Comments on: Benny Bix Ochman Labradoodle Puppy Rocks the Fox & Friends Show – Beats Portugese Water Dog

By: Brainless Knitter

Brainless Knitter — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:17:09 +0000

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.

By: BL

BL — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:15:12 +0000

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.

By: BL

BL — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:13:37 +0000

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.

By: BL

BL — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:10:45 +0000

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

By: BL

BL — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:10:02 +0000

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

By: BL

BL — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:08:39 +0000

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.

By: BL

BL — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:06:08 +0000

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.

By: TJ Detwiler

TJ Detwiler — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:29:24 +0000

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

By: rickey gold

rickey gold — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:32:29 +0000

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?

By: Amy - Sound Labradoodles

Amy - Sound Labradoodles — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 17:21:20 +0000

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.