Goldendoodle. The name trips off
your tongue, and enters your psyche. If this is the first time you
have been introduced to a Goldendoodle ~ then we'd better warn you: HOLD
ON TO YOUR HEART! Before this cuddly, precious, irresistible bundle
of fur wins you over and changes your concept of man's best friend, let
us tell you the rational reasons why a Goldendoodle makes the perfect companion.
Imagine the sweet, loyal temperament of a
Golden Retriever; the intelligence and affection of a Standard Poodle;
all combined into a package that personifies the best the dog world has
to offer. Wrap this doggie package with the wavy, scattered fur of a Goldendoodle
and you have the epitome of love.
The outcome of this marriage, a Goldendoodle,
begins with what is known as an intentional "1st Generation" hybrid cross.
A hybrid cross is achieved by mating two unrelated purebred breeds, in
this case, the Golden Retriever and the Standard Poodle. Hybrid crosses
as a general rule are considered by many vets and geneticists to live longer
and have less health problems than either purebred parent line, displaying
what is known a "hybrid vigor." We believe Goldendoodles exhibit the best
traits of both breeds.
"If
you're looking for a dog that has the easygoing, friendly nature of a Golden
Retriever
and
the smarts and anti-shed hair of a poodle, a cross between the two
a Goldendoodle will likely catch your fancy."
Fox
News Thursday, July 25, 2002 ~ Catherine Donaldson-Evans
In his book "The Intelligence of Dogs" Stanley
Coren ranks dog breeds in order of intelligence. With Poodles ranked 2nd
and Golden Retrievers 4th, it's no wonder their Goldendoodle offspring
are intelligent, obedient, and easy to train.
Their characteristic fur coat varies
from curly (like the poodle), to flat (like the retriever), with most Goldendoodles
being wavy... that is, somewhere in-between the two. The fur coat
is generally low to non-shedding, often making them a good fit for families
with allergies. But remember, the degree of shedding and hypoallergenic
qualities depends on the individual puppy and the balance of poodle and
retriever genes received. In general, the Goldendoodle sheds less
than a Retriever, but they are not all shed free. The more Poodle
(curly, low shedding) genes, the more grooming and maintenance is required
since the fur grows much like human hair, and it will need to be clipped
from time to time.
A Standard Goldendoodle's average weight
varies from about 50-80 pounds with an average height of about 22-26 inches,
depending on the size of the parents. Medium Goldendoodles are typically
36-50 lbs./17-21 inches; Miniatures: 26-35 lbs./14-17 inches. Life expectancy
is 12 - 15 years.
Goldendoodles are terrific family dogs; friendly,
intelligent, affectionate and easy to train. They are highly social, patient,
and comfortable with strangers when properly socialized as puppies. They
do love to play, and enjoy retrieving toys. It's no wonder Goldendoodles
are in such high demand as companion dogs, service dogs, and agility competitors.