Goldendoodles…a heavenly dog

So you want a "rare" canine? The Goldendoodle isn't a "rare" dog, but they sure can be heavenly. Because there are tons of erroneous information out and about the internet regarding this lovely hybrid, it is important that you do your research with common sense and an open mind. Also, before you completely decide the Goldendoodle dog is for you, please do some soul searching. The Goldendoodle dog isn't for everyone.

For one thing, these dogs are NOT hypoallergenic. There isn't a single hypoallergenic living entity on this planet. We shed. Dogs shed. Even hairless dogs shed. The truth of the matter is, and I will explain it one more time, every single dog on this earth will track in pollens from outdoors. Unless you raise your Goldendoodle inside a well sealed bubble, your doodle will bring pollens indoors on its feet and coat. Even we humans do this on a daily basis. Hence, why it is impossible for them to be hypoallergenic. True, this wonderful hybrid is a low shedding, low dander dog. While a breeder can't guarantee a customer who has allergies will be able to live with a Goldendoodle, I can tell you that I myself have COPD and I have severe asthma. I do very well around my own Goldendoodles. I do also own Golden Retrievers. You can literally watch their shedding hairs swirling in mid air…24 hours a day…7 days a week…nonstop.

I absolutely love my Golden Retriever dogs. They are some of the kindest, most laid back, most eager to please breed I've ever owned. But in all honesty, their coat gives me tons of problems if they come indoors. All because of their shedding hairs. I do not have this problem with any of my Goldendoodles, including the smooth coat . Some people want a mean looking dog simply to enhance a tough image. What image are we trying to portray when we own a Goldendoodle? I personally think that the majority of Goldendoodle owners who have the most successs with their dogs are people who need a gentle dog to either help enhance their gentle side or help them relax more. I am an "A" type personality. I get excited easily. My nerves can get jangled very quickly and I have no patience or tolerance for those who nitpick things to death. My Golden Retrievers and Goldendoodles have helped awaken my mind, body and soul. They have brought a deep inner peace and they do help me get through the tough challenges I can face on a day to day basis as a breeder and as a person who has a type A personality.

My Goldendoodles have given me, over the years, the power of knowledge. I am deliberately estranged from every one of my family members except for my younger brother. We call each other often and whether thumbs down or thumbs up, we do have very interesting conversations. But every day, it is my dogs that help get me through the day when I am having a tough time dealing with the cold, cruel realities of the world. They say all dogs are created equal. That is not so for the Goldendoodle. Too many breeders who jumped on the doodle bandwagon since 1999 have taken this beautiful, low shedding, low dander, easy to love dog down the sordid path of inbreeding. Too many breeders who create the Goldendoodle, fail to even understand what it is they are breeding, much less have done any homework on their dogs' pedigree. Too many Goldendoodle breeders haven't a clue as to what factual information to pass out to their customers and too many piggy back off of breeders who are passing along inaccurate information to the general public who seek out this heavenly dog.

Most of the time, a Goldendoodle's presence is unobtrusive. They snooze near your feet or perhaps they are laying on their favorite spot near your couch. Mine enjoy being outdoors because my own Goldendoodles have an extensive pedigree of Master Hunters and Utility dogs. Because they also carry a very impressive history of champion companion dogs, they work out very well for virtually all families who have children of various ages. The reason a Goldendoodle may not work out for everyone is because they are not an independent dog. They want to always be right under your feet and some people can't handle a dog who hasn't an independent nature. They look up at your knowingly, while their intelligence sparkles through their eyes. Want to lay in bed watching television? Your Goldendoodle won't mind cuddling right up beside you. Want to take an afternoon walk? Your Goldendoodle wants to go with you. Yes, they can have a stubborn streak about them. Their intelligence can sometimes get the better of them. As one of my customers put it, her Goldendoodle refuses to budge if he doesn't want to do something. He will sit right down and not move. No coaxing will change his mind! Not all Goldendoodles are like this. Sometimes a few will have a bit of a stubborn streak, but you gotta love them anyway.

We always recommend obedience classes as soon as possible because it is well worth the work and effort, if you have the time and can afford the classes. Obedience training is not just for your Goldendoodle. It is also for you and your family members to understand how to train your doodle. Such classes also help you and your Goldendoodle learn to live happily with each other. Sometimes a person desiring a Goldendoodle hasn't thought things through and they purchase on a whim. They don't take into consideration that they may not have any time to devote to training their puppy or dog and then they complain to the breeder within a few days because they are feeling overwhelmed that they took on more than they had bargained for. Puppies can't take care of themselves. Puppies are going to cry incessantly for a week or two. Puppies are going to urinate and poop inside their crate. But this kind of customer will blame the breeder because they, the customer, failed to understand the responsibility that comes with owning a new young puppy. Breeders can not hop on an airplane to go help the customer raise their dog. So it is very important for consumers to understand that if they are a first time dog owner, they need to incorporate professional training to help them have successful canine ownership. I find that it is the inexperienced dog owner who has the most problems owning a Goldendoodle if they don't seek assistance in learning how to train their dog. They seem bewildered as to what they are suppose to do when it comes to housebreaking, leash training and overall general obedience and rightly so because they'd never owned a dog before. What confuses me, however, is getting blamed by this type of dog owner. Why is it my fault…the breeder….if an inexperienced dog owner hasn't a clue as to how to raise their Goldendoodle? I can only answer so many questions. I don't have all of the answers even though I do try and answer as many questions as I possibly can. Yes, I am a Goldendoodle expert…but I am not a dog trainer. It is up to every customer to personally train their dog or hire a professional to help them out.

Goldendoodles are heavenly dogs. I love them. I love to talk about them and if you, the new doodle owner, do the right things….you will own a heavenly doodle too.

 

**About the author: Dee Gerrish, of Goldendoodle World, has been writing about the Goldendoodle dog since 1999. Dee is one of the original founders for the Goldendoodle hybrid for the entire southern region of the United States. More information can be located on her website at http://www.goldendoodleworld.com

 

 

What is a backyard breeder? Do you know the difference?

What Is A Backyard Breeder? Do You Know The Difference?

Author: Dee Gerrish

There are many breeder haters who post derogatory comments or outlandish stories over the internet to tug on the heart strings simply to get your attention. This article has been written so that you simply know how to tell the difference between what some call a "backyard breeder" and a professional hobby breeder. There is a very big difference between the two. The naysayers and those with a personal ax to grind or vendetta against a breeder, for whatever reason they may have, often use the term "puppy mill" and "backyard breeder" very loosely and these terms are used very loosely because those doing the name calling, more often than not, have a personal agenda. So this article is to help you, the potential consumer, learn how to know when a breeder really is a backyard breeder (which is really in layman terms, an inexperienced breeder or someone who really doesn't care to learn about the dogs they are breeding) or a puppy mill (which really in layman terms, is nothing more than a very bad breeder who sells their puppies to commercial interprises and whom doesn't spend any of the funds received on the sales, for quality dog food, vet care and other necessary essentials to operate their business.)
There really is no such thing as a "puppy mill". Let me explain why. Dogs only come into season twice a year; every six months. There is no way a female canine can literally "mill" puppies out…one after the other… like one would think of a mill operation such as a manufacturing plant. Such an operation would require an extensive amount of female dogs who stay pregnant around the clock. Dogs are physically unable to do this. When a breeder keeps their dogs in rows and rows of very small cages and their dogs are bred every six months and they are breeding their dogs only to sell the produced puppies to pet stores and pet shops around the nation, that is a commercial breeder. Commercial breeders are generally thought of as puppy mills. Where the term originated from, is anyone's guess. Many commercial breeders do not properly take care of the dogs they breed. Most are not registered with an affiliated kennel club. Many have physical health problems because the commercial breeder doesn't use the money taken in for their puppy sales, to pay a vet or to buy necessary essentials at keeping their dogs healthy. Most commercial breeders don't even take the time to do any research about the dogs they are selling. They only sell the dogs because the dogs are popular on the market. That is a bad breeder that is deemed a puppy mill by those who usually are affiliated with "rescue" groups and other such entities. I am not, in any way shape or form condoning the practice of commercial breeders. I do not condone bad breeders whether they are commercial, hobbyist or private. I am simply explaining to the general public what the facts are regarding what the difference is …because there certainly is a difference and you, as a consumer, should know the facts about the differences.
What is a backyard breeder? Naysayers will call any breeder a backyard breeder if they don't own a large facility that looks like something out of a magazine. The derogatory term is used because many "rescue" agencies or even those with an ax to grind have a personal agenda or a personal vendetta against whomever they are calling a "backyard" breeder. Many breeders can't afford a facility that looks like something out of a magazine. Such a facility requires hundreds of thousands of dollars to build and maintain. Because most (good) breeders are private breeders or hobby breeders, they do not take in enough money from their business, to afford this type of facility. Of course it is every good breeder's dream..including my own. I want you, the consumer, to understand what the difference is between a breeder who operates their business from their home and of course, keep their dogs in their backyard and what a true backyard (technical term) breeder is, because there is a huge difference. When someone who has an ax to grind, has a personal vendetta or is an "rescue" agency with a personal agenda, uses the term backyard breeder….they use the term loosely and not in the true sense of what a real backyard breeder is.
In reality, a "backyard" breeder is simply an inexperienced breeder who has failed to understand or learn about the dogs they create. They didn't take the time and perhaps may continue not to take the time, to research the lineage or history of the dogs they are breeding; their canine may not even be registered with an affiliated kennel club and most of the time, they fail to use their income received from their puppy sales, for the necessary essentials for proper food, vet care and/or operating expenses. When questioned about the dogs they have bred, they more than likely give you, the consumer, simple answers because of their failure to get deeply involved in the business they got themselves into. A "backyard" breeder can have any number of dogs. The amount of dogs doesn't matter. Owning one pair of breeding dogs and not knowing anything about those dogs and not having any knowledge of the dogs' history or lineage and not spending any money on those dogs can cause this type of breeder to be labeled a "backyard" breeder. When I personally think of a "backyard" breeder, I think of someone who thought it was a good idea to breed dogs because they thought they could make some money on the side without considering all the expenses that come with this venture. They also took on this type of business without understanding the huge responsibility that comes along with live animals. Is a "backyard" breeder a "bad" breeder? Let's consider the fact that they more than likely do love their dogs and they, in general, provide average care to their dogs and puppies. They believe they are doing the right thing by giving their puppies one set of shots and maybe deworming them once or twice. But they forget about the important things such as researching their breeding dogs' lineage and they fail to learn about the dogs they create to help you, the consumer, understand what it is you are buying or adding to your family. I don't necessary believe that a "backyard" breeder (in reality an inexperienced breeder) has bad intentions. I just believe they should do more when it comes to the business of breeding so that they can offer important information to you, the consumer.
My entire purpose for this article is to help you understand that hobby breeders and private breeders are not "backyard" breeders or "puppymills". I consider myself a private hobby breeder. I actually spent 2 years researching the pedigrees of my private dogs. Also when selecting my dogs, I wanted only the best quality dog I could possibly find. Some people only buy a dog because the breeder had the parent dogs tested. That in no way makes a dog a quality dog. There are other things to take into consideration such as personality and temperament. Since my own dogs carried an impressive history of ancestors that had over 400 ofa good, champions that dated back to the early 1930s, there was no need for me to personally have my breeding dogs tested. The naysayers will claim that a breeder isn't a good breeder or is a "backyard" breeder if they don't have their dogs tested for every test known to dog. I disagree with this notion completely. A "backyard" breeder is someone who doesn't take any time at all to research the history of their dogs much less the lineage to understand what it is they are breeding. A "backyard" breeder also fails to pay attention to any health issues, if they crop up and they continue to breed their dogs even if such an issue crops up. I am NOT that type of breeder. Had any of my selected dogs for my breeding program shown any type of health issue, while in my breeding program that would affect the genetic outcome of the offspring created, I would have never bred them and I certainly would have removed the dog/s from my program. Any breeder who wants to remain in their chosen field of business for the long haul will have common sense to do exactly what I just stated up above. I began my breeding business in 1996. When I began my Goldendoodle breeding program in 1999, I didn't even know any other breeder was intentionally pairing a Poodle with a Golden Retriever. Before I even considered pairing these two unlikely breeds together, I discussed this venture at great length, with quite a few people. These people included my personal vet, many Poodle breeders, many Golden Retriever breeders and even my own family members. I was a purebred Golden Retriever enthusiast whom like many purebred enthusiasts, would have never considered mixing their Golden Retrievers (or any other purebred dog) with anything other than another Golden Retriever. My personal reasons was because I had allergies and at the time, I had a very dear poodle/golden retriever spayed mix that I had brought to my home from my mother's home (the dog had been abandoned by a family member and my mother didn't want it) who shed so much less than my purebred Golden Retrievers. She was a beautiful shaggy dog that had eyes that sparkled of intelligence. Three years after I obtained her, she went into renal failure (she was 9 years old) and my vet unfortunately had to put her to sleep. That was a very difficult decision and one that I agonized over. To this day, I have her ashes kept in an urn with her photo next to the urn, inside my curio. She is still sadly and very deeply missed. One of my breeder friends was a Poodle enthusiast. I would off and on go over and help her shave her dogs down or just go over and spend some time with her and her Poodles. Every time I saw the face of her Poodles…several in particular…I thought of how much I missed the Poodle mix I had lost. Jokingly, we discussed the possibility of pairing her Poodles to my Golden Retrievers and we'd joke around about what we would call them. After great consideration and time had passed, I decided to purchase a couple of her Poodles and my Goldendoodle breeding program began. In the beginning, I called these beautiful Poodle/Golden Retriever mixed dogs, curly Goldens. I never would have considered calling them "Goldendoodle" . Why? Because if you were to put "Golden" with "Poodle" you would get "Groodle" or "Golden Poo"...perhaps "Goldipoo". None of those choices seemed likely, so I simply called them "curly Goldens". When my first litter was born, a customer came to purchase a puppy and brought with him a print out from some breeders in Australia. They deliberately bred the "Goldendoodle". I wasn't really keen on the idea, in the beginning, of this name…Goldendoodle…. But after some time, I decided that this was a far "on board" I was going to jump.
When I began my Goldendoodle breeding program, there wasn't any information to assist me one way or another, in learning about this mixture. Hence, why I began to write about this beautiful, intelligent, heavenly hybrid. In 1999, I was the only breeder for the entire southern region of the United States who was pairing a Golden Retriever and a Poodle together, deliberately. Yes, I did receive tons of hate mail as well as threatening phone calls, from purebred dog enthusiasts. Yes, some were even brazen enough to leave hate messages on my answering machine. I figured this came with the territory of trying something new. The hate email and the hateful phone messages did not deter me. After all, you can't allow people to run you out of dodge just because they object to something you are doing. Because I didn't know much about what would happen as far as shedding, coat, dander was concerned, I had to keep back some of my Goldendoodles so that I could photograph them; write about them; document what, if any changes occurred. You see, I am NOT a "backyard" breeder. Sure I've been called a puppymill and a backyard breeder by the hate mongers and by other Goldendoodle competitors who have a personal agenda. 98 percent of what has been posted in a derogatory manner, has been posted by estranged family members who have a personal ax to grind that has absolutely nothing at all to do with dogs, but since I'm the only family member who has a dog business who also happens to have an internet web presence, they have made it their business to specifically target me and maliciously post some very outrageous, untruthful and very hurtful accusations and claims about me as a person and my dogs/business. The truth of the matter is, anyone who has posted any type of derogatory claims that links my name to it or my business name to it, doesn't know anything about me on a personal level nor do they know anything personally, about my business and my dogs. I have been absolutely stunned and shocked at the posts I've found over the internet but at the same time, I am very much aware who is behind it and know that everything they've posted has been completely fabricated to hurt my business and stir up trouble on the internet to give my business and me, as a person, a bad rep. It is quite unfortunate that hate groups; some rescue groups and other Goldendoodle competitors have to lower themselves to such a level and it is even more alarming and quite disturbing when your own family members sink even lower. There isn't much that can be done, unless you are very wealthy or have some attorney friends, to rise above this type of hateful behavior other than to just blog about your experience and then move forward with your life, leaving them behind on their trail of hate-mongering.
A good breeder, regardless of breed, spends an enormous amount of time with their dogs and the expenses/costs can be literally staggering. If you are not in love with your dogs or hobby, you will not even consider such a venture. There is absolutely no money to gain and you will spend an enormous amount of your own money including what you take in from selling your puppies and dogs. The naysayers and "rescue" agencies will have one to believe that it is breeders who are the cause for the rising population of animal shelters. The truth is, many animal shelters deliberately fill them with dogs, cats, horses and other animal types because they are a business enterprise and they make money from the animals they take in. Whether dead or alive, shelters make a lot of money from the backs of animals. Their employees receive a weekly paycheck; they may even get a 401K; their vehicles are purchased by the state and even their gasoline, building, dog/cat food and other supplies at their shelter facility is paid for by the state and they may also receive community contributions and donations. A private/hobby breeder doesn't get any of those things. I've never been paid for what I do; I have never received a 401K and I certainly have never received any offers of assistance much less any donations. Every single expense, which can literally top $50,000 a year, comes out of my own pocket. As someone who absolutely wants their potential customer to learn everything they can about the dog they are interested in obtaining from me, I have used thousands of my own free hours to learn every imaginable thing about the Goldendoodle I possibly can so that I can turn around and provide this information to you…the consumer…free of charge. It actually COSTS me money to provide FREE information to the internet world, at large.
Whether you are seeking Goldendoodle information; have an ax to grind or have a personal vendetta and are only looking up my name and my business for no real purpose at all, it costs ME money for YOU to find me and to read what I write or post or blog about. But, all of this comes from a good breeder who has good intentions and who has dedicated many years of their own personal time helping you, the consumer or non-consumer, learn something new about a most wonderful hybrid…possibly me as a breeder and maybe just a hint of me as a person. I enjoy meeting people and I certainly enjoy talking to people about the Goldendoodle dog. I know there are tons of fabricated, worthless, untruthful claims on the internet….all over the place…about the Goldendoodle, about me, about my dogs and about my business. But there are also tons of supporters who own my dogs and who have taken the time to read what I write and have taken the time to get to know a little bit about me to know that the stories swirling about on the internet are only meant as a smear campaign and nothing even remotely close to being true. This type of behavior is called cyber bullying and it is very easy to tell when someone has intentionally targeted an individual breeder or individual person because they claim to have something against "breeders" or "puppymills" or "backyard breeders" and want to "help" you, the consumer and yet, they only mention and post derogatory content that specifically targets one individual. Take these type of posts and this type of content with a grain of salt. The consumer must make their own decision to accept what they read about a breeder as either being the truth or just overzealous hate mongering. A commercial and backyard breeder will never take the time to help you, the consumer, learn about the dogs they sell. They certainly would not spend any of their own money to pay for the costs and expenses that come with doing so. My business requires that I stay in debt to my electric company; water company, veterinarian and stores where I obtain my essentials necessary to operate my business. My business requires that I spend thousands of my own dollars because more goes out than what comes in. I am affiliated with a very reputable kennel club and all of my Goldendoodles are registered and they also have a very impressive, quite lengthy champion pedigree that dates back to the early 1930s. My Goldendoodle dogs are beautiful, intelligent, outgoing, healthy, quality dogs that would make a wonderful addition to virtually anyone who desires to own one. The Goldendoodles that come from our Goldendoodle World are loyal dogs who are playful with other dogs and people. I've never sold a single dog commercially…meaning I've never sold any of my puppies or dogs to a pet store or petshop even though I've been contacted by many, over the years, from those who seek them. I have always said no. I am definitely NOT a backyard breeder even though yes, my business is ran from my home and yes, my adult dogs are kept in my back yard. If that is what someone means by a backyard breeder…I will accept that definition of meaning my dogs are on my property and in my backyard. However, I am NOT a backyard breeder in the sense that these hate mongers and estranged family members use so loosely and in a most, vile and vulgar derogatory manner. I have NEVER been a puppymill and never would EVER consider becoming one. Raising puppies is an enormous challenge and extremely time consuming. Taking care of dogs of any age, is very expensive and also time consuming. I personally spend all year long grooming and maintaining my dogs and I personally work with my puppies and dogs around the clock at different times of the day, seven days a week. My last brief vacation was in 2009 and only for four days. Prior to that, my last "vacation" was in 2004. Being a breeder requires a very large responsibility and I understood that responsibility at the time I decided to chose to become a breeder. Consider the fact that a good parent has to understand the huge responsibility of raising a child…even though they can't possibly know what challenges really lay ahead of them down the road. 98 percent of all humans who chose to become pregnant, never consider to have themselves "tested" prior to conception. A child is certainly more costly and time consuming than an animal. So my question to the naysayers that a breeder should have their breeding dogs tested prior to breeding them is why are you saying that a breeder is a "bad" breeder for NOT having their dogs tested when they certainly have children and never had themselves tested for anything. What kind of parent does that make them? There are thousands, possibly millions of children who suffer from physical and mental disabilities that might have been prevented had the parents been tested prior to conception. And, by all means, please do not take offense to the above statement. I worked, when younger, with challenged children and my heart would swell from the love I received on a daily basis from the children I helped work with as a nursing assistant in a facility where many parents just dumped them. How many millions of children are abused, mentally and physically neglected; killed, molested and treated horrifically by their own parents who should have never become parents in the first place? Who should have received counseling prior to conception or testing? There are millions of abandoned children left in facilities with terrible conditions. There are millions of children who are raised in horrible conditions. It is rare that people speak out about the injustice and suffering of children at the hands of their parents, but too many will focus their attention on animals. I am an avid animal lover. I love all dogs….all cats…all animals…no matter what they are. I just feel sometimes, there are people who have their priorities mixed up and require higher expectations of a breeder when they, themselves, didn't require specific things about themselves. We as human beings can only do so much to prevent genetic diseases in animals. We still can not prevent many genetic diseases in ourselves, but there will be many people who require this of a breeder when that isn't possible. It is a known fact that many vets who are breeders, can't even prevent offspring from their own dogs from coming down with a genetic health issue even though they have thousands of dollars in equipment and knowledge right at the tip of their fingertips. Some of the dogs they created came down with hip dysplasia or other serious health issues…why? They had all that equipment and yet…it still happened. The reason is because we good breeders, vets and parents can only do so much.
To know more about our Goldendoodles, just visit our website at http://www.goldendoodleworld.com where we have quite a bit of photos, videos as well as other doodle information you may be interested in. Join me on facebook or on our new Goldendoodle Fans website at http://www.goldendoodlefans.ning.com
*About the author: Dee Gerrish has written about the Goldendoodle since 1999. She is one of the founding Goldendoodle breeders for the entire southern region of the United States. Dee Gerrish is a private, professional, hobby breeder who began her business in 1996. For more articles, you can find her content Articles base under "authors".

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/what-is-a-backyard-breeder-do-you-know-the-difference-2146409.html

About the AuthorDee Gerrish has been a private, professional breeder for 14 years as of Jan. 2010; She was a respite and foster care provider in Mannheim, Germany and won many community awards for her dedicated service. Dee has written very popular Goldendoodle articles that are listed across the internet.

Goldendoodles and the women who love them

Goldendoodles are a hybrid between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. That isn't to say that a Goldendoodle has to come from two parents who are those two breeds. A Goldendoodle is still a first generation Goldendoodle even if both parents are Goldendoodles or if one parent was a Goldendoodle and the other a Poodle or if one parent was a Golden Retriever and the other a Goldendoodle.

Many people are confused about what generation their Goldendoodle is, and rightly so, given all the erroneous information over the internet. If neither parent are directly related, the offspring is first generation. First generation implies "parent to child". Goldendoodles, believe it or not, were created with a purpose. Given the fact Golden Retrievers and Poodles alike have a history of strong retrieving backgrounds, it is of no wonder the Goldendoodle enjoys digging, smelling, tracking and hunting.

Believe it or not, Goldendoodles even enjoy trying to dig game out of their lair and find pleasure carrying objects in their mouth. They are a soft mouthed dog. These lucky hybrid dogs show personality traits of both breeds (Golden Retriever and Poodle) if they have a shaggy coat; More Poodle traits if they have a curly coat and more Golden Retriever traits if they have a smooth coat. The naysayers will scoff at this idea, but I have personally witnessed the above to be true over the years. You see, I began creating the Goldendoodle back in 1999. Coat type has plenty to do with their personality traits. It is naturally obvious that a Goldendoodle who resembles the Poodle …..ie….could very well pass for a purebred Poodle with an undocked tail….would behave more like a Poodle given the fact its genetic structure has more Poodle dna. The same would apply for the smooth coat Goldendoodle who resembles the Golden Retriever so much so that they could pass for a purebred Golden Retriever. That is because their genetic structure has more Golden Retriever dna. The shaggy coat Goldendoodle has the best of both worlds. Goldendoodles share personality traits of both breeds. Given the fact the Goldendoodle shares its lineage of both the Poodle and the Golden Retriever, the women who love these wonderful hybrids can come up with some games that their doodles will enjoy right away.

While Terrier mixes may enjoy games where they can destroy a toy (kill the toy) type of games and herding mixes may enjoy games where they can herd their toys, a Goldendoodle is going to enjoy games that stimulate their mind. Many of these dogs enjoy toys that have realistic fur as opposed to toys that are plush stuffed animals. Goldendoodles have a keen sense of smell and enjoy retrieving "game". Your Goldendoodle would enjoy having a sand pit in its backyard if he or she loves to dig. Give him or her a specific area where they are allowed to dig. You might even bury a few chew bones for them to find and retrieve. The best way to find out what your doodle loves to play with is to observe, over time, what toys he or she prefers. Observing your Goldendoodle over time helps you strengthen your relationship with him or her and it helps you figure out what activities they prefer.

Hiding objects for your Goldendoodle to retrieve; Taking your doodle to the lake or beach for it to play in the sand and possibly work in some swimming time; playing tug; playing chase; These are just a few small ideas that will help keep your Goldendoodle occupied and that may appeal to this low shedding, low dander, fur ball.

Many women have fallen in love with the Goldendoodle. Women from all walks of life. Women with degrees and women without degrees. Women who are mothers, grandmothers, sisters and wives. Women who are single and successful. It is no wonder women have fallen in love with the Goldendoodle. What's not to love about them? The Goldendoodle is arguably one of the most popular hybrids that has been at the center of controversy ever since they surfaced on the market in 1997. Author, Kim C. Thornton, claims the Labradoodle became a popular "designer dog" in 2005, but she is mistaken. I'm not even sure where she did her research, actually. I began our Goldendoodle breeding program in 1999 and I know for a fact that Labradoodles were already being sold in Australia and sporadically across the United States during this time period. When I began our Goldendoodle breeding program, I wasn't even aware any breeder was deliberately creating this mixture of dog. I only became aware of a small handful of breeders in Australia after I advertised my very first litter. According to author Kim C. Thornton, she claims that AKC assistant vice president of communications , Daisy Okas, stated that Labradoodles and Goldendoodles would not be registered with their kennel club any time soon given the fact there was criteria they had to meet first. According to the American Kennel Club in 2008, they released a statement in an article that they WERE going to allow the Labradoodle and Goldendoodle both to be registered with their kennel club. They even went so far as to say that beginning in October 2008, these hybrids would be permitted a "limited" registration. Whether AKC went ahead and began this program, I do not know. I personally yanked my purebred dogs out of the American Kennel Club many, many years ago and re-registered every dog I own with Universal Kennel Club International ( UKCI ) after AKC permitted a Poodle breeder in Georgia register a litter of puppies using her Poodle sire's AKC registration number instead of my Poodle's AKC registration number, knowing he was the sire to that litter. I was tipped off by someone who had first hand knowledge that this breeder submitted paperwork to the American Kennel Club, knowing it was my Poodle sire who was the father to the puppies. After I filed a grievance with AKC, I was told by AKC officials that they don't involve themselves in "breeder disputes" and that they were merely a "registrant service". My grievance was denied. They never required this deceptive Toy Poodle breeder in Georgia to submit DNA evidence to support her claim even though I requested she do so and I was willing to submit DNA evidence to support my claim that my Toy Poodle sire was indeed the true father. After they denied my grievance, I realized what a sham the AKC kennel club was and if they did this to me…just how many other purebred dogs in the United States are walking around with false AKC documentation? I immediately submitted all of my AKC documents to the Universal Kennel Club International and immediately switched kennel clubs. I selected a kennel club who actually cared about the dogs they registered and they listened and cared about the breeders who joined them. I never looked back after leaving the American Kennel Club. They laugh themselves all the way to the bank. So many people just have no idea what a scam kennel club AKC really is. Perhaps by now, they have cleaned up their act. I do not know. What I do know is at the time I yanked all of my dogs out of their kennel club, breeders in droves were leaving them as well for the same issues.

There really isn't any benefits at having your dog registered with the American Kennel Club. Unless you intend to participate in their dog shows and competitions, there really is no purpose at being affiliated with this club. If you are a breeder and you have issues, this kennel club will not assist you. As a breeder, it is very important that you have your affiliated kennel club's support. Without it, you may as well be traveling alone on a deserted road. That's what it felt like when I need AKC the most. That's why I left their kennel club.

The Goldendoodle is a very versatile dog. They are tremendously intelligent and they are remarkable dogs. But it's very important that the breeder pay special attention to the parent dogs' lineage and take the time to research their ancestors. A breeder, male or female, can learn so much about their Goldendoodle's history. This will also help them pass along very important information to those who desire one of their pups. What separates the Goldendoodle from any other hybrid? The naysayers will claim that the coat, personality and traits are a "toss up" but I know for a fact, given all the years of experience I have with this terrific hybrid, this is not true. Providing the breeder has many years of experience in how they are creating these dogs, the Goldendoodle's coat type, traits and personality is very reliable and fixed. There is no "toss up". There are no surprises. This same author, Kim C. Thornton, claims that hybrid dogs have a "mish-mash" of traits…but I highly doubt she has ever created a Goldendoodle, much less spent years learning about them. The difference between a breeder who writes about what they have come to know in their 14 years of creating and breeding the Goldendoodle dog and those who only write for a living and haven't first hand knowledge is tremendous. It's one thing to actually know what your talking about rather than gathering bits and pieces of information simply to write an article.

*About the author: Dee Gerrish, of Goldendoodle World, has written about the Goldendoodle dog since 1999. She is one of the original founders for this lovely hybrid for the entire southern region of the United States. More information about the Goldendoodle can be found on her website at http://www.goldendoodleworld.com/

Your Goldendoodle and the great outdoors

By: Dee Gerrish

Goldendoodles have an obvious love for snow and the great outdoors. Their appearance may cause you to believe they are some fru-fru dog… but your doodle is more than that! Many Goldendoodles enjoy being outside. Whether hiking, running, walking or just taking a nice leisurely stroll down a nice nature trail. Your doodle is very much a tom boy.

Other options for the Goldendoodle dog is a day at the lake, beach or park. Just be sure to follow and obey the rules if you take your Goldendoodle to public areas. Many parks have restrictions and some beaches do not permit doodles or dogs alike, in particular areas of the beach or at all. When taking your Goldendoodle outdoors and if you intend to have him or her outdoors for some time, there are a few essentials that are a must have. It's a good idea to carry plenty of fresh water for not just your Goldendoodle, but for you and your family, especially if the temperatures are expected to be above 70 degrees or so.

You may also want to have some sort of backpack for snacks; a treat; some handy wipes and maybe even a small towel that you can spread out should you and your doodle get tired and need a place to sit. Make sure to pay attention to fatigue, possible heatstroke, limping and profuse panting. If your Goldendoodle refuses to budge after sitting down and refuses to continue, he or she is letting you know they may have soreness or have become too tired. Large Goldendoodles especially need to be careful since they can easily have pain in the joints if they over do it.

There are so many great games you can play while being outdoors with your Goldendoodle! Tug-of-war; treasure hunt; Catch me if you can; Fetch….get creative! Go crazy! Mix it up a little. Your Goldendoodle's mind loves to be stimulated. Which ever game you decide to play with your Goldendoodle, don't let him or her forget their good manners.

When taking your Goldendoodle outdoors to public areas, it is important that you have taught your doodle good manners. Some dogs get a bit carried away and may show some aggression when playing with other dogs, especially those they have just met. Some games may be too stimulating and your doodle may begin to express inappropriate behavior. If allowed to behave in this manner, these will become learned habits. Something you want to immediately nip in the bud.

Anytime you are going to begin playing a game with your Goldendoodle, you should always be the one who initiates the game. If your Goldendoodle becomes too excited, make sure to teach him or her to "let go" when told to do so. This will prevent your doodle's teeth from accidentally having contact with your skin or even an accidental chomping. You should always teach your Goldendoodle to learn how to let go of things, on cue.

Words like, "drop" or "drop it"…."Let go"…"stop"….are good words for your Goldendoodle to learn how to pay attention to. Your Goldendoodle must know when the game ends, it ends. Another great word to use is "release". Using long sentences with your Goldendoodle can confuse him or her. Simple, quick words that get to the point are sufficient. Always give your doodle a treat after he or she obeys your command. Sure the food is a bit of a bribe….but it's a good bribe for your doodle to give up his or her toys.

When you are teaching your Goldendoodle to "let go" or "release" a toy, remain calm and don't engage in pulling, tugging or forcing your doodle to give up his or her toy. As soon as you give the command and if your doodle does release the toy…be sure to immediately praise him or her. Goldendoodles are best trained with positive reinforcement.

Repetitive commands with repetitive actions make for a Goldendoodle being trained much faster. If for some reason your Goldendoodle refuses to "release" his or her toy or end a game, walk away immediately. Your doodle must understand who the "alpha" of the pack is…YOU.

Goldendoodles are gifted with an incredible sense of smell. They also love a challenge. The "treasure hunt" game is great for dogs who love treats. Very few of them will turn down a tasty treat. With some practice over time, your Goldendoodle will learn to use his or her nose to spot his or her toy or treat. Hiding treats in bushes or near shrubs and then walking your doodle near the area so he or she can pick up on the scent is a fun game for your doodle. Walking them on a leash near the planted treats and then walking them away from them on the other end will increase their excitement. If allowed, let them go to the area off leash and see if they can find their "treasure".

Many Goldendoodles love playing fetch. They love running after thrown toys and if trained properly, they can retrieve those objects and bring them back. Some doodles, regardless of size, love to chase after tossed toys, but they don't want to bring them back! If this happens, you can take a tennis ball and tie a piece of sturdy rope to it. Hold onto the end of the rope and move the ball in all different directions to keep your doodle's interest. Toss it in the air or move it around in huge circles. Your doodle will love the interesting variations.

Lastly, make sure you follow the etiquette guidelines when you take your Goldendoodle outdoors. Always ensure your doodle is current with his or her vaccinations including the bordetella vaccine. Dogs touch noses when they meet and greet. Your doodle can easily catch kennel cough or the dog flu unless he or she is properly updated on their vaccines. Never take your adult Goldendoodle to a public place unless you know he or she has learned social skills. If you are taking your puppy to public places, you will want to use this time to teach him or her the necessary social skills needed to behave properly. Always make sure your doodle comes to you when called. Don't have your Goldendoodle off leash unless the public area is fenced in or you know the area is completely safe. Leave your Goldendoodle's collar or harness on at all times. Always supervise your doodle when outdoors in public places. Most importantly, HAVE FUN!

*About the author: Dee Gerrish, of Goldendoodle World, has been writing about the Goldendoodle dog since 1999. Dee is one of the founding breeders for the Goldendoodle dog for the entire southern region of the United States. More information can be found on her website at http://www.goldendoodleworld.com/