Goldendoodle Dog Breed… Everything You Need to Know at a Glance!

The Goldendoodle is probably one of the better-known examples of what many folks are now commonly referring to as “designer dogs” or “hybrid dogs”.  This is because “technically” these types of dogs are not considered a “true” dog breed, while at the same time it just doesn’t seem “appropriate” to consider them “mutts” either.

This is because…

Goldendoodles are a type of dog breed that many folks specifically seek out because of how great they are. And what difference does it really make if the “official” dog organizations has or hasn’t decided to fully appreciate them, yet?

Because truth be told…

All “designer” or hybrid dogs still remain largely “unrecognized,” which is a trend that we here at IndulgeYourPet firmly believe will be ending soon because, not only are some of these “designer dogs” really quality animals, they also serve a purpose that is very important in the dog breeding world.

You see…

The “Goldendoodle dog” is the product of breeding a Golden Retriever and a Poodle together.  And while it may make perfect sense to breed these two quality breeds together in an effort to capture some of the “best” traits of each, it also makes sense for another reason.

You see, over the years, these breeds have been widely over-bred leading to many inheritable diseases which currently plague each breed independently.

So…

By mixing both poodle and golden retriever breeds together, breeders have not only “stumbled” on a really great dog in his or her own right, they’ve also managed to avoid many of the inheritable conditions that may significantly affect each breed on its own.

Which is great!

But…Even though the “hybrid” Goldendoodle is typically healthier than his breed’s ancestry, this really doesn’t tell us all that much about whether or not owning one is all that much fun!

Which is why…

We wanted to take a moment and discuss what it might be like to own one of these furry little creatures, so that if you ever get a chance to get your hands on one, you’ll know for sure if it’s going to be a good fit.

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.

Goldendoodle Breed Fast Facts

Country of Origin: United States and Australia

Original Purpose:  Companionship

Height: 13 to 24 inches at the shoulder

Weight: Miniature Goldendoodle: 15 to 30 pounds; Medium Goldendoodle: 30 to 45 pounds; Standard Goldendoodle: 45 to more than 100 pounds

Life Span: 10 to 15 years

Dog Breed Classification:  Hybrid or designer dog, which are not currently recognized as an “official” dog breed classification by the American Kennel Club (AKC) (as of yet!).

Goldendoodle Dog Breed Origin

Like most designer dog breeds, the Goldendoodle is a relatively new “type” of dog that really only dates back to the late 1980s and/or 1990s.

It somewhat shares his origin story with two different countries, Australia and the United States.

Now we say…

That these dogs have “two” countries of origin because there is a bit of debate about which country can “officially” take credit for coming up with these guys and even when you think you might be sure about the exact origin, some will then start to question whether or not you’re talking about a Goldendoodle, using a Standard Poodle vs a Miniature Poodle.

And then when…

This happens, you’re right back where you started from.  So, we just give both Australia and the United States credit for the Goldendoodle and leave it up to you if you want to narrow it down any further.

We’ll also…

Leave it up to you as to what you like to call these guys too, because in addition to being called Goldendoodles, these guys will also often be referred to as:

• Golden Poos,
• Goldie Poos,

And our personal favorite, Groodles (Groovy!).

Physical Characteristics of the Goldendoodle

Now like many “hybrid” dog breeds, Goldendoodles can come in many different colors and sizes.  And because they are not “officially” recognized as an independent breed, there really isn’t an “official standard” that Goldendoodle breeders aim for.

That said…

There are three different sizes that are most common with this breed that most Goldendoodle breeds can generally agree upon.  These different sizes consist of a:

• Miniature Goldendoodle, which will usually weigh anywhere from 15 to 35 pounds and stand about 13 to 20 inches tall.
• Small Standard Goldendoodle, which will usually weigh anywhere from 40 to 50 pounds and stand about 17 to 20 inches tall.
• Large Standard Goldendoodle, which will weigh in at around 50 to 90 pounds and stand about 20 to 24 inches in height.

Goldendoodles can also…

Have a variety of coats since they are cross-bred. Their coats can be curly or wavy and is usually non-shedding. The coat colors can vary from red and gold, chocolate and fawn, to black and silver.

Goldendoodle Comparisons Breeds

Folks will often compare these dogs to several other types dogs practically other designer dogs such as a:

• English Goldendoodle,
• Mini Aussiedoodle,

As well as some smaller designer dog breeds such as the Cockapoo and Cavapom.

Goldendoodle Temperament and Personality

Goldendoodles are very much like their parent breeds, the Poodle and Golden Retriever, which means that they are very likely to be a gentle, pleasant and friendly dog breed.

Typically…

They’re great with kids and very good with strangers. In fact, you’ve got to REALLY go out of your way to make one of these guys upset with you.

And, even if you figure out a way to do so, chances are, he or she is going to forgive you long before you even realize that they’re upset.

But we should…

Warn you, these guys do tend to get attached to their owners and suffer from separation anxiety if you leave them alone for too long. This is especially true with Goldendoodle Puppies.

That is why, if you believe that you’re going to be someone who leaves your Goldendoodle by him or herself for long periods of time, this might not be the right breed for you.

Because…

Any dog this smart left to his or her own devices while upset is certain to get into all sorts of trouble.  Trouble that could mean the end of your favorite pair of shoes or the destruction of your couch! And did we mention that they may dig up your backyard?!?!

Early socialization and training…

is also really important with the Goldendoodle breed because, while it’s true that they are very intelligent and easy to train, if not given the proper instruction from the start, they can develop their own “sense” of what is and isn’t acceptable, which can be tough to break later on if not dealt with as a puppy.

The good news is…

That these guys are really, really smart and are very responsive to your commands.  And these guys are very loyal and extremely comfortable adjusting to their owner’s lifestyle.

So…

If you like taking long jogs in the evening, there’s a really good chance your Goldendoodle will too!  And if you just like chilling out on the couch after a long day at work, well your Goldendoodle will be certainly content with that as well.

Goldendoodle Health Concerns

Goldendoodles are a healthy breed, but they are susceptible to certain common health issues such as:https://clicky.com/user/login

• Subvalvular Aortic Stenosis,
• Cataracts,
• Addison’s Disease,
• Von Willebrand’s Disease,
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy,
• Sebaceous Adenitis,
• Patella Luxation,
• Hip Dysplasia.

And while…

This may seem like a long list, the truth is, most dog breeds share many of these same risks. And unlike their parent breeds, the Golden Retriever and Poodle, the Goldendoodle “risk” for these conditions is much less than their purebred counter parts.

But remember…

Regardless of how healthy a particular dog breed is or isn’t, you’re never going to be able to know for sure what kind of medical issues your pet may have throughout his or her life.

Which is why…

We here at IndulgeYourPet also recommend that any new pet owner take a moment and see what it might cost for you to purchase a pet insurance policy for your new animal.

Now will a pet insurance policy be right for everyone?

No, probably not.  But until you fully understand what these policies “will” and “won’t” cover and how much these pet insurance policies cost, how will you know if one might be right for you?

For more information on who we feel currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies out there, we would encourage you to check out our Best Pet Insurance Policies article.