The Doodle Debate
Why Doodle when you can Poodle, as the saying goes. At least amongst the dedicated poodle breeders, why indeed? Poodles, or any purebred for that matter, have been created by people over decades of dedicated work and selective breeding to achieve and maintain a desired dog. Over the last 200 years or so registries (Such as the Canadian Kennel Club) have been created to establish, track and record details of what makes for a ‘perfect’ representation of a breed. Today, those guidelines, or ‘Breed Standards’ are the gold standards that unite breeders towards a common vision. A playbook, if you will, that defines what all breeders should try to achieve (it’s also what judges in the conformation show ring use to rank the dogs in competition). Breed Standards include descriptions of the best representation of the breed and include fine details on how purebred dogs should look, move and behave. For most recognized dog breeds, there have been (at least) 50 or more years of selective breeding before a wide enough gene pool exists to produce consistent litters.
So what does this mean to the average person looking for a companion? After all, a perfect show specimen is rarely what the average dog lover is looking for. “We are not looking for a show dog, why do we need a purebred poodle?” In a word, predictability. Purebred dogs, raised by dedicated breeders, give you the best chance of welcoming your vision of the best dog into your life. All puppies are adorable bundles of potential. But the potential for what? Purebreds offer you predictable outcomes in terms of how big, how hairy, what type of coat, what type of disposition, what abilities and challenges you can expect when raising your dog. Of course, there are no guarantees, as all breeds have a range within them, but why not stack the deck in your favour? A lot of thought and research should go into selecting a breed that will suit you. Purebreds offer the most likely chance you will end up with the adult dog you envision. If it is a poodle, only a poodle will do.
Does Soletree Poodles support Doodles? We are not against any dog and wish everyone great success and companionship from their dogs. But here’s the thing…my vision for Soletree Poodles is to raise dogs I can enthusiastically and honestly tell buyers: they are as close to hypoallergenic as a dog can get, they are great with kids, they won’t shed, they are willing learners and willing athletes. I can say with confidence they are loyal and will bond with whoever invests time into them, they are biddable and take to a wide range of dog sports. They will grow to be mid-sized dogs of approximately 30 lbs, and they will have lots of energy outside but love to chillax in the house most of the day. They will have low to moderate prey-drive and excel at scent work and as therapy dogs. They will be healthy and cleared, as far as genetic testing can assure, of congenital or hereditary genetic diseases common in standard poodles. They will be generally soft tempered and whither under harsh treatment. Raised well, they will like water, other species and not be excessive barkers or suffer separation anxiety. They will a have soft and thick coat that won’t shed and will always grow, and always require regular grooming. Of course, every dog is a result of nature plus nurture, but my job as a breeder is to focus on nature. Hence, I know my line of dogs, I breed with thoughtful intention, I am guided by a breed standard established over hundreds of years, and because of this I can commit to these details with confidence. Because I raise purebred, predictable poodles. Doodles, on the other hand, might originate from purebred lines, but once a cross is made (a doodle) the predictability is impossible. When breeds are mixed, there is no way to determine what that puppy will become, nor which traits it will inherit.
Therefore, because we love poodles and are interested in sharing this amazing breed with others, we choose to focus on maintaining the purebred lines and promoting the predictability that comes along with that commitment.
Thanks for reading, Jody