Bella the Gorgeous Goldendoodle

This is Bella, a 6 week old Goldendoodle and a client of The Pawfessionals Dog Walkers & Pet Sitters.

This cross breed of Golden Retriever and Poodle started in America and Australia in the 1990s to develop guide dogs for visually impaired people with allergies. Now, the Goldendoodle, also called Groodle, is categorized as a Hybrid breed and is bred to be a wonderful family dog, especially for those with allergies, as the Poodle coat is highly hypoallergenic. Though some of these cross breeds are not completely shed-free, most of them are low to non-shedding. Goldendoodles also make great bird dogs. 

The double characteristic of this breed makes it intelligent, highly trainability, and affectionate with humans and other pets. Because of these traits, Goldendoodles have been utilized as guide, therapy, search and rescue dogs since 2005.  

This breed typically develops extremely strong bonds with their owners, and children, and is calm with a level temperament. However, they need regular exercise and attention from their owners. They are prone to separation anxiety so it is a good idea to crate them when left alone to avoid destructive behavior. They also possess aggressive traits, so they need proper socialization from puppyhood to avoid fearfulness. 

As popular as this breed has become, the Goldendoodle is not recognized as a breed by the AKC, UKC or the CKC, although some kennel clubs allow the breed in agility and performance events. 

Both Golden Retrievers and Poodles tend to be quite healthy, although they are both susceptible to hip dysplasia, inherited eye disorders and ear infections from swimming. Poodles also tend to develop a bleeding disorder called Von Willebrands disease (vWD).

Goldendoodles range from small to large sized dogs and have wavy to curly coats, two to three inches long. The coat variety can be black, copper, white, cream, gray, gold, apricot or red and it requires frequent brushing. These dogs also require less bathing than most because their natural, moisturizing oils are necessary to keep their skin conditioned.

Their ears need to be checked weekly for redness and odor to detect a possible infection by wiping them with a pH-balanced ear cleaner on a cotton ball. Do NOT use a swab stick or insert anything into the ears.

With a life span of 10 to 15 years, the Goldendoodle is considered to be a “Designer Dog”, which is a late 20^th Century term, because of their particular combination of such desirable characteristics.

Other examples of Designer Dogs are the Cockapoo, Labradoodle, Buggs (Boston Terrier/Pug), Pomapoo (Pomeranian/Toy Poodle), Pomsky (Pomeranian/Husky), Yorkiepoo, Myorkie (Maltese/Yorkshire Terrier), Maltepoo (Maltese/Yorkie) and the Chorkie (Chihuahua/Yorkshire Terrier).

– Kassira McKee

For more information on the Goldendoodle, click here: