Q: What is a Goldendoodle?
A: A Goldendoodle is a Golden Retriever and Poodle cross. They have been bred in North America and Australia since the early to mid 90's. While the smaller poodle hybrids had been such a success in 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 wonderful hybrid, they are extremely gentle and smart.
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. The coat color can be cream, gold, apricot, chocolate, gray, black, parti or phantom. Most Goldendoodles have a Standard Poodle as a parent, and are standard sized. Most Goldendoodles are like many Poodle crosses; light to non-shedding, and most live easily with families with mild allergies.
Q: What types of Doodles are there?
A: (F1) The first generation 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.
(F1b) The backcross 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.
(F2) Some breeders breed second generation Goldendoodles which are the product of a Goldendoodle crossed with another Goldendoodle.
Q: What size will my Goldendoodle be?
A: The size of a Goldendoodle depends on the parents. A good rule of thumb is to take the weights of the two parents and divide in half. But, like any litter there may be a puppy that falls above or below the projected weight.
Q: What temperament will my Goldendoodle be?
A: Goldendoodles are an intelligent , devoted and obedient family companion. 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. Some think they get their "smarts" from the Golden Retriever... I disagree, they inherit that from the Poodle!
Q: What health issues do Goldendoodles have?
A: Since this is a hybrid breed they will 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.
Q: How do I keep my Goldendoodle Groomed?
A: Goldendoodles will inherit fur that looks "retriever-like", or "poodle-like", but usually something in between. An unclipped Goldendoodle will have hair about 4-7 inches long, shorter on the face and longer on the body, tail and legs. They require combing every few weeks. Depending on how often the dog is groomed, clipped they are groomed several times a year. Some choose to groom shorter during the hot summer months, this would be a "summer cut".
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