Doodle Dogs For Dummies. Miriam Fields-Babineau

of great experiences ahead of you.

About This Book

      Although you’ll find all kinds of useful information in each chapter of this book, you don’t have to read it from cover to cover to benefit from it. Each chapter contains all the tools you need to accomplish specific goals. I know you’re busy, so in this book, I tell you only what you need to know and nothing you don’t.

      If you’re short on time, you can safely skip the sidebars (text in gray boxes) — the information they contain is interesting but not critical. You can also skip any paragraphs marked by the Technical Stuff icon (see “Icons Used in This Book, later in this Introduction, for more information).

      Within this book, you may note that some web addresses break across two lines of text. If you’re reading this book in print and you want to visit one of these web pages, simply key in the web address exactly as it’s noted in the text, pretending as though the line break doesn’t exist. If you’re reading this as an e-book, you’ve got it easy — just click the web address to be taken directly to the web page.

Foolish Assumptions

Because you’ve picked up this book I assume you’re not a dummy. You’re either thinking of getting a Doodle or you already own one. Plus, the fact that you want to find out more about your dog makes you exceptionally intelligent. I make some other assumptions about you:

       You have, or are about to get, a Doodle because you wanted a unique individual to love and live with.

       You want just the facts; you need to make sure you accomplish your goals. You don’t want all the scientific jargon and terminology explaining the background of each topic.

       You have a big heart to take on a dog and give them a happy home.

Icons Used in This Book

      Icons are those little eye-catching pictures in the margin of this book. These icons are eye-catching for a reason: They flag important information. Here’s what they mean:

      

The Tip icon helps you solve problems faster or explains an easier way to approach an issue.

      

The Warning icon prevents you from doing something dangerous to your dog, yourself, or others. Heed this icon!

      

The Technical Stuff icon marks information that’s interesting, though not vital to your Doodle’s well-being. Although you really don’t need to read the information marked by this icon, you won’t lose much time doing so, and it may help you understand your dog better.

      

The Remember icon flags anything you should commit to memory.

Beyond the Book

      In addition to the book you have in your hands, you can access some extra content online. Check out the free Cheat Sheet for questions to ask when adopting a dog, tips on temperament testing, and a checklist of supplies to have on hand. Just go to www.dummies.com and type Doodle Dogs For Dummies in the Search box.

Where to Go from Here

      Because this book is written in a modular manner — with each chapter a stand-alone unit — you don’t have to read everything in order. In fact, if you already have a Doodle, you won’t need to read the chapters on where to find a dog, nor will you need the information on making sure a Doodle is right for you. If you get a Doodle, you might want to find out more about how to train them than solve problems that they likely haven’t developed. Or, if you’ve had a Doodle for many years and you’re curious about the changes they’ll be going through as they age, you may want to skip to the chapter about senior dogs. Use the Table of Contents and Index to find the chapters that appeal to you now, and come back to this book as your needs and interests change.

      Regardless of where you begin reading, you’re sure to discover new things that inspire you to spend time with your Doodle and enhance both of your lives.

      Yours is a partnership for life. Have fun together!

Part 1

      From Poodle to Doodle

IN THIS PART …

       Discover the history of Doodles.

       See why Poodles make such great parents.

       Find out about the different varieties of Doodles.

Chapter 1

      Meet the Doodle

      IN THIS CHAPTER

      

Looking at the different sizes of Doodles

      

Exploring common Doodle personality traits

      

Considering Doodles’ health

      

Training a Doodle at any age

      The first known Doodle was created in 1955, when a Poodle was crossed with a Cocker Spaniel to create the Cockapoo. Cockapoos became very popular, because they’re generally sweet, intelligent, and great family dogs. In 1969, the great-granddaughter of Charles Dickens, Monica Dickens, bred the first Goldendoodle, by crossing a Golden Retriever with a Standard-size Poodle. She was looking for a sweet, athletic dog who didn’t shed all over her house like the typical Golden Retriever does. It took decades, however, for the Doodle to become highly desirable. And, though still not highly sought after by the dog-adoring public, there were dog enthusiasts who continued to cross their purebred dogs with Poodles to enhance specific characteristics, such as better swimmers for retrieving or faster runners to aid in hunting.

      In this chapter, I fill you in on the different Doodle sizes and personality traits, as well as their health traits and how to train them at any age.

Doodle Sizes

Doodles come in almost every size imaginable — from the tiniest Yorkidoodle to the largest Pyredoodle. The one that’s right for you may depend on your lifestyle. For example, if you live in a big city and don’t have a fenced-in yard, you may want to consider a Toy-size dog, one who will get plenty of exercise just running around your home. If you live in a rural area and want a dog who can run beside you as you gallop on horseback through the woods, a larger dog may be a better choice.

      The following sections explore the Doodle sizes to help you decide which size is right for you.

      THE ORIGINS OF THE DOODLE

      The