Doodle Owners: The Least Ethical Buyers?
Goldendoodles. Labradoodles. Bernedoodles. Cavapoos. Aussiedoodles. The list goes on. These poodle crossbreeds, often referred to as designer crossbreeds or doodles, have exploded in popularity across Canada in the last decade. And while many doodle owners adore their pups (we don’t blame you—they are adorable), the harsh truth is that doodle buyers are often unknowingly fueling one of the most unethical sectors of the dog breeding industry.
Let’s break down why.
1. Transparency Isn’t a Priority
A 2022 study published in Canine Medicine and Genetics found that doodle buyers are less likely to see the puppy’s mother or littermates before purchase than purebred buyers —an important factor in assessing breeder transparency and ethics.
The same study found that doodle puppies were more often purchased through general online marketplaces (ex. Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace) than purebred puppies.
This mix of limited buyer scrutiny and high demand is contributing to the growing commercialization of dog breeding, where profit can take precedence over animal welfare.
2. High Demand = High Exploitation
Doodles are some of the most sought-after dogs in Canada, and unethical breeders know it. The demand has created a gold rush for quick, high-profit litters, often bred in horrific conditions. Breeding females are often kept in cages, overbred, and discarded once they’re no longer useful. Buyers rarely meet the parents—or even see the facility.
3. The Myth of the “Hypoallergenic” Dog
Let’s bust a big doodle myth: there’s no such thing as a 100% hypoallergenic dog. Many people buy doodles thinking they’re safe for allergy sufferers, only to learn that shedding and dander still exist—just in different forms (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology).
Unscrupulous breeders use the “non-shedding” promise to justify massive price tags, while selling genetically unpredictable dogs with inconsistent coats, grooming needs, and health issues.
4. Lack of Regulation = Zero Protections
Because doodles aren’t a registered breed, there’s no central body ensuring ethical standards. This means:
No rules about how often dogs can be bred
No minimum breeding age
No required health testing
No structure for breeder accountability
Many breeders marketing doodles don’t follow any breeding ethics at all. And many buyers don’t ask. The result? A booming market where dogs are treated like designer handbags—produced, marketed, and sold (and then sometimes discarded).
5. Shelters Are Full—But Doodles Keep Selling
Every year, thousands of dogs are surrendered to shelters or rescues, including doodles. Rescue organizations are now seeing an influx of doodles with behavioural issues, health problems, or simply abandoned once the novelty wears off.
When buyers choose a doodle from an unethical breeder over adoption or reputable breeding programs, they indirectly support the cycle of overbreeding, abandonment, and suffering.
You didn’t know? That’s okay. But now you do.
If you bought a doodle without asking hard questions, without seeing the conditions the parents lived in, or without checking for health testing results—you weren’t just buying a dog. You were supporting a system built on animal suffering.
It’s uncomfortable. But it’s the truth. And we need to talk about it if we ever want to change it.
What Can You Do to Help?
Adopt: Thousands of wonderful dogs—purebred and mixed—are waiting for homes across Canada.
Do your research: If you must buy, only support breeders who health test, home-raise, and are transparent about their practices. Use our tips for how to screen a dog breeder.
Support legislation: Harper’s Law is fighting for stricter regulation of dog breeding in Nova Scotia. You can help protect vulnerable dogs by signing the petition below, sharing this article to spread awareness, or sharing your own story about unethical breeding.
Let’s be the kind of dog lovers who make informed, compassionate choices. At Harper’s Law, we believe every dog deserves protection, no matter the breed, mix, or price tag.
Sign the Petition!
This petition will pressure the government to create laws regulating dog breeding in Nova Scotia. The government has been sitting on regulations proposed by an expert committee since 2021 and still haven’t taken action.