Move over, Cockapoo, there is a new hybrid in town. The Goldendoodle is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle, and boy are they cute! Designer breeds, meaning crosses between two different full-bred breeds, are fast gaining in popularity.
Not only are they cute, but they make it much easier to get certain breed-specific traits in your pets. For instance, the Goldendoodle is smart, sweet, and people-friendly, carrying desired traits from both the Poodle and Golden Retrievers.
Goldendoodles are one of the absolute gems that have emerged from these cross-breeding experiments. Touted as the ultimate family dog (and it’s true!), these pups make fantastic pets for both single families and those with children. They have the perfect amount of protectiveness, loyalty, and friendliness.
They’re a relatively new breed, only really becoming widespread in the last couple of decades. That’s not to say they aren’t making their mark. These pooches are incredibly versatile, especially with regard to size, so many are finding them a great fit for their families. Here are 13 fascinating Goldendoodle facts!
13. NOT Hypoallergenic
In reality, no breed is. The Goldendoodle falls into the group of dogs classified as low shedders. While that can mean that they are less likely to provoke an allergy, it is not set in stone. All dogs shed at least somewhat and most pet allergies are triggered not by the fur itself, but by a protein in the saliva. Whilst cleaning themselves, the dog transfers the protein to the fur. This fur is then shed into the environment making it easier to set off an allergic reaction.
So, yes, a Goldendoodle is less likely to cause a reaction but they are not completely allergen-free. If you have a pet allergy, you should do a trial run with any potential new furry friends to see if they will trigger your allergy.
12. A Great Choice For Newbs
Although many Goldendoodles are on the larger size of the spectrum, they tend to be great for new dog owners. They are intelligent, easy to train, and obedient. However, they can be stubborn as well as somewhat mischievous, so training should begin as early as possible. It is far easier to train them correctly the first time around than attempting to break any bad habits.
11. Fantastically Versatile
What we mean by versatile is that Goldendoodles have been trained (and particularly thrived) at many different things. Therapy dogs, emotional support animals, search and rescue pups, you name it. Is there anything these fantastic pooches can’t do? While their personalities and intelligence are relatively the same throughout the breed, their ability to focus and/or to keep calm enough to be a service pet can vary from dog to dog. If you are interested in training your Goldendoodle for service work, it should be done at the earliest age possible.
10. Hybrids VS Full-Breeds
A Goldendoodle is considered a ‘designer breed’ or a hybrid. Because the parents’ sizes can differ so greatly, Goldendoodles can vary in size quite a bit as well. The size and characteristics can not be estimated as well as a full-bred would be. Knowing your breeder, as well as being introduced to the parents of your pup, is the best way to determine what he will look and act like when fully grown. Be sure to inquire about any possible genetic conditions within the line.
09. Be Prepared – These Guys Have A Whole Lotta Energy
They make terrific family dogs and are great with children, however, they do need plenty of space to run. These particular dogs do not do well in a smaller setting such as an apartment or condo. Even the smaller Goldendoodles have almost endless energy and therefore need plenty of space to expend that energy. If you choose to have a Goldendoodle in a condo or apartment, he will need sufficient daily exercise.
08. Yours Is Most Likely To Be 1st Generation
While we were not able to pinpoint an exact reason for it, there have not been many second-generation breedings. Meaning that most Goldendoodles are the result of a Poodle and a Golden Retriever as opposed to two Goldendoodle parents. This is slowly but surely changing as more and more breeders are joining in on the Goldendoodle game.
07. Goldendoodles Aren’t Big Barkers
Unlike many other larger breeds, Goldendoodles are not very vocal. They are not big on barking which means that they don’t make the best watchdogs. In all honesty, they would be more likely to attack an intruder with kisses than with any sort of aggression. They are really just big softies. Plus, due to their need to be social, Goldendoodles are happiest inside the house with the family instead of being outside guarding it.
06. They Come In Snack-Size
As stated earlier, Goldendoodles come in different shapes and sizes depending on the parentage. They have also bred a miniature version, and those little dudes are adorably known as Mini Doodles. These wee guys rarely weigh more than 30 pounds, so are more easily injured during rough play with other pets or children. Supervision is important with any pet but especially so with these tiny furballs.
05. They Thrive In Obedience
There is a very good reason why Goldendoodles are often used for therapy, emotional support, and search and rescue. Thanks in large part to their Golden Retriever genes, Goldendoodles are highly obedient and incredibly easy to train. Add in their Poodle intelligence and their all-around love of humans, and you’ve got one heck of a good service dog.
04. Wide Range Of Possible Medical Issues
Because they are hybrids or crossbreeds, they can carry any possible health risks from both sides. Certain medical conditions that largely affect Golden Retrievers or Poodles could very well be passed to offspring. But, and this is a big one, most Goldendoodles end up with fewer health issues than their parents, and tend to be relatively healthy. To avoid any problems, always adopt from a reputable breeder and bring your pooch to the veterinarian regularly.
03. Called A ‘Groodle’ Down Under
It was in the early 1990s that this hybrid breed really gained in demand, mainly in the US as well as in Australia. Our mates down under call them ‘Groodles’. Australia and the U.S. were the first to jump on the bandwagon but lots of others have joined in since then. These sweet pups have several other names including Goldenpoo (we just call them adorable!).
02. Sweet But Stubborn
Many Goldendoodles inherit the stubbornness from their poodle side. This, along with their natural rowdiness and sometimes lack of focus, makes it super important to train early and to train appropriately. Short training periods and consistency will be key. And, be prepared to call in the experts if need be.
01. They Have Webbed Feet
Considering that both the Poodle and the Golden Retriever breeds are well adapted to swimming and are often referred to as water dogs, it should come as no surprise that Goldendoodles are the same way. They tend to love swimming and splashing in the water. They are quite adept at swimming too, thanks to their inherited webbed feet. On land or in water, these guys are really the best of the proverbial canine litter.
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