What are Golden Labradoodles?

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Do you want a pet that is as active as retriever dogs but has the charm of a Doodle dog? You mighthave not heard of them before, but there is such a thing as a Golden Labradoodle. Yes, you read that right. It’s a combination of three different breeds in one! Are you curious enough about this hybrid? Get to know more about them in today’s post.

Golden Labradoodles Origin

A Golden Labradoodle is the offspring of a Goldador mother and a Standard Poodle father. Goldador, as the name implies is the pup of a Golden Retriever and a Labrador Retriever. The Golden Retriever Lab mix is a popular cross and combines two of the well-loved breeds in the United States.

There are no records about the precise origin of Golden Retrievers. In the first place, these dogs are not recognized by major dog clubs. They are not among the types of Doodles a breeder woulddevelop on purpose because there is no market for them. Some even call them “Doodle mutts” because at times, they are the result of uncareful or unplanned breeding.

One possible goal of developing this cross is to have a hypoallergenic sporting dog. As we all know, Golden Retriever Lab mixes have a short but dense coat that sheds throughout the year and during spring and autumn. But with the Poodle in theirlineage, you will likely expect Golden Labradoodles to shed a little less than their Goldador parent.

Appearance

A Golden Labradoodle has a nice balance of both the Goldador and the Standard Poodle’s physical attributes. It usually takes the golden or yellow coat color of their Goldador parent but gets the same coat type as the Poodle parent.

More often than not, it also has the same color as the Golden Retriever Lab mixes and comes in gorgeous shades of yellow. These dogs’ coat color can go anywhere from cream or light yellow to reddish gold. It is unusual to see them in liver or chocolate which is one of the recognized colors of Labradors. Goldadors rarely appear in chocolate and black colors.

These dogs have varied coat types.Their coatmay combine the Poodle’s wiry or wool-like coat and the Goldador’s soft double coat.It’s just normal for them to have a fleece coat which is a combination of both parents’ coat textures. A Goldador’s coat is fairly easy to maintain.

Dogs with a fleece coat resemble the coat of an Angora goat, a domesticated goat known for producing the lustrous fibercalled mohair. This fiberis used for a variety of products including upholstered furniture and stuffed toys. The only disadvantage of having a pup with this coat is you will have to deal with pet hair one way or another.

It is also possible for Golden Labradoodles to inherit the Poodle’s wool or wiry coat.If this is the case, you will need to spend more time grooming them. Aside from regular brushing at home, they also require clipping which can be done by visiting a professional groomer.

A Golden Labradoodle may be hypoallergenic if it gets the same wiry coat of Poodles. These dogs are best known for being hypoallergenic, but it does not mean their hair does not fall out. They do shed to a certain degree but unlike other dogs, the haironly gets trapped in their curls. This gives us theimpression that Poodles are non-shedding dogs.

In terms of weight, Golden Labradoodles are among the largest Doodles you can find. They grow to 60 to 70 pounds on average when fully grown, while some can be as heavy as 80 pounds just like their Golden Retriever Lab mix parent.

Golden Labradoodles Grooming

Maintaining your Golden Labradoodle’s coat involves daily brushing to prevent mats and tangles. Since there is a big chance it will inherit the Poodle’s coat, you will have to deal with consistent grooming. You may opt to bring your pooch to a professional groomer once in eight weeks. This will help especially if you have not tried clipping or trimming a dog’s coat before.

These dogs should not be bathed often but this will alsodepend on your pet’s lifestyle or usual activities. You will only need to bathe the dog whenit already emits an unwanted odor or if he is too dirty. But since theycome fromGoldadors which havea penchant for swimming, expect thesedogs to love being in water. Swimming also suits these dogs because they may have the Goldador’s water repellent coat.

Personality

There is no assurance to how a Golden Labradoodle will turn out but it may inherit the Goldador and Poodle’s many known traits. Goldadors are known for their loyalty and affection towards their owners. They are often used as watchdogs due to their alertness. However, these dogs may not be excellent in guarding their owners because they are friendly and gentle even with strangers.

Just like the Poodles, these dogs may be outgoing and active. They are also known for their good temperament which makes them perfect as family pets. Contrary to what many people believe, Poodles are not just indoor buddies. They would enjoy going out, meeting new people, or exploring new places. It will be a good idea to enroll them in puppy classes or obedience training so they can interact with other pets.

The Poodles, Golden Retrievers, and Labrador Retrievers are all highly trainable because they are smart dogs that can easily pick up whatever you teach them. Poodles ranked second in the list of the smartest breeds while the Golden Retriever and Labrador retriever ranked fourth and seventh, respectively.

Golden Labradoodles Health

As the result of three different breeds, this cross benefits from hybrid vigor or heterosis. Hybrid vigor suggests that crosses are healthier than their purebred counterparts. While there are several studies supporting hybrid vigor, this remains a subject of debate. The truth is that these dogs may inherit the conditions common among both parents.In Goldadors, the typical health issues include:

Cataracts – as with humans, animals suffering from cataracts may have cloudy lens covering their eyes. It may affect their vision especially during their senior years. It’s worth noting that cataracts develop fast so a dog may suffer from blindness if it is not treated immediately. Cataracts are divided into four different types: congenital, developmental, senile, or traumatic. Senile or age-related cataract is the most common type and normally occurs at around six years of age.

Hip and Elbow Dysplasia – hip dysplasia refers to the hip socket’s abnormal formation while elbow dysplasia happens when the elbow joint develops abnormally. Both joint problems are most common in large breeds dogs. Hip dysplasia is characterized by lameness, reduced activity levels, and decreased range in motion. Elbow dysplasia, on the other hand, hassymptoms like lameness or stiffness of the fore limb.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy – PRA is a set of inherited diseases that affect the vision of dogs. On the onset of the disease, a dog will find it difficult to see clearly at night. As the disease progresses, a dog may completely lose its vision during theday as well. Since this is a genetic problem, there is nothing much you can do to prevent it. When a dog is diagnosed with PRA, he should be given a high quality diet to ensure proper development of their eyes.

Diabetes – a diabetic dog either lacks the insulin to properly regulate blood sugar levels or suffers from an inadequate response to insulin. Canine diabetes is not curable but it can be managed through several treatment options. The symptoms of diabetes in dogs are increased or decreased appetite, sudden weight loss, increased urination, excessive water drinking.

Like Goldadors, Standard Poodles are also prone to eye problems and hip dysplasia. Some other problems seen in the breed include thyroid problems and sebaceous adenitis. Poodles are at risk for developing hypothyroidism which results from an insufficient production of thyroxin. This hormone is responsible for controlling a dog’s metabolism. Dogs with thyroid problems often suffer from unexplained weight gain despite showing no changes in their appetite.

Golden Labradoodles Exercise

Just like the three breeds, this pooch will normally have high levels of energy. Goldadors are mainly developed for their passion for sporting events and retrieving. The amount of exercise should be at least 30 minutes to an hour a day. Walking and running are some of the best typesof activities for these active dogs.

Golden Labradoodles Feeding

You have the option to feed your dog pure kibble or mix it with raw or homecooked meals. When it comes to kibble, you canchoose between dry and wet food. You can find a lot of options in the supermarket or pet store but better go for dog food only made of high-quality ingredients. Avoid those with preservatives or animal by-products.

If you are planning to throw in a bit of meat, veggies, or fruits into the mix, ensure they are safe to feed your dog. Some foods like grapes, raisins, and macadamia nuts are not safe to share with dogs. When it comes to vegetables, cook them for at leasta few minutes and avoid giving them raw as they may be difficult to digest for dogs.

Important Reminders

It’s rare to find breeders endorsing the Labradoodle Golden Retriever mix. But once you do, visit the breeder’s facility first before paying thedown payment or making a transaction online. There are cases when owners of both dogs end up with a pup from a Doodle dog and a purebred Golden Retriever possibly because they were either not neutered or spayed.

Conclusion

Golden Labradoodlesarethe result of pairing a Poodle and a Goldador. They have varied personalities, which is a combination of three different breeds in theirlineage. This dog displays a typical retriever’s appearance which is athletic and large but has the cuteness of a Poodle, which is like having a real life teddy bear as pet!

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