Having a canine companion means having unlimited fun at all times of the day. It means having a living creature care for you endlessly without expecting anything (except for a little love and attention) in return. A popular hybrid these days that provides people with all this would be a Goldendoodle. This dog hybrid is the product of a Golden Retriever and Miniature Poodle bred together. They are known for their affectionate, fun-loving, adventurous, outgoing, and intelligent personalities; along with being the greatest friend for your family.
If you are considering making this canine companion a part of your family, here is everything you should know about them.
Basic Goldendoodle Information
Goldendoodle Weight
A small Goldendoodle weighs 15 to 30 pounds, a medium Goldendoodle weighs 30 to 45 pounds and a large Goldendoodle weighs 45 to 90 pounds.
Height
It is approximately 13 to 24 inches tall at its shoulder.
Life Expectancy
Like almost every dog breed, a Goldendoodle can live for about 10 to 15 years.
Color
The most common color for Goldendoodles tends to be golden; they can also come in white, gray, red, cream, or black.
Fur Type of a Goldendoodle
Depending on what dominating genes it inherited, a Goldendoodle can either possess the shaggy hair of its Golden Retriever parent or curly hair like its Poodle parent. Sometimes the fur is a perfect mix of both. Typically their hair grows up to 3 inches long.
Since a Goldendoodle is half Poodle, there is a possibility that it is hypoallergenic, so before purchasing it, feel free to ask the breeder about this.
Goldendoodle Personality
Since they are a hybrid, Goldendoodles can be the adventurous element your family was in search for because as compared to purebreds, Goldendoodle personalities are not predictable. Generally, these dogs are happy, loyal, friendly, and outgoing, which is why they need to be a part of a family that is caring and loving. Goldendoodles are social dogs, which means they love greeting and meeting people. They also love playing with other dog breeds and humans. Keep in mind; Goldendoodles are like most dogs, which is why they should be exposed to socializing at a young age so they can be well-rounded when they grow up.
The characteristics that make Goldendoodles great family dogs is that apart from being welcoming, they are quite intelligent and affectionate. Moreover, if they are given the right kind of training, they are extremely obedient as well.
Along with having a cheeky, mischievous side, Goldendoodles are observant and attentive. Goldendoodles can be considered as working dogs and if they are trained in the right way, they can also be therapy or guide dogs. Their agile minds allow them to enjoy doing activities that stimulate their minds. For example, if their owner has a peanut allergy, they can easily sniff the peanuts out of any particular food that the owner is about to ingest. However, if you are looking for a guard dog, then this dog is not the right choice.
Only consider purchasing a Goldendoodle if you have enough space in your home. These dogs thrive in open spaces, and they are unable to live happily in confined, small spaces – both indoors and outdoors.
Training a Goldendoodle
From the moment you get your Goldendoodle home, it is important to make sure they are being trained. Luckily, training a Goldendoodle is not hard because they are attentive and intelligent. What you should do is make training fun for your Goldendoodle by presenting it with rewards after every session. This will not only motivate it to do better, but they love making their owners happy and adore human interaction.
With the right amount of positive reinforcement, Goldendoodles can excel in all aspects of their life. If you are being consistent on your end, you will begin to notice how the obedience training starts to take effect on your dog almost instantly. They tend to learn a lot from their owners, but it usually depends on the consistency of the owners and the training.
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Additionally, expose your dog to new faces during the early stages of its life so that your dog can become the social dog it is meant to be. Goldendoodles are innately social, but they do even better when they are given the chance to explore and learn.
Energy Levels
Goldendoodles have normal energy throughout the day, but they need to be active and have an exercise schedule set for them daily. Take your Goldendoodle out on a walk or run and play with it for a couple of minutes a day so your dog can stay happy. Activities they enjoy the most are swimming and playing in water.
Barking Levels
Goldendoodles have a tendency to bark a lot. Although their barking does not get out of hand, you need to make sure that you train your Goldendoodle in a way where it knows when it is okay to bark and when it shouldn’t.
Grooming a Goldendoodle
When it comes to grooming, your Goldendoodle will require serious attention so it can stay healthy and prevent shedding. Most owners tend to keep the dog’s hair short so the grooming process is easy for them, but if your Goldendoodle has long hair, make sure you brush it at least once a week. On the other hand, if your dog has short hair, give it a brush every other week or so.
When you are brushing your Goldendoodle, make sure you check its body for any rashes, sores, or early signs of infections. Make sure you keep its ears clean as well. This can be done by taking a cotton ball along with a pH balanced Dog Ear Cleaner. Never ever put anything in your dog’s ear canal; only pay attention to cleaning the surface of its ear.
Goldendoodles tend to produce natural oils that keep their fur nourished and smooth, which is why they do not need to be showered often. Consider giving your dog a shower only when it is extremely necessary. Other than that, brush its teeth once or twice a week at least, however, daily is recommended so its mouth is not exposed to plaque and tartar buildup or any other dental issue.
Trim your Goldendoodles nails two times a month. An indicator of its nails being too long would be if you can hear them clanking on the floor when they are moving around. Keep in mind, dogs have extremely sensitive nails and if they are cut too short, they begin to bleed. Therefore, if you are not experienced in this nail clipping field, it’s always best to take your dog to a professional groomer.
Health Issues
Every dog breed has its own set of health issues. Although they are mostly healthy, there are a few health issues that Goldendoodles are prone to. Luckily, with the right amount of care and attention, you can prevent your Goldendoodle from becoming a victim of these issues.
Here are the most common health issues for Goldendoodles:
- Allergies: Similar to humans, it is normal for dogs to suffer from allergies as well. The common allergies to look out for in dogs would be contact allergies, inhalant allergies, and food allergies.
- Ear infection: Goldendoodles have flopped over-ears, which means they can have moisture trapped in their ears at any given time. If their ears are not checked and cleaned regularly, it could lead to ear infections.
- Hip Dysplasia: This is an inherited condition that is common in dogs. It is when the thighbone does not fit with hip bone properly, which leads to pain and immobility.
- Elbow Dysplasia: Like hip dysplasia, this is a condition that can lead to lameness or arthritis. This issue requires medical assistance as soon as possible.
- Gastric Dilation–Volvulus: Also known as bloating, this medical condition is life-taking. It commonly affects deep-chested dogs like large Goldendoodles. If your dog has this condition, it is important to get it medical assistance as soon as possible.
- Patella Luxation: Although this condition appears in small dog breeds, it can be found in Goldendoodles as well. It is when the knee joint keeps displacing, causing excessive pain to the dog.
- Hypothyroidism: This condition is linked to the thyroid gland and leads to obesity, skin issues, epilepsy, and lethargy.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): This is an eye condition that gradually damages the retina and leads to blindness or vision loss as time goes on.
- Von Willebrand’s Disease: This blood disorder causes blood clotting. Even though there is a cure, it can require elaborate treatments or surgery.
If your dog’s health concerns you or if you have questions lingering in your mind, do not hesitate to consult a vet. With regular medical checkups, you can make sure your Goldendoodle is healthy and free from these health problems.
Feeding Your Goldendoodle
When it comes to feeding your Goldendoodle, it is important to have a set eating schedule instead of free-feeding your dog. With a proper eating schedule, your dog will not experience any digestive or gastrointestinal issues or bloating. Moreover, eating on a schedule will allow you to keep a track of what your dog is eating and how frequently your dog is eating. If the weight of your dog begins to concern you, consult a vet.
You need to make sure you are feeding your dog natural and raw foods. Their digestive systems are inherited from the wolves, which means they can live on these foods. Believe it or not, Goldendoodles like the taste of raw food as well because of how simple they are. Plus, it allows their health to stay intact while it provides a nice sheen to their luscious coats. Processed foods can be detrimental to your dog.
If you choose to feed your dog store-bought dog food, make sure it is made up of healthy meats. Check the ingredients at the back and see if any additives or chemically modified ingredients are added to the food. If they are, do not purchase it. You also want to avoid any artificially colored or artificially flavored foods and grains. Dogs are living creatures, and they require the same (if not more) attention given to their eating habits than humans. Remember, what you are feeding your Goldendoodle will reflect on its health in the future.
Feeding a Puppy Goldendoodle
At the age of 8 to 12 weeks, your Goldendoodle puppy will need to be fed at least 3 to 4 times a day. You need to make sure you are feeding your dog with the adequate amount it needs instead of overdoing it. If the dog shows signs of not wanting to eat anymore, make sure you stop and don’t force it to eat past its limit.
Feeding an Adult
When your Goldendoodle is 6 months old, you need to start reducing the amount that you are feeding it and start fitting it into an adult meal plan, which is 2 meals in a day. Set up a routine and feed your dog its food at the same time every day. Depending on the size of your Goldendoodle, you should be feeding it 1 to 4 cups of food a day, splitting it between the 2 meals.
Giving your dog leftover “human” food is not good for your dog’s health. It promotes tendencies of wanting to beg, and it can lead to excessive weight gain. This food rule should be set and implemented on your dog from the beginning. All the people in your circle (including family members) should know about this rule as well.
Ultimately, the amount of food your dog eats depends on its weight, size, metabolism, built, its activeness, and age.
Goldendoodle – The Perfect Fit for Your Family
The reason why Goldendoodles are the perfect fit for your family is that they are good with children, they love having fun, they are obedient, and they stay loyal. They are patient and gentle with the younger generation, making them an ideal fit for a family with youngsters. Since the dog does its part in being considerate towards your family, it is important for you to teach your children and family members about how they should take care of this dog.
The best part about Goldendoodles is that they are extremely welcoming, and they will make sure they are there for you. This is the kind of loyal companion any individual or family could need.
