Didlington Doodle History

Didlington Doodles is a family hobby.  We have a passion for Labradoodles, Labradors and both Standard and Miniature Poodles and the more we do with them the more hooked we become!.  We have a small number of very special dogs whom we breed from occasionally - our ultimate aim is to enhance the quality and standard of the British Labradoodle.  Our bitches are never bred from more than once a year and we only have a total of two or three litters from each bitch, after which the bitch is spayed and sometimes re-homed, due to the fact that we can only keep a limited number of dogs and we need to continue our breeding program.  (If you are interested in adopting one of our ex-breeding bitches in the future please contact us).  Our aim is to breed good looking, lovely family pets, bred from health tested parents, with good conformation and above all excellent temperaments. 

About six years ago I saw my first 'Doodle' and was overwhelmed by him - I had never heard of Labradoodles before, and like everyone else, wasn't entirely sure whether I was having my leg pulled or not!!  However, I was assured that Labradoodles were for real and I was also told a little about their history and why they were originally bred.  I was fascinated and then spent many hours, days, months and yes… years, researching into this wonderful, and relatively new breed.  I had grown up with labradors and poodles and felt sure that a mating between the two to produce a labradoodle would be an excellent cross.  Both dogs carry wonderful traits, and are such perfect family pets - put the two together and I felt certain you would end up with something very special indeed.

Of course I wanted one! ..............and so I started the long search for a suitable pup.  My hopes right from the start, if all went well, were to ultimately aim to breed a small number of top quality labradoodles, with particular care taken on their type, conformation, health testing and particularly their temperaments.  I was finally put in touch with Cotswold Labradoodles and found Stroodle - our beautiful F3 cream bitch who’s Mum is Ellie and Dad, Cosmo.

Stroodle at 5 weeks

When we went to see the pups at 6 weeks, out of all the pups it was Stroodle who came bounding up to us on arrival - she had already been picked out for us by Fiona as one of the best bitches, so it was extraordinary how she knew we were to be her 'people'!  At the same time I also set out to find a very special labrador bitch puppy with the view, again if all went well, for her to start our own line of Didlington Doodles when the time was right.  I found Pindy, a beautiful black puppy from a top class field trials strain, and again there was no question which pup from the litter was coming to us!  The other extraordinary thing is that both pups were born on the same day - so there was a link between them right form the start.  Both pups arrived shortly after the New Year in 2004 and our house has never been quite the same since!!

Pindy just arrived at 8 weeks

Now a number of years later I can honestly say that my initial instincts about labradoodles were absolutely right.  They are the most fabulous, fun, bouncy, crazy, loving and loyal dogs I have ever come across.  They also have a highly developed sense of humour and are very intelligent.  They are always up to some wicked trick - you can almost see their thought patterns as they try to think of something to make you laugh!  A labradoodle is not for the faint hearted, they love lots of attention, walks and fun.  They also love everybody and every thing - even our cats nearly get flattened with licks and kisses when they come home - although of course the cats do have the upper hand in the animal hierarchy!  I don't think there is an ounce of malice in Stroodle, as I said she loves everybody and all other dogs too - but they can be over exuberant so do need to be properly trained.  Being such sociable dogs they would not be happy left for hours on their own.  I would therefore not advise anyone who was out at work all day to have a labradoodle.

Stroodle the Doodle

at 9 months

Stroodle, Lottie and Woozle

In 2007 we reached the optimum age for both our original bitches to breed, and they have both had their first litters.  Pindy was mated by a small standard poodle and produced our first litter of beautiful first generation labradoodles (F1's), Stroodle also went to the same dog and produced a stunning litter of F3B puppies who all had excellent coats and were virtually non shedding.

Our puppies all went to their new homes at around 8 to 10 weeks of age.  They had all been health checked, micro-chipped, had their first vaccination, and they all left us with a support pack crammed with puppy information, a toy, a starter pack of food, and six weeks free insurance.  We like to keep in touch with all our pups and welcome frequent updates and are always happy to offer support and advice to our new owners at the outset of their new adventure with their labradoodle, and throughout life of their dog.

We also have a small yellow Labrador bitch called Spin.  She has recently been hip tested and her total hip score is 6 (3 + 3) which is excellent.  She has a current clear eye certificate.  All being well will she will go to a beautiful apricot standard poodle called Simbah - who also has excellent health testing with a total hip score of 7 and current clear eye certificate.

Spin  WITH HER FRIEND HUCKLEBERRY

DIDLINGTON STRUTT YOUR STUFF!!

(DIGBY)

Now available at stud to a limited number of suitable health tested bitches with excellent temperaments

Digby a a baby at 4 1/2 months

We kept one of Stroodles pups, Digby (Didlington Strutt Your Stuff!!) who is an F3B.  He is a beautiful dog with a wonderful totally laid back temperament.  He has now had his BVA hip score done and his total is 10.  He has a current clear BVA eye certificate.  When a little older he will become our new stud dog.  He may also be available for a small number of suitably health tested labradoodle bitches with excellent temperaments.  He should carry black, cream and silver.  If you are interested in using Digby do get in touch.

Our aim now is to continue breeding top quality F1 and F3B standard, medium and miniature labradoodles plus F1B's and F2's.

Digby at 11 Months

Still the most wonderful dog!

We now have a happy little family of dogs, they all get on brilliantly and get up to the most ridiculous tricks together – From that first sighting of a labradoodle six + years ago we have come quite a long way and are very excited about the future of our Didlington Doodles!

Stroodle - Is that the Turkey?

Stroodle and Pindy as Pups