What would you say to your DH?

[sporklemotion]

My SIL had similar constraints, and she got a Havanese. Small, gentle, has hair instead of fur. She ordered from a breeder (I'm hoping it was a reputable one; we didn't really discuss it before she got it), and it was $$$, but it's been good for her family. He is super cute and fun.
I'm a cat person who has no interest in getting a dog, so if there is something inherently flammable about this type of dog, I apologize. I have done no research on the topic.

[laurenh]

I completely respect you doing research before moving forward and I agree with you that if other people did as much research there probably would be fewer shelter dogs, so thank you for being responsible. With that said, I have to echo PPs that you cannot completely rely on what you're going to get with either goldendoodles or labradoodles. My ILs have one of each and the variation in single litters can be pretty large as far as coat and size goes.

A neighbor has a standard poodle that is an absolutely wonderful dog, and we've also watched an old coworker's that was a bit smaller and his temperament was very similar to my ILs doodles.

Good luck on your search and I'm sorry for the current disappointment!

ETA: removed ''reputable breeder" statement because it's misleading and I don't mean to add confusion.

[CrazyLucky]

I'm not sure why the dog has to be so small. Ours is 75 pounds and is great with the kids. They are 3 and 5 now, but he's 10, so he's been with them since birth. It may be easier to find if you open up the size requirements. Good luck finding the dog though. We love ours and so do the kids.

[Susie]

With allergy considerations, I would really hesitate to go the -doodle route, especially with kids whose hopes are up, making a trial period difficult. It would be really awful if the kids got attached, but the particular labradoodle that you adopted had a coat more like a lab's than a poodle's, and somebody in the family was intolerably allergic. Genetic recombination is a bitch. I would also look into standard or miniature poodles instead.

[smock]

Aug 12, 2015 10:31:23 GMT -5 CrazyLucky said:

I'm not sure why the dog has to be so small. Ours is 75 pounds and is great with the kids. They are 3 and 5 now, but he's 10, so he's been with them since birth. It may be easier to find if you open up the size requirements. Good luck finding the dog though. We love ours and so do the kids.

Alternatively, our dog is 11 pounds (but not fragile at all), and she is also great with our toddler. 

[turtlegirl]

A Schnauzer would be another good option. They don't shed and are great family dogs. They come in a variety of sizes as well.

[auntie]

Aug 12, 2015 9:50:02 GMT -5 imojoebunny said:

Aug 12, 2015 9:43:28 GMT -5 @this said:

ETA: I'll lay off because I do respect that you're not going through a breeder.

Why don't you guys find me a low allergy dog under 40 pounds and more than 20 (or so, not a toy) within driving distance of Atlanta (say 200 miles) that can go to a home with a 6 and 9 year old with a fenced yard!  Go! 

A poodle that size might work.

They're very bright and can generally be trained relatively easily. I'm allergic to dogs and tolerate a pure bred poodle a lot more easily than my friends labradoodles.


www.georgiapoodlerescue.com/?page_id=1742

[holly116]

Oh I've gone down the petfinder rabbit hole. Getting a dog right when my oldest starts kindergarten would be a cry for help, correct? Lol.

Good luck OP! I hope you're able to find a great dog that works for your family soon.

[ilikedonuts]

I just laugh when people think a mutt, because that's what any 'doodle' is, automatically is hypoallergenic, no shed, etc. it's not a real breed! There are no breed standards.

[beefjerky]

Aug 12, 2015 10:15:03 GMT -5 oceanstbride said:

Aug 12, 2015 9:50:02 GMT -5 imojoebunny said:

Why don't you guys find me a low allergy dog under 40 pounds and more than 20 (or so, not a toy) within driving distance of Atlanta (say 200 miles) that can go to a home with a 6 and 9 year old with a fenced yard!  Go! 

A greyhound! Heavier than 40 pounds, but they don't really seem it because they are so slim. And you can adopt from a rescue. They are typically low allergy because they do not have an undercoat. My H is allergic to most dogs and never had a problem with our greyhound. They are pretty lazy, but love to play, go for walks, and ours was great with our DS.

Or an Italian Greyhound! I'm also allergic to dogs and we have an IG (had two for years but had to put one of our girls down last year) that is amazing. Both of them have dealt with all three of our boys and are amazing dogs.

[meltoine]

Damn you all!

Now I'm down the petfinder rabbit hole and having to convince myself that I absolutely cannot, will not adopt this little girl:



Despite the fact that she's perfect for us and exactly what we will be looking for in the spring after we've adjusted to having DS3.

[rbp]

Aug 12, 2015 20:35:37 GMT -5 beefjerky said:

Aug 12, 2015 10:15:03 GMT -5 oceanstbride said:

A greyhound! Heavier than 40 pounds, but they don't really seem it because they are so slim. And you can adopt from a rescue. They are typically low allergy because they do not have an undercoat. My H is allergic to most dogs and never had a problem with our greyhound. They are pretty lazy, but love to play, go for walks, and ours was great with our DS.

Or an Italian Greyhound! I'm also allergic to dogs and we have an IG (had two for years but had to put one of our girls down last year) that is amazing. Both of them have dealt with all three of our boys and are amazing dogs.

IGs are beautiful dogs!

[Deleted]

Our Vizla mix is 55 pounds with short hair and AMAZING with our toddler so I woulnt rule out all breeds of slightly larger size. I'm also allergic to some dogs but have no issues.

[redheadbaker]

Aug 12, 2015 10:29:14 GMT -5 laurenh said:

My ILs have one of each from reputable breeders

We're on the same "side," but this bugs me -- there is no such thing as a reputable breeder of "doodles."

[laurenh]

@reheadbaker sorry, you're right, I'll revise.

[leeluu]

Aug 12, 2015 10:08:37 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

Buster Brown is also pretty cute. www.petfinder.com/petdetail/32852674/

Correction - Buster Brown is SUPER cute!

[Deleted]

Aug 13, 2015 15:12:54 GMT -5 leeluu said:

Aug 12, 2015 10:08:37 GMT -5 @tokenhoser said:

Buster Brown is also pretty cute. www.petfinder.com/petdetail/32852674/

Correction - Buster Brown is SUPER cute!

And adopted! Have a long happy life, Buster!