The Golden-Hearted Goldendoodle

Goldendoodles are very affectionate dogs. They are great with kids and love interacting with other animals, making them ideal for families. They are playful and gentle, but also large and sturdy enough to handle some rough-housing.

While they are friendly, they are also sensitive animals and don't react well to yelling or negative reinforcement. This behavior in a household could lead these dogs to become skittish or shy.

Goldendoodles' appearance varies depending on their breeding. Typically, they have wavy to curly coats ranging from two to three inches long. The fur on their tails, ears, and legs is often feathered and longer than the rest of their bodies.

Coloring can include anything from black, copper, white, cream, grey, golden, red, and apricot. A puppy's coat might be dark but lighten as they get older.

Goldendoodles range in size from 13 to 24 inches tall at their shoulders and usually weigh between 15 and 90 pounds. The variation in size depends on the poodle parent. There are three sizes of poodle: miniature, small standard, and large standard. If you choose to purchase a puppy from a breeder, be sure to discuss your desired size.

Because they are highly intelligent dogs, goldendoodles can be easy to train, making them great pets for first-time dog owners. When training goldendoodles, use consistency, praise, and rewards. They learn best during shorter and more upbeat training sessions, so have some fun and keep your cool. Too much criticism or harsh corrections can damage their confidence and leave them feeling timid and unsure. At the end of the day, they aim to please.

Goldendoodles thrive on companionship and need daily opportunities to interact with their people. This helps to alleviate any separation anxiety, which these dogs are known for.

While generally healthy animals, goldendoodles are prone to some disorders such as hip and elbow dysplasia, ear infections, bloat, patellar luxation, Von Willebrand's disease, allergies, and hypothyroidism. The average life expectancy for these dogs is 10 to 15 years.

This breed has an average energy level, requiring about 20 to 30 minutes of exercise per day. This can include daily walks, chasing a ball in the yard, or active playtime with the family. Being social, goldendoodles do well in off-leash parks and thrive on the interaction with other animals. They also love the water and will take any opportunity to swim.

If these dogs are unable to get their daily exercise, they can become bored and destructive, potentially resulting in chewed up shoes or scratched floors.

Typically, the recommended daily amount of food for this breed is between one and four cups of high-quality dry food, depending on your dog's size, activity level, and metabolism. Higher-quality dog food will keep your dog fuller longer, so less is required.

It is best to feed goldendoodles twice a day at specific times rather than keeping their bowls full throughout the day. This helps to prevent them from overeating.

Because of their size and energy, goldendoodles do best in a house with a fenced-in yard and are not well-suited to apartment living. They also prefer to be around their families and do not do well as outside dogs. As a bonus, though, they hardly bark, making them good neighbors.

Goldendoodles don't particularly like being kenneled or boarded, and if you're crating your dog, they prefer larger units to give them room to sprawl out.

Because of their curls, a good brushing once or twice a week is necessary to keep these dogs' coats healthy and free of uncomfortable mats. For families without allergies, baths are only required when absolutely necessary. Teeth, however, should be brushed two or three times a week, and nails should be clipped monthly. Weekly ear cleanings, along with checks for redness, will help to prevent ear infections.

Goldendoodles have been referred to as hypoallergenic, although this is not the whole truth. Because they have curly coats, dander gets caught in the hair rather than being released into the air. This reduces the likelihood of an allergic reaction, as the dander is what causes the allergy.

There are several ways to further decrease allergens. By bathing these dogs frequently with an anti-shedding shampoo and brushing them two to three times a week, you can limit dander production.