Understanding The Breed
Before contacting us please ensure you have researched the breed. To do this you need to understand both the Golden Retriever and the Poodle. The traits and characteristics from both breeds can, and will, be evident in a Goldendoodle puppy. After reading this ask yourself if this breed is truly right for you. Do you have the time to train it? Do you really have the time and inclination to stimulate it in the way nature intended and in the way that it deserves? What do you really want from your puppy/dog? Here is a brief overview of both the Golden Retriever and the Poodle but please do your extra research.
Goldendoodle - Crossbreed
Understanding this crossbreed, where it came from, its heritage and the makeup of a Goldendoodle is very important. You need to fully understand both breeds (Golden Retriever and Poodle) that make up a Goldendoodle and the behaviours you might face as an owner. While it may be cute as a puppy, if you're not clued up on the traits and behaviours typical to both breeds it can be a different story for you when they become an adult dog and it is paramount that you understand them fully before becoming an owner as these are the behaviours and traits that you will have to live with and the puppy is not a blank canvas when you get it home.
Goldendoodles need their minds and noses stimulating in order to express their natural behaviours. Scent work is a great one for this. That is why it is a good idea to take part in gun dog training to fully engage your Goldendoodle's brain as they need to use their minds and noses and you can do right by your dog by giving them that opportunity. Remember, an enriched and stimulated dog is a happy dog with fewer behavioural issues and therefore makes your life easier. And the best part is it's fun for both dog and owner! They also have grooming requirements. They are double coated meaning they are made up of a tight curly coat and a flat wavy coat. Both have different textures and the combination means that it is important that you maintain a grooming regime at home in order to keep them free from knots and mats in order to remain comfortable in addition to regular visits to the grooming salon. Have you factored this in?
Golden Retriever - Gundog
The Golden Retriever is ultimately a working Gundog that was originally bred to find, flush and retrieve game. This breed is very social, intelligent, trainable, fun-loving, tolerant and makes a good family dog. However, you need to also think about the traits in this breed that may not be so desirable to you. They have a lot of energy, a strong prey drive meaning they like to chase furry things (squirrels, rabbits, deer), and are hyper-social which can lead to separation anxiety and therefore have the potential to be destructive. Their biggest issue is recall because they instincively like to go off hunting and have a need to satisfy that behaviour. They can become obsessed with toys as they like to have something in their mouth and can be quite full on with it - be it a tennis ball or a stick.
Poodle - Utility Breed
The Poodle is a member of the Utility breed group. They were originally bred to retrieve game from water for duck hunters in Germany. They are curious, fun, energetic, smart and easy to train. They need plenty of exercise for both mind and body as they are adventurous and playful and prefer to be with people most of the time. They do however have their unfavourable side and that can look like excessive barking, separation anxiety and resource guarding. They are easily aroused, can be super excitable and high energy with conflicting behaviours. And as a water dog guess what...they quite like water! Can you deal with your Goldendoodle potentially running off to find the nearest muddy, smelly, green pond?!