What is The Golden Doodle?
The Goldendoodle is, as the name suggests – a crossbreed of a dog made up of the Golden Retriever and the Poodle!
This medium-sized “designer dog breed” has become incredibly popular in recent years thanks in part to his adorable appearance and affectionate temperament!
While the Golden Retriever and Poodle don’t share many similarities, as two of the most popular dog breeds in the world, they both have affable traits.
The Goldendoodle breeder’s aim is to combine both breeds, and take the best traits from each – of course, this is easier said than done – and can result in the opposite happening.
For that reason, if you’re looking for a Goldendoodle of your own, it’s a good idea to buy a puppy from a reputable breeder with several successful previous litters if possible!
Appearance
There’s no way to describe the Goldendoodle without calling him a curly-haired fluffy face!
Combining the traits of both of his parents, the Goldendoodle is ordinarily a cross between a purebred Poodle and purebred Golden Retriever, or between a Goldendoodle and a purebred Poodle OR Golden Retriever.
The percentage of Poodle makes a difference to his coat, with levels of curl from wavy hair up to tight curls often found. You can trim it how you want with clippers specifically designed for this breed.
Available in a number of solid colors, including:
- Cream
- Apricot
- Red
- Chocolate
- Black
Get to Know The Golden Retriever
This medium-sized dog breed ranks number three in the list of most popular dog breeds in the United States over the past 5 years!
Originally bred in Scotland as a retriever of waterfowl for hunting back in the mid 19th century, the Golden Retriever is now more commonly seen as a family pet or working hard as a guide dog for the blind.
Pros
- They’re so loving and lovable – they’re like Betty White but in dog form.
- Intelligent and highly trainable.
- Great with kids.
- Are very good with other pets.
- They don’t bark unless they have to.
Cons
- They’re big, and they eat a lot.
- Very active and needs plenty of walks.
- Prone to separation anxiety.
- They shed constantly.
- Prone to health problems.
Get To Know The Poodle
The Poodle group consists of three Poodle breeds, the Standard, Miniature, and Toy Poodle – with the main difference between them being their size.
Famed for their intelligence, the Poodle ranks second in the list of most intelligent dog breeds, behind only the Border Collie.
With a tightly curled coat – the Poodle is a popular choice for many dog lovers with allergies, and the rise in crossbreeds, including the Goldendoodle, is partially motivated by this hypoallergenic quality!
Pros
- One of the most intelligent dog breeds.
- They shed very little.
- Very patient pooches that cope well with kids.
- They love their people!
Cons
- Require frequent grooming.
- Need clipping at least every two months.
- Prone to certain illnesses.
- Prone to food allergies.
Who Created The Goldendoodle?
As far as we know, the first deliberate breeder of the Goldendoodle was one Monica Dickens – way back in 1969.
Other than being the original breeder of the Goldendoodle – you may have heard of Monica through her family, as she happens to be the great-granddaughter of the famed author Charles Dickens!
Other Doodles
Crossbreeds of the Poodle have been all the rage since the early 90’s thanks to a chap by the name of Wally Conran who was working as the puppy-breeding manager for the Royal Guide Dog Association.
A blind lady from Hawaii was on the lookout for a guide dog, but there was a catch – her husband had a terrible allergy to dogs – so her future furry friend couldn’t molt.
After unsuccessfully trying to train thirty-three purebred Poodles over the course of three years, Conran made a decision that would create this much-loved crossbreed – he took his best Labrador bitch and put it to his best Poodle dog – the resulting puppies passed with flying colors and were exceptional guide dogs!
Unfortunately, nobody wanted the crossbreed, so Wally had the bright idea to market the cross with their own name – The Labradoodle – a decision he came to regret due to the emergence of backyard breeders popping up selling poorly bred and sickly dogs that were all the rage thanks to their mixed heritage which he championed.
Hypoallergenic Reputation
One of the reasons that the Goldendoodle is such a popular crossbreed is the fact that they molt very little.
While not officially hypoallergenic, their lack of molting does make them ideal for those with dog hair and dander allergies.
The unique hair of a poodle tends to catch all loose hair, meaning that it’s easy to brush and remove – and doesn’t track around the house.
Use as Service Animals
You may have spotted Goldendoodles being used as service animals, as their temperament and trainability make them an ideal candidate.
The areas that Goldendoodle service dogs are currently working in include:
- Emotional Support
- PTSD Support
- Diabetic Alert
- Epilepsy Alert
- Guide Dogs for the Blind
- Special Needs Support
Lifespan and Hybrid Vigor
The Goldendoodle can live up to fifteen years, and many argue that he benefits from a phenomenon known as hybrid vigor which is a resilience to the health issues known to affect either the Poodle OR the Golden Retriever.
Instead experts on Hybrid Vigour state that the crossbreed is only likely to suffer from conditions that are known to affect both the Poodle and Golden Retriever!
Size and Coat
Both of these characteristics depend on the specific ratio of Poodle and Golden retriever blood that each Goldendoodle has.
As an unregistered crossbreed, pretty much any canine that is part Poodle and part Goldendoodle fit the requirements to be called by the Goldendoodle name.
The sizes usually consist of:
- Small – Golden Retriever X Toy Poodle
- Medium – Golden Retriever X Miniature Poodle
- Standard – Golden Retriever X Standard Poodle
And their coats can be:
- Flat – Similar to the traditional Golden Retriever coat
- Wavy – A combination of the flat Retriever coat and the curly Poodle coat
- Curly – Resembling the traditional Poodle coat
So make sure you use the right shampoo for the respective coats.
Final Thoughts
If you’re on the lookout for a Goldendoodle, you don’t always have to find a breeder, in fact – many Goldendoodles are given into shelters and rescue organizations due to their owners getting caught up in the hype of “designer dogs.”
Only after bringing them home – do they realize that they’re not cut out for dog ownership.
A quick Goldendoodle rescue search for your local area or a visit to your local animal rescue sites could lead you to an adorable Goldendoodle in need of a loving home!
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