Breed Characteristics:
Apartment Friendly
?How well will this breed adapt to apartment living? Is the apartment size the most important factor when it comes to proper living conditions? Is the breed suitable for apartment living?
Good For First-Time Owners
?Some dogs aren't suitable for first-time dog owners. Is this breed a good match for someone with no dog experience? Can training help them be on their best behavior with owners with no dog experience? Are they suitable to be handled by someone who is just entering the canine world?
Overall Sensitivity
?Some dogs are sensitive. Certain breeds are rough on the outside, while having the softest heart on the inside. In other words, some dogs are 'thick-skinned' while some are 'easygoing.' Is this breed prone to sensitivity?
Tolerates Being Alone
?Separation anxiety in dogs is a serious condition that can affect a dog's life quality. Is this breed prone to this condition? Can you leave him alone for hours? How destructive this breed can become when bored, neglected, or not loved enough?
Affectionate With Family
?How affectionate this breed will be around his humans? Will he welcome new family friends easily or he will choose to be shy? Some breeds can be clingy with owners, while others don't attach a lot. Will this breed act as the family's best friend?
Kid-Friendly
?Some dogs will tolerate children, while others will adore well-behaved ones. Dogs and children should always be supervised, no matter how well trained the dog might be. Will this breed act as a nanny dog or he will stay away from children?
Friendly Toward Other Dogs
?Some dog breeds cannot wait to run to the dog park and run with others. Others prefer to be with their humans, and not to be a part of a multi-pet household. Is this breed dog lover or not? How friendly this breed will be toward other dogs?
Friendly Toward Strangers
?Some dog breeds tend to be reserved toward strangers and highly suspicious. Others are fast to walk away with them easily. How welcoming this breed is toward strangers?
Drooling Level
?If you love to clean all the time drooling level in dogs is a trait that you should mind. Is this breed less likely to drool, or you will always need a towel on hand?
Easy To Groom
?Heavier shedding during the shedding season is something that every dog needs to go through. However, some dogs shed just a bit all year round. Is this breed one of them? How often should you groom this dog?
Overall Health
?What can you expect from this breed in terms of health? Are there any genetic conditions to vary about? Is obesity a major issue in this breed? By knowing more about the dog's health, you are learning how to help him live a longer and healthier life.
Prone To Obesity
?Treats are a great addition to training sessions. Dogs love sweet bites of dog treats but they should be served in moderation. Treats can lead to obesity, next to poor nutrition. Can this breed gain extra weight from treats? How prone to obesity this breed actually is?
Trainability Level
?Training some dogs is easier than others. How easy this dog will be to train? What can you expect? Some dogs are huge people pleasers and they will master commands easily, while others will try to outsmart you.
Intelligence Level
?Dogs are smart beings. We do our best to train them, but they do still end up training us to adapt to their needs. How intelligent is this breed? Will he try to outsmart you? Or he will need multiple training sessions to master basic commands?
Prey Drive
?Dogs were bred for a specific purpose. Those who were bred to hunt have natural instincts to hunt, even today. This is why many dogs, like Terriers, will chase other animals. They will also have a hard time concentrating on your commands when there is something small moving. Is this breed prone to following his prey instincts?
Barking Level
?How vocal this breed is? Can you expect neighbors to ring you often to calm your dog? Or you can sleep without worries of hearing your Fido bark? Some breeds are highly vocal, others have unusual sounds, and some are silent. Is this breed prone to barking?
Energy Level
?Low-energy dogs are happy with regular walks and indoor chill times. High-energy dogs are always ready for action. Is this breed a couch potato, energetic dog, or somewhere in between?
Exercise Needs
?Some dogs are more than happy with a slow stroll down the street. Others need hours of active time to stay happy and fit. Is this breed demanding in terms of exercise? How much exercise this breed needs to stay happy and healthy?
Playfulness Level
?Some dogs never lose that puppy spirit, not even in their senior years. Others are more serious and prefer having a job to do. Is this breed demanding in terms of playfulness? Can you expect playfulness in their senior years as well?
Goldendoodle is a popular designer dog. This is a hybrid dog breed of famous parents who gets more and more attention across the globe.
This designer dog is a result of a mix between the famous Poodle and the popular Golden Retriever.
This breed is what you get once you mix the smartest and popular dogs. This breed is affectionate, low-shedding, and highly intelligent, making them the perfect choice for family dogs.
The Goldendoodle is a great choice for first time dog owners, due to their calm nature and gentle temperament.
Goldendoodle ranges in size from small to large – it all depends on which parent trait they will pick up more.
One is for sure – they are the ultimate combination of great looks, intelligence, and playfulness.
This hybrid dog is the ultimate family dog, especially if you have children.
They were carefully bred to have the best from their parents. Since Goldendoodle is a mix it’s hard to know for sure how much of each parent they acquire.
Quick Facts
Real name: Goldendoodle
Other names: Groodle
Origin: Australia and United States
Breed type: Hybrid Dogs
Weight: 50 to 90 pounds
Height: 20 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder
Lifespan: 10 to 15 years
Litter Size: 3 – 8 puppies
Color: Cream, red, black, gold, apricot, brown, white or a combination
Coat: Long haired
Goldendoodle History
Designer dogs are today more present than that was the case just a few decades ago. This is why when these dogs first appeared many were suspicious about them.
Still, various breeders continued perfecting these breeds and bringing new breeds on the scene.
As a result of trying something new, in the 1990s, designed dog breeders in Australia and the States started to cross Golden Retrievers and Poodles. The outcome was today’s famous Goldendoodle dog, also named Groodle.
The name Goldendoodle comes from ‘Golden’ and ‘Labradoodle’. There are proven records that breeding Poodles with Golden Retrievers were bed before the 1990s dating back to 1969.
At the time the goal was identical – creating a spring that will be healthier than both parent breeds.
The biggest goal of creating this breed was to create an alternative to the globally famous Labradoodle.
In the beginning, Godledoodles were bred only from standard Poodles, only for designers to change that philosophy and start using small varieties of Poodles.
This was an effective solution to create smaller varieties of crossbreed.
Goldendoodle Physical Appearance
Many will agree that this is an adorable dog appearance-wise.
Since Poodles range in size more than Retrievers, the size and weight of this breed will always be different.
For example, a Standard Poodle will always result in a full-size Goldendoodle, while a Miniature Poodle will always result in a miniature Goldendoodle.
Their coat color will always vary, and no one can know for sure what the final outcome will be. This is something that’s very exciting and unusual when having a designer dog, you never know how your puppy will look alike.
As they can be bred from any of the Standard, Miniature, or Toy-sized Poodles, the resulting offspring will always be different. However, they will always be long-haired and their coat can vary.
Yet, there are three main coat types: straight, wavy, and curly. Their coat will always be thick, curly, and less likely to shed.
This trait is what makes people go toward this breed. In general, the higher percentage of Poodle there is, the less likely your Goldendoodle is to shed.
They are commonly 20 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder and can weigh between 50 to 90 pounds. As such they are a great addition to families of any size and great city companions.
Goldendoodle Personality
By many owners, Goldendoodle is described as an active, loving, and loyal dog. They are so friendly that any family would be happy to have them.
If you really want a family dog you cannot go wrong with Goldendoodle. They are not aggressive and are less likely to show any sign of aggressive behavior in various situations.
This is a true companion dog, although they won’t mind informing you when something is happening in front of the entrance doors.
Their temperament will always depend on several things including the temperament of parents. Other factors that will create a well-behaved Goldendoodle or not are:
- Training
- Socialization
- Genes
They shouldn’t be shy or scared when well-bred. These dogs shouldn’t show any sign of aggression toward other dogs or animals.
It’s in their nature to be gentle and careful around those around them. They are great playmates with children, especially older children.
It’s important to educate your children on how to behave around dogs.
This is the most effective way to prevent any accidents between dogs and children.
Still no matter how well-behaved your dog is you should never leave children unsupervised with dogs.
This is especially the rule with large size dogs. Goldendoodles should be outgoing, joyful, and playful dogs.
If you meet a Goldendoodle who is shy, aggressive, scared to approach you, or growls this isn’t your puppy.
The chances are that you are not dealing with the responsible breeder and that you are standing inside the puppy mill. If this is the case, simply walk away.
Ideally, the perfect Goldendoodle should be highly intelligent and trainable. They should enjoy spending time with you and having a job to do. They love when there is a new skill or trick to master.
As result, they enjoy working with people and standing next to them.
You should focus on only using positive reinforcement methods to training your Goldendoodle. This is the only way to have a well-behaved dog.
Don’t wait for your Goldendoodle to be a fully grown dog to start the training process.
Dogs can master basic commands at 8 weeks of age.
Goldendoodle Training
Start training your Goldendoodle as soon as you bring him home.
Dogs can master basic commands at only eight weeks of age. At this period, any dog is more than capable of soaking up everything that you can teach him.
If you choose to wait longer to start the training process, you can expect to have more troubles along the way and eventually not have a well-behaved dog.
If the training process is too much for you, you should think about puppy classes. This is a great way to keep training in order and provide your dog with necessary and much-needed exercise.
The most important thing about training is early socialization.
It’s crucial to socialize your dog as soon as he is done with his vaccines.
Expose your Goldendoodle to new places, new people, other dogs and animals, and new smells. For you, a simple walk is just a walk, while for your dog a regular walk is an adventure.
They are exploring the world by smelling it. Smell by smell and they get to get the whole picture.
This is why it’s so important to be consistent with walks and make them longer.
A short toilet walk is fine, as long as you provide extra time outdoors for exploring.
Make sure that you have your veterinarian’s approval. It’s important to avoid public places until you are given permission.
In general, veterinarians will recommend limited exposure to public places and other dogs until puppy vaccines have been completed.
These vaccines include:
- Rabies
- Distemper
- Parvovirus
Until your puppy is fully ready and safe to take upon the world, focus on indoor playtime. Make sure that your house is puppy-proof and that is safe for your puppy to explore new areas.
When choosing a puppy, always choose the one whose parents have a calm and nice personality.
Always choose a well-socialized puppy.
Goldendoodle Grooming
So far, it’s clear that Goldendoodles have different types of fur.
Some are more retrievers-like, while others are more of a Poodle type. That being said, some will have straight hair, while others will have curls.
One is for sure, no matter which fur comes to their path, you will have to maintain it.
Still, these are low-maintenance dogs when it comes to grooming.
The right grooming tools should help a lot, next to occasional visits to a professional groomer.
Brushing every day is mandatory, but it won’t take too much of your time. The resit is basic care. Check ears, eyes, and gums regularly.
Learn how to clean a dog’s ears fast and in a safe manner. Have nails trimmed or grinded regularly.
Too long nails can cause strong pain in your dog’s paws, joints, and overall health.
In some dogs, long nails can lead to spine issues, since they cannot walk normally.
If you notice any sign of infection during the brushing sessions, contact your veterinarian. Use grooming time as bonding time, not an obligation.
Your Goldendoodle will much appreciate the brushing time and your affection.
Bear in mind that small dogs are especially prone to periodontal disease.
This is why you should be extra careful when it comes to gums check, food that promotes teeth health, and overall teeth condition.
Goldendoodle Health
All dogs have some potential to develop genetic health problems during their lifetime, just like humans can.
If you are not offered a health record on the puppies from a breeder, know that you are not dealing with a responsible breeder.
This is usually a sign that you facing people from puppy mills. If that’s the case, run don’t walk away slowly.
Goldendoodles may be sensitive to the health problems of Golden Retrievers and Poodles.
Still, it’s less common for mixed breeds to have medical issues, but it can still happen. Check this guide to discover if any of the issues can be seen in other Poodle mixes.
The best way to keep your Goldendoodle healthy is to provide regular veterinarian check-ups.
Prevention is the key when it comes to keeping your dog alive as long as possible.
If you want a Goldendoodle puppy make sure that you find a reputable breeder who will present you medical documentation on the puppy, show you the facilities, and let you meet the puppy’s parents or at least the bitch.
A responsible breeder will always tell you that in case of any future trouble, you can return the dog to them, or consult them on your next steps.
Watch for the red flags and don’t fall for a bad breeder’s lies and poorly communicated information.
Of course, no matter how reputable the breeder is, you still have to take the dog to the veterinarian for a full check-up.
This is a great way to start building that veterinarian routine and keep your puppy healthy.
Once you get the dog you are directly responsible for his weight.
That being said, obesity in dogs is on the rise across the States, and you don’t want your Goldendoodle to be part of that statistics.
Learn how much you should feed your dog and how often.
Make sure that you provide high-quality food that will support his overall health.
Learn which human foods are safe for your dog and which aren’t. Some table scraps are fine as long as they are safe for your Goldendoodle.
So, keeping your Goldendoodle at an appropriate weight is one of the most effective ways to extend his life.
Make the most on prevention so you don’t have to deal with heavy things along the way.
The Bottom Line
Goldendoodle is a great family dog. They get along with everyone, including other pets. If raised with smaller pets they could live them happily.
They aren’t fond of living without enough human affection, so make sure that you spend enough time with them. They are great with children and elderlies.
One of their biggest traits is that they are suitable for people with allergies. Highly intelligent and friendly dog, Goldendoodle will do his best to make you happy and brighten your every day.
If you want an athletic dog, who doesn’t shed a lot, but still requires daily brushing this is the breed for you. If you have allergies and want a dog, this is a breed to consider.
Still, bear in mind that no dog doesn’t shed 100%. Simply said, no dog is completely hypoallergenic.
If you have intense allergies, this is something to think about.
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