Is Your Doodle Actually Healthier Than a Purebred? The Science of Hybrid Vigor, Health Testing, and What the Data Shows with John Seabrook

Have you questioned whether Doodle breeding really produces healthier dogs than purebred dogs? Or felt like you had to defend that choice without the science to back it up?

You deserve honest, science-based answers that don't talk down to you or make assumptions about why you chose to become a Doodle parent.

In this episode, I'm joined by John Seabrook, a staff writer at The New Yorker, who wrote a deeply reported piece on responsible breeding, the business of designer dogs, and what genetic diversity actually means for your dog's health.

We cover: 

• Health testing at the Goldendoodle Association of North America 

• The science of hybrid vigor and the coefficient of inbreeding 

• Why the AKC has refused to engage with Doodles 

• What drove the rise of shelter Doodles after the pandemic 

• What the best Doodle breeders do differently to protect your Doodle

If you're a Doodle parent looking for science-backed answers on responsible breeding using balanced, honest research, this episode is not to be missed.

Here's to informed Doodle parents, Corinne

🎟️ Save your spot at The Doodle Pro® Summit: https://doodleprosummit.com 🎙️

Corinne Gearhart is the founder of The Doodle Pro® and a certified dog trainer and Doodle specialist with over 50,000 hours of hands-on Doodle experience. She helps Doodle parents raise calmer, well-mannered dogs using science-based positive reinforcement, and is the host of The Doodle Pro® Podcast and author of Your Doodle's Daily Schedule Blueprint™.

📘 Get the Doodle Schedule Blueprint: https://thedoodlepro.com/doodle-schedule-bonus/ 🎧 More episodes: https://thedoodlepro.com/listen

Article mentioned: How Doodles Became the Dog du Jour https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2026/03/23/how-doodles-became-the-dog-du-jour

 🎉 The Doodle Pro® Virtual Summit is coming this summer, and the waitlist is open now! 

Three days of science-based, no shame, no blame guidance to help you raise the whole Doodle, not just train one. Get on the waitlist to be the first to find out who's joining the lineup, get first access before doors open, plus a complimentary gift while you wait.

👉 Save your spot: doodleprosummit.com 

Corinne Gearhart is the founder of The Doodle Pro®, a science-based training platform helping Doodle parents raise calmer, well-mannered dogs using positive reinforcement. She is the host of The Doodle Pro® Podcast and author of Your Doodle’s Daily Schedule Blueprint™.

📘 Get the Doodle Schedule Blueprint:
https://thedoodlepro.com/doodle-schedule-bonus/

🎧 More episodes:
https://thedoodlepro.com/podcast