Golden Retriever Poodle Mix

Goldendoodles are the middle ground for anyone struggling to decide between a golden retriever and Poodle.

Goldendoodles have fantastic personalities, an adorable appearance, and decent health. They are highly trainable and intelligent, which makes them excellent service dogs.

However, Goldendoodles aren’t low-maintenance dogs. They need plenty of physical activity, mental stimulation, and regular grooming to maintain their health and prevent behavior problems.

Appearance

Goldendoodle appearance depends on which Poodle type a golden retriever was bred with.

Typically, goldens breed with standard Poodles because they have an appropriate size, but some breeders attempt to mix smaller varieties with goldens.

Goldendoodles may have three coat types: straight, wavy, or curly, but they never shed much despite golden retrievers being notorious shedders.

Goldendoodles are considered hypoallergenic, although there’s always some risk of an allergic reaction.

The overall dog’s appearance varies by type. Goldendoodles come in three types – F1, F1b, and F2.

F1 are first-generation Goldendoodles resulting from a mix of standard Poodle and a golden retriever that can resemble either of the parents.

Goldendoodles don’t always inherit 50% Poodle and 50% golden traits. F1b Goldendoodles come from a mix of Goldendoodle and Poodle, so they have more Poodle traits than golden retriever and look more like the former.

Lastly, F2 Goldendoodles come from two Goldendoodles. Because that’s a double hybrid, their appearance may vary greatly. All Goldendoodles have drop ears, long snouts, and round eyes.

These dogs range from 19 to 24 inches in height and weigh 45 to 75 pounds. Goldendoodle colors include apricot, gold, black, blue, champagne, chocolate, and brindle. The color is usually solid but may have markings unique for each dog.

Temperament

Temperament is what makes Goldendoodles so popular. These dogs take the best of both worlds, featuring a playful, exuberant, and curious yet intelligent and obedient nature.

Goldendoodles are empathetic and can effectively communicate with owners. They don’t mind strangers and other animals – Goldendoodles seem to get along with everyone because they are outgoing and affectionate.

Because of a low prey drive and patience, Goldendoodles are perfect for families with kids and small pets. The golden retriever Poodle cross is highly attached to owners and loyal.

Although Goldendoodles make poor guard dogs because of their friendliness, they won’t let someone hurt their favorite humans. These dogs are never aggressive and rarely anxious. They tend to be confident and fearless.

Finding a con in Goldendoodle temperament is challenging – this cross is nearly perfect. However, there is always variation, and each puppy is unique, so some Goldendoodles may have traits that aren’t standard to the breed.

Poor behavior in Goldendoodles usually results from under-socialization or a history of abuse rather than genetics.

Intelligence & Trainability

Goldendoodle is among the most intelligent designer dog breeds – perhaps, its only competitor is the Golden Border Collie.

Golden retrievers are ranked fourth and Poodles second in Stanley Coren’s working dog intelligence study, so their cross is bound to be brilliant.

But what is canine intelligence, exactly? Coren based his research on several parameters: how quickly a dog memorizes commands, how often it obeys them, how well it communicates with the owner, and how well it resolves complex tasks requiring non-standard thinking.

Both parent breeds show fantastic results, and so do Goldendoodles. These dogs can learn new commands from five repetitions and have never heard about stubbornness. Training a Goldendoodle is simple, even for first-time owners.

They are highly obedient but can quickly assess the situation and act independently when necessary. Goldendoodle is the ultimate service dog that can perform the most challenging tasks.

However, Goldendoodles make poor guard dogs and average hunting companions because of their friendly nature and low prey drive.

Health

A Goldendoodle can inherit medical conditions from either of its parents, so it’s worth knowing the widespread golden retriever and Poodle health problems.

Both parent breeds are prone to progressive retinal atrophy, causing partial or full blindness. Thyroid issues resulting from excessive thyroid hormone production are common, causing hyperactivity, increased thirst, and frequent urination.

Like all large dogs, Goldendoodles are susceptible to hip dysplasia, preventing a dog from moving properly because of hip joint developmental issues.

Owners can prevent the disease by being mindful of how much exercise their dog is getting in puppyhood.

Ear infections are common in all dogs with drop ears because of their anatomy, so ear cleaning must be part of the Goldendoodle grooming routine. Insufficient grooming may also cause skin condition development.

Unfortunately, both parent breeds are prone to cancer, and so do Goldendoodles. Epilepsy, bloat, and Addison’s disease are other Goldendoodle health problems to watch out for.

Grooming

The worst part about having a golden retriever is tiresome grooming and heavy shedding. Fortunately, Goldendoodles typically inherit the coat of Poodles, which doesn’t shed much.

Golden retriever Poodle mix grooming depends on its coat type. Curly fur needs daily brushing because it tangles faster than straight fur. Still, even Goldendoodles with straight hair need frequent brushing with a slicker brush.

The general recommendation is to bathe a Goldendoodle once a month, but the frequency may vary depending on the dog’s cut, season, and lifestyle.

The tricky part with Goldendoodle grooming is that they need regular professional haircuts. Like Poodles, Goldendoodles don’t have a coat – they have hair that continues to grow until it is cut.

On the one hand, haircuts are fun because owners can choose from various creative styles. Plus, a short haircut prevents tangling. On the other hand, professional grooming is expensive.

The most popular Goldendoodle haircuts are the kennel, puppy, lamb, lion, and signature Poodle Continental cut.

Additionally, owners must brush their dog’s teeth, trim its claws, and clean its ears, but this should go without saying and doesn’t depend on the breed.

Exercise Needs

Poodles are less energetic than golden retrievers but aren’t “couch potatoes.” Both parent breeds are exercise-demanding, so Goldendoodles need at least an hour of walking daily.

The exercise duration also depends on its type. Running or playing fetch can take 30 minutes because these activities are more energy-consuming. Many Goldendoodles appreciate swimming because of their golden retriever heritage.

Most importantly, owners shouldn’t neglect their dog’s needs for mental stimulation. Goldendoodles are highly intelligent and need plenty of environmental enrichment, or they might get bored and engage in destructive behavior.

Exercise helps prevent some health conditions and keep the dog’s weight within the normal range. Puppies need less exercise because too much activity can lead to hip dysplasia.

Life Expectancy

Goldendoodle’s life expectancy is 10 to 15 years, the same as Poodle’s or golden retriever’s.

Hybrid dogs are usually healthier than their purebred ancestors, but medium and large dogs rarely live longer than 15 years.

Behavior Problems

It may seem that the Goldendoodle temperament is perfect. Still, even these friendly, intelligent dogs can cause the owners trouble if they aren’t socialized properly or don’t get enough exercise and mental stimulation.

Bored Goldendoodles may become mischievous and engage in destructive behavior, chewing on things, digging on the floor, and moving furniture. Although Poodles and goldens aren’t big barkers, Goldendoodles may vocalize excessively out of boredom.

Separation anxiety is widespread in both parent breeds because they are very people-oriented and can’t stand being alone. The problem is characterized by descriptive behavior, attempts to escape, drooling, and potty accidents.

Goldendoodle puppies that have never been exposed to unfamiliar environments, sounds, and people may grow up anxious or have phobias. Anxiety sometimes causes aggression.

Pulling on the leash and jumping on people is standard for Goldendoodles in puppyhood, but such habits shouldn’t be encouraged.

Fortunately, most Goldendoodle behavior problems can be easily resolved with training and socialization.

Rarity

Golden retrievers and Poodles are some of the most popular dog breeds in the U.S., but the popularity of parent breeds doesn’t yet guarantee that their hybrid will be equally sought-after.

However, that’s exactly the case with Goldendoodles. They are among the most popular designer dogs, always present in the best crossbreed dog guides.

The most common Goldendoodle colors are tan, red, cream, apricot, and champagne. If you want to stand out, search for a black, white, silver, merle, or tuxedo Goldendoodle, but be prepared to invest some time and effort.

Price

Goldendoodle price starts at $1,500 and can exceed $5,000, which is uncommon for crossbreed dogs. Usually, hybrids cost less than purebred dogs, which makes many people wonder – why are Goldendoodles so expensive?

Firstly, the demand for the breed currently exceeds the supply. Many people want to buy a Goldendoodle because of its wonderful temperament, but not that many people breed these dogs.

Secondly, the initial price of Poodles and golden retrievers is high because they are popular breeds. Thirdly, reputable breeders invest a lot of time and energy into training and socializing their puppies.

Health clearances and champion bloodline can also add to the cost of a Goldendoodle puppy.

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