Should I Get a Goldendoodle?
Have you been thinking should i get a goldendoodle? This friendly and clever breed of dog is becoming more and more appreciated and for justifiable reasons. This information resource will help you understand everything about Goldendoodle breed so that you can evaluate whether this is the right type of pet you will bear for your family.
What is a Goldendoodle?
A Goldendoodle is a hybrid breed resulting from the crossbreeding of a Golden Retriever with a Poodle. The primary aim of creating the Goldendoodle breed in the 1990s was to combine the charming personality of the retriever that is always ready to be happy and pleasant with the Poodles low shedding and bright brain.
Goldendoodles are produced in three varieties:
- Standard Goldendoodles are made using standard poodles and usually weigh above 45 pounds.
- Medium Goldendoodles are developed from breeding Medium-sized Poodles and have a weight range of 30-45 pounds.
- Miniature Goldendoodles are developed from Mini Poodles and weight is under 30ibs.
Regardless of the category Goldendoodles are always great companions for the families. They are gentle, loving, and calm which makes the pet ideal for the families with children or for those who own other pets.
Goldendoodle Temperament
The most notable reason as to why Goldendoodles have become so popular is their pleasant character. Should I get a goldendoodle? Here’s what you can expect:
- Quick learners and ready to follow all commands. Goldendoodles are highly intelligent and training responsive. The ‘try-to-please’ attitude helps very much during the training sessions.
- Loving and very sociable. Goldendoodles get attached to their people and so they require presence of people in their everyday life. They get along very well with children and do well in busy homes.
- Adventurous and very active. Goldendoodles are ready to play with anyone anytime! Let it be fetching the ball, going for a swim or mixture of both by hiking. They are calm and pleasant dogs when they are exercised well.
- Protective and kind. Goldendoodles are loyal, soft dogs for all ages and age well too. Given the right exposure from an early age, they do not discriminate against other animals either.
- Elated and extroverted. So what do we remember about Goldendoodles? They are pleasant and many will trust or help them.
It goes without saying, with their intelligence, eagerness to please and sweet disposition, Goldendoodles are fabulous family dogs. Playfulness and affectionate behavior will brighten every household.
Goldendoodle Care
As much as Goldendoodles are suitable pets, they require adequate attention concerning grooming and physical activity. Below is a detailed description of what goes into taking care of a Goldendoodle:
Grooming
Depending on the parent which the Goldendoodle favors, the coat may be different. Their coat may be wavy, curly, or straight. For curly coats, daily brushing of the fur is preferred due to the tendency for these coats to get matted. On the contrary, straight coats need brushing two to three times a week.
After that duration, most Goldendoodles require professional grooming regularly. No matting occurred arises because a dog is properly groomed, including having a bath and brushing of hair and cutting its fur.
Exercise
The Goldendoodles are lively dogs. Go ahead and prepare to give about 30 to 60 minutes of workouts every day. Walking, running, and even hiking are only a fraction of what they will enjoy, there is also swimming, fetch, and even dog sports such as agility that they will love.
Equally, goldendoodle exercise does not only include running around. Other than treats, Goldendoodles require training sessions along with puzzle toys and enjoyable games such as hide and seek. An adequately exercised Goldendoodle will be the delightful, well-attended addition to your family.
Training
When it comes to Goldendoodles, they need to go through the most critical part: listening. These puppies are intelligent, willing to learn and require proper formative action such as socialization. Bringing an Illustrated guide to grooming dogs by the American Kennel Club and a puppy kindergarten, followed by basic and advanced courses would help in getting your Goldendoodle to the appropriate standards.
For this breed, positive reinforcement is the best method as they are very eager to please. Goldendoodles respond well to positive reinforcement, which is why they love rewards given for correctly performed tasks. With adequate training, your Goldendoodle will develop to be a friendly member of the household without constant need of correction.
Feeding
Goldendoodles are healthier and happier when fed with good quality dog food fit for medium to large breeds. Portion your pet on the basis of its activity level and size. Mini and medium Goldendoodles usually cope very well with feeding at least two times in a day. The case is not so remote in Standard Goldendoodles because however they are very big bodied there are meals more frequent than others.
The right nutrition plan to your Goldendoodle will keep it physically fit and active. There is risk for overfeeding your Goldendoodle as it has tendency to gain weight easily. Please be guided by your vet and change food in terms of age or health where appropriate.
Are Goldendoodles Good Family Dogs?
Indeed, they do. If you ask whether Goldendoodles are good family dogs, I reply with a massive yes! Here’s why they make good pets.
Kids and Goldendoodles love each other and play a lot. There are lots of active parents which is pretty normal for a busy household. Goldendoodles do well with positive reinforcement. They appreciate frolicking and active spasms related to the family.
Most members of the household tend to attach themselves to Goldendoodles as well. They are also perfect for allergy sufferers as they barely shed any furs. Goldendoodles are easy to train and enjoy acquiring new skills.
If these dogs are exercised regularly and trained well, they fit any family with kids of any age. All children of any age will benefit from this dog’s loving and fun personality.
Pros and Cons of Owning a Goldendoodle
Should I get a goldendoodle? Here are some key advantages and disadvantages to consider before getting a Goldendoodle:
Pros:
- Very loving and approachable
- Very smart and obedient
- Do not shed much
- Very active and amusing
- Are known to be very friendly to other household members including kids and other pets if trained well from young age
- Very loyal, devoted and always willing to do things that please you
Cons:
- They need to be brushed often otherwise, their fur will tangle up and become a bigger problem
- These dogs can develop separation anxiety if left alone for long hours
- Do not prefer dog activities and are very sorry when they pull exercise
- House training could prove to be more difficult than what first crossed your mind
- Every dog has health problems amongst them hip dysplasia if they are not bred the right way
- The Puppy Goldendoodles are hyperactive and carry things in their mouths all the time
For most families, a Goldendoodle’s intelligence, shedding rather because there is none and being friendly outweighs taking much of their time grooming. With the right amount space and training, understanding their ‘bad’ side is easy for a Veteran dog owne
Finding a Goldendoodle Puppy
After you’ve made up your mind over a Goldendoodle being the one for you, you have to ensure that you find a responsible breeder. Do not buy a puppy from a pet shop or from a breeder who cannot produce an adequate evidence of health testing.
A professional Goldendoodle breeder will:
- Enroll the puppies with the AKC or CKC
- Utilize health assessed breeding dogs
- This means being able to provide testing for hip dysplasia, eye diseases & von Willebrands disease
- Let the puppies be reared within the house
For a quality Goldendoodle from a respectable pedigree, expect to pay $2000-$3500 charged by reputable breeders. Shun wary puppy vendors who quote relatively lower than market prices or in fact are very eager to dispose the puppies off.
After this you need to be mentally stable in case the waiting period is longer than expected, as most breeders have waitlist cut off issues. But it will be worth it in the end as you will have a healthy and socialized goldendoodle puppy.
Goldendoodle Health Issues
Goldendoodles are generally healthy, but can inherit health conditions from their parent breeds. Issues to be aware of include:
Hip and elbow dysplasia
Malformation of joints. Get puppies from screened parents.
Eye disorders
Issues like progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts. Parents should be eye tested annually.
Allergies
Goldendoodles can be prone to skin allergies.
Ear infections
Floppy ears and hairy ear canals make infections common. Check ears weekly.
Gastric dilatation volvulus
Also called bloat. Limit exercise after eating and use a slow feed bowl.
Reputable breeders test breeding dogs for these and other inherited issues. Proper diet, exercise, and regular vet checkups will also help keep your Goldendoodle healthy.
Is a Goldendoodle the Right Dog for You?
Goldendoodles can make wonderful pets for the right owner. Consider if this breed is a good fit:
- You’re an active family able to provide 60+ minutes of daily exercise. Goldendoodles need lots of activity.
- You don’t mind frequent brushing and professional grooming. Goldendoodles require regular coat maintenance.
- You’re ready to commit to obedience training. Goldendoodles thrive with early socialization and training.
- Your schedule allows plenty of together time. Goldendoodles hate being left alone for long periods.
- You have energy for an enthusiastic, lively dog. Goldendoodles remain playful into adulthood.
- You want an affectionate dog who will bond closely with your family. Goldendoodles are extremely attached to their people.
With their intelligence, playfulness, and loyalty, Goldendoodles can make ideal companions for an active family. Their energetic nature and high grooming requirements are easier to manage when you know what to expect.
Conclusion
It is obvious why Goldendoodles are one of the most favored family dogs, from their sociable disposition down to their low-eccentric shedding. Their playfulness, desire to please and love makes them great buddies for active families.
Getting into proper exercise, grooming and training at an early stage will greatly help your Goldendoodle succeed later on. Research on how to find a good breeder. Being devoted and versatile, Goldendoodles will be a great part of your family.