Frequently Asked Questions
Origin:
A Goldendoodle is a Golden Retriever and Poodle cross. Goldendoodles, also called Golden Poos, Goldie Poos, or Groodles, have been bred in North America and Australia since the mid-1990's. As the smaller poodle hybrids had been such a success in filling the niche for small, allergy friendly family pets, Golden Retriever breeders decided to try a breeding with a standard poodle for a larger family pet. The quick rise of the popularity of Goldendoodles is due to the dogs themselves. They are a most marvelous hybrid.
Hybrid Vigor?
Goldendoodles are a first generation cross, and as such they exhibit hybrid vigour. This is a phenomenon in animal breeding referring to the fact that the first cross between two unrelated purebred lines is healthier and grows better than either parent line. The hybrid cross between these two parent breeds are terrific family dogs, friendly, intelligent, affectionate and easy to train.
Description
The Goldendoodle's ancestry along both parent lines is as hunters and water dogs. The physical appearance of the Goldendoodle runs anywhere from a shaggy-looking retriever to a curl-relaxed poodle, but usually it falls somewhere in-between. The length when left unclipped grows to about 4-8 inches. The color of the coat can be cream, gold, apricot, chocolate, gray and black. Most Goldendoodles have a Standard Poodle as a parent, and are standard sized. Those with a miniature Poodle as a parent, are about 25-45 pounds and are called miniature Goldendoodles. Like many poodle crosses, most Goldendoodles are light to non-shedding, and most live easily with families with MILD allergies.
Families with moderate to severe allergies often find that Goldendoodle backcrosses can work well.
Generations:
The first generation (F1) standard size Goldendoodle was the first to be bred. It is the product of a standard Poodle crossed with a Golden Retriever. Most first generation Goldendoodles either don't shed or shed lightly, and are compatible for most families with mild allergies.
The backcross (F1B) Goldendoodle is produced by crossing an F1 Goldendoodle with a Poodle. These dogs will have a higher success rate for non-shedding, and are recommended for families with moderate to severe allergies.
The second generation (F2) Goldendoodles also referred to as Multi Generation Goldendoodles (Multi Gen's). They are the product of a Goldendoodle crossed with another Goldendoodle.
For a more detailed description of the generations - click here
Temperament:
Goldendoodles are an intelligent and obedient family companion. They are everybody's friend and devoted to their family. They are friendly towards children, other dogs and pets, and easy with strangers. They are social dogs, happiest when with people. Goldendoodles are likely to get into mischief and develop behavior problems if they spend most of their lives alone. Their intelligence, eagerness to please, and love of learning make them very easy to train. They are medium-to large sized family dogs with easy dispositions.
Health Concerns:
As a hybrid cross they grow healthier and live longer than either parent line. The only genetic diseases they can be prone to would be those shared by both the Golden Retriever and the Standard Poodle. No Major Concerns. We do health test on our parent dogs.
Living Conditions & Exercise?
Goldendoodles require a moderate amount of exercise and their coats are generally low maintenance. They can live in the city or on a farm. They are social dogs and they are happiest when they are with people.
Grooming?
As a hybrid cross, Goldendoodles will inherit fur that looks retriever-like, or poodle-like, but usually something in-between. Unclipped Goldendoodles will have hair about 4-7 inches long, shorter on the face and longer on the body, tail and legs. From my observation, they grow about one inch a month. They require combing every few weeks. Depending on how often the dog is groomed, clipped Goldendoodles are groomed several times a year.
Life Expectancy?
With good care and nutrition, about 15 years.
Weight Expectancy?
Typical Growth Chart: 2 x puppy's weight at 4 months and add up to 10 pounds
Differences Between Boys & Girls?
I am often asked, what's the difference between the little boy and the little girl puppies. The general answer is that each puppy has it's own individual personality and they should be evaluated and matched to families according to their own temperament. Boys are typically a bit more laid back or lazy and girls are a bit more nosy (typical women). I have observed this over the years with many puppies. They are all very loving and sweet,the English Goldendoodle breed is a very friendly people loving dog, however; there are always puppies that break the mold. That is the reason that we now temperament test the puppies at 49 days. Our goal is match each family with the puppy that is the most suitable. I personally believe that spaying & neutering a puppy as early as possible, 4-6months old, somewhat desexes them and they do not tend to show the male/female tendencies. I have never had a family contact me about a neutered male that was marking the house.
How Do You Evaluate The Puppies?
We do the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test at 49 Days /7 Weeks
The ideal age to test the puppy is at 49 days of age when the puppy is neurologically complete and it has the brain of an adult dog. With each passing day after the 49th day the responses will be tainted by prior learning.
