A male Goldendoodle. |
|
| Breeds | Golden Retriever, Poodle |
|---|---|
| Other names | Groodle Curly Golden Goldenoodle Goldenpoo Goldiedoodle |
A Goldendoodle is a cross-breed dog obtained by breeding a golden retriever with a poodle. The name, which was coined in 1992, gets the first part, "golden", from golden retriever and the second part, “doodle”, from "Labradoodle", another poodle hybrid.[1]
Contents |
In the 1990s,[2] breeders in both North America and Australia began crossing golden retrievers with standard poodles.[1] The original purpose of the cross was to attempt to develop guide dogs suitable for visually impaired individuals with allergies.
The Goldendoodle is usually bred to be a family companion dog. It may suit families with mild dog allergies, if the puppy has inherited hair characteristics of its poodle parent. [1] Some are bred for careers in service to humans as guide dog, therapy dogs, or other types of assistance dogs, especially for people with allergies.[3]
A person may select a goldendoodle because they love golden retrievers, but would prefer a dog that sheds less hair. Although not all goldendoodles exhibit the low shedding coat type of the Standard Poodle, some people with allergies may need a dog that does not shed. The standard goldendoodle may shed less than a golden retriever, but the degree of shedding will vary from dog to dog. Grooming requirements are as varied as coat types. A dog with a coat that sheds the least will require more regular grooming than one with a coat that sheds more often.[4] While some breeders claim that the Goldendoodle is a hypoallergenic dog, there have been no studies to date verifying that any canine is completely hypoallergenic. If they inherit the characteristics from the golden retriever parent, goldendoodles can make good bird dogs.
Like any other cross-breed, the appearance of goldendoodles vary from individual to individual. Different dogs will display differences in size, coat type, and color. A goldendoodle's size is generally somewhere between that of its poodle and the golden retriever parents. The ranges include standard, medium, and miniature(if the poodle parent was miniature). Some standard-sized goldendoodles have weighed over 100 pounds. Upon reaching adulthood, a standard goldendoodle will often weigh 45 pounds or more. A medium goldendoodle will weigh between 30 to 45 pounds and a miniature goldendoodle will weigh approximately 15 to 30 pounds. It is very common for the golden doodle to inherit the "golden retriever bump" on top of his/her head. [1] [5] Common colors include white, cream, apricot, gold, and red. Goldendoodles may also be a light sandy brown.[6] Goldendoodles are classified into types according to the breed of the Goldendoodle's parents. An F1 goldendoodle is the offspring of a poodle mated with a golden retriever. An F1B goldendoodle is the offspring of a poodle or golden retriever with an F1 goldendoodle. An F2B goldendoodle is the offspring of two F1B Goldendoodles.
Goldendoodles are generally intelligent, affable, trainable, very human oriented, yet friendly toward other dogs. They are high energy dogs, much like their parent breeds.
The Goldendoodle is a specific type of crossbreed. As such, it is not accepted for registration by recognized registries of purebred dogs such as the American Kennel Club, the Canadian Kennel Club, or The Kennel Club (United Kingdom).
Some breeders prefer to restrict breeding to the first generation.[4] This is done in an attempt to maximize genetic diversity and avoid the inherited health problems that have plagued many dog breeds.[7] Other breeders maintain that a golden doodle back crossed with a poodle is less likely to shed and, therefore, may be more suitable for people with allergies. The reasoning behind this is that the offspring of an F1B cross are genetically 75% poodle and 25% golden retriever.
Poodles and golden retrievers are both susceptible to hip dysplasia. Therefore, an OFA or PennHIP exam is required to check for this problem before dogs are bred. Both breeds can also suffer from a number of inheritable eye disorders, so it is important that annual CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) exams are performed before breeding.They are also prone to ear infections(and or yeast infections in the ears) from swimming. Because their ears hang and don't allow the water to drain this may result in ear infections.