What Do I Need To Know Before Buying A Goldendoodle?

Goldendoodles are extremely loyal, affectionate, and intelligent dogs.
If you’re curious about adopting or buying a Goldendoodle, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, I will cover all you need to know before buying a Goldendoodle.

Let’s get started.

What Is A Goldendoodle?

A Goldendoodle is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. These dogs are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and loveable personalities.

What Do I Need To Know Before Buying A Goldendoodle?

Before buying a Goldendoodle, there are a variety of factors that you should consider.

These include its health history, temperament, and training. You should also research the breed to ensure that you are choosing a good quality dog.

Temperament

The temperament of a Goldendoodle is a mixture of both breeds. Both standard Poodles and Golden Retrievers were originally bred as sporting breeds.

However, today, the majority of Poodles and Golden Retrievers are bred to be kept as family pets rather than hunting companions.

Goldendoodles are known for their intelligence and loyalty.

They can be trained to do almost anything from agility to obedience, and their eager-to-please attitudes make them relatively easy to train!

The Goldendoodle also boasts a very affectionate nature, making them great family dogs. Their friendly and gentle dispositions are why they’re so great to have around people of all ages, including children.

That being said, due to their friendly and affectionate nature, Goldendoodles don’t make the best guard dogs!

Health

It’s important that you know that Goldendoodles can be susceptible to a few different health problems.

These include:

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is an inherited condition in which the bones don’t fit properly into the hip joint. As a result, some dogs can suffer from chronic pain and lameness.

Elbow Dysplasia

This is a condition similar to hip dysplasia which results in a malformed and weakened joint.

However, the disease ranges in severity, with some dogs suffering from arthritis while others eventually go completely lame.

Ear Infections

Ear infections are common in Goldendoodles due to their floppy ears that have the tendency to trap moisture.

Patellar Luxation

This is a condition common in smaller dogs when the knee joint moves in and out of place, which can lead to chronic pain and can even cripple some dogs.

Other health problems include allergies and skin conditions.

The average life expectancy of a Goldendoodle is 10 years. However, some Goldendoodles live up to 15 years provided they are cared for properly.

To ensure a Goldendoodle puppy is as healthy as it can be, it’s essential that you look for a reputable breeder.

Training

As I’ve mentioned above, Goldendoodles have an innate nature to please, thus making them fairly easy to train.

When it comes to training a Goldendoodle, it is so essential you practice positive reinforcement with your puppy.

Rewarding your puppy with treats and praise on a regular basis will allow them to associate this with good behavior.

That being said, it’s essential that you know negative reinforcement or punishment will do nothing but instill fear in your puppy and teach them that you should be feared.

It’s also important to know that you should socialize your pup from a young age to get them used to other dogs.

When your puppy has had all of their shots, you can begin taking them to the park and puppy training classes to socialize with other dogs and people.

This is essential for all young dogs, however, especially important for a gentle dog like the Goldendoodle as it can discourage any shyness or timidity.

This will expose them to other dogs and get them used to interacting and playing with other dogs. However, you will still need to ensure that they feel comfortable and safe so you don’t damage your bond.

Walking Requirements

Goldendoodles are high-energy dogs that are likely to need around two hours of exercise per day.

At a minimum, you need to walk your Goldendoodle for at least 30 minutes per day and provide them with plenty of space at home.

That being said, the walking requirements of your Goldendoodle can vary depending on the size of your dog. Smaller dogs will need smaller bursts of exercise, whilst larger dogs benefit from longer walks.

It’s important to note that while these dogs do well in both urban and rural environments, they need a fair amount of space to roam around in.

This means that they’re not the most suitable dogs if you live in an apartment with no access to outdoor space.

Choosing A Reputable Breeder

You should also make sure that you choose a reputable breeder who has been breeding Goldendoodles for at least three generations.

You should also look into the genetic background of the parents. This is important because it can affect the health of your Goldendoodle if they have inherited a health problem.

Some breeds of dogs are prone to certain diseases and illnesses. For example, Golden Retrievers tend to develop hip dysplasia.

It’s important to note that not all Goldendoodles are born with these ailments, and some Goldendoodles do not inherit any genetic health problems.

However, it is your responsibility to ensure that you are doing your research and are buying a Goldendoodle from a reputable breeder.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions! A reputable breeder won’t mind you asking questions about the health of the dog. If they do, you can usually take this as a major red flag.

Potential Downsides To Owning A Goldendoodle

Everyone has different preferences when it comes to what they want in a dog. However, are there any potential downsides to owning a Goldendoodle?
Well, if you decide to buy one, then you should be aware of the following:

Owning A Dog Can Be Very Expensive

Depending on your location and the breeder that you buy from, a Goldendoodle can cost anywhere from $1,000 to nearly $6,000.

However, the initial cost of buying a Goldendoodle isn’t the only cost you need to consider.

Other costs you will need to consider before getting a Goldendoodle are:

High-Quality Food

$800 to $2000 depending on the brand you choose.

Veterinarian Costs

For standard annual check-ups, you can expect a minimum of $300 and up. However, for more significant health issues, you can expect much more.

Grooming Costs

Grooming every 6 to 8 weeks can cost anywhere between $600 to $1000 depending on where you get your dog professionally groomed.

They Require A Lot Of Grooming

Despite the fact that Goldendoodles are considered light shedders, they require regular grooming and clipping.

If you keep your Goldendoodle’s coat long, then you will need to be brushed on a regular basis to keep their coat in the best condition.

On the other hand, if you want to keep it short, then your pooch will need to be clipped every six to eight weeks.

Not only does this cost money, but you will also need to cut time out of your schedule to get them to and from the groomer.

They Don’t Like Being Left Alone

The majority of Goldendoodles tend to be a second shadow to their owners and follow them around the house and pretty much everywhere you go!

The Goldendoodle can also suffer from separation anxiety, which can lead to destructive behaviors if your dog is left alone to their own devices for long periods at a time.

Bearing this in mind, if you’re not used to a clingy dog, or like spending a lot of your time alone, then a Goldendoodle probably isn’t the right choice of dog for you.

Are Goldendoodles Hypoallergenic?

No, there’s no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. Doodles are often referred to as hypoallergenic because they tend to be low shedding.

However, if you are allergic to any type of fur, then you shouldn’t even think about getting a Goldendoodle, as no dog can be considered hypoallergenic.

Bearing this in mind, if you know that you’re allergic to dogs, it isn’t fair to get one. It might not seem like much but when you’re dealing with something as serious as allergies, every little detail counts.

Is A Goldendoodle The Right Fit For Your Family?

This question entirely depends on your situation. However, you will need to ask yourself a few questions before getting a Goldendoodle.

Do you have the time for a Goldendoodle? They need plenty of exercise and attention throughout the day for their needs to be met.

Bearing this in mind, if you know your dog is going to be left alone for hours at a time, a Goldendoodle likely isn’t the right fit for you.

Do you have the space for a Goldendoodle? They need plenty of space to roam around when they’re not being taken on walks.

Always make sure that you are prepared to take care of a Goldendoodle and do your research before you commit to the idea.

It’s not fair on the animal to buy or adopt one, and then send it to the shelter just because you’ve not taken their needs seriously.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! Hopefully, after reading this article you have a better idea of whether a Goldendoodle is the right fit for you.

Make sure that you do your research and choose a reputable breeder. Alternatively, keep an eye on any local shelters to see whether there is a Goldendoodle to adopt.

Good luck finding the right dog for you!