The difficulty of being a Goldendoodle

Blogs about Goldendoodles by breeders and owners will vary between personal, the philosophical, the literary and the absurd. They can be whimsical, bracing as well as thought provoking. Blogs about Goldendoodles from the naysayers will always be negative and many are written by those who don't know the first thing about these beautiful hybrids. The blogs written by naysayers are just guessing at best.

Goldendoodles are very French, English, Swedish as well as German when you get right down to it. Even though it is said that the Australians were the first to deliberately coin the term "Goldendoodle", the truth of the matter is, the Poodle is thought to have originated from Germany and that the breed came out of a cross with a Water Retriever of some sort.

The breed name "Poodle" is german and is actually spelled "Pudel" or "Pudelin" by german nationals. Pudel means "Splash in the water". Some believe that the "Pudel" is a direct descendant of a Water retriever and Irish Water Spaniel combined with a few other mixes. For those naysayers and purebred dog fanatics who call Goldendoodles names simply because they come from the mixture of Golden Retriever and Poodle, they have alot of nerve. Both the Poodle as well as the Golden Retriever were the direct result of mixing and combining many breeds together.

Because of the intelligence of both the Golden Retriever and the "Pudel" , both breeds excel in hunting as well as water sports. The Goldendoodle is now slowly being introduced as therapy dogs as well as assistants to the physically challenged. The Standard Poodle is one of the longest lived dogs of all the breeds and has been around the longest when it comes to the different sizes a Pudel comes in.

Goldendoodles never go beserk like some breeds can. A well trained Goldendoodle can come nose level with your food and not once touch it. They may look at your food with longing as though to say..."Please offer me a bite"....but they will not jump up to your plate and snatch the food like some dogs will. Many will not even so much as beg. Interspersed with thoughts on how others portray the Goldendoodle dog in their writing, it leaves me wondering where some articles come from. How did the author come to their conclusions ?

The Goldendoodle dog has developed a reputation for being easy with people; low shedding; family oriented and great with children. They are the most versatile of all hybrids. It is not true, however, that the Goldendoodle doesn't shed. The truth is, they DO shed. They just shed very little. Even the smooth coat Goldendoodle, which has a near identical appearance as that of a purebred Golden Retriever, sheds very little. Some will claim that the Poodle is a non-shedding dog when that is not true at all. Poodles DO shed. But they shed very little.

Poodle and Golden Retriever ancestors have been known to be working class dogs. They were very hard working water dogs who retrieved and accompanied their hunter masters in the field. Both breeds were superb in what they did as working class dogs. Now, very few are used as working dogs and have instead, become known as wonderful companions.

Although kennel standards have not been set by any kennel club regarding the Goldendoodle dog, many breeders have set what they believe as a "standard" even though all have been made up specifically by the breeder who have coined them. Some even have the audacity to claim to know what percentage of Poodle as well as Golden Retriever is within the Goldendoodle's genetic structure even though none have conducted a single DNA test to provide them with this information. What I have come to realize is that breeders who post inaccurate Goldendoodle information within their blogs or on their personal websites seem to have other breeders piggy back off of the inaccurate information. It reminds me of someone telling another individual something untruthful and then others will pick up the "rumor" and spread it around like an infectious disease out of control. For some reason, those breeders are always eager to take the same walk. The less the information changes, the happier they are.

Goldendoodles have a wonderful alert expression and they can be very elegant in their appearance. My personal opinion is that the Goldendoodle is entirely more beautiful than the Labradoodle and more well behaved. Golden Retrievers in general are not as "crazy" as the Labrador. Although it is difficult to trace the exact origins of the Goldendoodle, this hybrid will continue to climb in popularity. When the Goldendoodle first appeared to the general public, it was at first believed that this hybrid was a one night wonder....a fad..a designer dog. The truth is, once the Goldendoodle appeared in the general public, their popularity burst like radiant sunshine. They are a welcome answer to many who suffer from chronic respiratory problems as well as to those who can not tolerate many dog hairs all over their home.

For those who purchased their first Goldendoodle and came to love him or her, they have said that they can't even imagine what it would be like without one. With lots of encouragement and training, the Goldendoodle is the perfect dog. As a breeder of fourteen years and having began my Goldendoodle breeding program back in 1999, I have always concentrated on the light apricot Goldendoodle with a shaggy coat. I do admit that I have a soft spot for Goldendoodles with blue eyes. The blue eyed Goldendoodle is the most difficult doodle to achieve simply because the eye color has to come somewhere down through the lineage of either the Golden Retriever or the Poodle. I was very fortunate to have had one blue eyed Goldendoodle born to me back in 2005 and I have worked diligently to attempt further blue eyed doodles ever since. To date, we are the only known Goldendoodle breeder to achieve the blue eyed Goldendoodle. It is a unique appearance in which I am highly drawn to.

Since 1999, we have only had approx. 10-15 blue eyed Goldendoodles born to us simply because the brown eyed gene is extremely strong in both the Poodle and the Golden Retriever.
Although I have never owned a parti colored Standard Poodle, I find them the most fascinating of all the colors. With a strong genetic background of parti colors, it is possible to achieve a parti colored Goldendoodle. I have given quite a bit of thought to pairing my German Shorthaired Pointer who has amber colored eyes, with my blue eyed curly coat Goldendoodle sire. While this may seem repulsive to the purebred fanatics and naysayers, it is my opinion that the pairing will produce at least one shaggy coat, parti colored puppy with either blue or green eyes. When and if that happens, I will then introduce that mixture back into our Goldendoodle breeding program as a means of producing unique doodles. It is because of the breeders who were visionaries when it came to creating unique dogs in the first place, that we have so many wonderful selections of canine around the world. When I first began my Goldendoodle breeding program back in 1999, we received many hateful telephone messages as well as email but look what has happened since then! The Goldendoodle has risen above the hateful words of the naysayers and they have far outpaced the popularity of the Golden Retriever. It is only natural that the Goldendoodle who is unique, will further outpace the Goldendoodle that is the most common. The future holds quite a bit of promises for the Goldendoodle. Look out world...here they come.


*About the author: Dee Gerrish of Goldendoodle World has written about the Goldendoodle dog since 1999. Looking for more information ? Visit http://www.goldendoodleworld.com/

*This article is copyright protected Aug. 28, 2010.

Topical Flea Treatment Toxicity

Dog owners beware!! Using topical flea treatments on your canine can be deadly and/or cause multiple health issues. Regardless of brand, the chemicals inside of these topical flea treatments can cause toxicity in your dog, no matter what breed he or she may be.

My story today is relatively LIGHT compared to the stories I read regarding Sergeant's topical flea treatment. Visit THIS LINK to read more.

This morning I decided to use "Sergeant's topical flea treatment" on my Boxer/Pitbull mix. I have, for years, always told my Goldendoodle customers to NEVER use topical flea treatments on their Goldendoodle because this type of treatment has been known to cause seizures, kidney or liver damage in the doodle dog due to toxicity from the chemicals. But I didn't think this over the counter medication would cause a problem with my Boxer mix. We should be able to trust that large companies who sell these dog products are following regulations and that they are putting out safe products for our dogs!

Within an hour of putting the flea treatment on his shoulder blade area, he began vomiting profusely. Because I had written an article awhile back regarding topical flea treatment toxicity in Goldendoodles, I knew to immediately get him into the tub and shampoo the heck out of him to remove the chemical. For five minutes I scrubbed him. For another five minutes, I rinsed him. Then I spent quite awhile rubbing him down with a large towel.

Although he did stop vomiting, he began drooling so my husband and I made sure he drank water. The symptoms began to subside not long after his bath, so I decided against rushing him to my vet to be treated for toxicity.

When I posted this problem on my facebook wall, a long time customer of mine sent me this link: http://www.hartzvictims.org/2008/07/14/sergeants-gold-flea-treatment-should-be-boycotted/

When I read the stories on there, I did not realize so many other people had experienced the same exact problems right after using the product.

I felt really bad especially since we had always used a once a month tablet called "Comfortis" and had much success with it. However, I was short on funds and could not afford the $88 that our vet charges for six tablets. In my case, I use FIVE tablets from one box between FIVE dogs. So I am really only getting 1 tablet per dog for $88. It is difficult to find this flea treatment for less without a prescription and our vet hesitates to give us a written prescription since of course, they are in business to make money.

I thought it would be economically better for me, for now, to just purchase the over the counter flea treatment by Hartz...Sergeant's topical flea treatment. Big mistake! My trying to save some money instead of waiting until I could afford the usual once a month Comfortis tablets, could have cost the life of my dog! Fortunately for my dog, I was home to immediately spot the problem and recognize the fact he may be having a toxic reaction to the treatment.

My quick action prevented him from having further complications.

But what if I had to leave for work ? What if I had to leave right away for an appointment or to run an errand and my dog had been home alone ? His symptoms would have worsened and he might have died before I could have come home to see he had a problem from this flea treatment.

I feel horrible for using this on my dog. But I am very glad I was home; recognized the problem right away and was able to take immediate action. YOUR dog may not be so fortunate.
Please DO NOT use topical flea treatments on your dog ESPECIALLY over the counter ones.

Once a month tablets are the best and you can use either "program" or "comfortis". We've had great success with both, for a very long time and with no symptoms whatsoever.

About canine ear yeast infections

What you should know about canine ear yeast infections. Ear yeast infections are the most common ear problems for dogs. Some veterinarians believe ear yeast infections are caused by allergies or even possibly underlying health diseases. There is no clear answer as to why, really, dogs get ear yeast infections. Dogs can get ear yeast infections just as they can get urinary yeast infections for any number of reasons.

With the Goldendoodle hybrid, the most common reason can be growing hairs down in the ear canal. Hairs growing deep in the ear canal is very common in Poodles, which is why it can happen for the Goldendoodle as well. Dogs with long, floppy ears or heavy long hanging ears are the most susceptible to ear problems. Moisture becomes trapped inside the ear canal which provides the perfect area for bacteria and yeast to grow.

It is believe that ear mites can also cause ear yeast infections or the dog being possibly allergic to a specific type of food that he or she is eating. There are just so many reasons why ear yeast infections occur that it is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause.

WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF EAR YEAST INFECTIONS

Symptoms that your Goldendoodle or other canine may be getting an ear yeast infection can be a build up of wax inside the ear and/or other secretions. Ear wax may be a pinkish brown and have a foul smell coming from within the ear itself. This condition can not be seen without magnification, so ear yeast infections are not easy to spot or recognize. Upon examination, your vet may notice a spongy, thick mucus type of ear tissue inside the ear canal. Perhaps your Goldendoodle has been pawing at his or her ear/s or may have "itchy" ears. Sometimes a Goldendoodle with long, low hanging, heavy ears with alot of hair coverate may have recurring ear infections. Many Goldendoodles get an ear infection around summer time. For some Goldendoodles, they may not have any ear issues except for one specific time of the year.

Diagnosis of an ear infection does not tell your vet why the infection has occurred or what may have caused the problem. In order for your vet to know for sure that your Goldendoodle has an ear yeast infection, he or she will have to perform an ear culture. This means taking a swab and collecting evidence from the ear canal and then sending the swab to a laboratory for diagnosis. Your veterinarian can not determine ear yeast infections based on appearance or basic physical evidence alone. Your vet may ask you if your Goldendoodle has been shaking its head, pawing at its head or having what is known as an "itchy" ear. Clinical signs may help your vet determine if there is an ear problem going on, but without a laboratory culture, your vet can not determine exactly what is causing your canine the ear problem.


TREATING EAR YEAST INFECTIONS


If mites are the cause of your Goldendoodle's ear yeast infection, your veterinarian will recommend that your canine's ears be cleaned thoroughly and then ointment such as "mitex" be placed inside your dog's ears a few drops each day until the problem clears up. Many breeders and canine owners use Mitex to remove ear mites from their canine's ears. Many breeders and canine owners also use drops of Ivermectin. Most of the time, treatment is recommended for up to 14 days. If you are going to use Ivermectin, it is important to be careful with this drug. In large doses, Ivermectin can be fatal. Ivermectin 1% can be used in small droplets for between 10-14 days as treatment for ear mites. Do not use on dogs known to have sensitivities to Ivermectin.

If you are going to use Mitex, this is the most common over the counter drug that is used for ear mites. Use for 14 days in doses labeled upon the bottle. Both Mitex and Ivermectin can be purchased at most pet stores such as Tractor Supply. Both medications can also be ordered over the internet.

There are topical flea preventatives that can be used to help kill ear mites or prevent ear mites but it is not recommended for usage on Goldendoodles. Topical flea preventatives such as Revolution, Frontline and Preventic can cause early organ failure with Goldendoodles after a period of time. They can also cause seizures. Goldendoodles seem to be sensitive to topical flea treatments and these toxins can build up in the liver as well as kidneys. Over time, this can cause early death, liver or kidney failure with your Goldendoodle. Medications to prevent fleas
such as Comfortis or Program...a once a month flea tablet... is best to use on Goldendoodles.

For puppies or Goldendoodles six months to one year, I highly recommend staying away from all flea preventatives that have high pyrithrin levels. Many Goldendoodles can become sick or even die from pyrithrin toxicity. For many years, I have recommended to our customers to visit their local walmart store and purchase what is called "EQUATE" lice shampoo. This shampoo has low levels of pyrithrins and is safe for humans. Furthermore, this shampoo has been regulated by the FDA. Many dog products are not properly regulated and can be toxic for your dog. Equate lice shampoo will kill fleas, ticks, bird lice as well as ear mites. Follow the same directions on the bottle for usage. I also recommend not blow drying your Goldendoodle after using this medicated shampoo. Let your dog's coat dry naturally as the medication will bind to your dog's hairs.

Permethrins is a synthetic insecticide that can cause a toxic build up in the organs of your Goldendoodle. Many people do not give it a second thought when their veterinarian sells them topical flea treatments and other high level permethrin medication to kill fleas, mites and ticks. Months and years of this type of treatment can build up in the organs of your canine.

Symptoms of toxicity:

Drooling, vomiting, seizures, lethargy and muscle tremors.

Even if you have been using topical flea treatments for a long period of time on your Goldendoodle, it is especially important that you take him or her immediately to your vet if your Goldendoodle experiences the above symptoms. Toxicity can occur from once a month flea preventatives as well. Try to select a flea treatment with the lowest level of permethrin.

Skin and hair tests can confirm toxicity, but it may take several days for a laboratory to confirm this. Your vet will have to go by blood testing as well as clinical history and symptoms for a quick diagnosis. Toxic levels of permethrins can cause death in your canine.

If you suspect your Goldendoodle is having a toxic reaction to a topical flea treatment, immediately give your Goldendoodle a warm soap bath PRIOR to taking your Goldendoodle to your vet, to help immediately remove the chemicals from your doodle's hairs and skin. Take your doodle to your vet right after your dog's bath. He or she may administer what is called "diazepam" to help reduce the chances of a seizure. Your vet may also administer "methocarbamol" to treat possible muscle spasms or tremors. Both medications may be given through out the entire hospital stay. Permethrin toxicity will cause your Goldendoodle a hospital visit and the cost can be staggering. It is better to be safe than sorry and NOT use flea, tick or ear mite medications with high levels of permethrins that can cost you and your Goldendoodle, in the long run. You may want to try holistic preventatives as well as "EQUATE" lice shampoo.

If your Goldendoodle's ear yeast infection is caused from other issues, your veterinarian will prescribe medication such as an ear ointment (Otomax is a common drug used for most ear infections) and will tell you how long to apply the drops inside your canine's ears. For mild, ear yeast infections, your vet may also prescribe another type of medication such as Zymox otic enzymatic solution with hydrocortisone. This medication is also available without hydrocortisone. Please note that the above medication can be purchased over the counter and WITHOUT a prescription from your vet.

If your Goldendoodle has a bacterial infection inside of his or her ears, your vet may prescribe an oral medication to help treat this problem. Baytril is a common oral medication given to canine with bacterial ear infections. It is important to watch for allergic reactions if your vet prescribes your Goldendoodle Baytril. Difficulty breathing or swallowing, swelling anywhere on the face or itchy bumps that appear to be hives are just some of the allergic reactions that can occur. There are many other type of medications your vet may provide to you as a means of treating your Goldendoodle's ear yeast infection.

Ear ointments or ear drops can be used to help clear up a yeast infection within your Goldendoodle's ear canal. Panalog, Tresaderm and Otomax are some of the most common ointments used. After applying any type of ointment or drops inside of your Goldendoodle's ears, he or she will shake their head. This is common, so do not be alarmed. Your Goldendoodle shaking his or her head does not mean the medication isn't working.


EAR YEAST INFECTION CAUSES

While any type of ear infection that your Goldendoodle may experience is painful and causes great discomfort, having an ear yeast infection does not mean your Goldendoodle has some underlying disease. Ear yeast infections can be caused from many things. Ear mites is just one of the most common reasons. Believe it or not, canine ear yeast infections are very common in dogs that have long, heavy or floppy ears. Goldendoodle dogs are very susceptible to ear infections because their long hair that covers their ears provides the perfect environment for bacteria and yeast to grow. Your doodle's body also provides a great place for parasites and pesky mites to survive and cause problems for him or her.

While it may be true that endocrin diseases such as hypothyroidism may predisposition your Goldendoodle to more frequent ear infections, your Goldendoodle must present a long history of health problems before this can be determined by your vet. A weakened immune system caused by chronic respiratory health problems and other long term health issues with your Goldendoodle may make him or her more susceptible to ear infections. Goldendoodles who have allergies seem to also be more prone to these common ear problems. Certain characteristics of the canine's ear is just one of the reasons why some dogs get more ear infections than others. Keeping your Goldendoodle's hair trimmed short around the ears will help reduce the possibility of an ear infection. The long hairs that hang close to your doodle's ears helps trap moisture which then allows bacteria and yeast to grow.

Your vet can not determine the exact reason as to why your Goldendoodle has an ear infection or has yeast or bacteria inside of his or her ear without knowing a full history of other possible health problems that may be going on. If your Goldendoodle has presented other long term health issues and is having frequent ear infections, clinical signs may help your vet determine whether or not your Goldendoodle has a weakened immune system. Blood tests can rule out other problems such as hypothyroidism. If your Goldendoodle has an ear infection or yeast ear infection, do not panic. This is a common ear problem for many dogs that can easily be treated.


**About the author: Dee Gerrish, of Goldendoodle World, has been a private breeder since 1996. Dee has been writing about the Goldendoodle dog since 1999. She was the first breeder to register the Goldendoodle hybrid with a kennel club in the United States. Dee is also one of the original founders for the Goldendoodle dog, for the entire southern region of the United States.

Goldendoodles- Taking care of your beach bum

Your Goldendoodle loves going to the beach as much as you. Perhaps even more. But sand can be a problem, especially when it gets in the eyes. As you perform your grooming routine for your Goldendoodle dog, he or she should be accustomed with being bathed and handled around the face. Beginning this process when your doodle is a young puppy is best.

A gentle cloth without any soap is recommended for cleaning around the eyes, mouth and facial area. When bathing your Goldendoodle, make sure to use shampoo from the back of the head and beyond. I wouldn't even recommend tearless shampoo for the face because even that can have irritants that could cause your doodle distress if it gets in his or her eyes.

Like living rays of sunshine, your Goldendoodle brings you warmth, comfort, joy and beauty into your life. All Goldendoodles require coat maintenance; even more so when he or she goes with you to the lake or the beach. There are some things you are going to want to bring with you when you take your Goldendoodle to the beach or the lake. Essentials in case sand gets into the eyes.

1. bottle of water or two
2. Some paper towels
3. trash bag
4. bottle of saline solution
5. bag of fresh fruit (preferably sliced apples)
6. doggie bowl
7. first aide kit
8. Slicker brush
9. Toys for playing


A slicker brush is great to use on your Goldendoodle's coat because it helps remove dead hairs. Be sure to brush out your Goldendoodle's coat before he or she gets wet. This help prevent matting which can tighten and multiply. If matting tends to be a problem for your Goldendoodle, purchasing a matting comb will help. Usually these type of combs have removable teeth. They slice right through matted hairs which allows you to brush your doodle much easier. Be careful to use short strokes in the direction of which the hairs grow. Never twist matted hair and pull since this can cause injury to your doodle's skin.


If sand gets into your Goldendoodle's eyes while at the beach, immediately flush the eyes with a bottle of saline solution. Water works okay in a pinch, but saline solution is best. Flush the eyes as best as possible and with a few paper towels, you can wipe the sand away from the hair along with using a bottle of water. As a treat that won't spoil, take along some sliced apples. A first aide kit is always best to have on hand in case your doodle steps on something sharp.

You can encourage your Goldendoodle to have a "soft mouth" by using training bumpers rather than a ball. The lake or the beach is the perfect play for playing "fetch" and your Goldendoodle will enjoy this outdoor experience. If you find yourself contemplating spending the entire day at the beach or lake with your Goldendoodle, make sure you bring along plenty of sunscreen for yourself and keep an eye on your doodle's skin. Believe it or not, even dogs can sunburn.

Some Goldendoodle owners shy away from the beach or lake experience only because they know their doodle's coat behaves like a magnet for all things sand...leaves...twigs. But you will find that your Goldendoodle will enjoy a beach or lake excursion because they have such a wide open area for running and playing. Many people think that a Goldendoodle is a natural in the water, but all dogs must be taught how to swim. If you start with a kiddie pool when your doodle is a young puppy, you can graduate to bigger and better things as your doodle becomes more confident in the water. Taking a frisbee along with you can be quite an experience.

When your Goldendoodle asks for something such as food, play or whatever, ask your doodle to do something for you, first. Then reward him or her by granting his or her request. "Rewards" should be tasty and wholesome. Many dogs enjoy chomping on fresh sliced apples...even dried bananas. You can even supercharge your doodle's dry food by placing some of it in a bag along with highly flavored treats. Place it in a jar over night. The resulting "trail mix" will generate more interest than his or her own plain, every day doggie food. When at the beach or lake, your Goldendoodle can be the star providing you've taught him or her some basic obedience.
The main thing is to have SAFE fun and make sure your Goldendoodle isn't out in the sun for too long. The sun is very bright at the beach and too much sunlight exposure can cause early cater acts in your doodle's eyes. Keep your doodle in a long, retractable leash if you are not sure he or she will respond quickly to your commands.

Bring an umbrella and a nice big blanket and have tons of fun!


**About the author: Dee Gerrish, of Goldendoodle World, has been writing about the Goldendoodle dog since 1999. More information about the Goldendoodle can be found at http://www.goldendoodelworld.com