Before we introduce Piper, her devoted fur dad, Brad, is eager to address the burning question everyone seems to ask when they meet her: No, she is not a Griffon or a Pudelpointer!

 

Brad: Piper is a playful and loving 5-year-old female Labradoodle—an F1 Labradoodle, to be precise (50% poodle and 50% Labrador mix). Piper often stops traffic on the streets and trails as people stop to admire her, wondering what breed she is. While the most common guesses range from a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon to a Pudelpointer, everyone is always surprised to learn she is a Labradoodle. This reaction is mainly due to her striking facial features, complete with a grandpa-esque beard and prominent eyebrows that make her stand out in any crowd.

While there’s no specific story behind Piper’s name, many curious admirers wonder if she’s named after Piper Aircraft. I tell them I’m sorry to say she is not—another mystery solved.

 

Brad: I have lived in NE Bozeman for eleven years. What Piper and I enjoy most about living in this part of the community is the Main to Mountain trail system, which provides easy access to the beautiful and well-maintained trails and paths right from our front door. As a social dog, Piper often runs free in the many off-leash areas in Bozeman, such as Peet’s Hill and Snowfill. Bozeman’s abundance of locations for dogs to roam and play is a boon for her and me.  

 

Brad: I chose a Labradoodle partly because I wanted a breed that could keep up with my outdoor adventures, and Piper has proven to be the perfect companion. The greater Gallatin Valley is an ideal setup for Piper, who thrives on outdoor activities like running, hiking, floating, and swimming. Piper’s zest for life shines through her eagerness to fetch a stick at every swimming hole, whether it is swimming at Hyalite Reservoir, floating on the Madison, or fetching a stick at our local dog park ponds, and she never turns down an opportunity to explore new trails.

Brad: I’m unsure if it is a ‘talent.’ Still, Piper knows (gets excited) about visiting the various coffee shops that acknowledge pets as part of the family by offering complimentary milk bones and pup cups. Her favorite stop, however, is Bumble Bean Coffee Hut for a tasty treat. A particular behavior of Piper’s that I find endearing is that she brings me her favorite chew toy every morning, ready to add her favorite bone to kick-start her day. While I enjoy my morning coffee, Piper savors her morning snack tucked away in a West Paw chew toy designed by a local Bozeman company.

 

Brad: My fondest memories with Piper are our road trips. Not only is she an international traveler, with several trips to Canada under her belt, but she also has accompanied me on various trips to bike and hike in Utah, California, and Nevada. She brings an unmistakable joy and excitement to the journey. From our travels and outdoor adventures, I have learned that dogs have a remarkable sense of trust, and Piper’s willingness to join me and our friends on any outdoor adventure – entirely ignorant, for example, of our plans to go on a long or short hike -makes every adventure special. In fact, Piper’s longest hike (17 miles) near Cooke City was with her best ‘boyfriend,’ Dexter, a 3-year-old Golden Retriever, and Dexter’s fur mom, Jessica (Greet Bozeman’s publisher), while I was out of town for work. I’ve never met a dog that didn’t enjoy the world around them, and Piper is no exception.

 

With her whimsical personality, adventurous spirit, and heartwarming charm, Piper has undeniably earned her title as Pet of the Month – no longer a case of mistaken identity as a true testament to the bond shared between a dog and her loving owner, Brad.