The goldendoodle dog breed is not a true breed; they are called ‘designer dogs’, i.e. hybrid breed dogs. In fact, like many crossbreeds, the goldendoodle is not recognised by the FCI, the international federation of dog breeders’ associations.
It all started in the 1980s, when in Australia, Wally Conron decided to breed a guide dog for people who were blind and allergic to dog hair. Conron thought of crossing a Labrador retriever and a tramp, the former having already proved to be a good assistance dog, while the latter is not prone to hair loss. He was not very successful at the time, until he found a name with which to advertise it, thus the labradoodle was born and from that moment on he paved the way for a wave of designer dogs. This is also how the goldendoodle, a cross between a golden retriever and a tramp, was born.
The goldendoodle comes in various sizes, large, medium and toy.
Character of the goldendoodle dog breed
The goldendoodle are very sociable dogs. They need company and are very happy when they can be with their family, especially if there are children with whom they love to play for hours. They are even considered perfect babysitters. They are very loyal, very affectionate and get along well with everyone, both humans and other animals; they even get along well with cats.
They are also very affectionate and helpful with strangers, which is why they are not at all suitable for guard dogs. They hate being alone, so they are not suitable for lonely people who are away from home most of the time. If they feel isolated, they will become depressed and may have behavioural and destructive problems in the home.
They are very active dogs, so they need enough exercise and activity on a daily basis. They are also suitable for those who are new to dogs as they are very intelligent, and fit perfectly into family life precisely because they adapt well to human company, and need a minimum of training and socialisation.
Appearance of the goldendoodle dog breed
The appearance of a goldendoodle can vary greatly in weight and height. There is no real breed standard. It may look more like a tramp or have traits more similar to those of a goden retriever, but basically all have the appearance of a soft, 4-legged teddy bear.
There are 3 sizes of goldendoodle: the largest has a height at withers of between 50 and 60 centimetres and a weight of between 20 and 40 kilograms. The medium has a height at withers of between 43 and 50 centimetres and a weight of between 13 and 20 kilograms. The small one is between 33 and 40 centimetres tall and weighs between 6 and 13 kilograms. In this breed, females are smaller than males by about 5 centimetres in all three sizes.
Goldendoodles are slender dogs, with a long, long-legged and agile body and a proportionally short tail. The legs are straight and covered with longer hair; the hind legs have more developed muscles.
The head is small but proportionate to the rest of the body, the ears are small and drooping downwards, the eyes are dark in colour, round and with a sweet and sympathetic look. The muzzle is slightly square with a small heart-shaped truffle.
The coat may be curly like that of the poodle or smooth like that of the golden retriever. The colours can also be many, but generally the light brown and gold of the golden or the white, black or beige typical of the poodle are preferred.
Care and health of the goldendoodle dog breed
A goldendoodle is born from a cross between a golden retriever and a poodle and can therefore inherit health problems from both parents. They generally enjoy good health and have a life expectancy of about 15 years. However, like many other breeds they can suffer from hip dysplasia, especially with advancing age. These dogs are also prone to numerous eye diseases, so it is advisable to clean their eyes of hair often to avoid possible infections. They may also suffer from ear infections, due to their conformation.
As far as their hair is concerned, they are dogs that shed very little of it and are a good choice for allergy sufferers, they do, however, need regular brushing to keep them in top condition. Generally, the hair should be cut once or twice a year.
As for the diet, this must be balanced and controlled as they tend to eat more than necessary; at the same time, daily exercise helps to keep them healthy and fit.
