Ah, Poo!

Dear Dog Lady,

I have a severe case of Lassie lust. I am dying to get a dog. Whenever I see a cute one sashaying on the street, I follow the dog and its human to try to get all the info about the type of dog, its name, breed, temperament etc. I usually find dog people are very chatty.

The other day, I saw the most adorable dog. The dog was white and gray. It was low to the ground and shaggy. I asked the woman holding the leash what kind of dog and she said something that probably can’t be printed on a family Website. When I looked surprised, she smiled and shrugged: “It’s a mix of shih-tzu and poodle. Don’t blame me. That’s why they’re called.”

Dog Lady, I know you’re one smart cookie. I’m sure you can figure it out. How can the most innocent-looking animal be saddled with this toilet title? Why not shihtzudoodle?”

Felice, Colorado Springs

Felice, Dog Lady’s first reaction is to scold you for playing mutt moniker police. It’s not literally an expletive. The mangled name for the fur ball just sounds weird. You might feel better to know the correct title for this mixed breed is actually “shihpoo.”

But I have to agree that the breeders who first concocted the shih-tzu/poodle combo could have thrown in an “oodle,” considering all the other mixed breed “oodles”: Labradoodle (labrador-poodle), shnoodle (schnauzer/poodle), and goldendoodle (golden retriever/poodle). But there are plenty of “poos,” including yorkiepoo (Yorkshire terrier/poodle), corgipoo (corgi/poodle), and the most famous, cockapoo (cocker spaniel/poodle).

You didn’t ask, but Dog Lady will tell that these “poo” and “oodle” mixes are actually the trendy dogs of the moment. Some “poo” puppies fetch oodles of dollars, which is amusing since the dogs are mixed breed mutts – considered a lower caste in the canine world.

What’s most prized about these poodle mixes is their low allergen quality. Poodles have hair instead of fur. They do not shed and people with allergies can live under the same roof with them.

Poodles may have good hair, but they are viewed in some hindquarters as having limited brain power. (Dog Lady, mind you, does not have a dog in this fight). The theory goes that if a poodle is crossed with a breed that has a keener aptitude for something other than French circus tricks, the resulting puppies will have both smarts and hypo-allergenic hair.

Felice, Dog Lady applauds you for doing such thorough research before you get a pet. Don’t let a dipsy-doodle name deter you from surrendering to your dog desire.

Posted by Dog Lady at February 2, 2004 05:18 PM