Recently a few people have asked me about my breeding program for Aussiedoodle. It would seem reasonable that the term Aussiedoodle would be an abbreviated version of Australian Labradoodle, but it’s not. An Aussiedoodle is a cross between an Australian Shepherd and a purebred Poodle – usually a standard, but sometimes a miniature.

At Modern Doodles, we only raise multi-generational Australian Labradoodles and only mediums. I had big dogs for years – Golden Retrievers – but I decided I wanted dogs that I can pick up without help. My biggest Australian Labradoodle is Rory and at 40lbs, as long as I use technique, I can lift her easily onto the grooming table or into the dog bath. And, since she pretty much bolts when she sees me in my grooming gear, being able to pick her up is helpful. By the way, she loves the brushing part – it’s the bathing and drying part she doesn’t like.

So, next time you hear Aussiedoodle, think Australian Shepherd and Poodle.

“It won’t be a problem,” I thought. I had my dogs at work with me, but I had to run an errand on the way home. They would be fine to wait in the car.

It was a hot day – a high of 32 C – but I only had to run into the dollar store and pick up one thing. I would be quick. And it was for a good cause. I was volunteering at a fundraising event that weekend and one of the fun activities needed a plastic hamper to hold some items. How long could it take?

I pulled into the parking lot and noticed very few cars. Great, the store was likely not busy at all. Walking as quickly as I could, I got into the store and found what I was looking for in less than a minute. With only one person in line to pay, I would be back out to the car in no time.

And then it happened. There was a ruckus in the entry. The security guard was holding onto a backpack that was slung around a woman’s shoulders. He was yelling for other staff to call the police. The suspected shoplifter was yelling obscenities. The exit was blocked.

Pandemonium in the entry of the store increased as the security guard continued to hold onto the backpack. The shopper, in turn, became increasingly agitated. All other activity in the store came to a standstill as people gaped and employees kept shoppers away from the entrance. Time seemed to stop as we all waited for the police.

I really don’t know how long it took before I could return to my car. Fifteen minutes? On a 32 C day, that would mean it was almost 50 C inside my car in that time frame. Way too hot for dogs.

Fortunately, I had left them in my air-conditioned office.

We did it! Modern Doodles was recently awarded Golden Paw status by the Australian Labradoodle Association of America (ALAA). All breeders who are members of the ALAA must meet basic health testing requirements, including hip and elbow clearances, but breeders that exceed the basic requirements become eligible for Silver and Golden…

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Have you ever heard someone say, “I can’t believe I found my car keys in the last place I looked!” Of course that’s what happened. It’s because you stopped looking when you found them. It’s possible we shouldn’t apply such logic when it comes to choosing a puppy but the…

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Our sweet Fynnley will not have puppies this year. It was confirmed by ultrasound that her breeding was not successful. We will try again for puppies in the spring of 2017. Her first litter last year was just so special, we will try again with Southern Charm’s Rango Tango of…

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