A Goldendoodle, as the name suggests, is a hybrid/designer dog breed which is a result of breeding Golden Retrievers with Poodles. The Goldendoodle is a very cute looking dog with a wonderful nature that exhibits the best characteristics of both the breeds it comes from. Let’s find out more about these awesome dogs.

Goldendoodle: All You Need To Know Before Getting One

When did Goldendoodles become popular?

Goldendoodles rose to popularity in the US and Australia during the 1990s. While these cuties are highly sought after, the American Kennel Club doesn’t recognize it as a dog breed.

What are the coat colours of the Goldendoodle?

Goldendoodles come in a variety of colours, but the most common are cream and gold. Other colors include layers of chocolate, black, and red. Some goldendoodles have patchy coats, mostly white with brown or black spots. Goldendoodles sometimes have a rare silver color inherited from poodle dog parents. 

Goldendoodles often have curly coats inherited from their Poodle parents. These curly layers are hypoallergenic and have a lower tendency to shed. Generally, the curly coat the dog is, the less it will shed. Goldendoodle hair generally grows about 4 to 6 inches long and does not require much grooming.

What size does the Goldendoodle come in?

Goldendoodles typically come in two sizes: standard and miniature. When a golden retriever is raised with a standard-size poodle it produces a standard-size Goldendoodle. Miniature poodles raised with golden retrievers produce miniature Goldendoodles.

Standard size Goldendoodles are medium to large dogs. They are generally 20 to 29 inches tall and weigh between 45 and 90 pounds. Miniature Goldendoodles are small to medium-sized dogs. They are generally 13 to 21 inches tall and weigh between 25 and 45 pounds.

How is a Goldendoodle’s demeanour?

Goldendoodles are well known for their happy disposition. Much like golden retrievers, Goldendoodles are generally warm, affectionate, and friendly. These dogs are well suited for multi-dog households and make great family pets due to their soft, suave, and easy-going personality. 

Well, Goldendoodles are so sociable, they need a lot of attention, and they require a moderate amount of recess and exercise to avoid boredom. These dogs are usually non-aggressive, intuitive, and obedient. Goldendoodles are usually very sociable and get along with everyone. They do not perform well in any type of guard or watchdog role and should not be used in that capacity. 

They can thrive in the city as well as the country, but they are not well suited to apartment life, as they do best with the space a fenced yard provides. However, Goldendoodles shouldn’t live outside or in a kennel, as they thrive when in contact with the people they love.

Goldendoodles can also be quite naughty inside the house so owners should be ready for it.

Are Goldendoodles smart?

Goldendoodles learn quickly and are easy to train. These dogs are highly intelligent and will watch you closely for signals and signals, according to the book “Goldendoodles.” They have a strong desire to please and easily pick up on what you want to do. Due to their golden retriever genes, Goldendoodles tend to be largemouth dogs. 

Like young dogs and puppies, they have a tendency to chew and gnaw and must be trained not to. This articulate trait enhances them to retrieve objects and play games as a catch. 

The best way to avoid any destructive behavior is to lock them in a cage and provide them with toys and treats to keep them busy throughout the day. Keeping the radio on when you’re out and about is another good way to keep them happy.

They can even smell and find out if your food contains things that you are allergic to.

What are the health concerns with Goldendoodles?

Goldendoodles are healthy dogs in general. But they do suffer from certain health conditions, especially as they get older. Keep in mind that there’s no guarantee that all Goldendoodles will suffer from these diseases but it’s best to be mindful of these things  before you get a Goldendoodle as a pet.

If you are going to buy a puppy, look for a good breeder who will show you the health authorizations of both parents of the puppy. Health clearances show that a dog has been tested and cleared of a particular condition.

If you are getting a Goldendoodle, ensure that it has the required clearances for conditions such as patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and von Willebrand disease. Make sure that you check for eyes and ear infections as well. Let’s take at the conditions in some detail:

Allergies

Most dogs suffer from some kind of allergies, the Goldendoodle as well. Food allergies can be prevented by getting rid of certain items from the dog’s diet. Contact and inhalant allergies can be alleviated by controlling the environment your dogs go in. 

Von Willebrand disease 

Found in both dogs and humans, it is a blood disorder that affects the clotting process. An affected dog will have symptoms such as nosebleeds, bleeding gums, prolonged bleeding from surgery, prolonged bleeding during heat cycles or after giving birth, and occasionally blood in the stool. This disorder is usually diagnosed between the ages of three and five and cannot be cured. However, it can be controlled with treatments that include cauterization or suturing of lesions, transfusions before surgery, and avoidance of specific medications.

Patellar luxation

Also known as knee slip, it is a common problem in small dogs. The patella is the head of the knee. Patellar luxation occurs when the knee joint (often a hind leg) slides in and out of the joint socket, causing extreme pain in the dog. This pain can be debilitating but dogs can manage to recover from it.

Ear infections

They can be a problem for Goldendoodles due to their floppy ears, which trap moisture. Check and clean the ears regularly.

Hip dysplasia

This is an inherited condition (although it is also sometimes caused by malnutrition) in which the thigh bone does not fit well into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and a limp in one or both hind legs, but others show no outward signs of discomfort. In either case, arthritis can develop as the dog ages. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred, so if you are buying a puppy, ask the breeder for proof that the parents have been tested for hip dysplasia and are problem free.

Elbow dysplasia

Like hip dysplasia, this condition is also a degenerative disease. It is believed to be caused by abnormal growth and development, leading to a malformed and weakened joint. The disease varies in its severity: the dog may simply develop arthritis or become lame. Treatment includes surgery, weight control, medical management, and anti-inflammatory medication.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

This is a type of eye disease that affects a lot of dogs, especially if they have a family history. Progressive Retinal Atrophy results in the dog gradually losing its sight over time. Early in the disease, affected dogs become blind at night; they lose their sight during the day as the disease progresses. Many affected dogs adapt well to their limited or lost vision, as long as their environment remains the same. Don’t forget, dogs rely more on smell and sound than sight anyway.

What are the grooming requirements of Goldendoodles?

Goldendoodles are considered not to shed much and can be a good choice for people with allergies. They require weekly or bi-weekly brushing, and many homeowners choose to trim them.

What are some other names for Goldendoodles?

Goldendoodles are also known as Goldendoo, Groodles and Golden Poo. Owning a Goldendoodle is like having a living, breathing plush toy that is very loyal, devoted, friendly and playful. If you want a dog for security, the Goldendoodle isn’t the dog for you. It’s a great and playful companion dog that will brighten up your life every single day.