If you have been searching for information on Goldendoodles, you would have already come across all the lingo surrounding the breed—the smart, intuitive, friendly, social, great family dog, highly trainable. However, before I list out the pros and cons, let me tell you what a Goldendoodle is, they are furry teddy bear dogs. These are a crossbreed, a hybrid between the Golden Retriever and the Poodle dog breeds. As they are mixed-breed dogs, there is more variation in traits than you would encounter in a purebred dog.
This article aims to highlight all the pros and cons of owning a Goldendoodle.
The Pros of Owning a Goldendoodle
1. Goldendoodles experience less shedding than Golden Retrievers.
Yes, some Goldendoodles do not exhibit the hypoallergenic coat that you can find with the standard poodle, however, most of them inherit less shedding as a common trait. The amount of actual shedding that you can experience in Goldendoodles differs from dog to dog, despite that, there is typically less with this option compared to full breeds. If you intend on bringing a Goldendoodle home, you need to incorporate regular brushing, and the occasional bath, alongside some fur trimming to ensure that they will always look their best.
2. There is less Allergic response to Goldendoodles.
Thanks to less shedding in Goldendoodles, fewer dandruff flakes fall from the body of the dog. This means that individuals that have allergies will have a lesser response to contact with this animal. The actual response that a person experiences will ultimately depend on the nature of the puppy itself. There are still some heavy shedders with crossbreed that can prove to be problematic. If you have concerns concerning allergies, then you might want to consider a dog in the range of 1-2 years old instead of a puppy to gauge this reaction.
3. Goldendoodles and their Three primary coat types.
There are three different coat types from which you can choose when deciding on a Goldendoodle to add to the family. The most common option opted for is the waxy coat, which provides a mixture of the poodle’s curls combined with the retriever’s straight coat. You could choose from curly or straight coats that trend more toward one parent or the other. All of the coats provide the same allergic response as well as shedding benefits at some level, so you can search for and select an option that suits your personal preferences.
There are multiple color options in the Goldendoodle family as well thanks to the coat variations found in the regular poodle. The most common colors of Goldendoodle are gold, cream, white, grey, red, black, and brown.
4. Goldendoodles can still enter some performance events.
The established breed associations around the world, such as the AKC, UKC, as well as the CKC do not recognize the Goldendoodle as a breed. This is the same approach they use to any designer cross that exists today. Despite that, most kennel clubs do allow for the registration of a mixed-breed dog to perform in events like agility or obedience.
An exception to this rule is that if you can produce paperwork for both parents of your Goldendoodle, then the Continental Kennel Club will accept and grant a pedigree.
5. There are multiple size options available.
You will be able to find Goldendoodles of almost any size. Miniature Goldendoodles usually weigh around 20 pounds, these are the perfect size if you live in an apartment. You will also be able to find medium as well as large varieties that will bring more energy to your house. Nearly all of them work well with kids and other pets because of their intelligence as well as their sociable nature.
If you spot a small Goldendoodle, then that typically means a breeder crossed a miniature poodle with a golden retriever. You will still have the same generational status with this option.
6. Goldendoodles love a good snuggle.
Goldendoodles feed off attention from their family. You will find the pup nuzzling you for a head scratch, irrespective of the location, or the work you’re doing. Goldendoodles love to be lap dogs whenever possible. Few of the puppies might resist the urge because of their adventuresome nature, however, the majority of them love to spend time every day snuggling with you.
7. Goldendoodles tend to stay quiet most of the time.
Goldendoodles generally limit their barking to when they feel threatened. Other barking scenarios are when you walk in the door after being gone a while, or to let you know that they require something. Excluding those incidents, you will generally have a quiet pup. Even if other dogs in the neighborhood are barking, your doggo will prefer to stay quiet unless something exciting is going on, say like a squirrel or an exciting game of fetch.
8. Goldendoodles love to go swimming.
Goldendoodles inherit this love for swimming trait from both parents, which means you now have a dog that is good in the water and enjoys it. If you happen to have a pool at home, that is where you will often find your pup. If you have children at home, they will now have an instant companion in the pool that can help them to develop healthy water habits too. Their paddling speed is a huge advantage, some organizations train this crossbreed to become rescue dogs.
9. Goldendoodles are great for children.
Though Goldendoodles tend to be high-energy dogs that can forget about boundaries while they are overly excited. Patience and gentleness are still practiced when they are around their people. This advantage is beneficial if you have children at home. Despite that, they still have antics that make you fall in love with them all over again. There can sometimes be a little nipping while they are playing, however, these pups have the gentle mouth from their retriever parent’s side. Even if you encounter a little roughhousing, it will not be something traumatic.
10. This crossbreed gets along with other pets.
Goldendoodles are never aggressive, the only time they might appear is when there is a threatening stranger in their home. If you have cats at home, then your new Goldendoodle puppy will adopt them as part of the pack. These dogs are easygoing when meeting other dogs as well. There can be some tension at first when figuring out who is the alpha, which is quite common in animals.
These dogs are also easy to train. You can utilize Goldendoodle’s eagerness to please as a way to encourage healthier behavior.
The Cons of Owning a Goldendoodle
1. You have to pay attention to the F-status of the Goldendoodle you’re looking to purchase.
When you start your search for Goldendoodles to bring home, you might notice that some animals have an F-status associated with their designation. This lettering is used as a generational designation that provides a better understanding of the lineage of each dog. This is useful to tell from a glance how many retrievers and poodles is there in the mix. An F1 ranking for a Goldendoodle indicates that your dog is the direct offspring of a golden retriever and a poodle.
An F2 Goldendoodle means it is a second-generation dog that has two Goldendoodles as parents. While an F3 rank is a catch-all term for any dog beyond the F2 without going backward from the 50/50 mix. An F1B Goldendoodle indicates back-crossing has occurred, which is usually done to get the softer, curly coat from the poodle. This makes your dog’s composition a 75/25 poodle/retriever mix. On the other hand, if you have an F2B Goldendoodle, then that’s a two-thirds poodle mix.
2. Hip dysplasia issues in Goldendoodles.
When breeders take a knowledgeable approach to the Goldendoodle, the offspring dogs tend to be rather healthy. The majority of them will live 10-15 years with adequate care, and medical help, coupled with lots of love from their families. The problem that happens often is hip dysplasia since poodles and retrievers both encounter this issue. It’s better if you have a PennHIP or OFA exam on the prospective parents before breeding to minimize the Hip dysplasia issue.
If you are bringing a Goldendoodle puppy home, then ask the breeder for the results of the exam before you agree on any contract or price. If this information is not available to you, then it’s better if you treat the transaction as suspicious.
3. Goldendoodles can need a lot of exercises.
If the traits of the retriever parent are strong in your dog, then you have to get the pup outside to get some exercise on a daily basis. Vets suggest about 60 minutes of time each day for walks as well as supervised play. If you are unable to help them walk outside for whatever reason, the intelligence of these dogs allows you to train them to walk on a treadmill. When your dog has plenty of pent-up energy, it will usually release in an explosive burst of running around. Due to this the medium, as well as large varieties, might not see much success in smaller households.
4. Social anxiety is Fairly prevalent.
Goldendoodles get very anxious when they are left alone by themselves, regardless of if they are in a familiar environment. If you leave them alone every day when you go to work, then their worries or boredom will likely result in destructive behaviors. These dogs will chew anything that is within their reach, so you will likely discover that your furniture has been vandalized, you will also spot broken dishes, or shredded shoes waiting for you. Their intelligence will also lead them to find curious solutions, like figuring out how to open the refrigerator to get a hold of their favorite treats.
5. Despite its properties, few people are still allergic to these dogs.
Yes, the goal of developing the Goldendoodle was to create a hypoallergic alternative for people who need a support companion or a guide dog. However, two things can be true at once, i.e., there can still be people who face problems with allergic reactions. Some of the dogs, especially the larger-sized ones, can see even more shedding with their coat compared to what the golden retriever experiences. It is recommended you look at the miniature options in this category. Or it is best if you pursue one with a B-status designation to reduce the risks of this potential disadvantage if you happen to be allergic even to Goldendoodles.
6. The popularity of Goldendoodles makes them an expensive and highly sought-after dog.
You will have to pay more for a Goldendoodle from a reliable breeder than you would for a standard poodle or even a golden retriever. The price for one Goldendoodle typically ranges from around $1,500 to $2,500. That is before you even factor in the vet expenses along with other care needs, which will pile on. This is one of the reasons we ask you to see the evidence of a dysplasia exam before you even consider a Goldendoodle purchase. Additional health issues can also include sebaceous adenitis, sub-aortic stenosis, along with von Willebrand’s disease.
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