Goldendoodles are rapidly becoming one of America’s favorite designer dog breeds and for good reason. With their soulful eyes, floppy ears, and potentially hypoallergenic coats, Goldendoodles are suitable for many times of households, even those with small children and seniors.
If you are thinking of getting a Goldendoodle, this blog post is for you! We’ll look at the basics of all things Goldendoodles, and what you need to know before getting one.
What Is A Goldendoodle?
A Goldendoodle is a deliberately cross-bred dog that is the adorable cross of a Poodle and a Golden Retriever. To understand a Goldendoodle, we have to first understand the inherent nature of both parent breeds.
The Golden Retriever is a popular breed of dog that is prized for its friendly disposition and trainability. The breed originated in Scotland in the 19th century, where it was used as a gun dog. Golden Retrievers were first bred from wavy-coated retriever stock and later crossed with Tweed water spaniels and other setters.
What is a Poodle?
The Golden Retriever was officially recognized by the Kennel Club (UK) in 1903, and by the American Kennel Club in 1925. Today, Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular breeds of dogs in the United States. They are used as assistance dogs, therapy dogs, and search-and-rescue dogs, and continue to be popular as family pets.
And the Poodle? Despite their media-driven image of fancy dogs with snazzy haircuts, the Poodle is an athletic dog originally trained by German hunters to retrieve waterfowl. Their trainability and intelligence made their popularity grow all over Europe, where they were frequently trained in French circuses to perform.
The French started breeding them down in size to make them more easily transported with traveling circuses, and soon, the Toy and Miniature Poodle was created.
Today, all three sizes are recognized as separate breeds; the Standard, Toy, and Miniature Poodle.
The Goldendoodle was first deliberately mixed in the 1990s as the popularity of designer dogs started to take off. The intention was to develop a breed with the happy-go-lucky, affable nature of the Golden Retriever with the intelligence and hypoallergenic coat of the Poodle.
Goldendoodles come in a large range of sizes depending on which type of Poodle was used.
Check out this interesting article: What Is A Protective Dog?
Goldendoodle Care And Maintenance
The coat of a Goldendoodle can range from straight to curly depending on which parent breed it takes after and how much of its bloodline is Poodle. Poodles are hypoallergenic dogs that shed very little, but Golden Retrievers are double-coated dogs that are moderate to heavy shedders.
A Goldendoodle is not necessarily a 50/50 Golden Retriever and Poodle. Breeders that want litters with hypoallergenic coats will breed a hybrid back into a purebred dog in a practice called the backcross. Crossing a 50/50 Goldendoodle back into a 100% Poodle will give a litter that is 75% Poodle and hence, increase the likelihood that the pup will have a hypoallergenic coat.
Even with a low-shedding coat, you’ll need to brush your Goldendoodle frequently. In addition, Goldendoodles with longer coats may also need to be clipped or trimmed regularly.
The frequency of grooming will also increase during shedding season when Goldendoodles will need to be brushed more often to help remove loose hair.
They are relatively clean dogs and will need a bath every few weeks or so. Don’t bathe your Goldendoodle too frequently, as it can strip their skin of natural oils and dry out their coats.
In addition to caring for their coats, your Goldendoodle will need their nails trimmed or filed, and their ears and eyes cleaned with a vet-approved solution. These guys have floppy ears and dogs with such ears tend to be more vulnerable to ear infections.
Temperament Of A Goldendoodle
Goldendoodles are known for their friendly and loving nature. They are also very smart and easily trained. They make great family pets and do well with children, which makes them ideal for many households. Even first-time dog owners can maintain them easily.
They are highly attached to their families and can be prone to separation anxiety. Dogs are social animals that thrive on companionship. As such, it’s not surprising that they may experience separation anxiety when left alone.
Separation anxiety is a type of anxiety that occurs when a dog is away from its owner or other close companions. While some dogs may only experience mild anxiety, others may suffer from more severe symptoms. These could be vocalization, destructive behaviors, and house-soiling. In severe cases, separation anxiety can be extremely distressing for both the dog and its owner.
Exercise Needs Of A Goldendoodle
They have moderate energy levels and will need plenty of exercise. Especially if they are larger and bred with a Standard Poodle. You’ll need a 30-minute walk a day at the very minimum. An hour’s walk is ideal for active pooches.
Goldendoodles are likely to be experts at fetching, as retrieving is an inherited characteristic of both parent breeds. Indulging in a few minutes of vigorous fetch every day. This will help your Goldendoodle burn off excess energy and increase bonding time between the two of you.
Health Of A Goldendoodle
Goldendoodles are generally healthy dogs that have a lifespan of about 10 to 15 years. However, like all dogs, they are genetically predisposed to a few health conditions.
Some Goldendoodles may suffer from von Willebrand disease (VWD), a disorder that affects the blood’s ability to clot. VWD is caused by a deficiency of von Willebrand factor (VWF), a protein that helps the blood clot. Without enough VWF, even minor injuries can result in excessive bleeding.
In addition, Goldendoodles are also prone to hip dysplasia. This is a condition that results when the ball and socket joint of the hip does not form properly. This can lead to pain, lameness, and, in severe cases, arthritis. Hip dysplasia is most commonly seen in large breed dogs, but it can also occur in smaller breeds.
Final Thoughts
If you think the Goldendoodle is for you, now’s the time to hit the rescue centers and see if you can adopt one! Not only will you get your new furry friend at a fraction of the cost of a breed, but you’ll also get to save a life. Good luck!