Your Goldendoodle, the hunter

*Photo courtesy Catherine Team for Goldendoodle World*

Goldendoodles are highly intelligent with an even, friendly temperament. Their agile, alert and have a beautiful appearance. But can they hunt ?

Given the fact that both the Standard Poodle and the Golden Retriever were used many years ago for hunting and retrieving, the answer is, more than likely.

The Goldendoodle has a great nose for scent and they have a love for water providing they have a history of the right ancestors. With my own Goldendoodles, I noticed their lineage has a very long history of Master Hunters; Utility dogs as well as multiple certified companion dogs. It was very easy to see that my Goldendoodles had a fondness for the water since as very young puppies, they'd splash and play in the water we set out for them to drink. Having to constantly refill water bowls is a daily ritual for young pups due to their tipping the bowls over from trying to sit or stand or splash in them.

Starting your Goldendoodle early with a kiddie pool is all that is needed to jump start your doodle where swimming is concerned. Pups are not born knowing how to swim and of course, the kiddie pool is the safest for a beginner. Golden Retrievers and Standard Poodles were used as working dogs on a variety of terrain. Their agility made them especially great over steep, rocky ground or even in the countryside. They worked from swamps to mountains to plains. They were also known as very good water dogs. Their breed was a natural when it came to hunting.

It would only make common sense that if your Goldendoodle came from a strong line of Master Hunters and Utility dogs, that you could easily train your doodle to become a fine hunting dog. Goldendoodles with long legs might even make for being a good trail dog. Hunters may perceive the long legged Goldendoodle with a love for water sports and fetching, as superior above all other Goldendoodles. There is a huge misconception that the Goldendoodle dog is nothing more than a designer mutt, but let the naysayers say NAY. The Goldendoodle dog has turned the laughter into serious business. This hybrid is still going strong since it became known in the United States back in 1997.

The classic colors for a Goldendoodle is apricot and cream. But the Goldendoodle comes from a wide variety of colors as well as markings. There are only three coat types for the Goldendoodle dog. Curly; smooth and shaggy. The characteristics for a shaggy coat Goldendoodle is a full facial beard of straight hairs that spout outward; Plume tail and a thick body coat with or without some curling. The smooth coat Goldendoodle's appearance is the closest resemblance as that of the Golden Retriever. The smooth coat Goldendoodle will have some fluff about its head, neck, legs, underbelly and sometimes on the body...but it is completely void of the facial beard. The curly coat Goldendoodle is the closest in resemblance to the purebred Poodle. While they also sport a facial beard, it is difficult to notice due to all the curling about the face, head, body, tail and legs. Some breeders dock the tail, but it is usually left intact.

Goldendoodles can have long legs like the Standard Poodle or short legs like the Golden Retriever. It does not matter whom the parents are or whether they came out of a Poodle/Golden Retriever mix; Two Goldendoodles; a Goldendoodle/Poodle mix or a Goldendoodle/Golden Retriever mix.....Goldendoodles can still have either long or short legs.
The doodles who resemble the Poodle most (the curly coat) almost always has the longer legs; longer muzzle and petite body structure. The doodles that resemble the Golden Retriever the most can have also a petite body structure, long muzzle and longer legs but the temperament of the Golden Retriever. Some can be stocky dogs ....but most are somewhere in between.


With my own Goldendoodles, I try to concentrate on producing dogs that become better companions generation after generation and allow the coloring and markings fall where it may. It is not, however, uncommon to see doodle after doodle after doodle pick up a fondness for fetching, retrieving and a love for water. It is much easier to train our Goldendoodles for water sports or retrieving since they do have a little extra between the ears! A few serious breeders selectively breed their Goldendoodles for coloration. Mostly apricot or white. But I enjoy the variety since the Goldendoodle is beautiful no matter what color they are. I do have a fondness, however, for our blue eyed Goldendoodles because they are very unique and so far, we have been able to keep the blue eyes for ourselves. It won't be long, however, before other breeders offer them.

Although many Goldendoodles provide comic relief and are very laid back, the curly coat Goldendoodle does require a bit more exercise to run off extra energy. Being able to run and let off some steam will make the curly coat Goldendoodle very happy. The very nice trait of the majority of Goldendoodles is that they don't stray too far from the side of their owner or handler.
They are personable dogs who enjoy the company of their human companions but they do also like to get out and let loose every once in awhile.

Just like people, Goldendoodles can have varying personalities. Many are outgoing but some can be reserved around strangers. Many are overly friendly but some tend to be more protective and stick close to their owner or handler. Goldendoodles can not be pigeonholed. Too many people want to lump all Goldendoodles into a group when that is just not possible. There are too many different bloodlines and so many different breeders using many different
breeding methods. So much so that there is a tremendous variety in how the Goldendoodle looks, behaves and how they think. Goldendoodles are going to behave differently according to who raises them and the things they have been exposed to. In general, however, Goldendoodles are highly intelligent, outgoing, happy dogs.

Those who purchase the Goldendoodle need to understand that the Goldendoodle dog must be thought of as a 2 year old child. They can come up with the darnedest things; get into the biggest messes and then stand there looking at you with those beautiful, innocent eyes as if to say, "Did I do that" ??

If you are a laid back person, do not consider purchasing a young Goldendoodle. All Goldendoodles are rambunctious as puppies and full of playful energy. Of course the excess energy will go in spurts just like a toddler. They eventually lay down and take a nap just to wake up and start all over again. Their happy tail never stops wagging. Goldendoodles are usually great with kids because of their energetic nature but we do recommend that those with babies or toddlers either purchase an adult Goldendoodle or wait until their children get a little older. Young puppies have sharp teeth and very sharp nails even if their nails are clipped. Young puppies can accidentally knock over a toddler and some feelings are going to be hurt if that happens. Some people with toddlers or babies over extend themselves. They think they are ready for a puppy, when they don't realize having a puppy AND a toddler or baby can be very complicated with the juggling of much needed attention. Even the calmest dog will get tired of the antics of a baby or toddler and will react with a nip if their ears or tail is being pulled one too many times.

What is the best thing about living with a Goldendoodle ? I think the best thing about owning a Goldendoodle is the fact they shed very little and many people who have allergies find they can handle the coat of a Goldendoodle better than any other type of dog they have been around. Also the Goldendoodle tends to be a great companion. They can cheer me up when I'm sad. They will act out when I need some distraction and they offer me more love than I could ever ask for. If I could find a human companion who was a good looking, intelligent, sensitive and who loved me as much as my Goldendoodles......I'd be set for life.



About the author: Dee Gerrish of Goldendoodle World has been writing about the Goldendoodle dog since 1999. Dee Gerrish was the first breeder to register the Goldendoodle dog with a ligitimate kennel club. Dee is one of the original founders for the Goldendoodle dog for all of the southern region of the United States. Dee is a self proclaimed Goldendoodle expert who can tell you just about anything you ever wanted to know about the Goldendoodle dog. Find out more at http://www.goldendoodleworld.com/ .