The Goldendoodle is already one of the most popular designer dog crossbreeds. It was developed as a hybrid between Golden Retrievers and Poodles.
The initial idea of the initiators of this designer dog project was to create a hybrid breed that has the intelligence and the friendliness of both Goldens and Poodles and at the same is a low-shedding, hypoallergenic dog.
This crossbreeding resulted in the adorable Goldendoodles, which are wonderful and loving companion dogs.
It is suitable for first-time owners, people with dog allergies, and owners who prefer quiet and friendly canine companions.
The hybrid breed has still not been officially registered and recognized by the American Kennel Club or in most other countries. Still, it is growing in popularity, and more people are joining the online communities and the new clubs organized by Goldendoodle fanciers and owners.
Highlights
Temperament: friendly, intelligent, playful
Height at the shoulder: 13-20 inches for miniature, 17-20 inches for medium, and 20-24 inches for standard
Weight: miniature: 15-30 lbs., medium: 30-45 lbs., standard: 45-100 lbs.
Life expectancy: 10-15 years
Breed group: hybrid, designer breed
About the Goldendoodle
The Goldendoodle or Groodle is beginning to surpass the other Poodle mixes, including the Maltipoo, the Cockapoo, Labradoodle, Schnoodle and Doxiepoo, when it comes to popularity.
Nearly all of today’s dogs from this hybrid breed are first-generation mixes and have parents who are members of the two different breeds. Only a few Goldendoodles are second or third generation, with both of their parents being members of the new designer dog breed.
The size of the Goldendoodle can vary quite a bit and can be quite unpredictable. Of course, it depends on the size of the Poodle parent – standard, miniature or toy.
If the parent is a Toy or Miniature Poodle, the height of the Groodle is expected to reach just about 13-20 inches and its weight will be about 15 to 35 lbs.
The medium-sized dogs will reach a weight of 35 to 50 lbs. and a height of about 17 to 20 inches.
On the other hand, if one of the dog’s parents is a Standard Poodle, your pup may reach a height at the shoulders of 20 to 24 inches, and its weight can be around 50 to 90 lbs.
But no matter the size of the Goldendoodle, its amazingly friendly personality and intelligence make it such a popular hybrid dog breed.
Apart from being perfect family dogs, they are also quite good and versatile working dogs as well. They are used as therapy dogs, guide dogs, sniffer dogs, and service dogs quite successfully too.
The hybrid breed was first developed in the early 1990s and is still considered one of the newer designer dog breeds, with many of the dogs being first-generation Goldendoodles.
In general, these pups are very friendly and social and will get along with all people and dogs alike.
Just like their parents or ancestors – the Golden Retrievers and the Poodles, the Groodles are too friendly and do not have the protective and territorial instinct to be reliable watchdogs. This is good news for those of you looking for a dog that doesn’t bark too much. The fact is, the Goldendoodle may not even bother barking when the doorbell rings.
The Groodle is a highly adaptable dog and will thrive well both in the city and in the country. Of course, they will be much happier if they have access to a fenced yard but can live in apartments too.
Si9nce they love being with their family, the Goldendoodle should not be left to live outdoors in a kennel. It feels at its best when it is spending time with its humans. In fact, many Goldendoodles do tend to suffer from separation anxiety and do not like being left alone at home for long.
Suppose you need to leave your pup alone in the house. In that case, it is a good idea to provide it with toys or other means to entertain it or keep it crated if you want to avoid destructive behavior caused by separation anxiety or boredom.
Apart from their natural intelligence and friendliness, Groodles are growing in popularity because they are low shedders and are considered hypoallergenic dogs, suitable for families where there are people with pet allergies.
The fact with crossbreeds is that when you get a puppy, you can never be quite certain what your dog will grow up to become. It can vary in size, weight, coat type, coat color, and overall appearance. t can also vary in temperament, depending on the personalities of its parents.
Keep in mind that the larger-sized Groodles may be more active than the smaller ones.
Most importantly, it may not be as healthy or hypoallergenic as you expect it to be, depending on the genes it inherited from each of its parents.
This is both exciting and a bit worrying for people who have particular expectations for their dogs.
But in any case, the dogs from this hybrid breed can become perfect family dogs and companions if you socialize and train them properly. Like most other dogs, Groodles respond to positive reinforcement very well. They are also smart dogs that are fast learners and are eager to please, so with the proper training technique, patience, and consistency; you shouldn’t have a problem training them.
They are also pretty athletic and will love taking part in different dog events and sports, including agility, obedience, rally or flyball.
These dogs also get along with children of all ages and are excellent playmates. They can live happily and peacefully with other dogs or other pets too.
Although they are non or light-shedding dogs, Groodles still require regular grooming, and if you want to keep the coat short- regular clipping.
When kept in its natural length, the coat should be brushed once a week or once every two weeks. If you decide to keep the coat short, then you should clip it once every two months.
The coats of the Goldendoodles can vary in length, type, and color, depending on the Poodle parent. They can be cream, orange, gray, dark brown, black or multicolored. The coat is not as curly as that of Poodles but is definitely shaggier than that of Golden Retrievers.
The name Goldendoodle was first introduced in 1992, but these pups are also known as Groodles, Goldenpoos, and Doodles.
Overall, this adorable designer dog breed is the perfect combination between the intelligence, low shedding, and athleticism of the Poodle and the friendliness and playfulness of the Golden Retriever.
Personality
It is the personality of the Goldendoodle which has made it such a popular hybrid breed. In most cases, the dogs from this designer breed are very intelligent, friendly, gentle and patient.
They are highly affectionate to their owners as well as very sociable with other people and other dogs.
These loyal pups feel at their best when they are with their humans, so don’t leave them alone for long or let them sleep outdoors in a kennel. They will happily go on all kinds of adventures with you and then cuddle up on the sofa for a nap.
With proper training, the Goldendoodles can be very well-rounded and obedient dogs.
But they are also naturally playful and can be up to mischief from time to time too.
But like all other crossbreeds, the temperament of a specific dog depends on the genes it inherits from both of its purebred parents. Of course, the way you train and socialize your pup also affects its personality as it grows up.
When choosing your Groodle puppy, make sure you choose one that is happy to be held and approaches you without shyness. Also, take the time to get to know at least one of the puppy’s parents in order to see what you can expect as a temperament when it grows up.
Just like with any other dog, the Goldendoodle needs to be socialized from early puppyhood. You can enroll it in puppy kindergarten and make sure that it meets as many friendly dogs and different people from an early age.
Taking your dog to different places and exposing it to different sounds and sights will help it grow up without being too shy, timid, or fearful.
Overall, thanks to their Golden Retriever genes, Goldendoodles are very sociable and friendly dogs that can happily get along with other people, children, dogs, and smaller pets.
They are also quite agile dogs and will love spending time outdoors with you and your family and participating in different dog sports and events.
Thanks to their calm nature and their intelligence, they make excellent working dogs and have proven to be excellent as a guide, service, and even sniffer dogs.
Goldendoodles are pretty quiet and will rarely bark. They do not have the capabilities to be good watchdogs, so don’t expect them to protect their territory by barking.
When you train your Groodle, make sure you are consistent and use positive reinforcement to reward it for its obedience and good behavior. Goldendoodles are naturally intelligent dogs and will enjoy pleasing you if you are fair and consistent when training them.
You should start training your puppy from day one because it is capable of learning even at the early age of just eight weeks.
Socializing with people and dogs outside of your home should start as soon as the pup has had all of its shots and it is safe to meet it with other dogs and take it out on walks.
Nutrition
The daily amount of food you should give to your Goldendoodle depends on its size. The amount could vary from 1 to 4 cups of high-quality dog food a day, depending on whether you have a small, medium, or standard-sized dog.
Of course, the portion size also depends on the dog’s activity level, age, metabolism, and overall health.
The quality of the food affects the portion size too. High protein and high-calorie food can be served in smaller portions and will still provide the dog with the nutrition and the energy it needs to be healthy, happy and active.
The type of food you feed your dog also should be in accordance with its age. During the first year of its life, the puppy needs to eat puppy food and then be transitioned to adult dog food. Older pups should be fed with dog food formulated for senior dogs.
You should divide the daily food into two or more meals because the Goldendoodle is prone to the life-threatening condition known as bloat, which can be caused by eating large volumes of food at once.
Also, be very careful to manage your pup’s weight properly because Groodles can easily become overweight or even obese. The added weight can cause various health and mobility problems for your pup, and can significantly shorten its lifespan and affect its overall wellbeing.
Avoid feeding the dog with table scraps, and keep it away from high-fat foods. Giving treats to your adorable dog is a great way to show your love or reward its good behavior, but do not overdo it with the treats. They should comprise a maximum of 10% of the entire caloric intake of the dog per day.
If you are worried that your Goldendoodle is overweight, you should decrease its portion sizes, feed it with a lower calorie diet food, and increase its physical activity.
Talk to your vet if you have concerns that your pup is getting a tad heavier than it is supposed to.
Grooming
The coat of the Goldendoodle is usually wavy to curly, but not as curly as that of Poodles. It is usually 2-3 inches in length, with longer hair on the body, legs, ears and tail than on the head and muzzle of the dog.
While gold is the most common coat color for Groodles, it can also be cream, golden, apricot, white, dark brown, black, gray, copper, red or multicolored.
The Goldendoodle is considered to be a non or light-shedding hybrid breed, but this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t groom it.
The coat needs to be brushed once every week or two to keep it looking good and clean.
If you want to keep the dog’s coat short, you can clip it too. Clipping is usually necessary every 6 to 8 weeks and will make maintenance even easier for you.
You should bathe your Goldendoodle only when it really needs to be bathed because too much bathing can cause the skin and coat to lose their natural oils and the moisture they need to stay healthy and shiny.
Like with other dogs, you should brush your dog’s teeth several times a week, or even better – every day. This will help remove the tartar build-up and any harmful bacteria and will prevent tooth decay, gum problems, and bad breath.
The nails of your dog will need regular trimming as well if it doesn’t wear them down on its own. Trimming the nails should be done carefully because canines have blood vessels in their nails, which if cut can cause bleeding and pain.
Related: 10 Best Dog Nail Clippers in 2022
As part of the grooming process, you should regularly inspect your pup for any skin problems, sores, inflammations, lumps, ticks, etc. Also, inspect the dog’s eyes, nose, mouth, paws, and ears regularly. The earlier you spot any worrying signs on the body of your Goldendoodle dog, the easier the treatment will be.
Cleaning the pup’s ears should be done gently with dog ear cleaner, and without sticking cotton swabs into the ear canal. If you notice that the ear looks inflamed, smells, or is red and has a discharge, you should contact your vet to ensure the dog gets the appropriate treatment.
In order to make the grooming process a hassle-free one, you should start getting your puppy acquainted with it from early on. Award it when it allows you to touch or handle its paws or open its mouth if you don’t want grooming to turn into a nightmarish experience for both you and the dog later on.
Exercise
Most Goldendoodles have moderate energy levels and will be happy with a couple of walks and some playtime per day. The dogs of this hybrid breed should get 20 to 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day.
It is important to note that the energy level of the Groodle is strictly individual and depends on the genes it has inherited from each of its purebred parents.
Poodles are highly athletic dogs, so if your Groodle has inherited this trait, you should be prepared to spend more time outdoors with your pup.
Because Goldendoodles are so intelligent and eager to learn, they can easily be trained to be working dogs or participate in various dog events and sports such as obedience, agility, rally, and others.
They are also excellent swimmers, so you should allow them to enjoy a swim from time to time too.
The dogs from this designer breed will love spending a few hours outdoors roaming or playing during the day, so they will feel very happy if you have a fenced backyard.
Then again, they are not suited for living outdoors only, so do not leave them outside permanently.
Goldenpoos love spending time with their human families, so they will be completely happy only when they are close to you. These dogs are prone to suffering from separation anxiety, which makes them unsuitable pets for people who travel a lot or are gone from home for long periods of time.
By providing your Goldendoodle with the physical and mental exercise it needs to stay happy, you will also prevent it from getting bored and destructive.
So, make sure you take the time to walk, play and interact with your Groodle on a daily basis if you want everybody at home to be happy.
Training
Being a mix between one of the most intelligent dogs in the canine world – the Poodle, and one of the most affectionate and patient, eager to please breeds – the Golden Retriever, it comes as no surprise that the Goldendoodle is very easy to train.
This makes this hybrid breed suitable even for first-time dog owners with no experience with training pups.
You should start training your Goldenpoo as soon as you bring it back home with you. These naturally smart dogs can begin learning how to behave properly from as early as 8 weeks old. The later you start with the training – the more difficult it will be.
You should always use positive reinforcement in the form of treats and praises when rewarding good behavior and obedience. Don’t use harsh punishment because this can forever damage the confidence of your dog.
Since they are so gentle, Goldendoodles need to be socialized from as early on as possible. Meeting them with other friendly dogs and with different people will help prevent the dog from becoming timid or shy as it grows up.
Of course, you should start taking the dog out on walks and meet other dogs after it has received all of its puppy vaccines.
It is good to enroll it in puppy kindergarten, where it will learn to socialize with other pups and start learning how to behave like a good dog.
Goldendoodles are very patient with children and can get along with other pets at home too, but you will need to speak to your children about how to safely interact with the dog without tugging its tail or ears, approaching it while it is sleeping or trying to take its food when it is eating. As with all other dogs, you should supervise the interactions between your young children and the dog at all times.
These pups are not only great family dogs that can be very obedient when trained properly, but they can also be excellent working dogs and winners in various dog sports and events.
Overall, the dogs from this hybrid breed can be trained to do just about any kind of work or participate in any dog sport.
The only task you shouldn’t expect from your Goldendoodle is to be a good watchdog. The fact is that these pups will often not even react to strangers ringing the doorbell and may even go to greet them.
Health
Any dog, no matter whether it is purebred, crossbred or a mix can be prone to inheriting a genetic disease or health problem. Responsible breeders always test the dogs they are breeding for the common genetic diseases, and never breed dogs with genetic mutations.
You should always ask for health clearance and guarantees from the breeder before buying a puppy. Also, talk to the breeder about any known health issues in the lineage of your future dog.
The breeder should be able to show you health clearance and certificates from the Canine Eye Foundation, the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, and other authorities for both parents of the puppy.
As a hybrid breed, Groodles can be susceptible to any typical health problems that affect either Poodles or Golden Retrievers, or both.
In some cases, the mixing of the genes and the breeds can make the puppy perfectly healthy and less susceptible to all the common inherited problems of its parents.
Even the most honest and responsible breeders cannot be 100% sure that there will be no genetic mutations in any of their puppies because Mother Nature has its way and cannot be controlled completely.
You can never predict how the genes will turn out in a mixed breed dog. Also, certain inherited health conditions cannot be determined when the dog is still a young puppy.
This is why it is essential to know more about the most common health problems that can affect your Goldendoodle to know what symptoms to look for and which kinds of tests you would like your vet to perform later on.
Overall, Goldendoodles are healthy dogs. Still, they are prone to certain health problems and diseases, which you should know about in order to take all necessary precautions and actions in a timely manner.
Here are the most common health problems to which Goldenpoos are susceptible:
Patellar Luxation
Also called slipped stifle is a condition that is more common among smaller-sized dogs. It causes the knee joint of the dog to slide in and out of place. It usually affects a rear leg and can cause pain and discomfort. In some cases, Patellar Luxation will not affect the life of the dog, especially if you provide it with the pain medication and the care it needs. Still, in others, it can be very painful and even crippling if left without proper treatment.
Ear infections
Like all other dogs with floppy ears, Goldendoodles are prone to ear infections. This is usually caused by moisture getting trapped in the ear. This is why it is vital to regularly check your dog’s ears and clean them carefully. Make sure you clean and dry the inside of the ears with a dog ear cleaning solution. Never stick anything inside the ear canal of the dog. Make sure the ears are dry and watch for signs of ear infection such as redness, a foul smell or a strange-looking discharge from the ears. Take the dog to a vet if you notice any of these symptoms.
Hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a hereditary condition that causes the thighbone to not fit well into the hip joint. It can affect one or both rear legs of the dog, causing lameness, pain or an abnormal gait.
Some dogs can live without any symptoms of this condition. Still, often as the affected dog ages, it can develop arthritis, and the condition can become painful and limit the dog’s mobility.
It has been found that hip dysplasia can also occur in pups due to malnutrition. It is diagnosed via an X-ray.
Some additional factors that may worsen this condition include rapid weight gain in early puppyhood or later on when too much strain is put on the joints, as well as feeding the dog with the wrong type of dog food as well as too much pelvic muscle mass.
This condition is more common in large or giant breeds, including Golden Retrievers.
Hip dysplasia can be managed or treated in different ways depending on the underlying factors and the severity of the condition. In some cases making changes to the dog’s diet, managing its weight and the intake of joint health supplements and medication can help alleviate the symptoms. In severe cases, surgical repair or complete hip replacement may be required.
Since dogs with hip dysplasia shouldn’t be bred, always make sure you ask your breeder for a certificate of clearance by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals for both parents of your puppy.
Elbow dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia is a disease that usually affects larger dog breeds, including Golden Retrievers. It causes the three bones which make up the dog’s elbow joint to be misaligned and not fit together properly at the elbow. It can be caused by different factors, including genetics, problems with cartilage growth, an improper diet, trauma, or others.
The condition can cause pain, discomfort, lameness, and also the development of arthritis and loss of elbow function later on.
The treatment of elbow dysplasia may be a change in the diet, weight management, medications or surgical repair of the elbow joint.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
This is an inherited group of diseases that affects the retinas of the dog. It occurs in both eyes simultaneously but doesn’t cause pain to the dog.
It is common among different dog breeds and in some mixed breeds, such as the Goldendoodle. As the disease progresses, the rod cells in the retina begin to die. These cells are responsible for night vision, so over time, your dog will start losing its ability to see when the light is dim or at night.
PRA symptoms are night blindness and dilated pupils when it is darker.
In the later stages of this eye disease, the dog loses its eyesight partially or completely.
It cannot be cured, but you can slow down the process by getting it diagnosed early and providing your pup with antioxidant vision supplements.
Even if your dog loses its eyesight completely, the good news is that canines are highly adaptable to this sort of change and can learn to move around and live normally if you keep the furniture at home in the same place and don’t change the settings drastically.
Dogs with Progressive Retinal Atrophy should not be bred, so always ask the breeder to show you valid health clearance for the eye health of both of the puppy’s parents. The organization in the USA which provides such certificates is the Canine Eye Foundation.
Von Willebrand’s Disease
This is a disorder that affects the blood clotting of the dog. The disease causes the platelets in the blood to not function properly, leading to excessive bleeding when the dog is injured, after surgery, during a heat cycle or after whelping.
It can also cause the dog to suffer from bleeding gums, nose bleeds, or to have blood in its urine or stool.
This disease cannot be treated, but it is essential that it is diagnosed in time, in case the dog needs surgery, is pregnant or needs to get sutures.
Without proper medical care and timely blood transfusions, the dog can suffer from severe blood loss and even death in certain situations.
It is a disease that can affect any dog, but some breeds, including the Standard Poodle and the Golden Retriever, are especially susceptible to it, which can make the Groodle susceptible to it too.
This is a hereditary disease, so always ask the breeder for health clearance tests and certificates for Von Willebrand’s Disease.
Dogs with this condition should not be bred.
Allergies
Allergies are common among dog breeds, crossbreeds, and mixes, and the Goldendoodle is no exception.
Allergies in dogs can be caused by different factors and allergens.
In some cases, the dog may suffer from contact allergies, such as flea bites or contact with certain dog shampoos or anti-flea or tick products, its bedding or any other substance or material. Flea allergy dermatitis causes inflammation and irritation of the skin and leads to excessive scratching and biting, especially at the base of the tail.
Other dogs may have environmental allergies, which could trigger an allergic reaction when the dog inhales a certain allergen. The common allergens include dust, pollen, chemicals, detergents, cigarette smoke or others. Some of the common symptoms of this type of allergy are sneezing, skin irritation, itchiness around the ears, paws or other body parts, and others.
Food allergies are another problem that affects dogs. Your pup can be allergic to a certain food product or a specific ingredient, which can cause mild to severe digestive problems, as well as skin dermatitis, itching, and fur loss.
It is essential to find the allergen causing the adverse reactions and limiting the dog’s access to them. This can be found via different tests or for food allergies by applying an elimination diet and monitoring the dog’s reaction when you add new ingredients to its daily meals. Thankfully there are various hypoallergenic dog foods available on the market which can make the diagnosis easier and can ensure that your dog is properly fed but without a negative effect on its skin or digestive system.
Your vet may also prescribe medication to control the allergic reactions when the allergens cannot be completely eliminated – such as when the dog is allergic to pollen, mildew or dust.
Severe allergic reactions such as anaphylactic shock are relatively rare in dogs but need to be treated immediately because they can be fatal.
Gastric Dilation-Volvulus, Bloat
Bloat is a life-threatening condition that usually affects larger dogs or dogs with deep chests, such as the larger-sized Goldendoodles.
It happens when air or gas gets entrapped in the dog’s stomach and it torsions or turns around itself. This causes the air to stay stuck inside the stomach and cuts of the blood flow to the digestive system and to the heart.
The symptoms of bloat are the dog trying to retch or vomit without being able to, a distended abdomen, excessive salivation, lethargy, weakness, depression, a rapid heart rate, or the dog going into shock.
Because this condition progresses rapidly, you need to rush your pup to the vet as soon as possible. This is a medical emergency and requires immediate surgery to untwist the stomach.
Bloat usually occurs in older dogs and is often caused by a dog eating a large meal too fast or drinking large volumes of water right after eating, as well as by vigorous activity right after a meal.
This is why you should divide your pup’s portions into at least two smaller meals per day and feed it after a walk or after playtime. Also, prevent it from drinking excessive amounts of water right after eating.
Hypothyroidism
Canine hypothyroidism is a thyroid gland disorder that causes the gland to produce an insufficient amount of the thyroxin hormone, which controls the metabolism of the dog. This disorder can cause hair loss, seizures, obesity, hyperpigmentation, lethargy, pyoderma or different skin conditions.
It can affect all breeds, but some dogs are more prone to developing it, including the Golden Retrievers.
The good news is that this condition is completely manageable with hormone replacement therapy which your dog will need to take for the rest of its life.
Obesity
Obesity can affect any dog, including the Goldendoodle. It can be due to overfeeding the dog, a lack of physical activity, neutering, hypothyroidism, hyperadrenocorticism, or insulinoma.
Obesity can lead to a number of different adverse reactions in dogs and seriously shorten the pup’s lifespan.
Some of the negative effects of obesity on dogs include difficulty breathing, high blood pressure, heat intolerance, liver disease, diabetes, lower immune system function, joint and bone problems, osteoarthritis, and even cancer development.
Obviously, the best way to prevent obesity is to feed your dog well-balanced and carefully measured food quantities, limit the treats and eliminate the table scraps or high-fat foods altogether. Also, provide your pup with enough opportunities to exercise and stay active.
History
The Goldendoodle is one of the latest of all the Doodle crossbreeds or Poodle mixes.
The breeding of this designer dog started in the early 1990s after Labradoodles and Cockapoos had already started gaining popularity.
The idea of the developers of the Groodle was to create a larger-sized Doodle dog that still had the hypoallergenic, low shedding qualities of the Poodle but also had the friendly nature of the Golden Retriever.
Because the Goldendoodle is a relatively new cross, most dogs today are first-generation bred Groodles, with one parent being a Poodle and the other a Golden Retriever.
It is still pretty rare that two Goldendoodles are bred. This makes setting a standard for the size, weight, appearance, coat type, and color of the dog almost impossible.
There are still no official breed clubs or registries for the Goldendoodle, but there are various online clubs and communities of owners and fanciers of the hybrid breed.
Even without an official breed standard or club, more dog parents choose to add a Goldendoodle to their families.
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