Great points, BL. I did not realize how active Labradoodles are, until this morning when I was watching you and Benny on TV. He was quite energetic. I think he wanted to get out and play.

One thing you can’t deny – he’s so adorable! Oh, you were pretty good, too. ;-)

Benny was adorable on the segment! Thanks for sharing with us!

Oh, and the comments about breeders not in it to make money…HAHAHA.

Give Benny a treat and a hug for me and my Puggle, Dexter!

BL, I saw you on National TV this morning, you looked great! Probably the last thing any breed needs is for Obama to pick it for the White House. Unscrupulous breeders would fill every pet shop in the country and soon the pounds would be full of them. Like happened to the Dalmatians after the Disney movie.

Congrats to you and Benny for such a great segment. And you are spot on about people taking on more than they can chew. Before adopting a dog, make sure you have the time and energy needed for the breed.

Benny makes a wonderful star! He’s so darn cute! Great piece.

breeders don’t breed dogs to make money?

That is absolutely correct. Well, unless you’re a puppy mill.

The breeding standards by the AKC, or even by a labradoodle organization like the ALAA, require health testing that costs literally thousands of dollars. Breeding stock labradoodles cost $10,000-15,000. Breeding puppies must be raised until they are 2 years old to receive final hip testing results — and then the dog might not pass muster and you have to start over! Then there are the costs of yearly vet visits, pregnant dog vet visits, vet help if something goes wrong with whelping… the list goes on and on.

Breeding dogs is a hobby for people who are fortunate enough to have a ’safety net’. I know of only one breeder who seems to rest her livelihood on her breeding business, and she is always in a precarious position, working part-time jobs, etc. The only breeders making money are the puppy mills, and that is due to business volume, and also in most cases lack of expensive health testing.

Breeders are in this business because we love the breed and want to see it continue. I know $2000-2500 is a lot to pay for a puppy, but most breeders don’t break even until their fifth year — if they can stay in business that long. Those who do rarely see very much of a profit.

Benny was a real pro….and adorable! You gave him some leash so he could move around vs the Westminster guy who, if that dog had been on a tighter leash, would’ve choked. So… wonder what the Obamas will choose. Will they get a pawfun shirt even if it’s not a labradoodle?

How did you come to the conclusion that the Portie is “dog-aggressive”??

I have personally met two Portie’s who became dog-aggressive at about age two, and been told by two trainers that this can happen.
Benny is very territorial near his house, but fine with dogs off-leash.

Also, the trainer on the Fox show was worried that her dog would be aggressive bec he lives in the burbs and isn’t used to other dogs. Yet another reason why living in a city is good for dogs. They have lots of interactions with other dogs.

there was nothing i liked about the way the Westminster guy handled that dog. And he was very dismissive of Labradoodles because the AKC has yet to recognize them. My boy acted like the happy go lucky dog he is.

Interesting points, but I simply can’t believe that people who sells puppies for $2500 and up are not making money.

Thanks Donna! Benny is available to work if there are agents out there watching :>)

I have talked a lot of people out of getting dogs. When they hear that a dog needs an hour a day of off-leash exercise to be healthy and happy, and that they need lots of training, that there are vet bills, etc. – a lot of people change their minds. Having a dog is a 10-15 obligation that pays you back a thousand times for every minute you spend with the dog, but you will never sleep late again, and you will have to look after that dog because it is totally dependent on you.

And what happened to St Bernards after the Beethoven movie, etc, etc. People look at a dog in a movie and think the puppy they get will be as well-behaved as that well-trained adult dog. As you well know, that’s just not the case. And then the poor dogs end up in shelters, or worse.

It was nice to see Benny in action after seeing his photos on your blog. He’s as cute as his pictures.

I have a Portuguese Water Dog who often gets confused for a Doodle. I have to wonder if a White House dog is going to get the off-leash time these two types of high-energy dogs need every day.

Is it true they are trying to find one of these breeds at a shelter? I’d be surprised if there are any in shelters. But with all this PR if there’s anyone who knows of a Doodle or a Portie that needs a home they know where to go.