In your search for the perfect new family member, selecting the right Doodle breed is step one. You have many options and all are great in their own way. There are gentle giants (Bernedoodles, Pyredoodles, Newfiedoodles, etc.) There are smaller “lap-Doodles” (mini-Aussiedoodles, Yorkiepoos, mini-Goldendoodles, etc.) And there are lots of medium sized Doodles, with wide-ranging personalities and temperaments (Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, Australian Mountain Doodles, Bordoodles and many others.) Amazing dogs all, but they all have their drawbacks.
This post is part of a series devoted to each Doodle breed. We hope this info will help you decide which is the perfect Doodle breed for you. We love them all, but they’re all very different!
Goldendoodles: The Perfect Blend of Intelligence and Affection
I could make a good case that the Goldendoodle is the new “Most Popular Dog”. According to Rover’s latest report, Goldendoodle comes in at #3, BUT, #1 is “mixed-breed”, a category in which Goldendoodles also fall. In fact, if you click on the tab to read more about “mixed-breeds” from that piece, you’ll see a big picture of a Goldendoodle right at the top!
The Goldendoodle also helped crown a new “most popular AKC purebred” dog…for the first time in over 3 decades. Click here to read about how this happened.
Why have Goldendoodles become so popular?
We’ve seen a pattern when it comes to first-time potential Goldendoodle owners. Very often, a family is looking for a dog with the potential advantages of the Doodle fur. “We just love Golden Retrievers, but we’re so tired of all the shedding…”, is how they’ll start the conversation. And this is a valid reason to consider a Doodle. *Most of the time*, a Goldendoodle will shed considerable less than it’s purebred counterpart, the Golden Retriever.
However...
When we hear back from those same families, a year or two later (often when they’re looking for their second Doodle), we hear something very different. Now we hear things like “my Goldendoodle is almost HUMAN!”, or, “I’ve never had a dog with this kind of personality!” Truly, the combination with the Poodle creates a smart, loving, empathetic dog. And while many families start their journey to find their first Goldendoodle because of the fur, it’s usually the personality and temperament that they learn to love most.
What are some of the terrific qualities of the Goldendoodle?
Here are a few of the great things about the Goldendoodle. This is based on our own experiences, as well as feedback from many Goldendoodle families.
- Intelligence and Trainability: Goldendoodles inherit the intelligence of both parent breeds. They are quick learners, making them ideal for obedience training and various dog sports. According to Dr. Stanley Coren and his studies published in his book, “The Intelligence of Dogs”, the Poodle ranks #2 and the Golden Retriever ranks #4. So, the cross is often quite smart!
- Coats: Potentially less shedding and less dander (which usually equals less allergies!): Thanks to the Poodle genes! This trait can be a game-changer for allergy sufferers. (Some breed generations can be better than others, so feel free to ask us about potential shedding and allergies!)
- Friendly and Social: These dogs are known for their friendly and sociable nature. They tend to get along well with children and other pets, making them excellent family dogs.
- Adaptable: Goldendoodles can adapt to various living environments, from apartments to larger homes with yards, as long as they receive enough exercise and mental stimulation.
Are there any potential negatives?
- Grooming Needs: Their coat can be a blessing and a curse. While it’s low-shedding and hypoallergenic, it does require regular grooming to prevent matting.
- Exercise Requirements: Goldendoodles are active dogs and need daily exercise. Without it, they may become bored and engage in destructive behavior.
- Porential Health Concerns: Like all breeds, Goldendoodles can inherit genetic health issues from their parents. This is why it’s of utmost importance to choose the best breeder!
Bottom line: is a Goldendoodle the right Doodle breed for you?
Goldendoodles are a delightful mix of intelligence, affection, and adaptability. While they require grooming and exercise, their charming personalities and hypoallergenic coats make them popular choices for families and individuals alike. And if you’re like many others, including me, the Goldendoodle will forever change you! These dogs truly are amazing.
When considering a Goldendoodle, research reputable breeders, and be prepared for the responsibilities that come with owning this wonderful breed. Ultimately, your Goldendoodle will reward you with years of love, companionship, and joy.
- Shedding – 0 = no expected shedding at all; 10 = we expect this breed to shed excessively.
- Trainability – Prediction of dog’s ability to learn basic life necessities (walk on leash, sleep in kennel, etc., as well as basic obedience commands like sit, stay, come, place, etc.) 0 = not trainable at all; 10 = likely to respond extremely well to training.
- Temperament – Some experts use the terms temperament and personality interchangeably. For this study, we’ll separate the two. For temperament, we’ll consider the dog’s basic, biologically inherited traits. In this chart we’ll measure temperament in the context of how well the dogs fit in with a typical family, versus other Doodle breeds. 0= poor; 10 = excellent.
- Personality – We’ll define personality as how the dogs tend to develop in their environment, starting with its natural temperament. Much of this depends on how the dog is raised, of course. We’ll measure this again versus other Doodle breeds. 0= poor; 10 = excellent.
- Good with kids – Some breeds are inherently more patient with kids. This number represents where the dog would rank versus other Doodle breeds. 0 = poor; 10 = excellent.
- Grooming – Grooming is directly tied to the shedding category. Dogs that shed less need to be groomed more. This measures the amount of grooming required versus the purebred breed counterpart. (All Doodle breeds will be similar.) 0 = no need for grooming; 10 = regular grooming is required.
- Energy Level – This category measures the breed’s need for exercise, versus that of other Doodle breeds. 0 = no exercise needed; 10 = regular exercise is expected.
- Lifespan – Since this chart ends at “10”, we’ll have a number of breeds that have longer lifespans. (The “minis” can live much longer than 10 years, for example, while a medium might range between 9-12 years.) So if a breed exceeds 10 years, ask us for follow up information on that specific breed. For this chart, the number represents what we predict to be an average lifespan.
- Cost – We’ll measure cost of any particular Doodle breed in contrast to the other Doodle breeds. 0 = low cost; 10 – typically very expensive.
