Goldendoodles-- Fit to be shown

When I began my Goldendoodle breeding program back in 1999, I never imagined that this hybrid would be as popular as they are today. Indeed, back in 2003, many canine writers

and authors boasted that the Goldendoodle and Labradoodle was nothing more than a "designer mutt" and a "designer dog fad". Too bad for them. They were wrong.

It was I who had written an article, some years ago, that it would not be long before the American Kennel Club would allow both the Goldendoodle and Labradoodle into their kennel club. Why ? Because AKC is all about the money. When a breed becomes popular, AKC sits up and takes notice. The American Kennel Club laughs itself all the way to the bank. But, there are some fun benefits for those who own a Goldendoodle and desire to register their doodle with a kennel club. If the breeder you purchase your Goldendoodle from participates with a kennel club, you can have some fun by participating in field or fun dog show events. I don't think, at this time, the American Kennel Club allows the Goldendoodle or Labradoodle to participate in show events. However, my hunch is... it won't be long before they do.

The Goldendoodle dog can be presented in the show ring because like the Golden Retriever, they are a natural. The road to the show ring starts at puppyhood, so it is very important that your Goldendoodle learns basic obedience if presenting your doodle in the show ring is something of interest. You will want to teach your Goldendoodle how to "stand free". This allows a show judge to assess your Goldendoodle's potential as a champion show dog. Your Goldendoodle puppy should be taught from an early age how to "stand free" for a few minutes every day. Using a table covered with a rubber mat will help your doodle stand comfortably.

Your Goldendoodle puppy's legs should be fairly close together, elbows tucked in. Your doodle baby's back legs should be slightly farther apart with his or her hocks perpendicular to the ground. This is not a natural stance for your Goldendoodle, so don't expect him or her to take to this immediately. You will want to support your doodle's head in its natural position while at the same time, hold his or her tail at the end, level with your doodle's back.

For fun, ask a friend or spouse or even family member to take photos so that you can see where you can improve upon this exercise. Once your doodle has learned to accept this position and will stand alone, stand in front of him or her from a slight distance from your doodle's head. Some judges do not permit a canine to be "stacked", so it is advisable to teach your Goldendoodle when training, to stand properly on his or her own.

If you are serious about showing your Goldendoodle, you are going to want to purchase what is called a "show lead". Most leads are light nylon, but they also are made in leather as well. Your Goldendoodle must learn how to move on a loose lead, on your left side. The pattern in which you walk your Goldendoodle MUST be precise. If you are serious about showing your Goldendoodle, you should enroll your Goldendoodle in a handling class so that you both can master the techniques used in the show ring.

As of this article, there are no specific breed standards for the Goldendoodle. I have a feeling, sometime down the road, a kennel club will pick up a standard for the doodle dog but for now, breeders and kennel clubs alike can't seem to get on one sheet of music. The Goldendoodle has only been around in the United States since 1997 and it seems that there are too many "fly by night" breeders who piggy back off of inexperienced breeders who post inaccurate information about the Goldendoodle coat, sizes and other important doodle information. Hence, why it will be some time before the doodle becomes a fixture in the show ring. For now, showing your Goldendoodle isn't serious business but it's a fun event for both the dog and yourself.

There is no "one size fits all" formula for grooming your Goldendoodle whether for personal reasons or for the show ring. The Goldendoodle only comes in three coat types.

1. Shaggy.

2. Curly.

3. Smooth.

The owner must groom their Goldendoodle as an individual and they should work on grooming their Goldendoodle as per the doodles' own conformation and coat type. If you have entered your Goldendoodle in fun dog show competitions, you will want to bathe your doodle a day or so ahead of time. If your Goldendoodle is a smooth coat, his or her coat will not lay flat like the purebred Golden Retriever. A smooth coat Goldendoodle will have fluff about its neck, body and head. If your doodle's coat needs more "body" , you may want to wet the coat and then fluff out the coat with a slicker brush and a blow dryer just prior to entering the show ring.

A curly coat Goldendoodle will have a similar coat as a purebred Poodle. Brushing and fluffing will be necessary prior to entering your doodle into the show ring and perhaps a blow dryer will help fluff out the coat. Make sure, regardless of coat type, that you remove all hairs from around the pads of your doodle's feet until they are level with the pads. You may need to use thinning shears if your Goldendoodle is a curly or shaggy coat. Trimming should be subtle and your doodle's nails should not be exposed. The ideal trim around the Goldendoodle's feet, regardless of coat type is similar to a cat foot. The feet hairs should appear as if they had just grown in a neat and tight way. Clipping your doodle's nails as short as possible will help achieve this appearance.

Your Goldendoodle will have a beautiful plume tail that rides high up over its back, if he or she is a smooth or shaggy coat. The curly coat Goldendoodle does not have a plume tail...rather... their tail is curly like the purebred Poodle, only he or she should have a long tail that also rides high up over the back. The curled tail is a natural position for a Goldendoodle. Believe it or not, this position comes from the Standard Poodle. I never would have known this had I not purchased a purebred Poodle many years ago, with an unaltered tail. My vet did dock the tail as well as dewclaws, but this was strictly for appearance. If your doodle has dewclaws, you may want to ask your vet to remove them during the spaying or neutering procedure. Those who show their dogs in the show ring usually present dogs without dew claws. Again, it is only for appearance sake. Most Goldendoodles have very short dewclaws that don't present a problem and that is why most breeders don't remove them.

Make sure to pay attention to stray hairs hanging from your doodle's tail. A plume tail looks beautiful when the hairs are blunted. You can do this by bundling the hair together at the end in order to trim either with thinning shears or straight scissors. To trim away stray hairs that stick out away from the ears, use thinning shears. Always trim upward or downwar as horizontal cuts leave obvious scissor marks. Make sure to trim the hairs underneath the ears in the same manner.

I would definitely recommend that you attend several dog shows if this is something you are interested in doing with your Goldendoodle. You will see how the handlers are inside the ring and you will be able to observe judges. You will also be able to see how much fun everyone seems to have. Showing your doodle can be serious business but the main thing is to have fun.

A Goldendoodle's beauty and willingness to please will make them a natural in the show ring and my guess is that in time, the Goldendoodle in the show ring, will become very popular!

When more people become interested in showing their Goldendoodle, the kennel clubs who participate in show events will begin to sit up and take notice. More Goldendoodle advocates should send letters to participating kennel clubs as a means of capturing their attention. Send some photos of your Goldendoodle to these kennel clubs and let them know what makes your doodle special. Many owners take great pride in their Goldendoodle and win or lose, they may feel their Goldendoodle is a great prospect for the show ring. Competition is intense but it is also fun. Goldendoodle dogs are easy to train; They are beautiful dogs and they are eager to strut their stuff. With a positive attitude, the owner and the Goldendoodle can prove that the Goldendoodle hybrid is going to remain a breed specific fixture for many years to come.

**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 dog for the entire southern region of the United States. Dee Gerrish was the first breeder to register the Goldendoodle dog with a legitimate kennel club in the United States... Universal Kennel Club.

More about Goldendoodle World can be found at http://www.goldendoodleworld.com/