Dogs have been man’s best friend for thousands of years. In fact, they’re the most popular pet in the world, and for good reason.
Not only are they easy to train, but they’re also incredibly loyal. There’s just one thing—they can trigger allergies in some people.
The good news is that some breeds are less likely to cause allergies than others. Take Goldendoodles, for example, they tend to shed less, which means that they’re less likely to cause an allergic reaction.
Thinking of adding one to your family? Looking for some Goldendoodle puppy breeders? If so, you’re on the right page.
We’ll be going over everything that you need to know below—so be sure to read until the end!
What Are Goldendoodles?
The Goldendoodle is a cross between a golden retriever and a poodle. As such, they’re not a true dog breed.
That doesn’t make them any less popular, though. If anything, the high intelligence of the poodle and the eager-to-please nature of the golden retriever makes them excellent family pets.
History of Goldendoodles
The Goldendoodle was developed in the mid-90s as an alternative to the cockapoo—a cross between a cocker spaniel and a poodle. Given their mixed ancestry, they’re not recognized by any purebred dog registries such as the AKC.
With that said, they are recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club.
What Do Goldendoodles Look Like?
As with all crossbreeds, the appearance of Goldendoodles can vary widely. At the end of the day, it all depends on the genes that they’ve inherited from their parents.
For example, their coat may be curly like a poodle’s or straight like a golden retriever’s. Most, however, will have a curly or wavy coat. In terms of color, they can be white, black, grey, amber, red, brown, or white.
As for their size, it also varies widely—that is, they can weigh anywhere from 15 to 100 pounds.
Goldendoodle Temperament
Goldendoodles are obedient, intelligent, and extremely loving dogs. Not only do they get along with other pets, but they’re typically also patient with young children.
If anything, that’s one of the reasons why they make excellent family dogs. Highly social, they love spending time with their people both inside or outside the home.
Note: Goldendoodles are far too friendly to make good guard dogs. Instead of warning a stranger off, they’d likely befriend them instead!
Things to Consider When Looking For Goldendoodle Puppy Breeders
Want to find a Goldendoodle breeder? If so, there are several things that you want to keep in mind.
Health Testing
A good breeder will test their parent dogs for genetic conditions. That way, they won’t be passed onto their offspring.
Take hip dysplasia, for example, it’s a common condition that affects both poodles and golden retrievers. Given that, it’s crucial that both parents receive hip testing.
In addition to that, breeders may perform OFA and CERF testing.
They Should Only Have One Litter At a Time
It takes a lot of work to raise a litter of puppies. Given that, most ethical breeders will only have one litter at a time. That way, they’re able to give the puppies the attention that they need.
Avoid breeders who have multiple litters going at the same time.
Puppies Are Raised Inside
A good breeder won’t raise their puppies in a kennel or outside environment; they will raise them inside their home. In doing so, the pups will be more exposed to animals, kids, and other home activities, which would help with their socialization.
Puppies Unavailable Until 8 Weeks Old
Puppies who are removed from their parents and littermates before they’re 8-weeks old are much more likely to exhibit behavioral problems toward other dogs.
For this reason, responsible breeders won’t sell their dogs until they’re 8-weeks old.
They’re Not Afraid of Questions
A good breeder should be able to answer any questions that you may have. For example, you can ask about how often they feed or play with their dogs.
The Puppy Parents Are On-Site
Ideally, the puppy’s parents should be on site. That is, you should be able to meet them. After all, they’re the best reflection of what your puppy will be like as an adult.
Warning Signs of a Bad Goldendoodle Breeder
Unfortunately, not all breeders have their dogs’ best interests at heart. Here are a few signs that you’re dealing with an irresponsible breeder:
- They do not require that you spay or neuter your animal
- They offer and breed more than one type of dog
- They list their puppies on sites such as Craigslist (a responsible breeder will typically have a waitlist for their litters)
- They breed dogs who are too young (less than 2 years of age)
- They do not offer to let you meet the parents or see where the puppies were raised
- They don’t ask any questions about you (a good breeder will want to screen their potential adopters)
- They seem ignorant about the breed’s genetic problems
Bringing a Goldendoodle Puppy Home
Hopefully, that gives you a better of what it’s like when searching for Goldendoodle puppy breeders. If anything, you never want to be impulsive; take your time to find a breeder that’s right for you.
Interested in reading more articles like this? Then why not check out the rest of our pet section?
