Meet Our Goldendoodles
The Goldendoodle is a “designer dog,” a hybrid dog breed resulting from mixing the Poodle with the Golden Retriever.
Being a wonderful family companion, the Goldendoodle generally gets along well with children and does well with other dogs and family pets. Goldendoodles are known for their friendly, gentle dispositions and their eager-to-please attitudes. They are incredibly people-oriented and easy to train! They have a charming sense of humor and an uncanny ability to know when their humans could use an extra snuggle.
Generations of Goldendoodles We Raise Here at Apple Creek
F1 Goldendoodle – One Parent is a Golden Retriever and one is a Poodle, this generation results in a puppy that is 50% Golden Retriever and 50% Poodle.
Our F1 Goldendoodles originate from a Poodle Dad and a Golden Retriever Mom. This blend has a large amount of genetic diversity, so the F1 Goldendoodles appearance can widely vary. For instance, the coat could appear straighter, like a Golden Retriever, it could have the curliness of the Poodles coat, or it could be somewhere in between. While most F1 Goldendoodles will likely shed less than a Golden Retriever, they still have a decent probability of shedding a little and triggering allergy-sufferers. So, if you have dog allergies, you may have better luck with an F1b Goldendoodle which has more poodle and less golden retriever in the mix.
F1b Goldendoodle – One Parent is an F1 Goldendoodle and one is a Poodle, this generation results in a puppy that is 25% Golden Retriever and 75% Poodle.
F1b Goldendoodles will shed less than F1 Goldendoodles and are suitable for most families with allergies. With the F1B Goldendoodle, you lose some of the genetic diversity, by reintroducing the Poodle. However the advantage is a more predictable coat. The more Poodle DNA a puppy has, the more likely they are to be lower shedding and more hypoallergenic, as compared to an F1 Goldendoodle. So this generation is a safer bet for families dealing with mild allergies.
F1bb Goldendoodle – One Parent is an F1b Goldendoodle and one is a Poodle, this generation results in a puppy that is 12.5% Golden Retriever and 87.5% Poodle.
The F1BB Goldendoodle generation is designed with allergy sufferers in mind. Because this generation is closer to the Poodle than the Golden Retriever, it has a much better chance of being non-shedding and hypoallergenic, although it is important to remember that there are no guarantees. But if allergies are a concern, an F1BB Bernedoodle is the best generation for you to seek out. There will be less genetic diversity than in other generations. Both appearance and temperament are more likely to be Poodle-like. While this means you are more likely to get a hypoallergenic coat, this also means this coat will likely be curly and high-maintenance when it comes to grooming.
Living with Goldendoodles
Separation anxiety is probably the biggest problem that Goldendoodle owners face. Like all dogs, Goldendoodles are pack animals. This anxiety is often worse for puppies than for adult Goldendoodles. For some Goldendoodles, anxiety can lead to destructive behavior.
Goldendoodles develop a strong attachment to members of their family due to their affectionate nature. Given their need to be close to you, your Goldendoodle can easily develop separation anxiety when you leave them alone. To avoid this here are some steps you can take to make you leaving a non issue.
- If possible give your dog some exercise before you leave.
- Give your dog a special treat each time you leave (like a puzzle toy stuffed with peanut butter). Only give them this treat when you’re gone, and take it away when you get home.
- Make your comings and goings low-key without a lot of greeting. Ignore your pup for the first few minutes after you get home.
- Leave some recently worn clothes out that smell like you.
Health and Life Expectancy of Goldendoodles
Goldendoodles tend to be healthier dogs than either of their parents. Inbreeding has left many purebred dogs open to genetically inherited diseases and conditions, but cross-breeding reduces that risk. Speaking to my Veterinarian, Golden Retrievers are on the top of the list for dogs they see that have cancer so it seems as if Goldendoodles will also be more prone to getting cancers. There are known carcinogens in our environments that can contribute to cancer in our dogs, such as – excessive exposure to the sun, tobacco smoke, herbicides, pesticides, and insecticides, as well as air pollution and smog in urban areas, can all aid in the development of cancer. If you know your dog’s breed is more prone to cancer because of the risk factors discussed then be very observant, investigate symptoms quickly, provide a high-quality diet and ensure they are allowed adequate exercise, to try to mitigate the risk.
Regardless of how healthy your dog is when you first bring them home, you should prepare for any issues that may come up throughout their life. A pet insurance plan can help you stay ready for any of your dog’s veterinary needs.
I’d say the life expectancy for most dogs these days is 10-12 years. Smaller breeds will live a bit longer than large breeds. A lot depends on keeping them at a healthy weight, not pumping tons of chemicals into them by way of flea/tick treatments or over vaccinating, keeping them away from yard pesticides and all of the bad treats out there that are not beneficial for them.