I am the proud owner of a Golden Labrador. She is not a Designer dog but an accident that I rescued. She has the best and worst qualities of both breeds. I wouldnt have it any other way.

I have heard members complaining about all the irresponsible breeders creating all these breeds that arent needed. I believe the irresponsible owners are as much if not a bigger problem. In my 68 years I hate to think about all the neglect and abuse I have seen at the hands of owners. Not to mention the number of owners that feel they can allow their unneutered pets have free reign of a community. Another big problem is owners buying pets not really understanding the temperament and needs of the breed they are buying. They buy a Lab and leave it to their own devices for 8-9 hours and wonder why it shreds carpet or digs up the yard. It then ends up at the pound because it was too much trouble.

I hear of the horrors of creating designer pets and what an aberration this is. Most if not all breeds are the product of cross or selective breeding. The Golden Retriever was created in the 1800s by Sir Dudley Marjoribanks as a hunting dog. One of its ancestors the Wavy Coated Retriever no longer exist and is also the origin of the flat Coated Retriever. A latter day creation the Boykin Spaniel was a mix of American Water Spaniels, Springer Spaniels, Pointers and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. The Prized German Shepard was created by Von Stephanitz over a period of 37 years. The Labrador that we adore in the US has a different standard here than in other parts of the world and will also has a different appearance. This was done by selective breeding. Dogs have been created for either appearance or purpose for centuries. It would be stupid to say that selective or crossbreeding is wrong since all the wonderful canine pets we now enjoy came to us this way. In a few years some of the hybrids that are under fire from our members will be AKC registered because they will be excepted as legitimate just like other
have been excepted in the past. This is the order of things.

If the labradoodle was called a St Lawrence Water Dog No one would question whether it was suppose to be a breed. I am constantly ask what my dog is. She looks like a Chocolate Golden Retriever and weighs almost 100 lbs. I could give her an exotic sounding name and no one would question it. I usually say she is a Pretty Brown Dog. She is that, and I thank God daily that she came into my life. She is truly an angel sent from above.


I believe the key here for Owners and Breeders alike, BE Responsible.