LABRADOODLE REFERRALS

What breaks my heart is the doodle craze that has spread across the world - backyard breeding is out of control as it is, and the whole designer dog phenomenon has worsened it considerably, in my opinion. I look at sites like XXXXXXXXXX (EDIT) and I feel sick to my stomach - these kinds of places are everywhere, and I know that most people are so uninformed (like I was) that they will continue to blindly fill the world with dogs that will ultimately end up in shelters.

NEWS FROM OUR LABRADOODLES IN THE WORLD

Hi Kathy,

I just wanted to say thank you for being a reputable breeder of these wonderful dogs.

I came across the wonderful world of Labradoodles when I bought two from a puppy-only pet shop in Perth, Western Australia. I also became a member of an online forum, where I learnt all about the horrors of backyard breeders and puppy mills.

In my 18 months on that site I have become so aware, and so informed, that I know now that my Labradoodles are actually F1 crosses, and not the real deal at all. It doesn't make me love them any less, and I believe they have many of the wonderful qualities of this breed - they began my (what I know will be) lifelong love of dogs, and I am currently applying to Delta to become a trainer. I have never fallen so in love.

My Ruby is incontinent, has colitis, and constant urinary tract infections. I know now how lucky we are that she only has these things, coming from compromised breeding practices and inexperienced idiots out for the almighty dollar. I even wrote a letter to the shop where I got the dogs, asking them very politely and with genuine interest how they felt about being a puppy mill, and perpetuating the disorganised breeding and proliferation of unwanted dogs in the world. Of course, I received no answer.

The Labradoodle, in my opinion, should be recognised as a purebred dog, because it's original purpose was sound, and its temperament is second to none - they are joyful, wonderful, intelligent dogs who have completed our lives. We adore them. But never again will a dog of ours come from a pet shop, or anything but a registered organisation like yours, or a shelter - where I understand one in four dogs now is some kind of doodle mix.

So thank you for all your work, I have attached pics of my babies anyway, the loves of our lives, and when the time come in ten or twelve years to get our next Labradoodle, I know who I'll be calling.

Regards,
Sarah Yovich

NEWS FROM OUR LABRADOODLES IN THE WORLD

Dear Kathy,

We've had our little puppy, Abby, for two weeks now so I thought I'd

give you an update. Abby is an absolute delight! In the two weeks that she has been with us she has become a major member of our family and is adored by all who meet her. Her disposition, as you know, is wonderfully sweet. She is very bright and adjusts to new experiences quickly. We still have occasional housetraining accidents but for the most part she's got that figured out. She has learned to come, sit, fetch and she walks very well on a lead. She has even learned to stop and sit at corners before crossing the street, which I think is pretty impressive for a 10 week old puppy. We'll be taking Abby to puppy classes starting January 9 and we can't wait to see how much she impresses the teacher!

OUR DOODLES IN THE WORLD

Kathy young did a great job in providing us with a puppy that suited our needs.
She was always available to answer any questions we have had prior to and after acquiring the puppy,
and was also very prompt in her responses.
The puppy was in excellent condition when we received it.

So overall we could not have asked for better service in acquiring a new member to our
family and when we get another puppy she will be the only person we will contact as the first experience was so satisfying.
We highly recommend Cathy as a doodle breeder.
Thank you and have a nice afternoon.
regards,

Ashley
Proud owner of a CloudCatchers puppy.
ashley pittard [ashleypittard@yahoo.com]

WHO IS THE CUTEST OF THEM ALL?

AUSTRALIAN HOT DOG!
photo: Richard & Janelle Gilbert

CLOUDCATCHER COOGEE ENJOYING THE SNOW.
Photo by Garon Helman

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I recently received your name
from Kathy Young at Cloudcatcher. She knows we are strongly considering the current Dixie x Cinnabar litter and thought that you, having a pup from a previous litter, might be able to assist us. We've already decided to go with Cloudcatcher, so this isn't so much about Kathy as it is about the dogs themselves.

In short, I'm trying decide upon the litter.
Having said this, what can you tell me about your dog . . . the good, the bad and the ugly.

Any information you can offer would be greatly appreciated! And, thanks so much in advance for taking my "pop quiz" about your dog. :D

Sincerely,
Katrina Derrick
Ewa Beach, Hawaii

Hi Katrina,

Our puppy Barry, is now 5 and a half months old. He had his first haircut 3 weeks ago as we're heading into colder weather and I was worried about his puppy fur being matted with his curls growing through.
So I had the "fluffy/frizzy" cut out to reveal just curl for easier keeping.
So far I haven't experienced matting yet as I feel I've avoided
this with his haircut.

What qualities do you like about him?

- We love his size. He's not this small yappy dog my husband refers to as "Slippers"
His colour is beautiful. Dixie and Cinnabar's litter are a little darker and that was my preference. Unfortunately Dakota and Cinnabar's litter was
lighter and I requested the darkest of the litter at the time.

- He has a great temperament with the kids.

- He's been easy to train.

- People are taken by him immediately and he relishes in the attention

What qualities would you like to change?

- He can be naughty sometimes i.e.digging, has had a go at trying to take clothes hanging too low on the line, jumps up at you for a cuddle without being commanded, he can barge through you after you've opened the door to let him in.

Do you think it is possible to change those things?

- All of these 'bad' qualities have eased as they are typical of puppy behaviour. However, you are the boss and it's up to you to put in the time to train him as you'll definitely reap the rewards in the next 15 years to come.

- Barry and I will be going to obedience classes to further his qualities. He attended puppy school from 12 weeks of age, once a week for 4 weeks. He socialised with other puppies and learnt to sit, drop and walk on a lead. Since this time, the good and bad qualities have become apparent and with this information, Barry and I will be ready to rectify his 'problems' at obedience school.

Do you happen to know how he is with other small animals?

- So far he has socialised with 'Slipper" sized dogs, large dogs and rabbits (caged). He's been very inquisitive, playful, but gentle.

What sort of health issues might I want to be aware of? (i.e. ears, matting, etc . . . )

- Definitely the ears. You must be diligent about cleaning the ears. They're quite deep canals and can build up with the wax. Whilst having him cut, I also had them pull out the hair in his ears. I tried myself, but he was too sensitive and yelped alot, so I had the groomers do it. They notified me he had Canker which I missed because of the deep canals. I used drops to clear it up and I'm more aware of it now.

If you could only use five words to describe him with, which would you choose? Why?

- Lovable - Sociable - Playful - Beautiful - Loyal - Forever Lovable
- His big brown eyes are to die for. He just melts you with his look. Anyone who meets him wants to cuddle him and they walk away in love with him.

Sociable
- Easily loved by anyone in his path. Fantastic with new people (could be too overwhelming for non dog people and will comply with command to ease off until that person warms to him). Great with other dogs. Can be exausting to them with his puppy energy.

Playful
- Is up for a walk at anytime. He has a slipper fetish, so all the old slippers in the house are his and everything that is thrown, boomerangs back. Loves a squeaky toy (not at first, when he first bit down on one, it was a shock to him, but he soon got used to it). I'll often hear him in the backyard playing on his own with one, tossing the toy from side to side and then chasing after it, squeaking, squeaking, squeaking!

Beautiful
- Gorgeous looking. His curls are so tight, you can't stop stroking them. And guess what? No moulting! No hair in the house or left floating in the air. I can breathe easy.

Loyal
- He'll come to a whistle or a clap. The kids are able to make him sit and drop. Loves a cuddle. Is easily cuddled. I've been his "boss" from the beginning and he'll choose to come to me over anyone, which is a good thing. If he runs off and I call him, he'll return as soon as he hears.

Forever
- At this moment in time he is one of the children. He goes
wherever we go. A child is forever and during their childhood, a dog is their life, their companion, their "brother". We'll love him forever. He is our FOREVER!

If you were in my position making this decision again, what would you decide?

- We would get two if we did it again (if we could afford it). Twice the love, social life, play, beauty, loyalty and foreverness!

Gee's Katrina,

I knew this would be a marathon email, that's why it took me a day to compile it. It's been very exhausting. But, you know what?
Thank you for reminding me why I chose this wonderful breed, from this wonderful lady at Cloud Catcher.

Barry is our everything and I don't regret a thing. He's been like a first love, so yummy, can't get enough of him, can't stop talking about or thinking of him.

I'm sorry I'm unable to send you a photo as we don't have a camera. But I wish we did, as I'd love to show him off, like a new born. But hopefully my reply paints a picture in your mind of him. He's a real colourful character. Please feel free to ask me anything. You would be making the right choice if you chose this breed. They're a 'forever dog'!

Kind regards,
Nicole xxx