Golden Doodle (Groodle)
Recommended for: Singles, families
Maintenance Level: Medium
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Temperament:
Active, intelligent
Active, intelligent
Health Risk:
This breed has an around average probability of having health issues in its lifetime, hence it is one of the more affordable breeds to insure.
This breed has an around average probability of having health issues in its lifetime, hence it is one of the more affordable breeds to insure.
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Breed Overview
The Groodle also known as Goldendoodle is a hybrid breed or crossbreed dog. First developed some time in the 1990s, the Groodle is a mix breed with the Golden Retriever cross Poodle.
Groodle or Goldendoodles are a very new breed of dog, developed solely for the purpose of companion animal or family pet. The appearance of the Goldendoodle puppy varies, but they are generally medium-sized animals with a mid-length, curly coat. There are toy and miniature varieties, however, and the coast can also be wavy rather than curly.
The mix is highly intelligent. Both Golden Retrievers and Poodles have long histories based in hunting and both breeds’ high level of independence and intelligence translate to the Golden Retriever cross Poodle. As family pets the Goldendoodles show a great deal of tolerance and loyalty to their owners. They have a great reputation with children, known for their easy going and calm nature.
Goldendoodles tend to be very energetic dogs, however, and require a good deal of exercise. Regular mental and physical stimulation is also a must and can come in the form of games. Being very human-orientated animals, Goldendoodles love being involved with the family and need regular human contact to remain happy.
Because the Goldendoodle is a crossbreed, they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Medium-sized Goldendoodles will grow to between 60 and 66cm and weigh between 13 and 20kgs. Larger sized Goldendoodles can weigh between 23-45kgs. A healthy Goldendoodle will usually live to between 12 and 15 years of age.
Personality and Temperament
The Goldendoodle is a very intelligent dog and requires the attention and care of a devoted family to remain happy and healthy. The breed’s intelligence means that it loves to be involved in games and family events.
A very social animal, the Goldendoodle requires a good deal of attention from humans. The breed can develop separation anxiety if left to its own devices for any extended period of time and this can result in behavioural problems. If a Goldendoodle isn’t taken for walks at least once a day, or played with regularly, it will not be uncommon to find that destructive habits have formed.
Goldendoodles have a fantastic reputation for high levels of tolerance for children. They placid and care-free nature of the Golden Retriever, paired with the energetic and playful character of the Poodle makes for an enthusiastic and joyful companion. Small children may find the larger Goldendoodles a bit of a handful during playtime and, under the age of eight, should be carefully supervised.
The Goldendoodle is known for its patience and its ability to cohabitate peacefully with other pets in the home. This fact aside, early socialisation as a puppy is a great way to ensure complete tolerance, and good training is a must.
Training isn’t a challenge with this intelligent breed; the Goldendoodle is eager to please its master and will respond well to reward-based instruction. Like any dog, however, firm discipline should be employed consistently and a clear hierarchy maintained from the get go. The Goldendoodle will respond best to an owner who is an obvious pack leader.
Goldendoodles are best suited to living indoors with a family who will shower them with attention. They will greet friends with affection and their family with steadfast loyalty.
Common Golden Doodle (Groodle) Diseases & Conditions
Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
- Skin Allergies. Goldendoodles are prone to skin allergies and may develop rashes or excessive hair loss as a result. Keep an eye out for scratching and general discomfort. Visiting the vet can bring about a solution, but regular bathing and flea control is a good preventative measure.
- Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus. A serious condition, gastric dilatation is when the stomach becomes swollen with gas and fluid. Volvulus is the twisting of the stomach. This will prevent the dog from vomiting and is quite a serious condition; something life threatening when left untreated. It can cause dehydration, gastric perforation, and peritonitis. Signs to look out for include retching without vomiting, enlargement of the abdomen and restless pacing. The Goldendoodle may whine or groan when their belly is touched. The best way to avoid gastric dilation and volvulus or ‘bloat’ is to avoid feeding your Goldendoodle large meals. Spread them out during the day and feed them at least an hour before or after any rigorous exercise.
- Hip Dysplasia. Although not common in Goldendoodle, hip dysplasia does occur in the breed. This is when the hip doesn’t form properly, leading to possible lameness over time.
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History
The Goldendoodle is a product of recent trends in dog crossbreeding for the purposes of producing a better companion dog. The Poodle has, in the last few decades, become a popular breed for crossbreeding and the Labradoodle, Goldendoodle and Cockapoo are all popular Poodle hybrids.
The Goldendoodle was developed throughout the 1990s after the great success the Labradoodle as a guide dog and general companion animal. It was suspected that the placid and good-natured temperament of the Golden Retriever, paired with the high intelligence of the Poodle would produce a breed of great charm and spunk.
The resulting Goldendoodles are known to have what is called ‘hybrid vigour’, meaning the new breed tends to be healthier than the Golden Retriever and Poodle. The second generation of Goldendoodles are known to shed very little, much like their Poodle ancestors, and have become popular with people who suffer from allergies.
Although the Goldendoodle is a very popular breed, comparable with the Labradoodle, the breed is not recognised by any major kennel clubs. Goldendoodles are very popular in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia.
Golden Doodle (Groodle) Facts!
- The name ‘Goldendoodle’ was first coined by Wally Conron in 1992. After being asked on the street if his dog was a Labradoodle, he replied, “No, it’s a Goldendoodle.” Since this time the Goldendoodle has gone by a number of names, including ‘Golden Poo’, ‘Goldie Poo’ and ‘Groodle’.
- Because of the Poodle influence in the breed, Goldendoodles of the second generation rarely shed any hair. They have a reputation for being suitable companion animals for people with allergies.
- Because they are a crossbreed or hybrid breed, Goldendoodles are known to be much healthier than their parent breeds, the Golden Retriever and Poodle. With each generation they become more robust, making them a very fit and long-living dog.
- In October 2012, pop star Usher outbid Gossip Girl actress Jessica Szohr at a New York charity event to take home a little Goldendoodle puppy. Usher beat Szohr’s winning bid by $1000 to win the dog. It’s thought to be the most expensive Goldendoodle purchase ever at a tidy $12,000.
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