Lance, also known as “Lancelot,” “Nugget” and “Fancy Lancy” is the 10-year-old Labradoodle of Jason and Katy Sanderson. They got him when he was eight weeks old. 

A labradoodle is not a pure-bred dog, but rather a crossbreed between a Labrador Retriever and a standard or miniature Poodle. They were developed for people who have allergies to canine dander. Because they are a hybrid rather than a pure breed, their appearance and other characteristics vary widely. However, they generally tend to be good with children and families.

“Lance is such a sweet, well-behaved boy,” said Katy, “and he loves his family.” 

He goes to work with Jason to the golf course every day. He is always busy supervising players and staff when he is there. He is such a fixture, that people ask about him when he’s not there. 

“When he’s not at the course, Jason often tells people that Lance doesn’t work holidays or weekends,” Katy joked. 

One mischievous habit of Lance’s that his human parents don’t appreciate is his tendency to occasionally roll in another animal’s poo.

“It never fails that it always takes place just days after he has been to the spa, what we call the groomer,” added Katy. “So, off we go to the Tractor Supply to wash him again!” 

Spoiled is probably a word that fits Lance, as he is very fancy with the special pillows that are put out for him to lay on. He loves his greenies at night before he goes to bed. And he always gets his “cheese tax.” This term comes from a popular viral social media trend from TikTok. A guy named Matt Hobbs of Puppy Songs wrote lyrics about a mandatory “tax” owners must pay to their dogs in the form of cheese every time they open the refrigerator or cook with it. 

As the song says, "The rules are the rules, and the facts are the facts. And when the cheese drawer opens, you gotta pay the tax".

Lance is very good at communicating with his family when he wants food, medicine or to go out. He comes over and paws them or sometimes he just stares at them until they get the message.  But he rarely barks, which is a great trick! 

“Lance loves car rides, making new friends and playing with his stuffies,” explained Katy. “He also loves his ‘pants’ (collars), and he gets so excited when we change them.”