Goldendoodle - History, Grooming, and Training

What is a Goldendoodle?

A Goldendoodle is a hybrid between a purebred Golden Retriever and a Poodle. Since these dogs are a cross between Poodles and Golden Retrievers, they are considered a mixed and designer breed. They are a relative of Bernedoodles, who is a cross between the Bernese Mountain Dog and Poodle.

Both of the parent breeds are known for their intelligence, which means that Goldendoodles are also extremely intelligent and easy to train.

These dogs inherited some of the best qualities of their parents and make excellent house animals for first-time dog owners. They are also known with other names like Groodles, and they are available in different sizes. The size of the dog depends on the size of the Poodle as it is available in various sizes.

Goldendoodles also make diligent and intelligent working dogs. They make excellent guides, service, and sniffer, and therapy dogs. They are very social, playful, and gentle and are known for being loving family dogs.

They can live easily both in the cities and countryside. However, they may not be good for apartments as they need good space to run and play around. A fenced yard will be much better than keeping cages up or locked.

They love to be around their favorite people and they rarely display any signs of aggression.

The breed is fairly young and many of the dogs that we see are from the first generation breeding.

Highlights of the Breed

• Goldendoodle is not a true breed but is a hybrid of two purebred dogs: Golden Retriever and Poodle.
• The breed is relatively new with a few multigenerational puppies i.e., breeding between two Goldendoodles.
• They are minimal to zero shedders but will need regular grooming, brushing, and clipping to stay clean and free from any excessive shedding.
• They do not make good watch and guard dogs and rarely bark.
• It is an average energy dog but they do better in homes with fenced yards.
• They need about 20 to 30 minutes of exercise daily to stay healthy and happy.
• They are wonderful family dogs and are great with kids and other pets.
• They need ample socialization to be happy and may suffer from separation anxiety if they are left alone for an extended time.
• They are excellent pets and support animals for people having allergies.
• To get a healthy puppy, make sure that you get your dog from a reputable breeder.

They do not do well as watch and guard dogs. Because they are very social and playful, they will try to play with the intruders also.

Guard dogs are different and have an intimidating look and a fierce personality. This is because they are bred for the purpose of guarding the house, livestock, and other properties.

Goldendoodle vs. Labradoodle - Are they the Same?

No, both of these breeds are different from each other. Both of these dogs are doodles as they have a common Poodle parent. Below is a comparison chart of the two breeds.

History - What is the History and Origins of a Goldendoodle?

A Goldendoodle is a fairly new breed and the breeding in the United States and Australia began in the 1990s. They are the recent family members of the Doodle and Poodle hybrid breeds and many of the puppies and dogs are a result of the first-generation breeding.

The breed was created after the success of Labradoodle and Cockapoo breeds. The main aim behind creating them was to create a breed that is larger than a Doodle while sustaining the desired qualities of low-shedding, low-dander, intelligence, and friendliness.

Despite their popularity, there is no official registry for them. However, there are a number of online communities that support Goldendoodle lovers and owners. Moreover, considering the popularity of the breed, it is expected that very soon it will be one of the most famous dog breeds.

What are the Different Generations of a Goldendoodle?

Though it is a new breed, there are some available generations that produce puppies with different variations. These variations are not related to coat and hair only, it is about variations in traits also.

The first-generation doodles are 50% Golden Retriever and 50% Poodle but the same could not be said about other generations.

Besides loyalty and playfulness, the first-generation puppies also inherit their retriever parent’s shedding trait. However, this does not mean that all the Goldendoodles shed, or would shed.

Largely, it depends on the parent poodle and the percentage in which the Goldendoodle puppy has inherited his poodle traits.

Below are some available Goldendoodle generations.

F1 - First Generation - F1 puppies is the result of the breeding of dogs between two purebred dogs, a Golden Retriever and a Poodle in this case. These puppies inherit all the good qualities of their parents like low dander and shedding, and ‘hybrid vigor’.

This makes them one of the few hypoallergenic breeds. Moreover, the phenomenon refers to better biological functioning and lower health risks, which is a result of the mixture of genes.

F1b - First Generation Backcross - this generation is a result of breeding an F1 dog with one of the two parent breeds. Most probably, the breeders choose a poodle to breed back with a doodle.

These puppies are also considered first-generation puppies with more refined traits of the other purebred dog, the one chosen by the breeder.

These puppies also have the hybrid vigor but they may also have greater chances of inheriting the diseases also.

F2 - Second Generation - these puppies are the result of breeding two F1 Goldendoodles together. This breeding is generally discouraged by the breeders since there are 75% chances that the resulting puppies would be heavy shedders. Besides, it is quite possible that the resulting puppies are full Poodles or full Golden Retrievers, with the potential for shedding.

F2b - Second Generation Backcross - when an F1 doodle is bred with an F1b doodle then the resulting puppies are F2b puppies. However, these puppies would be unpredictable since the F1 dog carries the traits of both the parents but the F1b dog is unpredictable.

The breeder could not say anything about the puppies’ shedding potential and health conditions of the puppies.

F3 and Multigenerational - F3 puppies are created by breeding the F1b dogs with any of the other generations. The results are quite diverse and these puppies are the most unpredictable types. They could inherit any of the qualities of either of the breeds and could also have different traits.

All of these generations produce different kinds of puppies and this is why many breeders suggest against some kinds of breeding.

Sizes - What are the Available Goldendoodle Size Variations?

Goldendoodles vary in size and, luckily, they are available in the size that is ideal for your household. The size of the dog depends on the size of the Poodle parent, which is the only breed with three different recognized sizes. Generally, the size of your dog would be somewhere between the parent breeds.

Since these dogs are a crossbreed between two dogs of varying sizes, the resulting puppy could be of any size. The single way of knowing how big your puppy would get is to see the size of the Poodle parent.

This unpredictability leaves many potential doodle owners scared and unsure. To help them and to give them an idea about the available Goldendoodle sizes, we have added a size chart below.

Toy and miniature doodles are great for apartments but the medium and standard sized dogs will require a house with a fenced yard.

Personality - What are the Personality Traits of a Goldendoodle?

The dogs are not famous for their striking good looks only but for their cheerful and positive personality also. These dogs are very sweet and pleasant to have around as they have a tendency to attach themselves with everyone they meet.

They are playful, intelligent, and very affectionate, all the good qualities that anyone needs in their house animal.

Being extremely loving and accepting, they make great family pets and emotional support animals for the people who need a patient and affectionate companion. These canines need ample socialization since they love human company and with proper training, they can be excellent pets and house animals.

Besides, there are a number of other dogs who are among the most affectionate dog breeds and are known for providing the needed comfort and care.

The temperament and personality of the animal depend on a number of factors like training, heredity, and social exposure. Usually, the temperament of the dog could be predicted from their ‘puppyhood’. Puppies having curious, playful, and approachable behavior are the best rather than the ones that are either too aggressive or too timid.

Before adopting the puppy, it is important that you meet at least one of the parents to know what to expect from your dog once he is an adult.

Like other dogs, Goldendoodles also need early and ample socialization and training to develop into a well-rounded and healthy adult dog. Diverse exposure to different sounds, sights, people and experienced help in developing a better dog.

The best way of making sure that your dog gets the best training is to enroll him in a puppy kindergarten. Moreover, you can also take him to dog parks, pet supermarkets, and neighborhoods to make his social skills better.

Possible Diseases and Health Conditions of a Goldendoodle

Generally, these dogs are quite healthy. However, like other dogs, they are also exposed to a number of diseases and illnesses. This also does not mean that all the Goldendoodles will have these conditions for sure. But it is important that you know about them before bringing one of them home.

Below are some common diseases among the Goldendoodles.

Patellar Luxation - this condition is also known as slipped stifles and it is very common in small dogs. In this condition, the knee joint slips out of its place and causes pain and discomfort in walking.

Though the condition could be crippling, many dogs lead a normal life with proper medication and exercise.

Ear Infections - since Goldendoodle has floppy ears, they are prone to a number of ear infections. Floppy ears trap moisture inside that could lead to foul smell, discharge, and other infections. To avoid it, check the ears carefully and daily and keep them clean and dry.

Hip Dysplasia - this is an inherited disorder that the dog may get from either of his parents. In it, the thighbone does not fit properly in its socket and causes discomfort and difficulty in walking.

Some dogs exhibit its outward signs while in others, it could be detected through an X-ray only. Such dogs have a higher risk of developing arthritis as they age and this is why they should not be bred.

Elbow Dysplasia - it is similar to hip dysplasia with the difference that this happens with the forelegs of the dog. It happens when the bones do not grow at the same rate and do not fit properly.

This could lead to arthritis also. Some of its treatment options include medication, surgery, weight management, and anti-inflammatory drugs.

In many cases, CBD and CBG oils help in relieving the discomfort in bones and joints. Get a good quality CBD oil for dogs to help in minimizing joints pain and for some kinds of cancers also.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) - in this condition, the retina of the dog’s eyes deteriorate and with the passage of time, he becomes completely blind. In the beginning, the dog loses his night vision that further extends to the loss of vision during the day.

Many dogs having the condition could cope and live with the condition easily, provided the surroundings remain the same.

Von Willebrand’s Diseases - the disease is found in both humans and dogs and it interferes with the blood clotting system. It is a blood disorder and the dog affected by it will have symptoms like nosebleeds, bleeding gums, blood in their stool, and prolonged bleeding after surgery, during a heat cycle, and after whelping.

The condition cannot be cured but can be managed by some methods like suturing the wounds or injuries, transfusing blood before surgery, and avoiding some kinds of medicines.

Allergies - allergies are the most common kinds of disorders in dogs. Goldendoodles could have any of the three kinds of allergies including food allergies, contact allergies, and inhalant allergies.

All of these allergies are caused due to different reasons and, in many cases, removing those reasons could cure them.

Gastric Dilation-Volvulus - it is a life-threatening condition in which the stomach is filled with gas and then it twists. The dog could neither burp nor vomit to relieve his condition and it interferes with the normal blood flow to the heart.

The blood pressure drops dangerously and the dog goes into a state of shock. If not treated, this could even lead to death.

Hypothyroidism - this disorder is related to the thyroid gland. The condition could result in a number of other diseases or conditions like alopecia, lethargy, hyperpigmentation, epilepsy, obesity, pyoderma, and a number of skin conditions.

The condition could be treated and managed with medication and a proper diet.

Care and Food - What kind of Care and Food a Goldendoodle Needs?

Since these dogs are very intelligent, they are easy to train and they could learn new skills really quickly. They are eager to please and they are equally good for novice and experienced dog owners.

However, harsh training and behavior will not work in their case as they are very sensitive and get hurt easily. Like other canines, they need leash training also but instead of using just a chain or leather, get a martingale collar. These collars do not hurt your dog’s neck and help in training also.

Instead of being overly strict, use positive reinforcement to encourage and teach your dog.

They are average energy dogs and need 20 to 30 minutes of exercise to stay healthy and happy. Goldendoodles love water and a dog swimming session will be enough to keep them both happy and healthy.

A standard sized or large Goldendoodle will need more space than a toy Goldendoodle and for them, a house with a fenced yard works the best. They are very sensitive and could have separation anxiety if left alone or outside for a long time.

‘What is the recommended amount of food per day?’ Approximately, 1 to 4 cups of high-quality dry dog food, divided into several meals.

The amount of food depends on factors like the size of your dog and his level of activity. An active dog will need more food than a lazy one. Moreover, giving high-quality food to your dog will keep him healthy and active.

Keep a check on the amount of food that you give to your dog and make sure that he stays on a healthy weight.

Choose from top-quality dry dog food or from the best organic dog food brands to make sure that your dog is having a good source of nutrients.

Since these dogs are prone to gastric torsion and bloat, it is better to give them small meals throughout the day, instead of feeding them one big meal once a day. Moreover, avoid exercising your dog immediately before or after the meal and stay by his side to encourage him to eat slowly.

Some of the top food choices for Goldendoodles in 2021 are given below.

• Orijen Premium Quality Meat Dry Dog Food
• Wellness Core Natural Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
• Merrick Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
• Nutro Natural Senior Dry Dog Food
• Blue Buffalo Natural Senior Wet Dog Food
• Fromm Gold Nutritionals Dog Food
• Blue Buffalo Natural Adult Wet Dog Food
• Victor Super Premium Pet Food for Dogs
• Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Dog Food
• Blue Buffalo Grain-Free Dog Food

Besides quality food, get some good quality dog supplies for him. Things like dog toys and snuffle mats will keep him engaged and happy.

Goldendoodle Rescue Groups - Where to Adopt From?

Unfortunately, many dog owners buy a Goldendoodle without proper understanding. Due to this, many of these lovelies end up in rescue groups and foster homes. Though these dogs make an emotional support animal, they have their unique needs.

They are unlike those dogs that are happy to be independent and on their own since they need human interaction to thrive.

They are very sensitive and any harsh behavior or negligence could lead them to depression and anxiety. Moreover, they love following their humans around and you will have to keep them indoors and close to yourself. All of these requirements could be too much for many dog lovers.

Therefore, do not rush and do not bring a Goldendoodle home just because he is beautiful and would look good in the photographs. Below are some rescue homes from where you could adopt one.

• IDOG Rescue for Goldendoodles
• DoodleDandyRescue.org
• Norcal Poodle Adoption Rescue
• Doodle Rescue Collective

In case the given rescue homes are not in your area, check with the local breed club or dog rescue home to find one in your area.

Do you know that due to their affectionate and caring nature many people get them as their ESAs also? Needless to say, these canines exceed at providing the required love and support to the people who are emotionally or mentally disabled.

To get one for yourself, fill our online questionnaire to see if you qualify.