of it isn't because the purebred strains are on the verge of collapse.

But yeah, you can pay $1000 for a labradoodle, or you can get a Springer/Golden cross FREE from a relative of someone who works with your mom. Or a Lab/Cattle Dog for 40 bucks from someone who had the neighbor's dog jump the fence.

I really don't get it. :shrug:

[riderinthestorm]

7. Clearly there's big money in this....

Or they wouldn't do it.

Which leads to the conclusion you draw: that the major purebred strains are on the verge of collapse. Can this really be true? Has the AKC led us down a merry path of insanity?

I had Jack Russells for years before the AKC got involved. Now the breed is ruined if you ask me. They are a nightmare terrierist.... I got a female years ago that had all the right AKC stuff and she was the worst dog I have ever owned - beautiful but hyper aggressive and high strung. I ended up putting her down after she bit her 5th dog (and that was after the 2 human bites - children no less). And it was a vicious attack, she managed to climb up the door and out the transom to get at the other dog that was at our farm.

Sorry about the dupe above, I can't seem to get it erased. I've tried twice already and I get booted off DU. Either it's my computer operating slowly or DU.

[XemaSab]

8. That's crazy

She climbed up the door?!?! :o

[riderinthestorm]

9. I know. Unbelievable

She was the most elegant, athletic animal you could ever hope to see. She could jump the moon. I can only think she managed to springboard off the doorknob to launch herself up. What a beauty but absolutely crazy.

[XemaSab]

11. It's sad you had to put her down

but biting is not allowed. :(

[riderinthestorm]

12. That was a bad day

But I completely, 110%, agree that biting is not allowed.

She had free run at the farm for her first 2 years with our other dogs until she bit one of the boarders' kids. She'd been well socialized so it was very wierd when she began the aggression. We began intensive training and worked with the vet to try to eliminate potential triggers like diet, environment etc. but this (beyond bizarre) only seemed to escalate her aggression.

At the point where she met her maker, she was confined to my office at the barn when anyone else was there and only allowed out for a few hours in the early am and late pm when it was just her family around. This meant we could control her socializing. Unfortunately she found her way out....

Even our vet agreed on this one, and she's worked with us on literally hundreds of animals.

[cleofus1]

13. most of the pet shop pure breeds

go for close to 1000 clams up here in alaska...they vary from breed to breed...but from 800 to 1000 is the range...and that includes shots and papers...

[B3Nut]

14. It's insane.

My wife is a vet assistant...I get to hear the staff rant about designer mutts on a regular basis. Heck, you can get a purebred dog from a rescue for far less! My wife and I do Pit Bull rescue...our adoption fee usually runs $150, give or take. Though if a prospective Goldendoodle owner wants to pay US a $999 adoption fee for a dog, we'll gladly take it... :D we oftener than not have medical expenses on our rescues that well exceed the $150 we ask as an adoption fee. Most rescues charge anywhere from $100 to $250 for adoption fees. Or you can go to your local shelter and get a dog...there are oodles of dogs and cats wanting homes. I've been through enough shelters and foster dogs to basically want to choke the living snot out of anyone breeding designer mutts.

Damn puppy-millers raking in the cash and we're pinching pennies. Makes me mad.

Todd in Beerbratistan

[tavalon]

15. Golden doodles are quite popular right now

But, I would rather get mine from a reputable breeder. We're going to get a labradoodle next year and we may actually be getting one from a company that trains them to be companion dogs for autistic children. Our's will likely cost 5 times that and if it helps as much as they say, it will be worth it.

[gollygee]

16. I used to know someone with a half poodle/half dauchshaund

however that is spelled . ..

That dog was not bred on purpose, but it sure was a cute doggie.

[Shell Beau]

17. My aunt has 2 labradoodles!

And she did pay about $1000 for each one. But hers didn't come from a puppy mill! I saw the place and we know the woman very well. But $1000! Not me, I just adopt mine for free!!

[Texasgal]

18. Screw that...

I would rather rescue from a reputable rescue operation!

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

19. :Waiting for the inevitable PETA outrage post:

:popcorn:

[Wcross]

20. I crossbreed Bulldogs and Shitzu's- Bullshitz is what I call em...

Just kidding- I would never get into dog breeding when there are so many good dogs executed every day in our "humane societies". To me a dog is a dog. A designer dog is often purchased to elevate the buyers self esteem. If you feel a bit wimpy you buy a "big mean dog" or feel ugly you buy a cute dog.
To me designer dogs are all Bullshitz..........