The origin of the Goldendoodle, better known as the Groodle, is quite extraordinary. The Royal Guide Dog Association, headquartered in Australia, partnered with Wally Conron, a well-known dog breeder, to develop the Groodle.
The hybrid breed was created in 1989 by crossbreeding the purebred poodle and Golden Retriever. First-cross or first-generation Groodles inherit the maximum benefits of genetics connected to a mixed dog. Over three decades later, the Groodle is one of the most popular hybrid breeds in Australia and the United States.
Groodle Popularity In Australia
Thousands of Australians have adopted Goldendoodles from pet shops and licensed breeders. The breed is so popular it is nearly impossible to find a puppy or adult dog, for that matter, in a charity-run shelter or dog pound. Fortunately, there are ample breeders licensed throughout the country to crossbreed Groodles.
Undoubtedly, the smaller hybrid breed tends to run on the more popular side than the larger hybrid breed. However, this has not impacted the favorability of the Groodle, which happens to be a large hybrid breed.
Pros And Cons Of Owning A Groodle
Owning a Groodle is rewarding in more ways than one. The breed offers endless mental and physical health benefits. It is unfortunate when these benefits are overlooked for a different canine breed. Unlike mixed breeds, the Groodle comes from a long line of purebred Golden Retrievers and Poodles.
Canines are lovely within themselves, but the Groodle is special. The mere presence of a Goldendoodle is enough to produce calmness and security in one-person households.
Like all canine breeds, the Groodle has some downsides. On a good note, the benefits outweigh the cons by far. Of course, every potential adoptee must decide for themselves as to which breed is more suitable for their needs, preferences, and situation.
Pros Of Owning A Groodle
The pros of owning a Groodle are too many to mention in this article. The benefits are broken down to target the primary reasons why people adopt Groodles.
1. Hypoallergenic Coat
The Groodle’s coat is classified as “hypoallergenic” because it is hair. There are three Groodle coat types – wool, fleece, and hair. All Groodle breeds have hair and fleece or wool. The breed inherits its coat type from its mother and father.
The fleece and wool coats shed little, if any at all. Both coats offer the canine immense warmth, protection, and appeal. People who suffer respiratory conditions, such as asthma, Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease “COPD,” allergies, and periodic Hypersensitivity Pneumonia “HP,” rarely share their homes with canines.
However, the Groodle’s hypoallergenic coat makes it a more suitable fit for these individuals. It is also worth mentioning that the Groodle’s curly or wavy coat lacks fur, an allergen. Allergens like dog hair and dander trigger asthma and allergy attacks.
The Groodle hypoallergenic trait makes it a more suitable companion for asthmatics.
2. Friendly And Loyal Temperament
A friendly temperament is crucial for households with children and frequent visitors. An unfriendly canine can make life unbearable for its owner which will never be an issue with the kindred spirit of the Groodle.
Experts rate the Groodle as a suitable companion for young children. Parents of one or more children looking for a canine companion should definitely consider the Groodle. The sociable temperament allows owners to take their Groodles to dog parks, pet shops, and public events.
The Groodle needs regular exercise and activities to burn off energy. The energetic breed makes the ideal companion for hikes, runs, bike rides, Frisbee tosses, treadmill workouts, and other outdoor activities.
Energetic and sociable canines learn exceptionally well in obedience training. Even when other dogs are present, the Groodle will remain focused on the task at hand.
Groodles display constant allegiance to their masters. The breed generally chooses one master but will obey everyone in the household. There is no end to the faithfulness, devotion, and dependability of the Groodle.
3. Low To Moderate Shedding
Some people are hesitant to adopt because they suffer from allergy problems. The good news is that the groodle breed may be a good choice for you. After all, this dog tends to shed less than others. Instead, the groodle is considered a low to moderate-shedding dog.
Do groodles shed?
Unfortunately, these dogs are going to shed. Nevertheless, it is essential to remember that all breeds shed to some extent. The primary difference is that groodle shedding is less than what you can expect from other dogs.
However, the amount of shedding will depend on the dog’s coat. A wool coat is best in this area while a hairy coat is the worst. You can also reduce your groodle’s shedding by properly caring for its coat. Brush daily and bathe at least every six months.
4. Adaptable To Various Living Situations
When it comes to groodle living conditions, the possibilities are endless. These dogs are willing to adjust to match their current environments. If you have a large home, your groodle will have plenty of room to run and have fun.
Nevertheless, groodle apartment living is acceptable too. As long as you give the dog a happy, loving environment, it will thrive. Just remember that groodles need plenty of exercise so it’ll require daily walks.
These dogs can even live in small apartments as long as their exercise requirements are satisfied. Another thing to remember is that the size of the groodle will help determine the most suitable environment.
5. Intelligent And Easy To Train
One of the best things about this breed is that average groodle intelligence is very high. These dogs are smarter than other breeds. Thankfully, this makes groodle training much easier. Groodle dogs are also eager to please their owners.
These dogs want to satisfy their owners and they enjoy learning new things. They do exceptionally well in agility and obedience training thanks to their natural attributes. These dogs are not considered aggressive.
Therefore, you can easily take them out around other dogs for hands-on training. Some can even be trained to be watchdogs, although they’re not recommended for this purpose.
During training sessions, groodle dogs respond well to reward-based training. Don’t give your groodle too many treats, though. Instead, you can show it affection when it does something correctly.
Cons Of Owning A Groodle
Groodle dogs have many pros, but they also have a few drawbacks. Learning more about these cons is pertinent before inviting a groodle into your home. Otherwise, you may make a life-changing mistake.
Groodle dogs require significant care, time, and attention. They need exercise, daily grooming, and more. You’ll also have to worry about the dog’s potential health issues since some of them can be deadly. Learn more about the cons below before moving forward.
1. Regular Grooming Needs
Some dogs are going to require more grooming than others. This is another con associated with this breed. Groodle coats are usually wool. As a result, this type of coat will require extensive care.
Regular visits to your groomer are required. On top of that, you’ll need to care for the dog’s coat at home. Groodle grooming consists of brushing the dog’s coat daily, bathing at least once a month, and taking your dog to a professional groomer at least every six months.
The required groodle grooming frequency can increase if your dog is exposed to dirty environments. If you don’t brush your dog’s coat daily, its coat may become tangled. Unfortunately, this will require the coat to be cut.
Groodle dogs also have to get their nails trimmed often. Make sure the hair around the dog’s mouth, eyes, and ears is cut. Finally, clean the dog’s ears to prevent infections.
With this in mind, a groodle dog may not be a good choice for people with limited time. Instead, these dogs are good for people with plenty of free time, including retirees and people working from home.
2. Potential Health Issues
Groodle dogs are generally healthy but can still experience certain health issues. Anyone interested in adopting one of these dogs must familiarize themselves with the most common groodle health issues.
Some groodle health problems are minor and can be corrected using treatment and medication. Others can be life-threatening. The most common health issues associated with groodles include hip dysplasia, cancer, epilepsy, elbow dysplasia, skin allergies, and Von Willebrand’s disease.
These dogs can also have birth defects that cause eye and eyelashes issues. Owners should be aware of these issues and the potential signs. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, get your groodle to a vet immediately.
Rapid treatment may prevent a serious problem from becoming life-threatening. A healthy groodle with plenty of exercise could potentially live for 15 years. The average lifespan is between 10 and 15 years.
3. Can Develop Separation Anxiety
Some dogs are okay with being alone. Others are prone to separation anxiety. Unfortunately, groodle dogs fit into the latter category. Unless you train them correctly, your groodles are going to misbehave when you’re away.
In basic terms, your dog will become upset and anxious when you’re away. In severe cases, the dog may attempt to escape your home to reunite with you. If this happens, the dog could end up seriously injured during the escape attempt.
On the other hand, some dogs will turn to destructive behaviors to deal with their anxiety. Groodle separation anxiety can be a real issue for owners. Thankfully, these dogs are smart, so it isn’t too tricky to correct groodle behavior problems. Still, your groodle will require extensive training to prevent it from destroying your home when you go to work or the grocery store.
4.Need For Regular Exercise
Many dogs require a lot of exercise. The groodle would indeed fit into this category. Groodle dogs have high energy levels. If they don’t get enough exercise, they’re going to turn your home into a nightmare.
They’ll bark throughout the night. You may also find them chewing on cords, pillows, and other belongings. The only way to offset this problem is by ensuring that your groodle receives sufficient exercise. You need to keep your groodle activity level high for the best results.
After all, groodle exercise needs are immense. On average, it is recommended that groodles have at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. The good thing is that they’re not picky.
They’ll engage in all types of physical activities, including walking, running, and swimming. They’re also eager to use toy puzzles. It may be best for owners to have large yards. Otherwise, you will have to accompany your dog during each trip out of the home.
5. Size Variability
One potential issue associated with Groodle dogs is that they are available in many sizes. The most common is the standard groodle, which can weigh up to 90 pounds. At its largest, this dog will grow up to 26 inches tall.
The smallest groodle is the toy variety. A toy groodle may weigh only 25 pounds, but some weigh 10 pounds. They are 15 inches or less. It should be noted that breeders cannot guarantee the outcome. Groodle size variability is unpredictable.
Therefore, it can be difficult to get a specific type. Even if you believe that you’re adopting a toy groodle, it may grow bigger than you want. Unfortunately, this can create problems for people living in small homes and apartments.
Adopting an adult groodle is the only way to guarantee that you’re getting the perfect size for your family. Be sure to refer to a Groodle growth chart to find out how big your dog may get during adulthood.
Conclusion
Although Groodles are great dogs, they require significant attention, care, and training. Otherwise, these dogs can become a serious problem. For instance, Groodles need plenty of exercise because their energy levels are very high.
They also experience separation anxiety, meaning they can cause problems while you’re out of the home. Groodles may shed, but not nearly as much as other dog breeds.
Therefore, they’re a good choice for people with allergy issues. On the plus side, Groodles are intelligent and eager to please, so they’re easier to train than other dogs. If you want a hypoallergenic dog that will hold your attention and give you something to do daily, a Groodle will make you a good family member.
Reference:
- https://www.hillspet.com.au/dog-care/dog-breeds/groodle
- https://www.thesprucepets.com/goldendoodle-dog-breed-profile-4169836
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldendoodle