GoldenDoodle info please General Chat

A colleague of mine is seriously considering getting a Golden Doodle puppy and has asked my advice.

Now I'm probably not the best person to ask as I'm not a fan of this designer crossing generally and my only experience of labradoodles is that they are VERY jumpy and over excited dogs that are generally owned by people who allow them to get away with it.

So, does anyone have any positive experiences of this breed (?), recommendations for breeders and health checks to look out for?

To be honest im with you, the few ive seen at our training class are highly energetic and incredibly strong powerful animals.

Like any dog, the boundaries have to be put in place by the owners, if they are prepared to do that hopefully it can work out.

Why do they fancy this particular cross? if its the no casting side of things, the few ive seen do cast, maybe not as much as my hairy monster, but they do cast.

The Kennel Club website has a list of all health checks that are recommended/required for both Poodles and Labradors; if the breeding stock have not undergone all these (eye, elbows, hips) then I would walk away.

There is a cross like this at our local park. She is HUGE. Very cute and a real livewire. Got the feeling the owners hadn't bargained on her being quite this big though...

When people ask me about these types of dog, I always remind them that there is NO such 'breed' as a 'goldendoodle'. What they are asking about is a Poodle X. Or a Golden Retriever X.

There is also no guarantee that these crosses won't shed - my cousin has Lab X Poodle and they have to get her totally shaved every six weeks; either that or aggressive brushing every single day.

I absolutely agree.

They have already had Goldies their whole lives and lost their last one in November last year. It's broken their hearts and whilst they love the breed they can't imagine having another like her again.

Golden Doodles are great looking but I don't think the temperament will be the same as a goldie.

Sorry I should have said Poodles and Golden Retrievers of course.

I agree about the health tests. I would also want to meet
some dogs bred by the breeder. I would be asking
questions about why they are breeding the cross and how
many generations in they are and what they are aiming for. I would then spend time with poodles and decide
if I would be happy if that was the overriding breed look and temperament. Finally, I would look at GR rescue
Sites and see if that made my heart swing back to them.

I can't understand why anyone would think a goldendoodle was an improvement or a replacement for a golden retriever, even if there was the chance of having a dog that shed less. I think if it were me I would still compare it with a golden reriever, especially if they have had them for a long time. Better what you know I would think.

Every one I've met has been huge and the coat even bigger!

LOL - the one at our local park is so big, bigger than most GRs I think. Her coat was OK but I agree with those who think they don't compare to Goldens. I love Goldens, beautiful dogs.

I have seen one grow up from pup, he was a beautiful puppy, very GR like, but the grown up animal is very much not like a GR. He's the same height as my GSD girl.

They are trying to get him into agility to burn off some of his endless energy.

I suppose I am biased because on Sunday we put our name on a golden retriever pup - only 3 weeks at the moment and she will fill a big gap left by my dear flatcoat, Luna. This morning I woke up so happy and it took me a while to wonder why.

Argh, it drives me mad when people refer to cross breeds as if they were a specific pedigree... I remember when a cross breed was a mongrel and that was that! And now people charge pedigree prices for them!! If you ask me, it is encouraging backyard breeders who let any uncastrated male mate with their bitch!!

Sorry, rant over You just see too many of these crosses that end up in rescues

I would say if they are expecting a Golden like temperament in a Goldendoodle, they are way off the mark. The addition of Standard Poodles to Labradors, Golden's, Cockers, etc., seems to create a dog that is slightly bonkers! slightly bonkers in a good way depending on your perspective -- I like bonkers dogs, but they certainly don't suit everyone. I've NEVER met a Golden/Labradoodle that is as laid back or as calm as their mature purebred counterparts are.

Love the one I know, it is a bitch and she is a very steady confident dog.

Here she is.





rune

Everyone that I met has been madder than a box of frogs!!!

Oh my!!!! Congratulations!! Not a FCR though?!!
I am glad you are happy..quite a change though!!!

My friend has a GR/Poodle that turned out smooth coated and I've gotta say i prefer her to an actual golden. of course she is a one off and you can never guarantee what will you get in terms of temperament and looks, but with two fab breeds like golden retriever and poodle you can't go too far wrong imo. she looks like a golden retriever but a lot more slimmer and defined. very intelligent, trainable and extremely willing to please, calm in general but very zippy and playful at the same time. i would say that she has the good nature of a golden and is good with all dogs/creatures and people but not AS friendly towards people as a golden in that to really get excited to see you she has to 'know' you.
all the the black 'goldendoodles' ive met have been a lot more hyper. the smooth ones that shed appeal to me more than the poodle coated ones. i think getting a goldendoodle for the non shed coat thing is wrong because you cant guarantee and its sad to see the smooth ones ending up in rescues.

There was one who got to the final of the "Dogs for life" competition at Crufts (thought they were very careful to label it as a GR x Poodle and not a Goldendoodle!).

This was a gorgeous looking dog and made such a difference to the owner's life. I guess because they are so high energy they could make a good working dog but not necessarily a good pet. All the Labrador x Poodles I have met have been manic but I haven't met a GR x Poodle yet.