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
