MURPHY IS OUR AUGUST
DOG OF THE MONTH
Murphy is a lovable “Doodle” – perhaps a Labradoodle or a Golden Doodle. Speculation is that he must be a Labradoodle because like a Lab, he is crazy about water! Murphy loves lakes and ponds, but is not interested in our pool.
However, Poodles are also water retrievers, so that doesn’t help us at all in deciding what he is. Perhaps a mixture of both?
Whatever he is, we know he is adorable! Murphy joined the gang at Central Bark in October 2009. At first, he was a bit shy and unsure of himself. Murphy was a rescued dog. His “parents”, Carri and Jeff immediately began to socialize him, train him, and most of all, worked on building his confidence.
His “Doodle” hair can mat and he did not like brushing. Jeff and Carrie used treats, patience and lots of hard work to turn him in to a lovable pet. He still gets quite excited when he arrives at Central Bark and he engages in a bit of jumping.
While we speculate that Murphy is part Poodle and Lab, he maybe more Lab than Poodle. When approaching water, he likes to slowly wade in. Labrador Retrievers, originally from Newfoundland, were initially used in work alongside fishermen, helping to pull in nets and catch fish that escaped from fishing lines.
After being crossed with Setters, Spaniels and other Retrievers, the Labrador Retriever honed its skills as a true retriever. From this point in the breed’s history, “Labs,” as they are affectionately called, were bred primarily to perform as an efficient retriever of game. Labs have a stable temperament suitable for a variety of activities beyond hunting. Murphy likes to play, but he LOVES to retrieve and play with toys.
Murphy could be mixed with a Poodle. Poodles are usually thought of as a dog that has beauty, but no brains. Wrong! This breed is exceptionally smart, active and excels in obedience training. The breed comes in three size varieties, which may contribute to why Poodle is one of the most popular breeds according to AKC® Registration statistics. Murphy has something that neither breed is known for, his quirky, one-of-a-kind smile.
When you see Murphy, or Jeff and Carri, offer congratulations because Murphy is our August Dog of the Month
Congrats, Murphy!
