GoldenDoodle 101 anybody?

[Chris H]

Hi folks, 

I'll be moving to the LA area soon, and once we plant our roots we'll be looking for a GD to add to the family. I've been a long-time Golden Retriever lover, my girlfriend a long-time Labradoodle lover. (I grew up with goldens, she with LDs). So we decided the GD would be perfect for us. 

I've got a few questions for the group (and would also welcome any links to good resources on the topic)

1. Can you tell if an F1 puppy will grow up to be a light shedder by it's coat? Or is it pretty much a 50% gamble? (I don't care about the shedding, but she does - I only ask because I think the F1 puppies would have a lower probability of health problems, no?). 
    
2. Can anyone recommend a breeder in the California/Nevada/Arizona area? We'll look to pick up our (probably F1b) GD by this Fall of 2012. 

Thank you so much!

[Lynda Kamrath]

If your girlfriend is a long-time labradoodle fan, you must be aware of the energy levels of these dogs.  Goldendoodles are great, but will the two of you have enough time to spend caring for a puppy?  When you are settled, there are plenty of good breeders in the L.A. area.  I hope you find the perfect dog for your needs.

By the way, my F1b is the perfect dog, but a little large.  He is 30 inches tall and weighs 90 pounds.  Does not mat or shed.  We have been most satisfied with him, but he does require daily exercise.  Backyard just does not do it for him.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Good points, Lynda. Goldendoodles and Labradoodles have very high exercise requirements, and all nonshedding dogs have very high maintenance requirements; lots of time & money required for grooming. (This is the downside to a nonshedding coat).

Puppies of all kinds require lots of additional time for housebreaking and training. So getting a GD puppy is going to require a major time commitment.

[Chris H]

Thank you both - yes, that's one of the reasons I'm in love with these breeds. We're both quite active, and I'm looking forward to the morning hikes through the mountains before/after work :-) 

And good points about the work of caring for a puppy. I work from home and have trained a couple goldens growing up. 

Would love to hear more about the time/expense of grooming

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Join the Grooming Group and read through the discussions there to see what you're in for with a nonshedding dog.

In general, you must keep their coats combed and brushed out to prevent matting. Matting is an ongoing problem for many poodle and doodle owners. On a standard doodle, that mean 30-60 minutes of combing and brushing several times a week. The coat must be trimmed every 6-8 weeks, and in my area, it would cost more than $700 per year to have a standard doole professionally groomed. If you want to do it yourself, that's going to require an initial outlay of money for the proper tools, some knowledge, some skill, and some time. 

Poodles and doodles are also prone to ear infections, so you must do regular ear maintenance in the form of keeping the ears free of hair, cleaning regularly, (at least once a week) and using a drying agent once a week.

Along with time for grooming, you should know that those coats bring everything, and I mean everything, into the house with them. Grass, twigs, leaves, mud, dirt, pollen, etc.  Very different from a sleek Lab. Recently we had a discussion about the amount of sand they bring in from the beach. Cleaning paws is a major topic of discussion here, lol. In areas where there is snow, the snowballs that embed in their legs and feet is another frequent topic. If you like the shaggy faces, keep in mind that they drip water every time they drink. So while you may not have the extra housework you would have with a dog who sheds, you will have extra housework of a different kind. :)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

... And one person said, " Purchasing a Dyson Sweeper is a lot less money and a lot less Housework than taking care of a doodle"

[Chris H]

There's plenty to be said for the great personalities and soft coat too :-)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Remember, though, that personality depends on the temperament of the parents, and the early socialization experiences. No two dogs have the same "personalities", even from the same litter. Personailty is not automatic with any breed. Here on DK, we have shy doodles, doodles who are easily frightened, calm doodles, submissive doodles, dominant doodles, highly reactive doodles, outgoing doodles, very energetic doodles, and even a few who might be considered a tad aggressive. That's why it's so important to get to know as much as possible about the parents and the environment in which the puppies begin life.

[Chris H]

Good point. 

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

I have 2 doodles that couldn't be more different.  Cubbie is easily excitable and will go up to any person at any time but barks like crazy at every little noise that he hears.  Ollie is very shy and easily frightened by new things, loud sudden noises, new people, etc and is very reactive while on a leash.  Both are great dogs but each have their issues. 

The only thing my two have in common is their need for my attention and their love of treats.  Other than that they are like night and day.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

Yes, they certainly trap everything.  Yesterday Cubbie felt the need to roll and roll and roll in the grass at the park.  Every time I turned to talk to my friend he would just go back to his lawn surfing.  I wish I had brought my camera because my black doodle was basically green and brown from all the plant life that clung to his body.  I was very annoyed but he looked so happy that I couldn't help but laugh (though I am still pulling random leaves out of his tail).

Ollie has the drinking problem that Karen mentioned.  No matter how short I keep his beard he still manages to leave trails of water all across my floor which I later discover as I walk through them.  He likes to play a game where he drinks and starts to walk across the floor leaving a large trail of water.  I run to wipe his face with a towel and he stands there patiently, they once I am done he walks back to dunk his face in the bowl again.  Silly doodle.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Hi Chris,

The answer to your first question is, it is a gamble. You cannot tell, and the breeder cannot guarantee, that an F1 will not shed. You have a better chance with an F1B, but even then, there is still a gamble. The only way to be absolutely guaranteed of a nonshedding dog is to get a purebred poodle, or another purebred that is known not to shed.

The idea that F1's (or any mixed breed dog) is healthier is a misconception. The idea is that if there are no genes in common, genetic diseases cannot be passed on. However, in the case of Goldendoodles, there are many genetic diseases that poodles and Golden retrievers share in common. So the fact that the parents are of two different breeds means nothing if the Golden and the poodle are each carrying a recessive gene for the same particular disease. This is why you must make sure that whatever breeder you choose has done genetic health testing on the breeding dogs, and can provide proof. This is not the same thing as a "health guarantee" or a vet check; it involves extensive (and expensive) testing.

It is crucial that you read What to Look For in a Breeder and follow these guidelines. Do as much research as you possibly can, you are making a 12-15 year commitment.

The Doodle Kisses Guidelines prohibit anyone from recommending a breeder here in the forum. People can leave a message on your page, or they can send you a friend request and recommend their breeder that way. However, keep in mind that most genetic diseases do not show up until a dog is 2 or 3 years old, so the fact that someone has a cute, healthy 6 month old puppy doesn't mean much.

We also have a group called Owner Recommended Breeders you can check.

Finally, there is the Goldendoodles for Sale Group. Breeders posting litters here claim to have done the proper testing on their breeding dogs.

Good luck in your search.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

I have a question for you, Karen, about your suggestion to require proof of genetic testing.  How, exactly, do you recommend asking for documentation that the tests were passed?  I would think that you'd have to ask very delicately, so as not to offend the breeder.