Goldendoodle are a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle.
The result is a popular cross breed that can make excellent family pets thanks to their friendly and loving personalities.
This designer breed was created in the 1990s to emulate the success of the Labradoodle.
Goldendoodles can come in three different sizes: standard, medium and miniature. The size of the Goldendoodle depends on the size of the Poodle bred with the Golden Retriever parent.
This popular member of the Doodle family is often described as a hypoallergenic dog with a low-shedding coat. However, each Goldendoodle can shed to varying degrees.
In this article, we’re going to take a look at the pro and cons of Goldendoodles. We’ll speak to Goldendoodles Bentley (@minidoodlebentley), Brodie (@brodiethatdood), Roosevelt (@roosevelttheteddy) and Gator (@gator.thegoldendoodle) to get an exclusive insight into the Goldendoodle cross breed.
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Goldendoodle Pros
Bentley the Mini Doodle (Photo: minidoodlebentley / Instagram)
Hypoallergenic Qualities
The American Kennel Club write on their website that there’s no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog. So, if you spot Goldendoodle breeders claiming that their puppies are 100% hypoallergenic, approach with caution. While the Poodle is considered one of the best examples of a hypoallergenic dog breed, the Golden Retriever is a moderate shedder. Goldendoodles can inherit hypoallergenic qualities from their Poodle parent but there’s no guarantee that they won’t shed to some degree. We spoke to a number of Goldendoodle owners during our research. They all mentioned that their dogs were low shedders if they even shed at all. Of course, there’s more than just pet hair and pet dander to consider if you do have allergies to dogs.
Mini Doodle Bentley’s parents are both allergy sufferers but their canine companion doesn’t trigger their allergies.
We are super allergic to dogs; typically when we’re in a room with them for a while we get to a point where we can’t breathe. We have had absolutely no problems with Bentley. He does not shed and has a hypoallergenic coat.
Goldendoodle owner Clifford explained that Brodie is a F1 Standard Goldendoodle that does shed a little but not as much as his Golden Retriever.
Brodie is an F1 standard Goldendoodle, which is the variation that tends to shed the most out of Doodle generations. He has mild shedding, but it’s nearly unnoticeable compared to my Golden Retriever.
Playful
Goldendoodles have a playful nature that make these designer dogs an excellent option for pet lovers looking for a family-friendly dog. They’ve got an adventurous, friendly and outgoing personalities that will enjoy some playtime with their fellow family members in the backyard or garden. If you live a high energy lifestyle, Goldendoodles could be the perfect fit for you.
Bentley enjoys interacting with his mom and dad.
He loves to be active with us and fits in seamlessly when we take him on hikes, long walks, play ball in the back yard, to the beach, etc.
Clifford gave us an insight into Brodie’s playful nature.
He is an attention seeker and loves being noticed in public. If he feels the correct amount of attention is not being allotted towards him (typically when I am working from home), he will march around with a bath mat, kitchen towel or sock, to try to get more attention focused his way.
Sociable
Goldendoodles have a reputation for being sociable dogs that usually get along with other canines and people. This is a trait that is traditionally associated with their Golden Retriever parent. They’re friendly dogs that like to receive attention from their family members, friends visiting the home or strangers out and about. Having said that, it’s still a good idea to bring your Goldendoodle to socialization classes from a young age to give them a platform to build their social skills. You may want to expose your Goldendoodle to different dogs, people and situations in a controlled environment.
Goldendoodle owner Chelsea provided us with an insight into Roosevelt’s outgoing personality.
Roosevelt is very sociable! He loves all animals and people, regardless of size, age, gender, breed, race, or background. We could learn so much from a heart like his.
Easy To Train
If you’re looking for a smart dog, you’ll almost certainly have a clever canine on your hands in the shape of a Goldendoodle. The Poodle is the second smartest dog breed in the world behind the Border Collie. The Golden Retriever is ranked at number four in the Intelligence Of Dogs. By combining these two breeds, you’ll have a designer dog with a pretty high IQ. They can be quick to learn new commands and tricks. Having said that, you may prefer to attend puppy classes in order to help along the process of training your dogs.
For example, Bentley was quick to learn new commands.
Bentley was/is a fast learner. He was potty trained within two weeks, and with lots of practice, he learned all of the basic commands within a month or two of being home. Since they’re such loving and calm animals, they are often used as therapy dogs!
However, Bentley’s mom had a word of warning for would-be Goldendoodle owners.
People often don’t remember that dogs take time. After a couple of years once they’re trained, things get significantly easier, but you have to get to that point first. That includes waking up in the middle of the night the first few weeks to take them out to go to the bathroom, cleaning up after them if they have an accident in the house (or rip up something in your house), teaching them how to walk on a leash, how to sit, stay, come, and follow basic commands, and any other things you find important to you. They also take time to play with, as younger puppies will have significantly more energy and require constant attention / eyes on them at almost all times.
Therapy Dogs
Goldendoodles can often serve a function as a therapy dog. The first Labradoodle was created to serve as a blind eye dog for people who needed assistance but struggled with allergies to dogs. Goldendoodles can be utilised in a similar role given they can have hypoallergenic qualities complemented by their loving nature and high intelligence levels. Goldendoodles will usually have an underlying desire to please, making them ideal to complete daily tasks for dog owners who require help.
Goldendoodle Cons
Bentley the Mini Doodle (Photo: minidoodlebentley / Instagram)
Separation Anxiety
Goldendoodles, just like any other dog breed, can suffer with separation anxiety. This is a chronic canine disorder that can affect any dog when they’re left at home alone. In some cases, your Goldendoodle can start to display symptoms before you even leave the home. For instance, picking up your keys or putting on your shoes can trigger separation anxiety. The symptoms of this chronic canine disorder include incessant barking, howling or whining, destructive chewing or digging, or in some extreme cases, defecating or urinating inside the home.
Mini Doodle Bentley is an example of a Goldendoodle that has experienced separation anxiety.
This is an effect of how you train your dog. We did not do a great job of letting Bentley be independent therefore he craves our attention. It is not uncommon that when I leave the house, he whines by the door waiting for me. It’s gotten much better; he used to not let me close the door to the bathroom unless he was there also.
Stubborn
Goldendoodle are smart dogs but this cross breed can suffer with some stubbornness. While they’re extremely smart, they can be independent thinkers that like to do things their own way. This can prove particularly challenging where training is concerned. The stubbornness trait is associated more their Poodle parent. It’s a good idea to lay down the basic ground rules from a young age to increase your chances of owning an attentive and obedient dog.
Bentley’s mom explained that her Goldendoodle does display some stubborness.
This one is specific to Goldendoodles (and I think poodles in general). Bentley is really smart. So smart that he can be stubborn when he decides he doesn’t want to do something (like going in his crate, taking a bath, etc.)
Grooming
While you won’t have to worry about shedding, Goldendoodles do require a lot of grooming. It’s a good idea to brush your Goldendoodle on a daily basis if possible to maintain the health and quality of their coat. By doing so, you can remove dead hair, debris or dirt caught in their hair. Goldendoodles will require a haircut every couple of months to prevent their hair dragging along the ground. They’ll benefit from a bath every six to eight weeks.
Clifford provided us with an insight into his grooming routine for Brodie.
The biggest challenge is grooming, especially maintaining a coat the length of Brodie’s. If unattended for just a short time, Goldendoodle’s coats will tangle, knot, and matt very easily. This is why most Goldendoodle owners keep their dog’s coat much shorter than Brodie’s; it almost becomes a full-time job.
Expensive
Goldendoodles can prove quite expensive to buy. This cross breed can cost anywhere between £1,000 to £10,000 depending on their size, coat color, lineage and training. While Goldendoodles can prove costly when you purchase your Doodle pup, they’ll prove expensive to keep on a monthly basis. You need to think about costs such as dog food, pet insurance, vet bills, grooming costs and more.
Exercise Requirements
Goldendoodles are active dogs that will usually require a lot of daily exercise. The Golden Retriever and the Poodle are two dog breeds that were traditionally used in hunts as dogs that would retrieve game. Therefore, they’ve got relatively high energy levels. Wag Walking recommend at least 60 minutes of exercise a day to keep these dogs stimulated both mentally and physically. As a Goldendoodle owner, you could exercise your dog at the dog park, go on long hikes, walks around the neighborhood or trips to the dog park.
Goldendoodle owner Jennifer gave an insight into Gator’s exercise routine.
I recommend a fenced yard and time for walking and outdoor activity at least 45 minutes, twice daily, especially the first few years.
Anything Else To Consider?
We find that speaking to Goldendoodle owners on social media can be an effective way to learn more about a particular cross breed. Here are some accounts that we recommend.
Here are some Goldendoodle accounts to check out on Instagram.
• Bentley (@minidoodlebentley) (full interview with Bentley here)
• Brodie (@brodiethatdood) (full interview with Brodie here)
• Roosevelt (@roosevelttheteddy)
• Gator (@gator.thegoldendoodle)
Wrapping Up
Roosevelt the Goldendoodle (Photo: roosevelttheteddy / Instagram)
We’ve reached the end of our article on Goldendoodle pros and cons.
They’re a popular cross breed that can make excellent family pets or therapy dogs.
The Goldendoodle is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle, resulting in a dog that is usually low shedding with hypoallergenic qualities.
Given both parents are active breeds, Goldendoodles will usually require substantial exercise every day to keep them mentally and physically stimulated.
