About the breed:
A Goldendoodle is a hybrid cross between a Golden
Retriever and a Poodle. Using a Standard Poodle parent would result in a
Standard Goldendoodle of a large size, where using a Miniature Poodle
parent would result in a Miniature Goldendoodle of a smaller size.
It’s ancestry along both parent lines are as hunters and water dogs.
As far as physical appearance, the Goldendoodle varies from a
shaggy-looking retriever to a curl-relaxed poodle, but often falls in
between. Coat color can be black, apricot, cream, gold, red, or
chocolate. Many Goldendoodle’s have a non-shedding coat or shed
lightly, and can be hypo-allergenic.
Breeding and
genetics:
F1: Breeding a Golden Retriever and a
Poodle results in first generation Goldendoodle’s (F1); 50% Golden
Retriever and 50% Poodle. Coat type can result to be smooth/straight
like a Golden Retriever, wiry, wavy/shaggy, and occasionally curly. They
can be shedding, non-shedding, or lightly shedding, but all pups in the
same litter can vary in coat type. This cross may not be recommended for
people with severe allergies.
F1-B: Breeding an F1 Goldendoodle and a
Poodle results in pups that are 25% Golden Retriever and 75% Poodle.
This occurs when a Goldendoodle is bred back to a Poodle. The coat types
tend to be wavy/curly or shaggy. F1B Goldendoodle’s are the most
likely to be non-shedding and allergy friendly. This coat type is quite
easy to maintain. It is also possible to breed an F1 Goldendoodle back
to the Golden Retriever. This would result in a dog with more of a
shedding coat, with more Golden Retriever characteristics.
F2: Breeding an F1 Goldendoodle to an F1
Goldendoodle. This generation is likely to have the same percentage of
Golden Retriever – Poodle mix as the F1 Goldendoodle.
However, there may be quite a variety of genetics in the litter.
Some pups may be more Poodle-like in appearance and coat (25%), other
puppies may be more Retriever-like (25%), and others will remain in the
middle, more like the Goldendoodle (50%). They are more likely to shed
than the F1B Goldendoodle’s (if they inherit more traits from the
Goldendoodle) and are very similar to an F1 Goldendoodle.
F3: Breeding an F2
Goldendoodle to an F2 Goldendoodle. This is a third generation Doodle.
Multi-generation:
Breeding an F3 or higher generation Goldendoodle to a F3 or higher
generation Goldendoodle.
Standard Goldendoodle: Breeding a Standard
Poodle with a Golden Retriever. This results in a much larger size dog,
closer to the size of the Standard Poodle in height. This type of
breeding can be done naturally because of the similarity in size of both
breeds.
Miniature Goldendoodle: Breeding a
Miniature or Toy Poodle with a Golden Retriever. This results in a much
smaller dog, but it is hard to determine the size of the puppies. When
breeding two different size dogs, there can be no guarantee in the size
of the offspring and the Goldendoodle puppies can vary greatly in size
within the same litter, but is more dependent on the size of the
parents. If you have a smaller Retriever and smaller Poodle, you would
have smaller puppies. This type of breeding is more often done by
artificial insemination because of the difference in size between the
two breeds. This costs more for the breeder which is why
Mini-Goldendoodle’s are often more expensive than the Standard
Goldendoodle’s. Breeding by artificial insemination does not always
guarantee that the female will take and become pregnant. There are much
more costs in vet bills, and it can be very time consuming with several
trips to the vet for progesterone testing and breeding.
People are often concerned about health problems in the
Mini-Goldendoodle’s. They seem to have less health problems and live
longer than the Standard Goldendoodle. There is little concern for hip-dysplasia
because of the smaller size (generally less than 35 pounds). All small
and toy breeds originally were bred down in size from larger dogs.
Because they share less of the same bad genetic traits,
Mini-Goldendoodle’s tend to live longer and have less health problems
than the Standard Goldendoodle’s.
Temperament:
Goldendoodle’s are very intelligent
and loyal as a family companion. They are friendly and gentle towards
children, other animals, and easy with strangers. They are happiest when
they get attention and are around people because they are such social
dogs. If they spend most of their lives alone, they are likely to get
into mischief and develop behaviour problems because of their
loneliness. They are obedient and eager to please. Because of their love
of learning, intelligence, and eagerness to please, they are very easy
to train.
Size:
Standard Goldendoodle’s are the
largest size of Goldendoodle. They are medium to large in size, are
about the height of a Standard Poodle with the more robust body of a
Golden Retriever (or somewhere in between). Depending on the height and
weight of the parents can determine different sizes of the offspring.
The average Goldendoodle seems to stay within the range of the expected
sizes, however it has been reported that several Goldendoodle’s have
exceeded the expected height and weight standards. I have provided the
standard sizes for the Standard Goldendoodle, Miniature Goldendoodle,
Standard Poodle, Miniature Poodle, Toy Poodle, and Golden Retriever.
Standard Goldendoodle:
Height: Males average around 21-24
inches tall (54-62 cm). Females average around 20-22 ˝ inches (51-58
cm).
Weight: Males average around 55-75 pounds (25-35 kg). Females average
around 45-65 pounds (20-29 kg).
Miniature Goldendoodle:
Height: (May vary greatly within the
same litter. Depends on the size of the parents.)
Weight: (May vary greatly within the same litter. Depends on the size of
the parents.)
Standard Poodle:
Height: 15 inches (38 cm) or more.
Weight: Males average around 45-70 pounds (20-32 kg). Females average
around 45-60 pounds (20-27 kg).
Miniature Poodle:
Height: 11-15 inches (28-38 cm).
Weight: 15-17 pounds (7-8 kg).
Toy Poodle:
Height: up to 10 inches (25.4 cm).
Weight: 6-9 pounds (3-4 kg).
Golden Retriever:
Height: Males average around 22-24
inches tall (55-61 cm). Females average around 20 -22 inches (51-56 cm).
Weight: Males average around 60-80 pounds (27-36 kg). Females average
around 55-70 pounds (25-32 kg).
Health Problems:
Being a hybrid cross, Goldendoodle’s live longer and grow healthier than either
parent line. There are no major concerns with health problems, other
than genetic diseases that are shared by both the Golden Retriever and
the Poodle. Some minor concerns would be associated with CHD (Canine Hip
Dysplasia), SAS (Heart Disease), and cataract. It is suggested to
perform hip, heart, and eye tests.
Living Conditions and
Exercise:
Goldendoodle’s
can adapt to city or farm life. They require moderate amount of daily
exercise and their coats are generally low maintenance. The Retriever in
them allows them to enjoy retrieving games and swimming. They are
happiest when around people because they are such social dogs.
Life Expectancy:
Standard
Goldendoodle: Depending on size and conditions, they are expected to
live 10 – 15 years.
Miniature
Goldendoodle: Depending on size and conditions, they are expected to
live 12 - 17 years.
Grooming
Requirements:
Goldendoodle’s
can inherit a coat that looks Retriever-like, Poodle-like, but usually
somewhere in between. Like many Poodle crosses, Goldendoodle’s are
non-shedding, or shed lightly, and could be hypo-allergenic. They
generally require little grooming.
Origin:
The Goldendoodle gets its name from
the mixed heritage of the Golden Retriever and the Poodle. Being a
hybrid dog (a first generation cross), they exhibit “hybrid vigor”.
This refers to the fact that the first cross between two unrelated
purebred lines is healthier and grows better than either parent line.
The puppies take the best traits of both breeds. This is why
Goldendoodle’s are terrific family dogs, friendly, intelligent,
affectionate, and easy to train. City life has different demands and
needs, and more people are looking for companions rather than hunting
dogs. People need for dogs to be playful, friendly towards people and
pets, easy to train, and easy to maintain, which is what motivated
breeders to cross breed the most intelligent and popular breeds of our
time.
Group:
Goldendoodle’s
make good hunting dogs and flushing dogs.
Recognition:
Goldendoodle's
are recognized in the American Canine Hybrid Club.
Therapy:
A lot of people
have found Goldendoodle's to be great therapy and guide dogs. They have
the temperament and gentle nature of a Golden Retriever, the intelligence
of both the Retriever and Poodle, and have minimal shedding for those
with allergies. The Goldendoodle has an eager-to-please nature, and they
love to serve and be around people.
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