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Goldendoodle |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Great Britain <> France -> U.S.A. and Canada | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Goldendoodle |
| The Goldendoodle is an increasingly popular hybrid. First bred systematically in the 1990s, it is a cross between Golden Retriever and Poodle parents. Because the Poodle is available in three clearly defined sizes, toy, miniature and standard, the Goldendoodle can also range from small to large. He's almost always gregarious, cheerful and good-humored. They're an ideal choice for anyone with other pets, or for those looking for a dog that children can associate with without fear of reprisal. Most are reasonably energetic and keeping them indoors requires space; a large garden is essential to keep the Goldendoodle in shape, both physically and mentally. This is a breed created for companionship, although it has been used with great success as a therapy, assistance and sniffer dog. It needs almost constant contact with its inhabitants and should never be forced to live outdoors or spend long periods alone. The Goldendoodle, bored or upset, has a remarkable talent for destructive behavior, including chewing, and swallowing, clothes and shoes. Because of their sociable, outgoing nature, they don't make good watchdogs, and aggression is incredibly rare in this specific crossbreed. The intelligence inherited from both parent breeds makes them very easy to train. The Goldendoodle is also adept at competitive activities. It is a powerful swimmer, which can be part of its daily exercise requirements. Its coat is variable, depending on which parent it inherits this characteristic from, but requires regular grooming. A number of health problems can also be inherited. As with any purebred or hybrid dog, it's worth doing your research before selecting a puppy, as Goldendoodle's popularity has attracted unscrupulous breeders more interested in producing puppies than in maintaining or improving their bloodlines. On average, a Goldendoodle should have a lifespan of 12 to 13 years, although some dogs reach 15 years or more. |
History of the Goldendoodle |
| The Goldendoodle was first created, at least as a recognized hybrid, in the USA in the 1990s. Its creation is said to have been inspired by the popularity of the Labradoodle, which was widely used as a service dog even at that time. They even brought the two crosses together to create the Double Doodle, a true hybrid of hybrids. As with other Doodle breeds, breeders hoped that using the Poodle in the mix would reduce or eliminate excretion, in the mistaken belief that this would make the offspring hypoallergenic. In reality, no dog is hypoallergenic, but the Goldendoodle's low level of shedding remains an attraction for many owners. Most Goldendoodles exemplify all the best traits of both parent breeds, particularly in terms of temperament, but as the majority are first-generation crosses between pedigrees, temperament and appearance can vary considerably between individuals, even siblings. As its popularity grows, we're likely to see more multigenerational crosses, giving more consistent and predictable results. |
A little of the Golden Retriever |
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| The development of the Golden Retriever as a breed is attributed to Scottish Lord Tweedmouth. He worked diligently between around 1835 and 1890 to develop a golden dog gifted at retrieving waterfowl. He achieved this by selecting golden puppies from litters produced by matings between the now extinct Tweed Water Dogs, Flat-Coated Retrievers and Irish Setters. Officially recognized by the Kennel Club in 1911, they were then referred to as yellow or golden, and it was in the 1920s that the golden moniker was officially adopted. | ||
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| Standard of the Golden Retriever | ||
A little of the Poodle |
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| The Standard Poodle is one of three variants of the Poodle breed, the other two being the Miniature and Toy. The Poodle is undoubtedly the most popular choice of dog for creating specific crossbreeds. This is not only because they come in three different sizes, but also because they tend to have soft fur and a gentle, intelligent nature. Poodles have been around since the 15th century and are descended from the French Barbet, a water dog. Although the Poodle is mistakenly thought to be a French breed in its own right, experts agree that it originated in Germany, where it was used for duck hunting. | ||
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| Standard of the Poodle |
Appearance of the Goldendoodle |
| Depending on which parent the Goldendoodle most resembles, it may have a straight or curly coat, with a wavy shape sometimes considered an intermediate. If left uncut, the coat can become quite long, often exceeding 15 cm, although most owners choose to have it clipped regularly for ease of maintenance. These different coat types are often present in the same litter, as first-generation crosses are never uniform. There is a wide variety of coat colors in the breed, including: cream, gold, apricot, red, chocolate, brown, black, gray. Colored dogs, with darker spots on a light background, are also fairly common. Body shape can also vary between siblings, reflecting the stocky, tough structure of the Retriever or the refined, slender look of the Poodle parent. Size, at least, is more predictable, with Goldendoodle offspring falling somewhere between their parents in height and weight. Most are the result of Standard Poodle crosses and therefore have a height at the withers of around 58-63 cm and weigh around 27-32 kg. However, there is a growing demand for smaller dogs, so the Miniature Poodle is often used for breeding to produce miniature Goldendoodles, specific crossbreed dogs. |
Temperament of the Goldendoodle |
| Almost without exception, Goldendoodles are happy, easy-going dogs, with no trace of nervousness or aggression. They live to socialize, and are happiest when out and about in a public space where they can meet and greet everyone. They are naturally gentle and very trustworthy with children and small pets, as they have no hunting instinct. Constant companionship and positive relationships bring all these traits to the fore, but the Goldendoodle has no tolerance for isolation and will become withdrawn and depressed if neglected. It's a dog that should be constantly at its owner's side, and should never be left without fun for long periods. Like the Golden Retriever, it has a penchant for destruction when under-stimulated and will often end up swallowing what it chews to hide the evidence. |
Needs and activities of the Goldendoodle |
| These dogs are very active and energetic, and will thrive in stimulating environments where they can play not only with their owners, but also with other dogs. They are best suited to active families who can play games such as flyball and fetch. Some Goldendoodles may enjoy swimming games, as this activity appeals to the Golden Retriever's instinctive retrieving ability. These dogs will appreciate the mental stimulation provided by agility classes and constant training, which is particularly appreciated by the Poodle breed. Due to their dense, double-layered coats, these dogs do best in cold to temperate climates. However, despite their size and energy level, they can do well in both urban and rural areas so they have plenty of space to run and play. |
Maintenance of the Goldendoodle |
| The Goldendoodle can have a thick coat like that of the Golden Retriever, which is not necessarily hypoallergenic, or a slightly curly coat, which is hypoallergenic. As these dogs have a dense double coat that is very conducive to matting or trapping dirt, they require a lot of grooming. These energetic dogs should be brushed with a smooth brush several times a week to prevent braiding. As a general rule, professional trimming is required every 8 to 12 weeks. With a constantly growing coat, you'll need to ensure that the fur around their eyes, hindquarters, feet and ears is trimmed regularly. These dogs have decent ears and you need to keep an eye out for infections, especially if your dog is a swimmer or is very active. As with all dogs, teeth cleaning should be carried out every week, whenever possible, to prevent dental disease. |
English (United Kingdom)