The 1990s provided the world with some of the most awesome trends, not least among them was the introduction of “designer dogs”. Designer dogs took two popular dog breeds and blended them together to create a designer breed with the best traits of both parent breeds. The Goldendoodle quickly rose to the top of the must-have dogs list as the poster pup of the designer dog craze.
What Is A Goldendoodle?
The Goldendoodle breed was created by breeding the Standard Poodle with the Golden Retriever. Both of these breeds are veritable icons of the doggy world in their own right.
The Golden Retriever has enjoyed the top spot as the most popular dog breed in America for more years than anyone can count. These ultra-friendly dogs are known for their joyful exuberance and flowing blonde coats.
A classic breed, with an undeniable appeal, the Standard Poodle is prized all around the world for its keen intelligence, gentle demeanor, and non-shedding curly coat. These two amazing breeds were combined to create the ultimate designer dog breed, the utterly adorable Goldendoodle.
Goldendoodle: Physical Features
The original Goldendoodle was bred from the Golden Retriever and the Standard Poodle resulting in a fairly large dog with the stature of the Golden Retriever paired with the lighter weight and dense curly coat of the Standard Poodle.
Over time, the breed has been adapted to create various sizes by breeding Golden Retrievers with smaller varieties of Poodles to create Miniature Goldendoodles. Today, Goldendoodles are available in three basic size ranges based on the size of the poodle breed parents.
The Standard Goldendoodle is derived from the Standard Poodle and will range in size from 20 to 24 inches tall, and weigh in at around 50 to 80 pounds. The Medium Goldendoodle is bred from a Mini Poodle parent resulting in a slightly smaller stature of approximately 17 to 20 inches tall, and around 36 to 50 pounds. The smallest variety, the Mini Goldendoodle has a Toy Poodle parent and generally stands at a petite 20 inches in height or less, and weighs roughly 15 to 35 pounds.
Mini Goldendoodle puppies, also commonly labeled Mini Doodles, have begun to surpass their larger Doodle cousins in popularity in recent years as more and more pet owners are seeking the ease of care associated with a small dog breed over the expense and maintenance required to care for a larger breed dog.
With the increasingly high demand for adorable Mini Goldendoodle puppies, let’s take a look at some of the facts that first-time dog owners should consider to make sure that the Goldendoodle will be a good fit for their family before bringing their new puppy home.
Goldendoodle: Behavioral Needs
Anecdotal evidence has shown that mixed-breed dogs tend to display more varied personality traits than their purebred parents. What this means is that the unique behavioral traits common to one or both of the parent breeds may or may not be expressed in their hybrid offspring. Therefore, one Mini Goldendoodle may possess a completely different set of personality traits from another.
That being said, as a general rule of thumb, the majority of Doodles tend to exhibit the high-energy, and athletic exuberance of their Golden Retriever lineage, and the easy-going confidence and trainability of their Poodle parents. While a Mini Goldendoodle puppy may be content in an urban apartment, it is advisable to have some access to a fenced yard to allow this energetic breed to get the exercise it needs.
Now for the good news, for those without a fenced yard, there are plenty of alternative options available to help you create a safe play space for your new furry friends. Consider setting up a portable puppy playpen. These sturdy play yards set up and break down easily so you can provide your new pup with a safe haven and plenty of room to frolic safely indoors or out.
Goldendoodle: Medical Issues
In general, designer breed dogs, including Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, and other popular Poodle mixes are mixed breed dogs. Mixed breeds tend to display fewer congenital health problems than their purebred parents.
The careful mixing of the two parent breeds works to reduce the occurrence of serious medical issues that often result from inbreeding and overbreeding of pure genetic lines. That being said, Goldendoodles do carry some risk of genetic health issues common to both the Golden Retriever and Poodle breeds. These breeds may be at a heightened risk for suffering from genetic disorders such as Hip Dysplasia, Megaesophagus, skin allergies, ear infections, food sensitivities, and cancer.
Of course, a genetic predisposition to a disease does not automatically mean that your new Goldendoodle is destined to suffer ill health. An ounce of prevention goes a long way toward ensuring your furry friend lives a long healthy life. Start your puppy out on the road to good health by feeding high-quality dog food like Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition for Golden Retrievers or Poodles. Help support your new puppy’s immune system, protect their joints, and reduce skin allergies with supplements like Zesty Paws Aller-Immune Bites or Dr. Harvey’s Health & Shine.
Goldendoodle FAQs
Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting experience and a Goldendoodle is a great choice for most pet owners. Still, you are likely to have plenty of questions before you adopt a Mini Goldendoodle.
We have compiled a list of some of the most common questions that new pet owners have about adopting a Goldendoodle. Browse through our Goldendoodle FAQs to find the answers you need about this awesome breed.
- What Are The Cons Of Having A Goldendoodle?
Goldendoodles are prized for their adorable looks. But, underneath that curly coat, and those long eyelashes lurks the clever mind of a poodle, and the hunting drive of a Golden Retriever. This means that your Goldendoodle puppy will need lots of activity and exercise to keep them from becoming bored or anxious. You will also need to provide plenty of toys to satisfy the retriever’s instinct to fetch and retrieve items.
- Are Goldendoodles Good House Dogs?
Goldendoodles are well-behaved dogs, but they do have a lot of energy and need regular physical activity and mental stimulation to be truly happy. A Mini Goldendoodle will make a good house dog as long as they are provided with opportunities for daily outdoor exercise like a walk, or a visit to the dog park.
- Do Goldendoodles Shed A Lot?
There is a lot of misinformation circling about the amount of shedding associated with the Goldendoodle. They have been described as hypoallergenic, or non-shedding and this is not entirely accurate. Depending on the type of coat, a Goldendoodle may shed as much as a typical Golden Retriever, or they may exhibit less shedding akin to the poodle. The amount of shedding will depend on the genetic mix of the individual dog. That being said, most Goldendoodles tend to shed less than many other dog breeds.
- Why Are Goldendoodles So Special?
Goldendoodles are bred from two of the most popular dog breeds in North America. With the lovable, friendly nature of the Golden Retriever and the clever intelligence of the Poodle, there are few dogs quite as special as the Goldendoodle.
- Is Getting A Goldendoodle Worth It?
For anyone considering bringing a new puppy into the household, the Goldendoodle is well worth considering. These amazing dogs come with a long lineage of being excellent companion animals, service dogs, and loyal family members.
- Is It Better To Get A Girl Or Boy Goldendoodle?
There is no significant difference between the male and female Goldendoodles. Female Goldendoodles may be slightly smaller in size and weight than their male counterparts, but both sexes are equally affectionate, intelligent, and energetic.
- Is A Goldendoodle A Low-Maintenance Dog?
The Goldendoodle is neither high-maintenance nor low-maintenance. Depending on the hair coat of the individual dog, your Goldendoodle may require regular grooming maintenance. All Goldendoodles require regular physical activity and mental stimulation. These requirements are fairly average for most active dog breeds.
- What Should I Know About Goldendoodles?
Goldendoodles are incredibly social and intelligent dogs. Bred from two breeds famed for their work as hunting companions, and service dogs, the Goldendoodle needs to be a part of the family.
- Are Goldendoodles Hard To Take Care Of?
Goldendoodles are no more or less difficult to care for than other active, friendly dog breeds. All dogs require good-quality dog food, fresh water, regular physical and mental stimulation, and routine health care.
- Can Goldendoodles Be Left Alone For 8 Hours?
While older Goldendoodles may be able to remain home alone for longer stretches at a time, puppies and adolescent dogs often need to go outside to relieve themselves every 2 – 3 hours. Young dogs and dogs that are not provided with regular mental stimulation have a tendency to become anxious, and destructive when left alone for long periods of time.
- At What Age Does A Goldendoodle Calm Down?
The average life expectancy of a Goldendoodle is 10 – 14 years. The first 1 – 2 years of a Goldendoodle’s life are spent in the puppy stage. During this phase, your Goldendoodle will be a bundle of energy, and will slowly mature, and learn basic good canine behavior as they progress. Remember, this is a high-energy breed, so while your Goldendoodle should be mature and well-behaved at around 2 years of age, they are likely to be very active for most of their lives.
Bed Time For The GoldenDoodle
To ensure that your Goldendoodle stays comfortable, it is important to invest in a high-quality dog bed. Goldendoodle dog beds come in a variety of materials, sizes, and styles to meet the specific needs of this breed.
For example, orthopedic beds with memory foam can provide the necessary support for Goldendoodles who are prone to joint issues. Those living in colder climates, heated dog beds can be a great option to provide extra warmth.
To cater to the playful nature of Goldendoodles, you can also opt for beds with bolster sides that they can snuggle into. When choosing a bed for your Goldendoodle, it is important to consider the size of your pet, their sleeping habits, and any health concerns they may have.
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Go For The Gold…
We hope that you have found our guide to adopting a Mini Goldendoodle helpful and that you have been inspired to begin the adoption process to provide a loving new home for an adorable Goldendoodle puppy or adult dog. We truly believe that there are few breeds that compare to these clever, curly-coated pups.
