11 Things To Know Before Getting A Goldendoodle
Goldendoodles are the most adorable puppies you’ve ever seen when you mix a Poodle and a Golden Retriever. But, what to know before getting a Goldendoodle? Learning more about the Goldendoodle before bringing a puppy home is essential. What to know about Goldendoodles? Do they need special care and attention?
What do I need to know before getting a Goldendoodle?
You should know about the puppy schedule, health care, separation anxiety, and puppy price. Goldendoodles are quite affectionate and have a lovely attitude. It’s also clear that your pup will have some attractive features since it has Poodle and Golden Retriever mom and dad.
Since 1990, the Goldendoodle has become a sought-after cross-breed for families who want a good temperamental dog. Often, most folks refer to Goldendoodles as designer dogs because you get the best of both worlds.
Read on and get to know all the essential information about Goldendoodles before getting one. Such information helps to burst myths and prepare you for the best pet parent experience.
What to Know Before Getting a Goldendoodle
1. Puppy Schedule
Puppies need structure. Once you bring one home with you, it’s crucial to develop a proper schedule. It’s all about developing a routine for your dog that helps them have an easy transition to this new environment.
A basic puppy schedule for a Goldendoodle will include feeding time, potty training, playtime, and naptime. Unlike big dogs, your puppy will need to eat three times a day as recommended by the American Kennel Association. So, you must know when and how to feed them so that your puppy gets all their meals.
Another important item to add to your schedule is potty training. Since puppies eat and drink often, they have to take bathroom breaks throughout the day. Scheduling breaks is one way to prevent accidents and ensure they learn where to do their business.
Have a specific time when you take them out for potty breaks or show them where to go in the house. Also, ensure you plan ample playtime to keep your high-energy pup entertained. Running around in the backyard and lots of playtime is healthy for Goldendoodle pups.
After that, it’s naptime. Puppies tend to sleep most of the day. When your Goldendoodle pup is full and calm, it can sleep for 18 hours a day. It’s best to keep noise and other distractions minimal during naptime. Also, you can have a specific time when your pup goes to bed.
2. Health Care
Having a Goldendoodle or any other pet requires health care. A Goldendoodle is a cross-breed of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. Cross-breeding makes the new breed less prone to breed-specific conditions that their parents can experience.
However, some health conditions can affect your Goldendoodle. So, healthcare and some pet insurance will come in handy. Some of the illnesses include:
- Sebaceous adenitis (skin disease)
- Subvalvular aortic stenosis (heart condition)
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Hips dysplasia
- Glaucoma
- Cataract
Always be cautious about the breeder you interact with when you want a puppy. It’s better to seek certified breeders who provide health documentation for puppy parents.
3. Separation Anxiety
Goldendoodles are an affectionate breed that loves being around people. While such temperament is good for a family dog, it can also lead to separation anxiety. Your dog might find it hard to be on its own when you aren’t home for a certain duration.
While other breeds tend to cope better with separation anxiety, Goldendoodles go the opposite way. It’s not uncommon for your dog to start lashing out because of separation anxiety. This leads to destructiveness, lots of noise, and anxious behavior.
Often your dog is bored and wants some company. Since there’s no one to help them relax and give them lots of petting, things can go from bad to worse. So, always have this point in your mind when getting a Goldendoodle.
It might be better to start with a puppy to engage in lots of training. Still, if you adopt a bigger Goldendoodle, there’s hope. Note the signs of separation anxiety like chewing things, going to the bathroom anywhere, trying to escape, whining, and lots of barking or howling.
When you note this, start simple training and remember to give lots of cuddles. Positive reinforcement will help your dog relax and know you’ll be back. It takes time, and your whole family needs to participate for this to work.
4. Price of a Puppy
Reputable breeders take time to choose the right Poodle and Golden Retriever to mate. As a result, they charge specific amounts for Goldendoodle pups. A reputable breeder will sell a good quality Goldendoodle from $2000 to $3000.
Therefore, always take time to have a budget before you buy one. The price variation is because of the generation and size of the puppy you want to buy. It’s important to do thorough research and ensure you’re buying from a legitimate breeder.
Apart from buying puppies, you can adopt a Goldendoodle. Shelters have many dogs that need a new home, so try to find out if they have a Goldendoodle. Adoption is better because you bring love and happiness into a dog’s life.
While it’s not common to find Goldendoodles in shelters, try and ask around. Most shelters charge anywhere between $300 to $400 when you want to adopt a dog.
5. Cost of Grooming and General Care
Many folks love Goldendoodles since they are a low-maintenance breed. But, this doesn’t mean you won’t need to do grooming and general care. All dogs need grooming and proper care to ensure they live a comfortable life.
Goldendoodles need regular brushing each week. It’s better to do so 3 to 4 times in that duration to prevent mating. Start grooming your Goldendoodle as a puppy to set a routine and get them accustomed to the process.
As part of your welcome-home kit, get some grooming tools to help ease the process. Some of the best Goldendoodle grooming items to have include:
brush andcomb - Nail care tools
- Ear cleaning supplies
- Dog-friendly shampoo and conditioner
- Dry shampoo
- Clippers and trimmers
- Dog-friendly wipes
- Coat spray
With these items at hand, you can create a grooming schedule. There’s a time for simple care and when you need to go all-in with grooming and overall care. Or, you can opt to take your dog to a professional groomer for grooming services.
6. Shedding
Let no one lie to you that Goldendoodles are a 100% hypoallergenic breed that won’t shed. That’s a myth!
Truthfully, Goldendoodles are a low-shedding breed, but you’ll still have some bits of fur lying around. It’s important to know this before bringing home a pup or adult dog. Some folks buy into the myth and give up their Goldendoodles to shelters because of shedding.
Your Goldendoodle won’t shed as much as other breeds. But, if you want to keep the shedding as low as possible, proper grooming is key. Grooming helps remove the loose hairs, protect the skin and maintain a proper coat. So, add brushing to your puppy schedule when you get a Goldendoodle.
7. Athletic Nature
Goldendoodles are a cross-breed that meets the needs of many folks who want a good-natured dog. But, it’s important to know that this is a hyper breed with lots of energy. Goldendoodles tend to play a lot from a young age and run around.
So, be ready to spend lots of time running around and expunging that high-energy nature. The athletic nature means keeping them cooped up in the house can be a recipe for disaster. Since Poodles and Golden Retrievers are high-energy, athletic dogs, so are the Goldendoodle.
This is why playtime is essential to include in your daily schedule. Both pups and adults need time to run around and get rid of as much energy as possible. Some folks even opt to go on walks or runs with their dogs to help them expunge the energy.
Don’t be surprised when you witness the famous ‘Goldendoodle zoomies.’ This is when your dog runs around in a circle as if chasing their own tail. It seems crazy, but it’s part of the nature of this magnificent cross-breed.
8. Training Needs
Goldendoodles require training from the beginning to ensure you have a well-behaved dog. This means paying for someone to do the training or doing it yourself. Also, training needs to be continuous at every stage of your dog’s life.
Since the Goldendoodle is a highly active dog, it’s not uncommon for them to start getting in trouble as pups. As your dog explores and gets to know their new environment, they can start chewing or have other behavioral issues.
While these might not be too pronounced, it’s important to do proper training. Every dog requires training, even your adorable Goldendoodle. As training progresses, your high-energy dog learns to control their impulses and how to behave in public.
This is the best stage to start training your Goldendoodle as a puppy. At this point, they can absorb as much information as possible that will turn them into well-behaved adults. Still, you can work on training your dog even if you get them as an adult.
9. Legit Breeders
A good breeder will help you know all the information about your Goldendoodle. While buying a puppy from a breeder isn’t cheap, it’s better than risking buying from an unscrupulous person. Always consult the AKA or Goldendoodle associations for a list of the best breeders.
Good records will help you know the nature of your dog and any health issues to note. This starts your journey of being a pet parent on the right note.
10. Dog Odor
Be ready to deal with unpleasant odors and pet dander in your home. While Goldendoodles aren’t a high-maintenance breed, they’re still active dogs. In fact, this breed loves to swim, and this can be a bitter/sweet thing.
Always ensure you dry their coats after a dip in the pool, lake, river, or other water body. If the coat doesn’t dry, you can start smelling wet dogs everywhere, including in your home.
Another reason for the bad dog odor is oily skin. One way that Goldendoodles prevent having dry skin is by emitting an oily substance. This coats the skin and keeps it smooth. But, if this oil remains on your dog’s skin, it will stink up the joint. Therefore, regular baths are essential.
11. Lifespan
A Goldendoodle can live for 10 to 15 years. Proper health care and general well-being help your dog live a longer and happier life. Since this is a cross-breed, they get the best of both parents. Poodles can live for 12 to 15 years, while Golden Retrievers live for 10 to 12 years.
What Should I Get a Goldendoodle?
Preparing your home for a new dog is crucial. This ensures you have everything you need and helps your dog adapt to the new environment better.
So, before the set date when you bring them home, ensure you get your dog the following items.
Dog Bed
Where will your new dog sleep or lay around in your home? The best way to keep them off the couch or bed is to get them their cozy bed.
Food, Treats, and Dishes
A dog has got to eat, right! So, it’s important to go shopping for food, treats, and feeding dishes for your Goldendoodle.
Buy two dishes—one for the food and another for water. Always leave the water bowl with fresh water for your dog.
Dog Toys
A Goldendoodle is a high-energy and playful breed. As they try to cope with this energy and separation anxiety, your dog can start chewing things like seats and shoes.
One way to prevent this is by getting them an assortment of dog toys.
Dog collar
Having a dog
Dog Crate
Dog crate training is essential when you aren’t at home. At times it’s not possible to leave your dog hanging out in the house.
So, buy an appropriate crate and begin crate training when you bring your dog home. Also, you can get another crate for when you travel and need to keep them inside for some time.