GOLDEN RETRIEVER or GOLDENDOODLE?
by Karin Klouman and Michele Gawenka
The Goldendoodle is a so-called “designer dog” and the result of a deliberate crossbreeding between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle in the first generation. It is NOT recognized as a purebred dog. In short, the Goldendoodle is a mixed-breed dog with a fancy name.
And yes, it is certainly true that many mixed-breed dogs are wonderful one-of-a-kind companions, but others can be genetic disasters and take on the worst traits of the breeds involved. Determining which one will be a truly great dog and which one will be a huge ‘problem-dog’ is oftentimes impossible to predict. You might see the dam of your pup and perhaps even meet the sire of the litter, but what do you know about the generations behind them ... especially since reputable Golden Retriever and Poodle breeders do not knowingly sell to doodle breeders?
If you want a mixed-breed dog why not go to the pound and rescue one, because many doodles end up there. Why spend thousands of dollars on a puppy that's a genetic roll of the dice?
SIZE
The moderately-sized dog that you thought you were buying may instead end up being overly large, or rather tiny. It can be slender and fine boned, or massively substantial. Many 'guaranteed' to be a 'medium-sized Goldendoodle' have ended up just as large as an oversized Golden, which is what can happen when you put two unrelated breeds together.
COAT
A doodle can have any type of coat texture from straight, to silky, to wavy, to intensely curly. Indeed, many Goldendoodles DO shed, and those that don’t often mat terribly with mats that frequently develop close to the skin. A Golden Retriever caught in the rain dries quickly, with its thick double coat preventing the water from even reaching the skin. Some doodles caught in the rain get soaked and need to be thoroughly blown dry to prevent matting and bacterial skin infections.
Hypoallergenic Claims:
Scientific studies have shown that the most common sources of allergens are dander and saliva rather than fur or hair, and that the so-called “hypoallergenic” dogs may not be less allergenic. However, dogs that don't shed (such as poodles) also do not spread much dander. That's why people with allergies who don't react badly to a Poodle may not be able to live with a Golden Retriever. www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/do-hypoallergenic-dog-exist/
GROOMING
Grooming most Goldendoodles is a difficult challenge and generally an expensive one that is needed every 6 - 8 weeks. Golden Retrievers have a coat that reaches a predictable length, but the hair on doodles may be like that of a Poodle and just continue to grow, which necessitates clipping or shaving.
And yes, it is certainly true that many mixed-breed dogs are wonderful one-of-a-kind companions, but others can be genetic disasters and take on the worst traits of the breeds involved. Determining which one will be a truly great dog and which one will be a huge ‘problem-dog’ is oftentimes impossible to predict. You might see the dam of your pup and perhaps even meet the sire of the litter, but what do you know about the generations behind them ... especially since reputable Golden Retriever and Poodle breeders do not knowingly sell to doodle breeders?
If you want a mixed-breed dog why not go to the pound and rescue one, because many doodles end up there. Why spend thousands of dollars on a puppy that's a genetic roll of the dice?
SIZE
The moderately-sized dog that you thought you were buying may instead end up being overly large, or rather tiny. It can be slender and fine boned, or massively substantial. Many 'guaranteed' to be a 'medium-sized Goldendoodle' have ended up just as large as an oversized Golden, which is what can happen when you put two unrelated breeds together.
COAT
A doodle can have any type of coat texture from straight, to silky, to wavy, to intensely curly. Indeed, many Goldendoodles DO shed, and those that don’t often mat terribly with mats that frequently develop close to the skin. A Golden Retriever caught in the rain dries quickly, with its thick double coat preventing the water from even reaching the skin. Some doodles caught in the rain get soaked and need to be thoroughly blown dry to prevent matting and bacterial skin infections.
Hypoallergenic Claims:
Scientific studies have shown that the most common sources of allergens are dander and saliva rather than fur or hair, and that the so-called “hypoallergenic” dogs may not be less allergenic. However, dogs that don't shed (such as poodles) also do not spread much dander. That's why people with allergies who don't react badly to a Poodle may not be able to live with a Golden Retriever. www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/do-hypoallergenic-dog-exist/
GROOMING
Grooming most Goldendoodles is a difficult challenge and generally an expensive one that is needed every 6 - 8 weeks. Golden Retrievers have a coat that reaches a predictable length, but the hair on doodles may be like that of a Poodle and just continue to grow, which necessitates clipping or shaving.
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Of course, some doodles will have the Poodle coat and are easily maintained by a pet-clip. Unfortunately, it's generally impossible to tell, especially at 8 weeks of age, which ones will have that type of coat.
Photo credit (not grooming): Ragamuffin: A Full Service Grooming Salon |
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HEALTH
While it's true that some Golden Retrievers have significant health problems, as do some Poodles, the difference between these breeds and doodles is that they were developed with many decades or centuries of careful selection and genetic testing. There are long-standing National breed clubs that have a Code of Ethics that includes rigorous testing for any number of hereditary illnesses. The first-generation doodle is usually bred with little genetic testing of the parents or the dogs behind them (AKC registration is no guarantee of quality). The resulting offspring are susceptible to many of the genetic disorders of both breeds.
While it's true that some Golden Retrievers have significant health problems, as do some Poodles, the difference between these breeds and doodles is that they were developed with many decades or centuries of careful selection and genetic testing. There are long-standing National breed clubs that have a Code of Ethics that includes rigorous testing for any number of hereditary illnesses. The first-generation doodle is usually bred with little genetic testing of the parents or the dogs behind them (AKC registration is no guarantee of quality). The resulting offspring are susceptible to many of the genetic disorders of both breeds.
Minimal or non-shedding AKC breeds
1. Spanish Water Dog 2. Barbet 3. Lagotto Romagnolo 4. Irish Water Spaniel 5. Standard Poodle 6. Portuguese Water Dog (photo credits Marlene Weiss) |
TEMPERAMENT
The temperaments of Goldendoodles vary greatly. Again, because the gene-pool is so wide, you cannot reasonably predict the disposition of the resulting offspring, even within a litter. You may get a doodle that is loving and laid-back, but you could also end up with one that is intensely wired and hyper, or extremely nervous, or has separation anxiety. You might get a doodle that is soft-mouthed and a gentle retriever, or you may get one that is object possessive (a resource guarder) with a tendency for biting. CONCLUSION The reason people buy a purebred puppy is to be reasonably certain of the kind of adult dog it will end up being. Ethical Golden Retriever breeders adhere to a breed standard, carefully developed for a specific look and temperament. Ethical Poodle breeders do the same. If you don’t want a dog that sheds, research the wonderful breeds that are non-shedding, including the Poodle (a very fine breed in itself), or a breed with minimal shedding. |
Print out the Code of Ethics from the parent club of any breed you are considering and use it as a guide when talking to breeders.
Click on these links for the Code of Ethics of the Golden Retriever Club of America and Poodle Club of America.
Click on these links for the Code of Ethics of the Golden Retriever Club of America and Poodle Club of America.
