Designer dogs have been around since the 50’s. Breeders have attempted to combine the characteristics of two of their favorite breeds to come up with a stronger breed that is less likely to have the negative characteristics of one of the breeds. For example, the Cockapoo was among the first to appear on the market. They are not considered a mutt because the breed of both parents is known. They have progressed to the Goldendoodle, which is a Golden Retriever Poodle mix.
Poodles do not shed as much as many other breeds and are an intelligent, easy to train breed of dog. Golden Retrievers get along with everyone and just about every animal. The reason for crossbreeding the Poodle and the Golden is to produce a dog that sheds less and is more hypoallergenic due to a decrease in dander.
Whether it is a cockapoo, labradoodle, pekapoo, or goldendoodle, they all are under the category of “designer dogs”. Designer dogs or hybrids are the result of breeding a poodle with another breed. The poodle is desirable because it sheds very little and it is said that their hair is closest to human hair. This helps the dog to be more hypoallergenic. There is no breed of dog that is completely allergen free. They shed very little and have a lesser amount of dander. They are an intelligent breed that is relatively easy to train and they get along with people and animals.
Another important reason is an attempt to prevent the genetic issues that the popular breeds are facing due to inbreeding. Purebred dogs are those that have been carefully bred for many generations. The breeder can be confident that the puppies in the litter will carry the characteristics of the parents. Dogs with written standards are the only ones that are bred. You will know the characteristics of the puppy you choose. You will know its size, temperament and any special care the dog will need.
With proper breeding, you will be sure that your dog suits your needs. They will be good for hunting, rescue, police work or lap sitting. You will know if the dog is a people person and will get along with young and old alike and if they will not be a wandering canine that loves to stray from home.
Even with the most cautious breeding, recessive genes can appear. The advantage to proper and complete DNA testing is the occurrence is far less than those who are backyard breeders. Before you choose a goldendoodle breeder, you should determine if the proper testing has been done. Both the golden Retriever and poodles have genetic issues such as hip dysplasia, congenital eye problems and several other genetic issues.
Breeders will start with a purebred Golden Retriever and a purebred Poodle. Two first generation dogs do not guarantee that the genetic defects will not be there. It will not tell you which temperament or coat the dog will have. Your Golden Retriever poodle mix can have a flat coat or a curly coat. You will not know if it will have dominant poodle or Golden tendencies.
Goldendoodles are primarily bred to be companion dogs. A person may choose a goldendoodle over a Golden Retriever to reduce the amount of hair. Standard poodles shed less but there is no guarantee that the Goldendoodle puppy will grow with the poodle characteristics or the Golden characteristics. This will determine the amount of grooming that has to be done. While a Golden needs to be brushed daily and have the routine care such as baths and nail trims, the poodle will need to be taken to a groomer regularly.
Another thing to consider is what generation of the Golden Retriever Poodle mix you are looking at. As the breeders of these designer dogs progress through the breeding process, they will cull the dogs that do not have the desired characteristics and breed the dogs that suit their needs.
A goldendoodle can be just about any color. They can be white, apricot, golden or red. Occasionally you will find one that is black, silver or parti-colored. As we mentioned they can have a curly, straight or wavy coat and their size will depend on the size of the parent. Breeding a miniature poodle with Golden Retriever may give you a smaller dog, if the dog takes on the size of the poodle parent as a predominant trait.
A goldendoodle breeder who has bred for many generations is more apt to give you the type of dog you desire, but there is no guarantee.