FAQ: 

GOLDENDOODLES

Origin

A Goldendoodle is a Golden Retriever  and Poodle cross.  Goldendoodles, also called Golden Poos, Goldie Poos, or Groodles, have been bred in North America and Australia since the early to mid-1990's.  As the smaller poodle hybrids had been such a success in filling the niche for small, 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 most marvelous hybrid. The term 'Goldendoodle' appeared soon after the introduction of the Labradoodle by Wally Conron. The earliest known use of the name 'Goldendoodle' comes from the Neelands family in the U.S.A in 1992.  The family started calling their dog, Sugar, a 'goldendoodle'  in response to a question from a passerby who asked “is that a labradoodle?”.  They replied, “No, it’s a goldendoodle”, and have referred to her as such ever since.

in Japanese

Pronunciation of "Goldendoodle" in Japan "go-ruden do-doru"

Hybrid Vigour &

Goldendoodles

Most Goldendoodles are a first generation cross, and as such they exhibit  hybrid vigour.  This is a phenomenon in animal breeding referring to the fact that the first cross between two unrelated purebred lines is healthier and grows better than either parent line.  The hybrid cross between these two parent breeds are terrific family dogs, friendly, intelligent, affectionate and easy to train.   With each successive generation, vigour is lost.

Description

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, but usually it falls somewhere inbetween.  The length when left unclipped grows to about  4- 8 inches.  The color of the coat can be cream, gold, apricot, chocolate, gray, black, parti or phantom. Most Goldendoodles have a Standard Poodle as a parent, and are standard sized.   Like many poodle crosses, most Goldendoodles are light to non- shedding, and most live easily with families with MILD allergies. - see Dood Database   Families with moderate to severe allergies often find that Goldendoodle backcrosses can work well.

Miniature

Goldendoodles

Those with a miniature or toy Poodle as a parent, are about 25-45 pounds and are called Miniature Goldendoodles.  Dr. Kate Schoeffel of Kate's Family Pets  in Australia introduced the miniature to North American Labradoodle & Goldendoodle breeders in 1999.  Active on the forums, Kate Schoeffel, an honours geneticist, Vet and the first breeder of pet Labradoodles in the world, provided expert guidance and support to the breeders of these new hybrids.

Generations

The first generation (F1) 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. The backcross (F1b) 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. A few breeders are breeding second generation (F2) Goldendoodles which are the product of a Goldendoodle crossed with another Goldendoodle.  For a more detailed description of the generations - click here

Height, weight

The size of the Dood depends on its parentage.  A general rule of thumb is to add both the parents weights together and divide by 2 to get an average adult weight on the puppies.  Within any litter there may be puppies that fall above or below the projected adult weights.  Standard - A Goldendoodle that is predicted to be 45 lbs or more at adulthood. Medium -  A Goldendoodle that is predicted to be 30-45 lbs at adulthood. Miniature -  A Goldendoodle that is predicted to be 15-30 lbs at adulthood. Some standard Goldendoodles have grown to more than 100 pounds.

Temperament

Goldendoodles are an intelligent and obedient family companion. They are everybody's friend and devoted to their family. 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.

Living Conditions &

Exercise

Goldendoodles require a moderate amount of exercise and their coats are generally low maintenance. They can live in the city or on a farm. They are social dogs and they are happiest when they are with people.

Health Concerns

As a hybrid cross they 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. No Major Concerns. Minor Concerns - CHD, PRA, VonWillebrand's, Elbow and patella disorders. Suggested tests - hip, eye and vWD.

Life Expectancy

About 15 years

Grooming

As a hybrid cross, Goldendoodles will inherit fur that looks retriever-like, or poodle-like, but usually something in- between. Unclipped Goldendoodles 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 Goldendoodles are groomed several times a year.

1st Goldendoodle

Website on the Net

Blue Sterling put the word 'Goldendoodle' on the net and created the first online Goldendoodle and Labradoodle community.  Blue started Goldendoodles.com in January of 2001 to popularize the marvelous Golden Retriever-Poodle hybrid, and to create a shared Doodle community - a place where both Goldendoodle and Labradoodle owners would be welcome.

Group

Service dogs, field dogs .