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/

The Goldendoodle...a Proto Dog?

The Goldendoodle...a Proto Dog?
Author: Dee Gerrish




For years, scientists theorize that dogs might not have descended from wolves at all. Then there are many who believe they did. Many people also believe wolves are scavengers living amongst human societies. Perhaps it was the animals who were able to get closer to humans, who had better access to their food supply and that is why they were the ones to survive the best. Dogs, centuries ago, were not hybrids, mixed breeds or purebred. They were simply wild canid that probably descended from some original proto-canid that is an ancestor to every dog we know of, today.
Sometimes a mixed breed dog will resemble a wolf and sometimes your dog may remind you of a wolf with the way they behave or act. It has been largely debunked, the notion that humans plucked wolf cubs out of a den and domesticated them. It is much more likely that the first dog types decided to start living around humans because their food supply was easier to obtain. It is also doubtful that our ancestors took the time to socialize wolves and put so much effort into raising dogs as we do in today's society. More than likely dogs of yesterday were tolerated and played with. Some may have even run away after they grew up. People back in the day did not put so much emphasis on their canine pets as they do today.
In the 1950s, a Russian geneticist by the name of Dmitri Belyaev, proved that within 20 generations, Russian silver foxes that were kept in captivity on a fox farm, developed traits that very closely resembled dogs. They had floppy ears; Piebald coats and had a tendency to bark entirely more than wild canine.
The history of dogs is a hotly debated topic. So much so that there are literally forums where people do nothing but argue in circles. Sort of like which came first? The chicken or the egg? Although your Goldendoodle may not realize what all the commotion is about, he or she has come quite a long way since the early 1990s. "Designer mutt" isn't really the correct way to think about the Goldendoodle. They aren't designer dogs. They certainly are not a mixed breed dog. They are hybrid dogs that come from two different purebred dogs even if both parents are a Goldendoodle. All Goldendoodles originate from the Poodle and the Golden Retriever, when all is said and done.
The Goldendoodle dog has been evolving since early 1997. With the first known mixes coming out of Australia, it is hotly debated whether the first known Goldendoodle mix came from Canada or Australia. But there is no need for argument. I am very positive Golden Retrievers have bred to Poodles since both purebred dogs have been in existence. They just didn't have a cutesy "doodle" name attached to them. Dogs themselves have been evolving for thousands of years. Why purebred fanatics become so angry over the idea of the Goldendoodle dog, is beyond me. Every purebred dog known today began as a mixed breed dog.
They had been perpetuating themselves based on survival, but dogs of mixed heritage are actually closer to the original dog than purebreds. In the wild, dogs and wolves do not chose to breed to each other on their own. They are, after all, a different species. While I am not sure why many people believe the wolf came first, I am sure all dogs can eventually be found to come from a common ancestor. Whom that ancestor is…well, that's a big question isn't it? We will never know for sure which came first. We will never know for sure who that original common ancestor is.
Over 10,000 years ago, small wolf like canine ranged far and wide. Some scientists have named these small wolf like creatures "Canis Lupus". According to Janice Koler-Matznick, she says the only reason they were named "Canis Lupus" is because no one thought the dog could be that old. Fossils from early canine are approx. 25,000 to 100,000 years old and they are entirely smaller than wolves. Koler-Matznick believes one or some of these fossils may even belong to a domestic dog. She believes that there are a lot of ancestor candidates out there that we have yet to investigate.

**About the author: Dee Gerrish has been writing about the Goldendoodle dog since 1999. She is one of the founding breeders for the Goldendoodle in the southern region of the United States. This article is copyright protected March 30, 2010. It may not be copied, redistributed or changed for commercial or private purposes without the written expressed permission of its author, Dee Gerrish.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/the-goldendoodlea-proto-dog-2075526.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.

**Photo courtesy of Robin Marks, a Goldendoodle World customer. **

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