Goldendoodles are renowned as friendly, obedient family dogs who are energetic and fun to play with. They have become increasingly popular over the years thanks to their low shedding rate, hypoallergenic coats, easiness to train, high intelligence level, and overall friendly personalities. However, there is a serious question that remains about Goldendoodles and that is whether or not they have any serious health issues.
Unfortunately, Goldendoodles do have health issues to take into account, but it is not a guarantee that every Goldendoodle will come down with any of them. They inherit illness possibilities from both parents including cataracts, hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, and several others.
These things sound intimidating and scary to have to deal with, but don’t worry just yet because none of these things will happen for certain. Several health issues are commonplace in Goldendoodles, but it does not mean you need to spend all your time worrying about them becoming ill. Read on to learn a little more about the health concerns of Goldendoodles, and hopefully, your mind will be put at ease somewhat!
What Health Issues Should I Watch Out For?
As mentioned above, you should not let mere possibilities frighten you too much. However, it is probably important that you be on the lookout for things that could potentially be wrong with your Goldendoodle.
Most hybrid dogs have decreased chances of getting sick because they are only half of two different breeds, but they are still susceptible to diseases from either parent. Here are a few common ones you ought to be on the lookout for.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a skeletal disorder that can become quite painful over time. It occurs when the joint at the hip becomes (as its name suggests) displaced/disconnected and the ball and socket rub or grind together rather than slide together. This can be a result of poor weight distribution (and excessive weight gain), incorrect nutrition, or alarming growth rates.
A dog with hip dysplasia will be exhibiting decreased activity, decreasing the range of motion, limping, and difficulty in walking or climbing stairs especially. If you have started to notice any or all of these things in your Goldendoodle, the best thing you can do is to take your pup to the vet right away. The sooner you get it diagnosed, the sooner it can be treated.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is on the more serious end of the scale as far as diseases are concerned, but can still be treated to a degree. Epilepsy is when your dog has a series of uncontrollable, spiked electrical activities which target the nervous system (one seizure is not enough to signify epilepsy and is more likely indicative of your dog having ingested poison, having a head injury, or something similar).
You will know your dog is having a seizure if they collapse, foam at the mouth, make paddling motions with their legs, thrash around, or a combination of these things. They will not be aware of their surroundings when this happens. You will need to take your dog to their vet right away so you can learn what to do when these seizures occur.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
The most common cause of progressive retinal atrophy is, unfortunately, hereditary. The saddest part about this disorder is that it can be treated but not cured. Once your Goldendoodle has started to lose its sight, it’s only a matter of time before it is completely gone. In some cases, you can expect them to retain their peripheral vision, but not all.
A blind dog can still be a functioning dog, however. You can speak to your vet about what to do for your pup once they have started to lose their vision. You will begin to notice them having some issues with blindness first at night, then during the day. That’s when you’ll know it’s time to visit the doctor.
Addison’s Disease
Addison’s is a hormonal disorder in which a dog’s adrenal glands do not produce the correct hormones in correct amounts. This usually leads to major fatigue, lethargy, loss of appetite, and several other symptoms. Though this condition cannot be cured, it can be treated to the extent that some dogs can be expected to still have a normal lifespan.
If you start noticing these signs in your Goldendoodle, get the issue diagnosed as soon as you can. As mentioned before, getting it diagnosed early on means you can start treating it much sooner!
Goldendoodles: The Overall Pros and Cons
So now that you’re aware of the kind of health issues you may face as a Goldendoodle owner, you are probably trying to rethink whether you should get a Goldendoodle at all. There are many pros and cons to this decision, and it’s probably important that you know a few of them before deciding!
Pros
First and foremost, Goldendoodles are hypoallergenic and are low shedders. Low shedding means less dog hair lying about the house and much less cleaning for you to do subsequently. A hypoallergenic coat is also a plus because that means that pretty much anybody could have this dog and be fine!
Goldendoodles are a fairly “versatile” dog breed, per se. They come in a large range of sizes from regular to mini. This means that you can choose your size and color.
Bigger doodles are ideal for families with a lot of kids who like to romp and play around. Minis might be more suitable for smaller families and individuals. Both kinds are cute and sweet-tempered.
Cons
Unfortunately, being a Goldendoodle owner means you will be paying an excessively expensive price. This is not just including the cost of purchasing a doodle (which can cost up to $3,000 initially!) but also the added expenses of dog food, training, toys, grooming, vet visits, and anything else you might need. This can be a bit too much for some to digest.
Additionally, though they don’t shed and are fairly tidy dogs, Goldendoodles have thick, curly coats that can easily become matted and shaggy if the proper attention and care is not given to them. After your doodle drinks, its beard will likely drip water and drool all over the place. Plus, with their curly slipper-like feet, they will likely track mud and water all over the place.
