Editorial: May 20, 2022

As the public has turned its affection to the most famous and popular crossbred breed of dog —the Labradoodle — the trend has led to the pairing of many purebreds bred to other purebreds of another breed. This has created a world full of new crossbred dogs with names that end in “doodle” or “poo” and such. “Poo” being the operative word, as some in our community have used that multi-meaning word to describe these crossbred “designer” breeds. These designer breeds have certainly captured the public’s attention, and the exorbitant prices of these dogs reflect their newfound popularity. Never a word on how these dogs are bred and the problems that come with them. Like “shelter” dogs, they get a pass on any health or temperament problems that they may inherit or why they were bred in the first place. Do these caring “shelters” ever address why “Daisy,” who lives down the road from “Duke,” should be bred and have 12 puppies that ultimately wind up in the shelter? Because the expense and time need to care for 12 puppies is a big commitment that the “breeders” choose not to take up, and so the puppies are placed in a shelter before, if ever, they are placed in new homes. How many of us place our dogs in shelters before they go to their new homes? Why is the obvious not pointed out and addressed: That “Daisy” and “Duke” should be neutered. On the other side of this phenomenon is the negative attitude exhibited toward reputable breeders of purebred dogs and the lengths to which they go to breed healthy, happy dogs and find what they believe to find permanent, loving homes. 

But now we turn back to the upstart crossbred that started this fad, the Ladradooble. In a recent Wall Street Journal article, Sarah Needleman cites that a group of Goldendoodle and Labradoodle breeders have joined forces to write a breed standard and now promote these combos as the “Bearded Retriever.” They have created the Bearded Retriever Club of America to “take Doodles in a new direction.” Two interesting thoughts on that: Will the American Kennel Club court this new club, or will they just write their own standard and introduce yet another new to breed to our ranks? And, of course, while introducing another registrable breed, will they start to attack with the same interest the successfully executed propaganda so well done by groups like PETA? Having been so poorly been defended by the American Kennel Club, we are decades behind in presenting the joys of owning a purebred dog. We as a community find ourselves defending our love and devotion to the breeds we care about. Sadly, we are on the defense and not offense, as we should be.