Are You Sure You Want to Buy a “Doodle”?
“Wally Conron, the man who “invented” Doodles by crossing a Labrador Retriever and Standard Poodle back in 1989, says his “Frankenstein” creation is his life’s greatest regret.”
A “doodle”, often referred to as a designer crossbreed, is the descendant of a Poodle purposely bred with a different dog breed in the hopes of producing low-shedding offspring. Popular examples include the Goldendoodle (Poodle X Golden Retriever), Labradoodle (Poodle X Labrador Retriever), and Bernadoodle (Poodle X Bernese Mountain Dog).
The popularity of Poodle crossbreeds increased 160% from 2013 to 2021. Goldendoodles are now the 4th most popular dog breed in Canada, with Labradoodles in 7th place and Cockapoos in 8th.
This increase in popularity means that the demand for designer crossbred puppies is higher than ever. Why is this a problem, and how could it cost potential puppy buyers?
The Wild West of doodle breeding
There are (shockingly) no laws regulating dog breeding in Nova Scotia. However, the majority of purebred dog breeders are members of the Canadian Kennel Club (“CKC”). As members, they must adhere to the CKC’s policies and procedures, Code of Ethics, and Code of Practice for breeding dogs.
Since doodles are mixed breeds, they are not recognized by the CKC. Therefore, doodle breeders do not have to follow the CKC’s guidelines or health standards, including screening for genetic problems.
This means that doodle breeding is not regulated by provincial laws, nor is it regulated by the CKC’s breeding guidelines. Doodle breeders are not licensed, formally trained, or legally required to follow ethical breeding practices.
This lack of regulation, combined with the soaring demand for designer crossbred puppies, has created the perfect storm for unethical doodle breeders to grow and prosper. Unethical breeding impacts both the quality of life of the parent dogs, and the health of the puppies they produce.
Unethical breeding impacts puppy health, which could cost you in the future
Responsible breeders perform genetic testing on their parent dogs before they begin breeding them to ensure that they will not pass hereditary diseases on to their puppies. Unfortunately, there are no laws forcing doodle breeders to perform genetic testing. This means that many doodle puppies sold in Nova Scotia are vulnerable to developing health issues in the future.
For example, hip dysplasia is a common hereditary disease in Goldendoodles. This disease progresses with age and often makes walking painful for the dog. Surgery to treat hip dysplasia can cost thousands of dollars per hip.
In addition to hereditary diseases, puppies produced under unethical breeding conditions (including overbreeding) can develop other health issues, including eye problems, hearing loss, respiratory issues, and behavioral problems. So when you purchase a doodle puppy from an unethical breeder, you should prepare for expensive veterinary bills in your future.
But the problem of unethical doodle breeding is caused by more than just the unethical breeding practices. It is enhanced but a surprising factor: the puppy buyers.
Doodle puppy buyers are less ethical shoppers
Unethical breeders are responsible for the cruelty they inflict on their animals. But if puppy buyers do not screen a breeder for ethical practices before deciding to purchase a puppy, then they are supporting the unethical operation.
A 2022 study found that buyers of designer crossbred puppies, such as doodles, are less ethical shoppers than buyers of purebred puppies. They found the following:
Crossbred puppy buyers were less likely to see their puppy in person before purchasing.
Crossbred puppy buyers were less likely to see their puppy with its mother at the time of purchase.
Crossbred puppy buyers were less likely to see their puppy with its littermates at the time of purchase.
Crossbred puppy buyers are more likely to purchase their puppy on a general selling website (ex. Kijiji).
This buying behaviour describes an unethical breeder’s ideal customer, one who doesn’t visit the breeding facility or meet the parent dogs to verify the quality of their living conditions and treatment before purchase.
This lack of demanded transparency allows unethical breeders to conceal the poor treatment of their dogs, and encourages them to continue operating.
Does buying a doodle make you a bad person?
These scary facts beg the question: does ethical doodle breeding exist? In truth, I don’t know.
With 10-20% of the population allergic to pet fur, I understand the demand for low-shedding dogs. However, the animal cruelty inflicted on dogs owned by unethical breeders is unacceptable. So if you have your heart set on a doodle, what can you do?
1. Screen the breeder before purchasing a puppy
You can use these tips for how to screen a breeder to learn how the breeder treats their dogs, learn whether they perform genetic testing, and gauge whether they actually care about the happiness and health of their parent dogs and puppies. As an ethical consumer, you need to decide if you are willing to support the business.
The more transparency buyers demand from breeders, the better practices breeders will be required to adopt in order to remain in business.
2. Rather than buy from a breeder, adopt a doodle from a shelter!
Over 60% of animal rescue shelters report that they receive doodles in need of adoption. In fact, I adopted my beloved Goldendoodle, Harper, (who inspired this website) from a rescue shelter last year, and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made! She’s the absolute best dog ever (in my totally biased opinion).
3. Sign the petition to help protect vulnerable dogs!
By signing this petition, you can help pressure the Nova Scotia Government to enact laws regulating dog breeding. This will put an end to puppy mill operations and protect the vulnerable dogs used at breeding facilities! Every vote counts!