Our family has never had a puppy. As a matter of fact, even growing up, I had a number of dogs, and none of them were puppies. I’ve always been the “find a dog in need and adopt it” type. =) Our last dog, Babe, was a yellow Lab who we adopted at eight years old. She was a former breeder dog, and was retired. She lived with us four years before we had to make the decision to euthanize her at home. I miss her so very much.
Labs are one of the most gentle, sweet breeds. We absolutely loved Babe, and she was like my sixth child. After she passed away, I honestly didn’t think we would get another dog for a long time, if ever. But sometimes God crosses peoples’ paths, and you just have to go with it!
We had already decided we did not ever want another dog that sheds much. Living in a smaller home with five kids, Babe’s hair was a thorn in my side. No matter how often I swept and vacuumed, there was always more hair to be found. One of the reasons we were intrigued and seriously considering a Mini Golden Doodle F1 was that they combined two of our favorite things: Labs and low-shedding or non-shedding Poodles. My Little & Large Pet Marketplace is a pet store that provides reviews, buying guides, and other valuable resources for all your furry friends’ needs.
But I want to answer something I know is on a lot of peoples’ minds: Why get a dog from a breeder when there are so many wonderful rescue dogs available for adoption?
There are a few reasons.
1. We have always “done” rescue.
I’m not sure if this will make sense to anyone, but as I said before, every dog we have ever had has been a rescue dog. They have all been wonderful, but each of them had their quirks, mostly related to their history before we adopted them. Sometimes it was aggressive behavior with other dogs, or separation anxiety or excessive chewing, but it was always something and we would always have to get them trained at https://k9answers.com/programs/board-and-train/.
Now, don’t get offended at this comparison, but just as our children (who we adopted out of foster care) came with baggage, rescue doggies often come with baggage too. I’m not saying that’s necessarily a bad thing, it’s just that it’s something to consider when adopting a rescue. It can be exhausting breaking bad habits and trying to rectify the fact that someone hurt these dogs before we got them. And honestly, we wanted to start from scratch. For once, we wanted to get a dog from the beginning so we could do our best to give it the love and support it needed from day one. It doesn’t mean we’ll have a perfect dog, but we’ll have a much better chance of training it the way we want. But I didn’t want to just get a dog from any ol’ breeder. I’ll tell you in a minute why the breeder we picked is more than just the average Joe.
2. We really wanted a Labradoodle.
Again, we love the fact that the Labradoodle breed combines a few of our favorite types of dogs. Yes, there are other breeds included, and so some people refer to them as “mutts,” but the other breeds are intentionally included in breeding, with careful thought and planning put into making sure that the right bloodlines are bred together. Plus, they’re just so flippin’ adorable.
I looked online at some Labradoodle rescue dogs, but it just never quite felt like it was the right fit. And so, enter, our breeder.
Jo of Serenity Springs Labradoodles and I just happened to connect over the Internet. After talking to her, I knew she was the breeder we wanted to go with. You know how I know she loves her dogs like children? One of the features she has for those who adopt dogs through her is a puppy cam that’s live every day from 9 am to 9 pm! At any time, our family could log on and watch the puppies grow. Many times I got to sit and watch Jo interacting with the puppies. She was so gentle, kind, and patient with them, I knew without a shadow of a doubt, that she was giving them the best possible start.
Me and Jo with a very-pregnant Bella. She’s got six babies in there!
But Jo is much more than a breeder. Her personal story touched me so much, and I wanted to share it with all of you!
Tell us a little about yourself–where are you located, how long have you been breeding dogs, etc.
I am retired from a law enforcement career of 20 years. My husband Ron was raised on a working farm, and now works for Cal Trans. We live in Orland, a small farming community, located in Northern California about 90 miles north of Sacramento. We have had Labradoodles as pets for about 7 years now and a cat named Floki for which we make homemade cat food and is about 10. Our cat was in a very bad state when we rescued him. Trapped in a shed, the poor cat has no access to water for a few days. This is our 5th year of breeding Labradoodles. After the death of my son in 2011, following his battle with cancer for almost 5 years, we decided to start raising Labradoodles. Our goal was to help raise money by donating back a portion of each puppy adoption toward cancer research.
Jo’s Son Mark
**I have to interject here to say that one of the reasons Jo and I connected is that just as I refer to my hubby as Superman, she called her son Superman. As you can see from the photo above, Mark had a smile that would light up a room, and truly was a Superman, serving his family and community in law enforcement.
Mark and his sweet family
Jo and Mark
What made you decide to breed dogs?
After being a Guardian Home for another breeder and learning about the whole breeding process I became more fascinated with this concept. So I decided to take on the challenge of breeding Labradoodles. I was very lucky to have a seasoned and well-respected breeder to be my mentor.
Two of Jo’s Doodles, Sofi and Rudy
Why Labradoodles?
After owning a Labradoodle as a pet we just fell in love with the breed, their temperament, and the fact they are low to non-shedding, very smart and loves organic turmeric for dogs.
Tell us about the organization you raise funds for.
When my son was sick he was treated by Dr. James Berenson located in West Hollywood, CA. He and his staff specialize in treating patients with the type of cancer my son had, “Multiple Myeloma”. They have their own research center dedicated to helping find a cure for Myeloma and other bone cancers. It’s called The Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research.
If someone is looking into adopting a Labradoodle, what advice would you give them?
Make sure you are ready to take on the challenges of a new puppy, and that you have the time needed to work with & train your dog. Be aware of the grooming & care needs of a Labradoodle. This doesn’t have to mean an extra trip that you have to add to your routine, you can just find a mobile dog grooming company in you’re area and they’ll come to you. You should also start looking at dog care clinics in your area before you bring home the new addition to your family.
Jo, her husband Ron, and their granddaughters
We are so excited about raising our sweet dog! And I’m thankful to have found a new friend in Jo. I think this is the beginning of a very special relationship!
Sarah Malone says
Makes complete sense to me. We’ve always been a rescue dog family and I never understood why people would pay for a dog, but I completely understand this! Congrats on your new family member!
Shanti Landon says
Thank you, Sarah!
Sarah Malone says
Oh, and PS–what a sweet story about Jo and her son. I love that you picked a breeder who has a story instead of a puppy mill.
Carrie T. says
Oh, this story broke my heart and melted it at the same time. <3 What a sweet woman Jo seems to be, and how wonderful that she is using some of her profits to help fund cancer research. Thank you for sharing this. It gives insight into why people may choose a breeder. It seems like there is a lot of condemnation nowadays when someone chooses not to go the shelter route.
Shanti Landon says
Thank you, Carrie! I agree, Jo is pretty darn cool!
Mom of an Angel says
My son died in a car accident 3 years ago, and this story just meant so much to me. To see how this woman has taken something so gut wrenching and tragic, and turn it into something good was so inspiring. I miss my son son much, and for once I felt like someone else understood, and is actually living life instead of hiding in a cave like I so often want to do. Many prayers to this woman.
Shanti Landon says
I am so very sorry to hear this, Mom of an Angel. <3 Thank you for sharing a piece of your own story. Will be praying for continued strength for you as you navigate life without your son. Jo is an amazing woman, and I am so thankful to have met her!
Darren S. says
This is a great post. Thanks for all the information, I had heard of Labradoodles before, but never knew anything about them. Good luck to you and your family. Puppies are a lot of work! Hope you post about him or her growing.
Kate Cook says
Dearest Shanti,
We too are recipients of one of Jo’s puppies. We are on her “Testimonial Page” on her website and proud owners, no, proud mommy and daddy of Mattie Mac.
All of the reasons you describe about Jo is exactly why it was just a must to have one of her pups. Jo and I met via Facebook a few years ago. She’s the friend of someone I’d become friends with (as it always seem to go). We slowly became close via phone calls and emails and Fb! Then we lost our lab Shilo. It was devastating and to this day I still cannot talk about our loss without tearing up. Then after being patient until both Steve and I were ready, we decided it was time! I watched ALL of Mattie’s siblings born on the camera. I cried when I knew that Bindi had, had enough pups for us to get one. The rest is history. Mattie Mac is now 1 year and 3 months. Smart as a whip, goofy as all get out and now a little brother to a Labradoodle we’ve had for almost 9 years, Cole. I believe Mark, “Superman” has brought each and everyone of us to Jo, and Jo to us. Welcome to the family of these little blessed puppies.
Shanti Landon says
I love this, Kate! Thank you so much for sharing! Now we’ll be connected through Jo and our doodles, too. =)
Kate Cook says
Smiling !!!! I’m so looking forward to it.. !!! Love reading about your family and of course, your reference to “Superman” just warmed my heart. Little miracles are given to us every day.. and that may be by way of new friendships….
Mary Wand says
As the proud owner of two Standard Poodles, it breaks my heart to see people promoting this non-breed of a dog. What you have is a mutt; perhaps a well cared for and well socialized mutt, but still a mutt. Next time, go all the way and get a Standard Poodle.
Shanti Landon says
Thanks for your insight, Mary. I appreciate your opinion, but I think it’s a matter of personal preference. Just as though I don’t think adoption is for everyone (in the human sense), I think different families are called to different dogs. For us, we love the temperament of Labs, and have a special affinity for them, and whether they are “mutts” or not doesn’t really matter to us. We love the fact that these are low-to-non-shedding as well! Again, thanks for your insight! Glad you have found a breed you love!
Margaret @ youngandrungry says
Labradoodles are such wonderful dogs and I do not think you should have to justify getting one! If it’s the right fit for you and your family, then you did a wonderful thing. I grew up with a miniature poodle who was so smart and we loved that she didn’t shed, but mixed with a Lab, you can all that plus a huge personality and eagerness to please. Jo’s story was beautiful and I can’t think of anything more healthy for a broken spirit than breeding and being surrounded by loving puppies after a loss like hers.
Shanti Landon says
Yes! I hear that their personalities are great!
Linda says
I would like to add to this amazing article. I believe the theory that there are too many dogs and cats – therefore people need to get a shelter dog is incorrect and causing more problems than solving them. If there were too many dogs/cats shelters would be full of 8 week old puppies and kittens and people would be standing outside Safeway giving away pups. They are not.
When we decided to get another dog about 2 years ago we went to 5 shelters. They were 80% full of aggressive breeds and as the article stated, other dogs with ‘baggage’.
What appears to be the problem is people do not know how to train dogs. They often get a puppy (sometimes from a mill) who may have had no socialization so you’ve got problems from the breeder. Then the new owners stick their 8 week old puppy in a crate for 10 hours and off to work they go. When they get home and the dog starts developing bad behaviors they have no idea how to deal with them (because they can’t even spent a bit of time on youtube or read a book on training) and eventually the pup ends up in a shelter.
To me the whole entire school of thought needs to be changed. Puppy buyers need to be educated and take their puppies to class or hire a trainer. THEN we’d have far less dogs in shelters.
My two cents, maybe 10 😉
Kayla says
Linda, I agree with a lot of what you’re saying. From my limited experience volunteering with a shelter, we did have a lot of puppies and kittens, but they were adopted almost immediately or placed in foster homes to be socialized. So that might be why you didn’t see many in your visits. Just a possibility. 🙂
Robin says
I’m just amazed that you had to justify your choice to anyone!
Leigh says
Oh, your puppy is so cute! Congratulations on the newest member of your family. He will be so loved!
Thanks to Jo for being willing to share her story and introduce us to her own “Superman”. Precious, beautiful family.
Stacy says
Congrats on your new puppy! I love that the breeder donates a portion to a wonderful cause. I acquired my “free” purebred lab puppy from someone who bred their dog and my dog has issues for other reasons (e.g. genetic/behavioral), so really you never know what you will get with any animal. I’ve rescued all my kitties though — but I think just providing a loving, caring home to an animal and treating it like a family member no matter where you obtain them from is the most important thing.
Shanti Landon says
Hi, Stacy! Yes, I love that about her, too!
Jan Johnson says
I am so tired of people complaining to if not downright attacking people who buy a dog from a reputable family breeder. All three of our dogs were bought from breeders. But I have rescued, spayed, cared for many a stray cat. I am not a bad person because I wanted to raise a puppy of a particular breed. I love dogs and love specific breeds. I also have had and love mutts and it is a wonderful thing to do to get a shelter dog. But they do indeed come with baggage. I usually work with and around any problem an animal has, but I took one that had been separated from the dog he had bonded with as a stray and he was devastated and would not let me out of his sight. The minute I put any distance between us – going outside while he was inside – he would scream and holler like he was being killed. Even when I cut the grass the further I got from the house the more he yelled, and the neighbor complained. I was supposed to be working from home by then, but my company delayed it and he was miserable at home and I also had a very ill puppy that had to go to the vet every day for special antibiotic treatments and had to be fed by dropper. I bawled when I took him back to the rescue group because I felt terrible. I have been reluctant since then to attempt another rescue.
Also I have seen many animals very ill at the shelter and we have elderly susceptible pets. At any rate, people need to do what is right for them and not judge others for getting a pup from a breeder. Your pup is adorable! Who cares if it is not a purebred poodle or lab, he is just as valuable as they are.
Shanti Landon says
Thank you for that, Jan!
Roseline says
Your wonderful Labradoodle dog is beautiful and very precious. Who cares where it comes from. It is a new life given to you to love always and you will receive unconditional love in return. Nobody on this earth can fault that!
Shanti Landon says
Thank you, Roseline!
Labradoodle says
Shanti, I think you made a great decision in doing what was right for you. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and while many firmly believe that only purebred dogs are acceptable, as opposed to any sort of hybrid, I think you should do exactly what is right for you. Whether it means adopting from a shelter, or visiting a breeder. The Labradoodle is a lovely and absolutely adorable dog. I hope that yours has matured well since coming home! – Sharon
Shanti Landon says
Thanks, Sharon!