Is a Goldendoodle right for your family?
/It seemed to start out of nowhere - the great popularity of Goldendoodles in Toronto. They have become increasingly sought-after since we first began hearing about them in the early 1990s.
These days when I am out and about in the city I never fail to see a Goldendoodle!
It seems to me that Goldendoodles may be one of the most popular mixed breeds in Toronto.
Rover.com, a company that connects pet sitters and dog walkers to dog owners, looked into their database of over one million pets. and has released a list of the 20 most popular dog breeds in Canada for 2021. In the whole of Canada, Goldendoodles were in the number 4 position in 2021!
As a pet photographer I’ve had the opportunity to photograph quite a few Doodle mixes and they are really wonderful dogs.
But is a Goldendoodle the right dog for you and your lifestyle? What are the factors that you need to consider before you go out and purchase that puppy?
Goldendoodle
1.Coats
Goldendoodles are recommended for people who suffer from mild pet allergies. Being part Poodle, their coats are considered to be hypoallergenic with very little shedding. But the idea that they are low maintenance could not be further from the truth. You need to expect and prepare for daily home maintenance. This includes brushing and combing almost everyday or they can become very matted. They will also require a haircut 3 – 4 times per year.
2. Intelligence and Obedience
Poodles and Golden Retrievers, the two breeds that make up a Goldendoodle, rank among the most intelligent of dog breeds. So your Doodle is guaranteed to be a smart dog that is quick and eager to learn. They are highly food and praise motivated, which makes training really easy.
But being a combination of working breeds they are high-maintenance, high-energy dogs. They can and will become destructive if they are bored. They will require training, and quite a lot of it. You will need to help them channel all that energy and put it to good use instead of mischief. If you don’t have the time to devote to training, then this is not the dog for you!
3. Dog Sports
Their high energy and prey drive make Goldendoodles great athletes who often excel in agility trials, dock jumping, herding and rally obedience. If you want to get into dog sports, this may just be the right breed for you!
4. Friendliness and sociability
With the best qualities of both breeds, the Goldendoodles are loyal, affectionate and gentle, and can easily cheer you up when you feel down. They are people dogs and don't like to be left alone. Definitely take this into consideration, as being left alone for long periods can lead to separation anxiety. You may need to use the services of a doggy daycare to prevent destructive behaviours caused by separation anxiety.
5. Playfulness
They are known for their playfulness and enjoy playing games such as fetch and tug of war for hours! They usually love other pets, and can adapt to a variety of lifestyles and activities.
6. Service Dogs
Due to their loving nature, Goldendoodles make excellent service or therapy dogs. They can be trained to provide a range of services and make wonderful companions for people with health issues ranging from anxiety to autism, epilepsy, physical disabilities and everything in between.
Goldendoodle’s are really lovable. Just look at this face!
7. Other Doodle breeds to consider
While Goldendoodles are extremely popular in Toronto, there has been an increase in the popularity of so many other wonderful Poodle mixes. It’s not necessary to limit your search to Goldendoodles - take a look at these other amazing Doodles!
Aussiedoodle puppy
Sheepadoodle enjoying a swim at the Beaches in Toronto
Cockerpoos are also Poodle mixes
Related: April 2023: Why Doodle Dogs are not right for everyone
An important note when considering a Goldendoodle or or any other type of Doodle is to ensure that you do your research on any potential breeder. Their surge in popularity in recent years, has unfortunately led to some unethical breeding practices. For information on reputable breeders in Canada, please visit Goldendoodle Association of North America
If you are in the Toronto area and would like a photo session with your Goldendoodle or any other Doodle, you are in the right place! Simply contact me to discuss your pet and family photo shoot.
This weeks topic in my weekly blog circle pertains to dog breeds in our city, so I was pleased to be able to give some important pointers on one of Toronto’s most popular breeds of dog, the Goldendoodle.
Now on to Charlotte NC based dog photographer Kim Hollis of BARKography who discusses one of the most popular breeds in her town.
Terri J Photography specializes in on-location pet photography in the Toronto area, providing dogs and cats and their people with memorable portraits. Also serving Richmond Hill, Markham, Vaughan, Etobicoke, Scarborough, Mississauga and beyond.
