Perhaps you’re looking for a unique addition to your band of pups — this is where the Goldendoodle comes in. This cross between two lovable breeds has made them one of the most in-demand dogs in the past few years. But despite their growing popularity, many of these pups will end up in rescues and shelters as a result of neglect.
Be sure to adopt instead of purchasing, and read on below for the answer to “What is a Goldendoodle puppy?”
What is a Goldendoodle Puppy?
The Golden Doodle is a designer dog resulting from the mix of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. Like other designer breeds, this Doodle isn’t really classified as a breed of its own, but rather, it’s known as a crossbreed that exhibits the best traits of its parent breeds. Breeders created this cross with the intention of combining the temperament and personality of the Golden Retriever parents, with the low-shedding coat of a standard Poodle.
This resulted in a medium-sized dog that is a non-to-light shedder of shaggy fur. It also has the ready-to-please and gentle nature of the Golden Retriever as well as the high intelligence of Poodles. As such, these low-sensitivity dogs carry the best traits of their parents, which makes this gentle dog a good fit for a family and easy to train.
Moreover, these friendly dogs have a knack for sniffing peanuts and are great for people who are allergic to legumes. Their high intelligence and affectionate nature also make them a great choice for therapy dogs, guide dogs, and service dogs.
History of the Goldendoodle
As one of the “newer” breeds of Doodles or Poodle mixed breeds, breeding programs only began during the 1990s, after the successes of the Labradoodle and the Cockapoo breeds. The aim behind this new breed was to birth a larger alternative to the already existing mixes while providing the desired low-maintenance coat of the Golden Retriever.
Because the Goldendoodle is still a relatively new breed, most pups will come from first-generation breeding. This refers to a cross between a Poodle mix and a Golden Retriever since breeding between Goldendoodles rarely happens. Even though it has become so popular, especially around Australia, there are currently no official clubs for this breed anywhere in the world.
Traits and Characteristics of Goldendoodle Puppies
Size
Goldendoodles can vary in size as a result of multigenerational breeding (where one Goldendoodle is intentionally bred with another), and because most breeders have no breeding standards for this dog. But the Goldendoodle does come in three sizes; miniature, standard, and large.
- Miniature Goldendoodles are the children of a Golden Retriever crossed with a Toy Poodle. They will weigh between 15 to 30 pounds and range in height from 13 to 20 inches.
- Standard Goldendoodles will weigh between 40 to 50 pounds and will stand at around 17 to 20 inches.
- Large Goldendoodles will average in weight between 50 to 90 pounds and will stand tall at around 20 to 24 inches.
Personality
There are so many reasons why this breed has become so popular in such a short amount of time. This gentle dog is also friendly, smart, and low maintenance, making it a great constant companion for the whole family. These dogs are loyal and highly obedient when given proper training but can have a mischievous and playful side on occasion.
The Goldendoodle’s temperament can be affected by various things such as training, socialization, and hereditary factors. Puppies that have good temperaments will be playful and curious and are willing to approach humans. To ensure that your pup will have a good temperament, be sure to meet their parents and look for a reputable breeder before getting your new puppy.
Just like any other dog, the Goldendoodle will need socialization early in their life which you can do by exposing them to sights, sounds, people, and experiences. Socialization can help turn your Goldendoodle into a happy and well-rounded dog. You can start by enrolling your pup into kindergarten classes — alternatively, you can also invite visitors to your home or take them to busy parks.
Appearance
As a result of not being a true breed, Goldendoodles can vary in appearance and will look different depending on the parents and their dominant genes. Their coats can be curly like a Poodle’s or straight just like a Golden Retriever’s, but it will often be somewhere in between, and look both shaggy and wavy. Their coat’s color will often have a yellow-brown hue just their Golden Retriever parent, but it can also be other colors, such as:
- Amber
- White
- Brown
- Red
- Gray
- Black
- Golden
- Multicolor
Health and Care for Goldendoodles
Health
Goldendoodles will generally have good health but like most dog breeds, they’re also vulnerable to a few health conditions. Every individual dog will have its own predisposition to certain health issues, while others may experience a genetic disease. When getting your Goldendoodle pup, look for health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, (OFA), from Auburn University, and from the Canine Eye Registry to ensure that your newly adopted puppy is free from illness.
Here are just a few genetic health problems that your Goldendoodle puppy may experience in its lifetime:
- Patellar Luxation: A condition also known as slipped stifles and is common in smaller dogs. While this can be a crippling condition, many dogs can still live relatively normal lives with it.
- Ear Infections: Because of their floppy ears, this can be a problem with Goldendoodles when it traps moisture. Be sure to check their ears and clean them when needed.
- Hip Dysplasia: This is an inherited condition where the thigh bone won’t fit perfectly into the hip joint. As the dog ages, this condition can turn into arthritis — make sure that the breeder can present proof that both parents are free of hip dysplasia.
- Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus: Also known as bloat, this life-threatening condition will usually affect larger dogs of different breeds, including Goldendoodles. It’s more common in older dogs and can start when a pup is fed one large meal every day, eats quickly, drinks large amounts of water right after eating, and exercises right after a meal. Your dog may be suffering from this condition if it keeps salivating, retching without vomiting, is restless, lethargic, depressed, weak, and has a racing heart rate. It’s imperative that you see the vet as soon as possible if you see any of these signs; without immediate medical attention, the Goldendoodle could die.
- Allergies: Dog allergies are common in Goldendoodles, and they can have an allergic reaction to the following:
- Food – This can be solved by eliminating foods from your dog’s diet.
- Contact – These are caused by reactions to topical substances such as flea powders, bedding, dog shampoos, and other kinds of chemicals.
- Inhalants – These can be caused by airborne allergens like dust, pollen, and mildew. They can be treated through medication, dietary restrictions, and environmental changes.
Care
Because Goldendoodles are eager to please their family, they can be easy to train and are great for both first-time owners and more experienced trainers. They should be trained using positive reinforcement; harsh disciplining methods could end up damaging their confidence. Because socialization is essential for all dogs, introducing them to outdoor adventures can be a great way to discourage timidity and shyness.
A Goldendoodle will have average energy levels and will need exercise every day — you can do this through walking or playtime in the backyard. Pups will need about 20 to 30 minutes of daily exercise to keep them from getting bored. They’re known for their love of water, so a swimming pool will go a long way to keeping them happy and healthy.
The Goldendoodle can grow to a large size and will require some room to move in. This breed won’t do well in apartments and will need to be in a home with a fenced yard. They’re not ideal for a kennel or outdoor lifestyle since they thrive inside the home of active families, so owners should be prepared to keep them inside their homes.
Feeding
The recommended daily amount to feed your Goldendoodle is around 1 to 4 cups depending on their adult size. Be sure to use high-quality dry food each day to be divided into different meals. You can keep your Goldendoodles in top shape by feeding them twice a day and measuring their food.
You can determine if your pup is overweight or underweight by performing an eye test and a hands-on test. This can be done by looking down at your pup and checking for their waist, then putting your hands on their back and running your thumbs along their spine with your fingers spread downwards. It’s important that you can feel their ribs without the need to press hard, but at the same time, you shouldn’t be able to see them.
If you’re unable to feel their ribs, then your pup may need more exercise and less food. Your Goldendoodle should be given multiple small meals each day rather than one big meal to prevent bloat or gastric torsion — a condition that can be passed on to their babies.
Grooming
Your Goldendoodle pup should have a wavy or curly coat that’s around two to three inches long. It will have longer hair around the body, tail, ears, and legs, which could be slightly feathered, while the hair on the muzzle and head should be shorter. Their coats will come in a wide variety of colors, but golden is the most common color they come in.
White coloration can be found around the feathering but their color will tend to lighten as they age. Goldendoodles are considered to be non-to-light shedders but they will still require grooming to keep their coats shiny and well-maintained. Some owners will opt to clip their coats to keep them manageable, but keeping them as they are will require brushing at least once a week or two.
Your Goldendoodle will need a bath only when absolutely necessary; too much water may strip away its coat’s natural moisture and oils. You may also brush your Goldendoodle’s teeth once or twice a week to prevent tartar buildup along with bacteria. If you want to lower their chances of getting bad breath and gum disease, it’s even better to brush their teeth daily.
Trimming their nails once or twice a month is essential to prevent painful tears along with other problems, but if you’re not sure how to trim your dog’s nails, be sure to visit the vet. Their ears should also be checked every week for a bad odor or redness which could point to an infection. When cleaning their nails, never insert anything into their ear canal and only clean their outer ear.
While grooming your pup, look for rashes, sores, and signs of infection such as tenderness, redness, or inflammation around the nose, skin, eyes, feet, and mouth. Their eyes should always be clear without any discharge or redness; doing these exams weekly will help you detect health problems early on. But before you get started with checkups, make sure that your Goldendoodle is accustomed to getting these examinations and their grooming done while they’re still a puppy.
Children And Other Pets
Goldendoodles are great family pets, especially if your pup takes after the nature of their Golden Retriever parent. They will likely get along well with the family, especially young children, and will also be gentle and patient. But like with any breed, be sure to teach your kids the right way to touch and approach your pups, and always be present when they interact together.
Be sure to spend plenty of time with them and provide them with mental stimulation as they can be prone to separation anxiety. Include them in family activities to keep them entertained and be sure to get them acquainted with your other pets while they’re still young. Properly socializing them from puppyhood will ensure that they won’t show aggression towards other animals and people.
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