GoldenDoodle owners!!! Tell me the good, bad and ugly!

[Wonders10]

Hi everyone,

I'm thinking of getting a goldendoodle in the very near future. I've found what so far looks like a very reputable breeder not too far from my home. When I was living with my mom (I just moved out a couple months ago after grad school), we got a standard poodle. She will be 5 in December so I have experience with a high maintenance dog in terms of size and grooming. Financially I am stable to pay for all the doggie necessities. Just looking for lots of information on the breed themselves....their appearance and the fact that they are half poodle initially sold me on the breed a couple years ago.

Thanks!

 

[Aimeedyan]

1 - it's not a breed (if you mate two together, you don't get a Goldendoodle - until you can, it's not a breed) so your dog may be 100% diff than someone else's. There are no breed traits to go off of.

2 - there is no such thing as a reputable breeder for mixed breed dogs

3 - if you are deadset on buying one, do a lot of research on the parents. Health screening, genetic testing, temperment testing, etc. Make sure they didn't just mate the two purebreds they have but that they were selective in ensuring they aren't passing on painful genetic issues to puppies. A decent breeder will also require you to fix your puppy, as to not add to the pet population, and make you sign a contract stating you'll return the puppy to them if you can't care for it anymore. Good breeders don't want "their" puppies to end up euthanized if the owner can't care for them anymore

4 - Check the local rescues through Petfinder. "Goldendoodles", or golden retriever/poodle mixes, are very common. People get them thinking they will be good for allergies and not shed and BAM! puppy grows up and sheds like a Golden Retriever and they dump it at a rescue. I know 3 people that adopted a "goldendoodle" that way. It's worth a shot.

Good luck!

 

[Wonders10]

1 - it's not a breed (if you mate two together, you don't get a Goldendoodle - until you can, it's not a breed) so your dog may be 100% diff than someone else's. There are no breed traits to go off of.

2 - there is no such thing as a reputable breeder for mixed breed dogs

3 - if you are deadset on buying one, do a lot of research on the parents. Health screening, genetic testing, temperment testing, etc. Make sure they didn't just mate the two purebreds they have but that they were selective in ensuring they aren't passing on painful genetic issues to puppies. A decent breeder will also require you to fix your puppy, as to not add to the pet population, and make you sign a contract stating you'll return the puppy to them if you can't care for it anymore. Good breeders don't want "their" puppies to end up euthanized if the owner can't care for them anymore

4 - Check the local rescues through Petfinder. "Goldendoodles", or golden retriever/poodle mixes, are very common. People get them thinking they will be good for allergies and not shed and BAM! puppy grows up and sheds like a Golden Retriever and they dump it at a rescue. I know 3 people that adopted a "goldendoodle" that way. It's worth a shot.

Good luck!

Thanks so much for your quick reply. I'm getting the overall sense that you are not a fan of buying from a breeder. I totally understand that and I have also been searcing many florida poodle rescues and local humane societies trying to find the dog that will fit my lifestyle, wants, etc. Unfortunately I live in an apartment that has many breed restrictions and most of the dogs at these rescues are those dogs. And to be honest, I'm not interested a lot of them because I do really love the poodle personality.

Luckily I don't have allergies so shedding and dog hair (which is what poodles have) is not an issue for me. Although it is a nice bonus not to have hair all over the place . Most of the dogs from this specific breeder are 2 goldendoodles being bred together although they do have the traditional golden/poodle mix.

Sorry if breeder offended you...she mates dogs so I call her a breeder. I completely understand that mix breeds are not actual breeds.

Sorry not trying to sound defensive here...I'm not trying to start a debate over adopting, rescuing, buying...just looking for some info on this specific "breed".

 

[chirurgeon]

I don't own a golden doodle, but my sister does, so I have had a fair amount of contact with Tucker. We dog sit on a regular basis. He is one of the sweetest dogs I have ever met. He is a big boy 85 lbs, his head comes to my hip, I'm 5' 5" tall. He is also a good dog, he comes when called and was fairly easily house trained. He is very loving. It was so funny when my sister came to get him after she got back from a week of vacation. He couldn't be out the door fast enough. It was like, thanks for taking care of me, bye. He does shed a little bit. He has a minor wave to his fur. If you remember the tv show "My Three Sons", Tucker looks just like the dog Tramp. He does get professionally groomed every few weeks. People will say, the golden doodle isn't a breed, just an expensive mutt, I won't be saying that, just thought I'd warn you. I wouldn't hesitate to get a golden doodle myself.

Kim

 

[Aimeedyan]

Thanks so much for your quick reply. I'm getting the overall sense that you are not a fan of buying from a breeder. I totally understand that and I have also been searcing many florida poodle rescues and local humane societies trying to find the dog that will fit my lifestyle, wants, etc. Unfortunately I live in an apartment that has many breed restrictions and most of the dogs at these rescues are those dogs. And to be honest, I'm not interested a lot of them because I do really love the poodle personality.

Luckily I don't have allergies so shedding and dog hair (which is what poodles have) is not an issue for me. Although it is a nice bonus not to have hair all over the place . Most of the dogs from this specific breeder are 2 goldendoodles being bred together although they do have the traditional golden/poodle mix.

Sorry if breeder offended you...she mates dogs so I call her a breeder. I completely understand that mix breeds are not actual breeds.

Sorry not trying to sound defensive here...I'm not trying to start a debate over adopting, rescuing, buying...just looking for some info on this specific "breed".

No, I really am fine with buying from a breeder but not for a mixed breed and only from a reputable breeder. I consider a true breeder to be someone who does it for the love of the breed and wants to preserve the breed - not to make money. You don't sound defensive to me; I just wanted to make sure you knew that you won't find good info on this mix of dogs because there isn't a standard. But I understand the desire to want to hear from others who have the same mix and see what your dog might be like.

Just wondering - why you wouldn't go with a poodle? What does the golden retriever bring into it that appeals to you? I've always wondered why people wouldn't just buy a purebred. Esp a poodle! So smart!

Rescues are sometimes hard to find, glad you have been trying

 

[Wonders10]

No, I really am fine with buying from a breeder but not for a mixed breed and only from a reputable breeder. I consider a true breeder to be someone who does it for the love of the breed and wants to preserve the breed - not to make money. You don't sound defensive to me; I just wanted to make sure you knew that you won't find good info on this mix of dogs because there isn't a standard. But I understand the desire to want to hear from others who have the same mix and see what your dog might be like.

Just wondering - why you wouldn't go with a poodle? What does the golden retriever bring into it that appeals to you? I've always wondered why people wouldn't just buy a purebred. Esp a poodle! So smart!

Rescues are sometimes hard to find, glad you have been trying

Poodles, as I said, are smart and gentle and I really like their temperment, personality,etc. Goldens also have those things. So when you combine them you get the same great package in a uber-cute wrapping. I've also read that their life span is longer and they tend to be healthier than a poodle or golden purebred. Which if true, would be a plus. I think it's just something in my gut that is telling me to get a goldendoodle or another standard poodle. I see other dogs and think they are cute, but then I see this one and my heart melts.

As for the rescues, not only are poodles hard to find, but standard poodles are extremely rare down here, even at the poodle rescues. Most are toys and after getting used to a 55 lb lap dog, I just don't think I could do a dog that would fit in my purse

 

[Aimeedyan]

Poodles, as I said, are smart and gentle and I really like their temperment, personality,etc. Goldens also have those things. So when you combine them you get the same great package in a uber-cute wrapping. I've also read that their life span is longer and they tend to be healthier than a poodle or golden purebred. Which if true, would be a plus. I think it's just something in my gut that is telling me to get a goldendoodle or another standard poodle. I see other dogs and think they are cute, but then I see this one and my heart melts.

As for the rescues, not only are poodles hard to find, but standard poodles are extremely rare down here, even at the poodle rescues. Most are toys and after getting used to a 55 lb lap dog, I just don't think I could do a dog that would fit in my purse

The healthy thing is a myth (true mutts are usually healthier than purebreds because their genes are all mixed up, but just mixing two breeds together does not mix them up enough - matter of fact, you can sometimes get the worse health traits from the two breeds and have a real problem on your hands - which is why ensuring both parents have had genetic testing done is SO important), but the extended lifespan may be right. Some of them are very cute (though I've seen a few where the genetic did not work in their favor!).

Toy poodles are overbred so badly that they are so easy to find these days in rescues. Sad I wish I could convince DH that a poodle can be a manly animal.

Good luck!

 

[drivencrazy]

We have a Labradoodle! He is Lab and mini poodle, so he should be around 40-50 pounds which is just the size that we wanted!! He is now 8.5 months old and is 40.4 pounds, so we'll see how big he actually gets! He is the smartest and most loving pup that we have ever been around. He is a great dog and I am so glad that we got him. He does shed, but I figured that he would, I didn't know that poodles didn't (or do they? I have heard both)??

But anyhow our neighbors had a goldendoodle and they ended up finding a new home for her. They just didn't have the time to spend with her and she was tearing up everything in their home... carpets, couch, toys, clothes... and she shed quite a bit and they thought she shouldn't... she was also bigger than they thought she should be Sad, but she does now have a LOVING home and they go and visit her every few weeks. She is a great dog, just not great for them!

Now back to our dog. We got him from a petstore. We were NOT looking to get a dog but just fell in LOVE with him when we seen him in the cage. We went back 3 days in a row before we took him out of the cage to see what he was really like, then another 2 days before we went and took him home! We weren't looking to get a dog, but the time was right and we did do some research before we bought him and brought him home with us! He was so easy to train and is such a blessing, so glad we got him!

 

[KristiKelly]

I hope you have on your flame retardant suit. Many people disapprove of these mixed breed dogs and often these topics can get fairly heated. HOWEVER, look at the pic in my avatar - that's my Annabelle. She is a Goldendoodle and will be 5 in Oct.

She is a very sweet dog. As a puppy, we had a ton of struggles with her - biggest was nippiness. She is not like that now, but if she's really happy to see you, she might take your wrist (very lightly) or sleeve and walk you around the room. She is a very happy, friendly dog.

We have 3 kids and she loves being in the backyard playing football, badmitten, baseball, etc.

Annabelle is a "counter cruiser" and she has been known to steal and eat an entire loaf of bread - more than once.

She loves everyone and is absolutely no protection whatsoever. Her bark sounds fierce but she wouldn't hurt a flea. She had her chance to catch a bird with a bad wing in our driveway once - she didn't touch it but watched it hop into the woods.

Annabelle is about 75 lbs. the vet says she needs to lose 4-5 lbs. We contribute the added weight to the bread she often eats "by the loaf".

As far as shedding, she does shed some. Not nearly like a Golden Retriever but if I don't vacuum for a week there will be little dust bunnies in the corners of the hardwood floors. We had a Dalmatian before her and the shedding is no where near that of a Dal. I find that if I'm slack with brushing the shedding is worse.

If you want a dog that loves everyone and is a complete clown - this is it.

Goldendoodles.com is a great site, they list reputable breeders and there is also a forum for labradoodles/goldendoodles.

Good luck with your search and feel free to pm me for any info.

 

[Nana Annie]

Thanks so much for your quick reply. I'm getting the overall sense that you are not a fan of buying from a breeder. I totally understand that and I have also been searcing many florida poodle rescues and local humane societies trying to find the dog that will fit my lifestyle, wants, etc. Unfortunately I live in an apartment that has many breed restrictions and most of the dogs at these rescues are those dogs. And to be honest, I'm not interested a lot of them because I do really love the poodle personality.

Luckily I don't have allergies so shedding and dog hair (which is what poodles have) is not an issue for me. Although it is a nice bonus not to have hair all over the place . Most of the dogs from this specific breeder are 2 goldendoodles being bred together although they do have the traditional golden/poodle mix.

Sorry if breeder offended you...she mates dogs so I call her a breeder. I completely understand that mix breeds are not actual breeds.

Sorry not trying to sound defensive here...I'm not trying to start a debate over adopting, rescuing, buying...just looking for some info on this specific "breed".

It will be a reputable breeder, if and only if, the breeder does all the health screenings for both breeds.

The breeder must be able to show you that hips and elbows have been screened on both parents and that they cleared good or better. Demand to see either the OFA results or the PennHip results. OFA is usually more common, but either are acceptable to rule out hip and elbow deformities.

If your breeder has not done even these most basic of tests, they absolutely are NOT reputable breeders.

Then, on top of the hip and elbow testing, certain health screenings should be done for both breeds.

For the Golden Parent, the minimum of testing would be:

• OFA or PennHipp
• CERF
• heart by a certified canine cardiologist
• Be able to tell you the incident of hypothyroidism, seizures, skin problems and allergies for a minimum of 5 generations of the pedigree.

For the poodle parent, the reputable breeder will have at a minimum:

• The OFA or PennHipp screening
• The CERF
• a DNA test screening for von Willebrands disease
• be able to tell you the incident of Addison's disease in the Poodle parent's pedigree for the minimum of the past 5 generations.

If your breeder cannot provide the proof of these tests and is not knowledgeable of any and all health problems of both dog's pedigrees for a minimum of 5 generations,

they absolutely are not a reputable nor ethical breeder

 

[Wonders10]

We have a Labradoodle! He is Lab and mini poodle, so he should be around 40-50 pounds which is just the size that we wanted!! He is now 8.5 months old and is 40.4 pounds, so we'll see how big he actually gets! He is the smartest and most loving pup that we have ever been around. He is a great dog and I am so glad that we got him. He does shed, but I figured that he would, I didn't know that poodles didn't (or do they? I have heard both)??

But anyhow our neighbors had a goldendoodle and they ended up finding a new home for her. They just didn't have the time to spend with her and she was tearing up everything in their home... carpets, couch, toys, clothes... and she shed quite a bit and they thought she shouldn't... she was also bigger than they thought she should be Sad, but she does now have a LOVING home and they go and visit her every few weeks. She is a great dog, just not great for them!

Now back to our dog. We got him from a petstore. We were NOT looking to get a dog but just fell in LOVE with him when we seen him in the cage. We went back 3 days in a row before we took him out of the cage to see what he was really like, then another 2 days before we went and took him home! We weren't looking to get a dog, but the time was right and we did do some research before we bought him and brought him home with us! He was so easy to train and is such a blessing, so glad we got him!

Purebred poodles should not shed. Unlike many dogs that have fur, they actually have hair and unless it is brushed and groomed regulary will mat and cause a big ol ugly mess. Trust me - I've lived it. Brush your poodles!

I never see a single hair around my mom's house in the almost 5 years she has had phoebe.

I hope you have on your flame retardant suit. Many people disapprove of these mixed breed dogs and often these topics can get fairly heated. HOWEVER, look at the pic in my avatar - that's my Annabelle. She is a Goldendoodle and will be 5 in Oct.

She is a very sweet dog. As a puppy, we had a ton of struggles with her - biggest was nippiness. She is not like that now, but if she's really happy to see you, she might take your wrist (very lightly) or sleeve and walk you around the room. She is a very happy, friendly dog.

We have 3 kids and she loves being in the backyard playing football, badmitten, baseball, etc.

Annabelle is a "counter cruiser" and she has been known to steal and eat an entire loaf of bread - more than once.

She loves everyone and is absolutely no protection whatsoever. Her bark sounds fierce but she wouldn't hurt a flea. She had her chance to catch a bird with a bad wing in our driveway once - she didn't touch it but watched it hop into the woods.

If you want a dog that loves everyone and is a complete clown - this is it.

Goldendoodles.com is a great site, they list reputable breeders and there is also a forum for labradoodles/goldendoodles.

Good luck with your search and feel free to pm me for any info.

I know - goldendoodles have become one of those "designer dogs". As soon as I posted the thread I was nervous I would get many flames thrown at me - for the breed itself, for the fact that I'm buying not rescuing, etc. To each is own. It sounds like your doodle is very much like my mom's standard poodle.

Your annabelle is adorable. That was one of my potential dog names but I had a cat named annabell when I was a little girl so I'm going with something else. I've got my boy and girl names list going for whoever I end up taking home with me at some point. Thanks for the link - i"ll check it out.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

But anyhow our neighbors had a goldendoodle and they ended up finding a new home for her. They just didn't have the time to spend with her and she was tearing up everything in their home... carpets, couch, toys, clothes... and she shed quite a bit and they thought she shouldn't... she was also bigger than they thought she should be

These were people who did not do their research, which is something that anyone taking any dog into their home needs to do.

Puppies take time, and chew.

And getting a dog of mixed heritage means that the offspring can have qualities from either parent.

 

[Wonders10]

It will be a reputable breeder, if and only if, the breeder does all the health screenings for both breeds.

The breeder must be able to show you that hips and elbows have been screened on both parents and that they cleared good or better. Demand to see either the OFA results or the PennHip results. OFA is usually more common, but either are acceptable to rule out hip and elbow deformities.

If your breeder has not done even these most basic of tests, they absolutely are NOT reputable breeders.

Then, on top of the hip and elbow testing, certain health screenings should be done for both breeds.

For the Golden Parent, the minimum of testing would be:

• OFA or PennHipp
• CERF
• heart by a certified canine cardiologist
• Be able to tell you the incident of hypothyroidism, seizures, skin problems and allergies for a minimum of 5 generations of the pedigree.

For the poodle parent, the reputable breeder will have at a minimum:

• The OFA or PennHipp screening
• The CERF
• a DNA test screening for von Willebrands disease
• be able to tell you the incident of Addison's disease in the Poodle parent's pedigree for the minimum of the past 5 generations.

If your breeder cannot provide the proof of these tests and is not knowledgeable of any and all health problems of both dog's pedigrees for a minimum of 5 generations,

they absolutely are not a reputable nor ethical breeder

Thanks! Their site does mention all the genetic and health testing but doesn't go into specifics so now I will know what to ask if it gets to that point. Or just for future reference. Thanks again.

 

[Wonders10]

These were people who did not do their research, which is something that anyone taking any dog into their home needs to do.

Puppies take time, and chew.

And getting a dog of mixed heritage means that the offspring can have qualities from either parent.

I'm sorry - that made me smile. My dog will be "bi-racial".

I agree though - dogs are dogs. They chew and run and play and need to be trained no matter what breed(s) they are. That part tested my patience but would in no way keep me from getting another pooch.

 

[Wonders10]

Toy poodles are overbred so badly that they are so easy to find these days in rescues. Sad I wish I could convince DH that a poodle can be a manly animal.

Good luck!

My mom's neighbor got a maltese a couple years ago from a friend who couldn't keep it. Anyway, the husband/dad is this very big manly man and it is the funniest thing to see him walking around the neighborhood with this teeny dog that he could crush with one hand. He adores the dog! Although it is not allowed at all to wear bows or scarves or anything decorative - because he's a boy and that wouldn't be manly.

 

[Nana Annie]

I've also read that their life span is longer and they tend to be healthier than a poodle or golden purebred. Which if true, would be a plus.

That is a fallacy.

In fact, the exact opposite is true. Usually the dogs that are being used to create mixes are not the ones that have been health screened. This is mainly because no reputable Golden or Poodle breeder would ever sell one of their dogs to be used for creating mixes.

So, the parents of the Goldendoodles, the labradoodles, or any of the designer mixes are usually pet shop or puppy mill dogs.

And no matter what you do, if you breed two unhealthy, unscreened dogs together, the chances that you get an unhealthy dog are maximized.

IF your breeder is doing all the health screenings, then you are good to go.

Contact your local Golden association and local Poodle association and ask the reputable breeders what the standard health screenings are done before they breed.

Then demand that your Goldendoodle breeder have the same screenings.

If they do, then you can be comfortable with the breeder.

If they don't do health screenings, you are taking a huge risk that you are going to have more vet bills than if you went with a reputable breeder.

I have seen way too many people poo-poo the health screenings only to find that they are spending $$$$ for surgery because their dog has dysplasia or have to shell out big bucks for their monthly allergy pills, etc.

Get what kind of dog that appeals to you. Just make sure that any breeder you purchase from is ethical enough to only breed dogs that are as free from disease as possible by doing health screenings.

Health screenings are expensive and the unethical breeder just wants to make big bucks and won't do them.

But the ethical breeder will do it because they are more concerned about putting healthy puppies on the ground than padding their wallet, not caring that you might have to shell out big bucks over your now much loved puppy.

And health guarantees for the designer dogs are a joke. Most of them say you have to return the puppy if there is something wrong. Right. Like you are going to return the puppy that you have grown to love, knowing that it will just be put down. No, just like one of your kids, you will get it the medical care it needs.

Better to minimize that at the start than have a nasty surprise when your dog has the common heart defect of puppy mill Goldens, or dysplasia, or nasty allergies, or seizures, or von Willebrands disease, or Addisons.

All expensive to treat.

 

[Wonders10]

Goldendoodles.com has the breeder I found listed on it. Plus a couple other ones in florida that I'll look into.

I completely admit to being naive when buying phoebe. We wanted a dog. We wanted a standard since my mom had about 5 growing up. I saw an ad in our paper, called and made an appt to see the puppes, and walked out with less money and a 10 lb poodle. So far, she has been amazing and healthy (knock on wood) but I will do a lot more research this time...especially with the popularity of this kind of dog, many people are simply trying to cash in.

 

[nephthys43]

My mom's neighbor got a maltese a couple years ago from a friend who couldn't keep it. Anyway, the husband/dad is this very big manly man and it is the funniest thing to see him walking around the neighborhood with this teeny dog that he could crush with one hand. He adores the dog! Although it is not allowed at all to wear bows or scarves or anything decorative - because he's a boy and that wouldn't be manly.

sounds like my neighbor. he started out with a maltese and now has a mini poodle as well. he's this big ex-cop and watching him walk around the block with the two eensy weensy dogs amuses me to no end. he lives behind me and those little things squeek their fool heads off when my daughter's in the backyard. she gives me this look like, "momma, why's them little doggies barkin at me? i could eat them for a snack?"

 

[tle1213]

I know this is an older post, but I wanted your advice. I did ask my breeder about

It will be a reputable breeder, if and only if, the breeder does all the health screenings for both breeds.

The breeder must be able to show you that hips and elbows have been screened on both parents and that they cleared good or better. Demand to see either the OFA results or the PennHip results. OFA is usually more common, but either are acceptable to rule out hip and elbow deformities.

If your breeder has not done even these most basic of tests, they absolutely are NOT reputable breeders.

Then, on top of the hip and elbow testing, certain health screenings should be done for both breeds.

For the Golden Parent, the minimum of testing would be:

• OFA or PennHipp
• CERF
• heart by a certified canine cardiologist
• Be able to tell you the incident of hypothyroidism, seizures, skin problems and allergies for a minimum of 5 generations of the pedigree.

For the poodle parent, the reputable breeder will have at a minimum:

• The OFA or PennHipp screening
• The CERF
• a DNA test screening for von Willebrands disease
• be able to tell you the incident of Addison's disease in the Poodle parent's pedigree for the minimum of the past 5 generations.

If your breeder cannot provide the proof of these tests and is not knowledgeable of any and all health problems of both dog's pedigrees for a minimum of 5 generations,

they absolutely are not a reputable nor ethical breeder

 

[tle1213]

Thank you, Nana Annie, for this post. I used your info to confront my breeder about these minimum tests you mentioned. Her response was this "All of our parents are checked by our vet regularly to be sure their health stays tip top....Their heart, eyes, hips, knees, elbows, skin.....anything that could possibly be passed onto their offspring....if he sees any changes that raises any red flags, they are retired from breeding....our 2 year health guarantee covers anything genetic....should anything arise, we will cover the cost of treatment up to the cost of your puppy or you can get another puppy so it's very important for us to keep up with their health instead of one time tests. The puppies are seen by our vet twice before they go home. They go when they're between 3-5 days old to get checked and to get their dew claws removed, and again at 6 weeks old to be checked, wormed and vaccinated. Our vet is such a fan of these puppies. He's a true believer that mixed breeds are so much healthier than pure breeds."

So, my question to you is this: Would you feel comfortable with this response? I know that the "2 year guarantee" is sort of the norm in my area (MI and Indiana areas....basically all the midwest). I'm getting ready to shell out big bucks and want to feel comfortable that I'm getting as healthy of a puppy as possible. Is the parent vet check enough? Thoughts?