Are you looking for a furry friend that’s guaranteed to turn a few heads? Then look no further than the fabulous Goldendoodle.
Part all-star athlete, part teddy bear, and part Muppet, these fluffy and friendly dogs can make for an excellent addition to any home. That said, like all dogs, Goldendoodles come with a caveat or two you should be aware of before bringing one into your house.
If you’re thinking about adopting a Goldendoodle but aren’t sure whether these curly canines are right for you, we’re here to help! Here’s everything you need to know before you adopt a Goldendoodle.
What Is a Goldendoodle?
In short: a Goldendoodle is just a fancy and deliberate mutt. As their name suggests, this designer breed is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle.
By design, Goldendoodles, or just Doodles for short, contain the best traits of their parents’ breeds, smashed together into one nearly perfect puppy. After all, who wouldn’t love a dog with the fluffy and low shedding coat of a Poodle and the friendly demeanor and quick wit of a Golden Retriever?
That said, because Goldendoodles are a bit of a mixed bag by default, you must keep in mind that no two Doodles will ever be the same. So, just because you fell in love with someone else’s Goldendoodle, there’s a good chance you will not be able to find a carbon copy of that dog when you go to adopt your own.
Now that you’re more familiar with what a Goldendoodle is — let’s get into what you need to consider before deciding whether or not this adorable breed is right for you.
Doodles are High Energy
First off, neither Poodles nor Golden Retrievers are famous for their lethargy.
Thanks to their genetic makeup, Goldendoodles have enough energy to make work-class athletes. Unfortunately, this does not always make them the best pets if you do not have the time or energy to exercise them every day.
That said, if you’re a runner, have a big yard and plenty of time for long walks, or have a few younger kids who would have no trouble wearing out a high-energy dog, then a Doodle may be the perfect furry friend for you and your family.
Grooming Is a Must
Just like all of the other breeds prized for their luscious locks, Goldendoodles require a lot of grooming if you want them to keep looking and feeling their best.
While you can always pawn your pup off on a groomer for their regular shave and a haircut, professional services can get a little pricey.
Fortunately, if you’re willing to invest a chunk of your time learning the ropes of Doodle maintenance, you can groom your dog yourself. That said, if you go the DIY route, you need to make sure you keep on top of grooming, or your fluffy friend could wind up with painful tangles and mats.
Got Allergies?
Contrary to popular belief, Goldendoodles are not a 100% hypoallergenic breed.
Thanks to their Poodle half, Doodles are low shed dogs, which means you might not have to bust out the vacuum to clean up hairballs as often. That said, low-shed does not mean no-shed. While you may have more luck with a Goldendoodle than some other major-shedders, if you have severe allergies, their famous fluff may still be a bit too much for you.
If you suffer from severe allergies but still want to bring a Doodle into your life, try connecting with other Doodle-Heads and test your allergies in an enclosed space for a while. If you come out on the other side of your experiment breathing ok, then congratulations! You may be able to live with a Goldendoodle.
Low Shedding ≠ Low Mess
As we said before, just because you won’t have to worry about burning through dust busters with a Doodle, that doesn’t mean you won’t have to worry about cleaning up after them.
While the Goldendoodle’s high intelligence and energy make them a highly sought-after breed, that duplicitous genetic cocktail comes with a pretty significant downside: chronic boredom.
Without proper and consistent enrichment, Doodles are prone to boredom. And, as any seasoned dog lover can tell you, there’s nothing quite as dangerous to your furniture as a bored dog.
Even if you train your Doodle to avoid chewing on your belongings, that won’t always stop them from annihilating their own — And who do you think is going to have to clean up all of that stuffing and toy debris?
The Goldendoodle’s famous fluffy coat also comes with a few mess hazards. Although you may not have to worry about significant shedding, you will have to worry about mud and dirt getting caught in their curls and spread all over your house.
Mixed Breed Benefits
As a designer breed, Golden Doodles are a deliberate mix. That said, they are still technically a mixed breed, which means they enjoy a few of the benefits that come from not being a purebred puppy. As many dog lovers know, mutts and hybrids tend to be a bit healthier than purebreds.
The longevity of mixed breeds comes from a few different causes. But, all you need to know is that by buying mixed, you have a higher chance of spending a few more happy and healthy years with your canine companion.
That said, the overall health of your fluffy friend depends on where you get them. So, if you plan on buying from a breeder, make sure you do your homework ahead of time to make sure your pup’s parents don’t have any issues they could inherit.
Doodles Make Fantastic Friends
Finally, one of the most significant reasons people adopt a Goldendoodle is due to their winning personalities. It’s no major secret in the dog world that you’d be hard-pressed to find a breed friendlier than the Golden Retriever. And, as a direct descendent of Goldens, Doodles tend to be pretty darn sociable too.
Adopting a Goldendoodle of Your Own
Now that you know a bit more about the pros and cons of the Golden/Poodle breed, you can make a more informed decision about whether adopting a Goldendoodle is the best move for you and your family.
Are you looking for more advice on how to get the perfect dog for you? We’ve got you covered. Check out the rest of our blog for more helpful articles and information today!
