When is a mutt not a mutt?

When the AKC decides.

I think the -oodle has come about for those people allergic to most dog fur. They blend a breed they really want/like with a poodle to try to be non-allergic or at least that is my take from it. Although with the poodle being a very smart dog it could be for the intelligence..

Others probably just think it is cool.

They sell DNA testing kits that allow you to check your dog's breed ancestry for 3 or 4 generations back. If you're really curious about your dog's heritage, you might try one.
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=dog+dna+test+kit&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=32871072149&hvpos=1t2&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8091723644815466372&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_42xldmfvsh_e

Some people who own mixed breed dogs (aka mutts) like to check the DNA breed mixtures so they can be alert to potential medical problems associated with certain breeds, or the behavior/personality/temperament associated with certain breeds, while others do it out of curiosity to learn more about their dog. It can also be used to check whether a purebred dog is actually a purebred.

I'm thinking of getting a test kit to verify that my current poodle is purebred, in accord with the 4 generation pedigree I obtained from the AKC. I have some nagging concerns about the ethics of the breeder of this dog that could easily be answered by this test--my dog's ancestry should indicate only poodles for those past generations. It may finally settle the matter in my own mind, so I probably will order one.

As someone who has only owned poodles, I'm at a loss to understand the popularity of the designer mutts like labradoodles, or yorkiepoos. Why buy a dog that's only part poodle when you can have one with all the wonderful characteristics of that breed undiluted? It's unique in that it's a breed that comes in all sizes from toy to standard, virtually all solid colors, and even some mixed color patterns (called particolors, which are not allowed in the AKC show ring so they are less familiar), and it's virtually non-shedding. About the only drawback is the high maintenance of the coat. Because poodle hair grows continuously, like human hair, it must be combed and brushed constantly to avoid matting, and it needs professional grooming and a haircut about every 8 weeks or an owner who can learn to do it at home. But, as a truly devoted lover of this breed, the grooming issues are only a minor inconvenience for me given the wonderful, beautiful, highly intelligent, athletic, playful dog I get to live with.

I think the designer "doodle" dog fad will pass--I do think it's only a fad. And I would think some of these poodle mixtures might have the grooming issues of purebred poodles without the benefit of being non-shedding.

But I do think I'll get a DNA kit just to be sure I do currently own a poodle and not a "doodle" or a "poo". I'm pretty sure I do, I'm just overly suspicious of his breeder given some things I learned about since I've gotten Toby. But, whatever his DNA turns out to be, I couldn't love him more.

Sorry. I can't begin to think of a pit bull as The American Dog.

I tested allergic to dogs and cats. Cats are for sure. Dogs, some I can deal ok, and certainly have. The only dog that got me crazy allergic almost right away, not once but on several visits, was a poodle named Marvel, who of course I liked, but couldn't visit anymore.


I question the allergen purity of poodles as a group.

I may or may not have the infor correct as I didn't personally check it out - but that was what I was told by one owner of one of those --oodle dogs.

They are known for being non-allergenic, but one made me sneeze like crazy.

well you're just special aren't you...

I still want to see the picture of boomerang's dog.

Yes, indeed, and would you pass me the Kleenex box?

Here's a photo of my dog from about a year ago:


For comparison:

An internet photo of a Chinook


My dog:

I LOVE poodles. The people I know who have -oodles wanted something bigger than a toy poodle but smaller than a standard poodle.

The one thing I've learned about Labradoodles is that they come in ALL sizes though. I guess you'd have to see their parents to determine what size they might be.

I'm not curious enough to run a DNA test on my pup. I just thought it was interesting that so many people were so taken aback by her.

You can be allergic to poodles since they produce dander just like any other dog. Light shedding dogs usually produce less dander though.

I've been allergic to my own dogs when they come in covered in pollen!

Wow! gorgeous guy and a Chinook clone (if he's not a Chinook)

Me neither.

But that article makes a compelling case.

When we were looking for a dog all the shelters were full of pit bull mixes and chihuahua mixes. There wasn't much else to choose from.

She is a beauty, isn't she?

She's a really good dog too. Not the smartest dog on the block but certainly the most willing to please.

oops

she's a gorgeous girl

I finally read the American dog article.

A good read.

Pet gender isn't a big issue around here. Pets get called whatever pronoun falls out of my mouth. So, no worries.

That is a good article. I had no idea that pit bull wasn't a breed but a set of characteristics. There's a beautiful brindle (and very friendly) pit bull that is always at the dog park when we're there. The owner insists it isn't a pit but just a mutt. I passed that article on to him and he was really surprised by it.

My aunt used to do that with my cousins:
scramble up their gender pronouns.

I 'm glad that she did not do that to me.





David