Is there a hypo-allergenic dog that doesn't look retarded?

[Carson Dyle]

Most common suggestion is Labradoodle. Stupid name, but cute and family friendly dog. Usually decent mannered mutts. They will be hyper as pups since there's a lot of lab in them.

My sister has a Labradoodle and it's amazing. I've never in my life seen a dog with a disposition like that dog. I've never heard it bark. Not once. It reminds me of a cat sometimes, without the "I don't give a f'k" attitude that cats often have. Instead of being hyper and wagging its tail wanting to play, it will gently crawl into your lap wanting to be petted.

 

[ControlD]

My sister has a Labradoodle and it's amazing. I've never in my life seen a dog with a disposition like that dog. I've never heard it bark. Not once. It reminds me of a cat sometimes, without the "I don't give a f'k" attitude that cats often have. Instead of being hyper and wagging its tail wanting to play, it will gently crawl into your lap wanting to be petted.

They aren't all like that. We have a couple in my neighborhood that are complete spazzes. I guess the same can be said for any type of dog though.

My current dog (a mutt but mainly flat coated retriever and boxer) sounds exactly like the dig you are describing. He is a shedding monster though.

 

[11thHour]

Clearly the doodlehuahua is right for you.

 

[Capt Caveman]

They aren't all like that. We have a couple in my neighborhood that are complete spazzes. I guess the same can be said for any type of dog though.

My current dog (a mutt but mainly flat coated retriever and boxer) sounds exactly like the dig you are describing. He is a shedding monster though.

Yeah, labradoodles seem to be so popular now that breeders don't care about personality and just looking to make money. The ones I come across at the dog park and other places constantly bark and a few have had major aggression issues. One couple with their labradoodle puppy attacked 5 different dogs in a week and thankfully animal control told them that the dog wasn't allowed at the dog parks anymore.

 

[vi edit]

Yeah, labradoodles seem to be so popular now that breeders don't care about personality and just looking to make money. The ones I come across at the dog park and other places constantly bark and a few have had major aggression issues. One couple with their labradoodle puppy attacked 5 different dogs in a week and thankfully animal control told them that the dog wasn't allowed at the dog parks anymore.

How much of that is a nature thing (bad breeding) vs. a socialization and training one?

I've heard of some breeds being more prone to anxiety/aggression due to poor breeding stock but didn't really know how much merit there was to that.

 

[JulesMaximus]

There is no "hyperallergenic" dog. They don't exist. There are definitely dogs that have "hair" and not fur. They don't shed as much or have as much dander as dogs with traditional fur.

Most common suggestion is Labradoodle. Stupid name, but cute and family friendly dog. Usually decent mannered mutts. They will be hyper as pups since there's a lot of lab in them.

:thumbsup: My friend has two of them. They are pretty smart and they make good family pets.

His are fine around other dogs too. Not aggressive but you do need to train any pet and socialize them with other animals if you plan on being around them.

 

[Capt Caveman]

How much of that is a nature thing (bad breeding) vs. a socialization and training one?

I've heard of some breeds being more prone to anxiety/aggression due to poor breeding stock but didn't really know how much merit there was to that.

Good question. Usually, I've seen more health issues due to poor breeding. But yes, some breeds are more prone to anxiety/aggression issues. I think Weimaraners have anxiety issues while Chows are known for biting.

But I've seen a lot of new dog owners with their labra/goldendoodles that don't how to properly train and socialize their dogs, so that's one problem.

There have been a few puppies, I'm talking about 4-5 months that have come to the dog park and when other dogs try to interact/play with the puppy, the puppy's first reaction has been to attack. I can only guess the puppy was purchased at a store and the puppy is from a puppy mill and taken from it's mother/litter too early to learn any canine social skills or possibly just poor breeding with a dog that has behavioral issues.

We see the puppy(now a dog) when I take mine for a walk and the dog the owners will quickly alter their route to avoid us while the whole time the dog is lunging and growling and stupid owners are yelling at the dog "bad dog'.

But my biggest complaint is the barking. I think I've more that are barkers than are not.

 

[Gooberlx2]

How much of that is a nature thing (bad breeding) vs. a socialization and training one?

It's both.

The genetics argument definitely has merit. Just as people can have mental issues through genetics, so can dogs. Unscrupulous breeders often breed without regard for temperament, and so churn out dogs that are anxious, overly needy, destructive, aggressive, reactive or whatever. At least more so than pups from good breeders. Additionally, health issues introduced through bad breeding can exacerbate temperament issues. Often those can be managed through good vet care, socialization, training and exercise....but not always. Conversely, even dogs with favorable genetics for temperament and health can turn into disasters in the care of the wrong owner.

When you get bad genetics and bad owners is when you get tragic stories. Unfortunately, take a guess at what kind of owners are most likely to purchase the cheapest pure breed puppy they can find on craigslist without doing any research on the breeder, or the breed.

 

[DigDog]

I don't geddit

"Quack" is a denigratory term meaning a bad, incompetent doctor or other medical professional, and by extension anyone who is bad at their profession.

 

[Nograts]

What about a lassie dog, does it shed a lot? I'm not a huge fan of the look but maybe it can fetch stuff from the fridge.

 

[bbhaag]

Yes they do. We have a Collie and she sheds everywhere and LOTS of it. Maybe you should look at Shelties. Half the size of a Collie so half the fur.

They are great dogs though. Excellent with kids/house gusts, not overly hyper, and smart. We love our Shelby and when it's time to look for another dog we will get another Collie.

 

[PowerEngineer]

Yeah, labradoodles seem to be so popular now that breeders don't care about personality and just looking to make money. The ones I come across at the dog park and other places constantly bark and a few have had major aggression issues. One couple with their labradoodle puppy attacked 5 different dogs in a week and thankfully animal control told them that the dog wasn't allowed at the dog parks anymore.

How much of that is a nature thing (bad breeding) vs. a socialization and training one?

I've heard of some breeds being more prone to anxiety/aggression due to poor breeding stock but didn't really know how much merit there was to that.

My understanding of the problem with the Labradoodles is that the breed is too new to be really settled and established. What I mean by that is that labradoodles continue to be produced by crossing labs and poodles rather than by just breeding labradoodles. What characteristics a labradoodle gets from the lab side and the poodle side is a roll of the dice. A particular labradoodle may be hypoallergenic if it inherits its hair/fur from the poodle, but certainly will not be if it comes from the lab.

 

[ControlD]

I also believe breeding labradoodles past the first generation ends in unpredictable results.

Also, this:

http://www.today.com/pets/breeding-blunder-labradoodle-creator-laments-designer-dog-craze-2D12072744

I have no problems with mutts. I actually think they often make for better, healthier pets. Many of the pure breeds out there have been completely ruined. They money people are dropping on designer mutts however just seems crazy.

 

[Midwayman]

"Quack" is a denigratory term meaning a bad, incompetent doctor or other medical professional, and by extension anyone who is bad at their profession.

Its also the sound a duck makes.

 

[Tim]

Maltese.

Max, our dog, is hilarious. Doesn't shed, and is 12 years old and still acts like a puppy.

He is a certified lady killer.