I am very interested in getting a goldendoodle...

[Jaime Eason]

I just happened upon this website and thought what better way to research goldendoodles than with owners of them? I have been a golden retriever owner my whole life. I just painfully lost my second golden retriever last year to cancer (at the tender age of 3 years old). my fiance was also allergic to him but did his best to tolerate because Bodhi was an angel. can anyone help me decide if this is a good dog for me and my fiance? i have read so much about the breed and honestly cannot find many faults...i mean they even made the front page of a magazine with the title "best breed ever" so i am 99% convinced. can anyone tell me pros and cons please? i have never had anything but goldens because they are the most adorable, they love to swim, run, fetch, they are brilliant (BUT THEY SHED UNCONTROLLABLY)...i just want to know that i am making the right decision with a goldendoodle and do they shed very much?

thanks, Jaime

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Jamie,
I also lost my GR to cancer at the young age of 7. I missed her terribly, considered another GR but no way was I going to have another shedder like Jasmine!

Everyone gave you great info. Here is my 2 cents.

I have 2 Labradoodles - Samantha is an F1 - 1/2 Chocolate Lab and 1/2 Poodle. She SHOULD shed but I have been blessed that she doesn't!! Charli, is F2b (??) tons of poodle in her and she doesn't shed either. Samantha takes me less than 10 minutes to comb but Charli takes me hours since she is so curly.

I groom them myself and if I was to groom Charli from nose to tail in 1 sitting, it would take me about 9 hours - which is why I do it over the course of several days.

There is no such thing in any breed as truly 'hypoallergenic' - someone could be allergic to their saliva. What is meant by hypoallergenic to most is the shedding factor.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

www.petfinder.com/petdetail/17616274

A Labradoodle looking for a forever home in Fort Laurderdale

[Adina P]

Here's a good con list: http://www.doodlekisses.com/page/are-you-ready-for-a-doodle-by

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I was just searching for that discussion - that is a perfect guide.

Jaime, getting a doodle was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Peri is an F1 mini and does not shed - although the breeder told me she probably would. I got super lucky.

The first 6 months were really hard. These are super intelligent, high energy pups. Be prepared to have a cry fest or two. We focused on training constantly the first year. At 18 months, Peri is calming down and is the perfect dog for me. The coat is high maintenance, although not as high as a higher generation doodle (F1b, multigen, etc...) - she is only 50% poodle after all. Peri is laying asleep at my feet as I write - a year ago this would not be happening. Just telling you that like everyone else has said - they can be tough as puppies, but the hard work and training pays off with a loving, smart, quirky companion. She has the key to my heart (and hubby's!).
Good luck in your search....if you find by reading these discussion you think you are ready for a doodle, you WILL NOT BE SORRY :)

[Shelby and Kev]

Pros and Cons
All Pros here! Shelby was a gift from my stepmother to my daughter for her 11th birthday. With all the love that we genuinely pour into Shelby we receive ten fold back. We say she is a REAL GIRL because its true. Those eyes tell it all, so truthful, caring, curious, and I couldnt live without her! If you truly have the want, get a Goldendoodle, a decision you will not regret!
Poodles are very intelligent and if ignored they will become devious. Dont harp though, The poodles are some of the most loyal, bright and protective of their masters! I am a preious owner of a poodle...
But the get to shedding--Shelby tends to lose hair only after bathing and generally when the hair begins to get 3 to 4 inches long.
I would have to say "Great Idea, Go Get A Goldendoodle" F1 and Love them dearly
God Bless

[Deborah & Emmett Vaughan]

I agree with adopting an older doodle through DRC or IDOGR. I have a F1 goldendoodle after having owned a golden R when my kids were growing up. My doodle Emmett is now 4 and has finally settled in to being a good adult dog. The puppy stage was interesting but if I had it to do over, I'd skip it. Goldendoodles and Labradoodles have all the wonderful traits of their R parents and I found the intelligence(and apparently their deviousness) of their poodle parents. I just got my first foster doodle last week through DRC. He's a mini English Goldendoodle which seems an aximoron since his coat is white. Winston is wonderful, particularly as a foster. He's already housebroken, has good manners, gentle, sleeps through the night since the day I brought him home. I will only adopt through a rescue program from now on. My neighbor has had 4 fosters in varying states of neglect, but the one thing about all is that they crave love and they give love so earnestly.

Good luck with your decision. You are on the right path.

[Linda Lynch]

We got a re-home, Lizzy, who was almost two(came from a great breeder)-trained and absolutely wonderful. By all means, go to DRC-www.doodlerescueinc.ning.com to find out everything. We have been members over a year now and have been involved in the "Doodle Train". This is a great site for information and includes what you need to consider before you finally decide on a doodle. And PLEASE consider adopting-there are so many people out there(that didn't do the research like you are) that it sometimes feels like it's raining doodles. There are fabulous dogs out there that need a Forever Home.

[Jennifer Tramell]

I love golden retrievers - had a golden retriever/collie mix for 15 1/2 yrs and he was a great dog! He was definitely more golden than collie, looked like a tall, fine boned golden. Like many others, we were tired of the shedding. My sister & mom both have goldendoodles and those 2 dogs won me over. I currently know over 5 goldendoodles and have encountered many more. My mom's doodle LOVES playing ball, will "point", is very devoted but not clingy. My sister's boy is goofy, will fetch but it's not his passion, very playful, and very affectionate - a giant lapdog. My boy is mellow yet playful, affectionate, smart, and very sweet.

Each "doodle" is different but each one I have met has been wonderful. They have different levels of shedding, different coat types, and TOTALLY different looks but all have been loyal, smart, affectionate family members. It is funny but you can vastly alter the appearance of your doodle by how he/she is trimmed.

M mom & sister keep their dogs trimmed and they notice very little shedding. Webster, my dog, isn't trimmed as short and I do find occasional doodle tumbleweeds under the couch and in corners. Goldendoodles are a larger breed dog and, like golden retrievers, they don't mature until 1 1/2 - 2 yrs old. You could easily adopt an older puppy (8-12 months?) and still have the puppy fun but be more secure in the coat type.

[Kendra K. Rhoton]

Every dog, no matter what breed sheds some... but I will tell you goldendoodles shed a lot less than golden retrievers in my opinion.

I have never fallen in love with a dog like I have my goldendoodle. I will never own another type of dog. They are by far the best of both worlds.

Good luck!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I have a small multi-generational labradoodle who has a high maintenance non-shedding coat and a medium rescue goldendoodle who sheds but has an easy care coat. We got our rescue when he was two. I am not really allergic to dogs but the shedding coat bothers me a bit.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

How much does he shed Nancy? Is it what you'd consider "a lot"? I don;t often read that our goldendoodles shed too much. Murphy doesnt shed at all. I have to comb it out and we will have to see what Bella does, but shedding would bother me as well.

[Adina P]

Not Nancy, but Ned does not shed.

I know of some GD owners whose doodles shed lots. It just depends is the point. You can't guarantee. I consider GR's and Labradors to shed "a lot" and my Rosco to be 'medium'. I can't wear anything dark colored around him without being covered him soft fuzz. And I find tumbleweeds on the floor all the time. But it's nowhere near what I've seen in the homes of labrador owners.