If you are considering jumping into Goldendoodle ownership, you are in for the time of your life. It will be challenging, fun and very rewarding to be the parent of this great cross breed.
Goldendoodles make great pets for families and are known for their gentle and loving nature.
They’ll be a loving member of your family for years to come. However, there are a few things that you need to know before taking the plunge. Outlined below is a list of 9 things to keep in mind as you search for your Goldendoodle.
- It’s going to be a lot of work
- It’s going to be expensive
- There are Goldendoodles and other Poodle mixes awaiting adoption or rescue
- You’ll need to get active
- Having a messy house will be your new normal
- Your dog will turn heads out in public
- You’ll become a regular with a groomer or you’ll need to learn to do it yourself
- You’re going to have a loyal friend for many years to come
- Expect a long happy life with your dog but be prepared for the worst
Let’s expand on each of these a little bit more.
1. It’s Going To Be a Lot of Work
If you have never owned a dog of your own before, you are about to be in for a real treat. If you are a veteran dog owner, you already know what you are getting yourself into.
Owning a dog is no walk in the park (pun intended)! Don’t let the cute little puppy face trick you into thinking that this will be an easy task. Becoming a dog parent is very rewarding but you need to understand what you are getting yourself into.
It’s going to be a lot of work, especially in the beginning. You’ll be on watch continuously as your doodle goes about his or her day knowing that any second, they could squat and do their business right in the house or even in your lap. You’ll develop an eye for spotting this soon enough.
Here is a list of just some of the things that will consume your time with your new Goldendoodle.
- Making sure their basic needs are met
- Making sure they don’t use the potty where they aren’t supposed to (in the house)
- Keeping them cleaned and groomed
- Keeping their ears cleaned and free from infections and their teeth brushed
- Training
- Exercise
The list goes on and on and it never seems to end. In fact, some may say it’s similar to raising a human child. There is a reason that dogs are often referred to as fur children. It’s a lot of work and you will need to be committed to the process for the entirety of their lives.
If you simply want a Goldendoodle because of the cute puppies they are, forget it. They grow up and need attention and you will need to be there to give it to them.
It takes dedication and patience but as any Goldendoodle owner will attest to; it’s so worth it!
2. It’s Going To Be Expensive
If you think having a dog is cheap, think again. A Goldendoodle will require a financial commitment from you and will need to be taken care of in a variety of ways.
Some of the costs of ownership might include:
- Vet bills, medications, vaccines, surgeries
- Pet insurance
- Food
- Toys
- Crates, beds, etc.
- Boarding
- Extra fees when booking hotels or other vacation rentals
- Daycare
There are never-ending costs associated with owning any type of dog and us dog owners sometimes go a little crazy at making sure our best friend has the best of everything.
There is nothing wrong with this as long as you know this from the beginning and are prepared for it.
It’s easy to get carried away with thinking it’s just a little puppy, it can’t cost that much.
According to the ASPCA, the cost of ownership of a dog in the first year can be well over $1000 and that doesn’t even include the cost of buying the dog.
The last thing you want is to purchase a Goldendoodle because you think it is cute, only to realize that you can’t afford to keep it. If this should happen, you could find yourself re-homing the dog or even worse, surrendering it to your local shelter.
No one wants to have to go through this so be sure you have your finances in order before you even consider brining a Goldendoodle into your home.
3. There Are Goldendoodles And Other Poodle Mixes Awaiting Adoption or Rescue
Before you go searching for a breeder to find your perfect dog, please consider that there are Goldendoodles and other poodle mix dogs in shelters waiting to be rescued.
These dogs may have been loved at one time but may have been surrendered because the owner couldn’t afford them, lost interest in them, didn’t know how to properly train them or just didn’t have the space for them.
Whatever, the reason, they deserve good homes and will be good pets if given the chance.
When we purchased our mini Goldendoodle, we never thought to consider adopting. We were young and ignorant about the process and just went straight to a breeder.
Although we love our dog and wouldn’t trade her for anything in the world (including all the money you could give us), we will look to adopt our next dog if that day should ever come.
Our dog has opened our hearts to all animals and we know that there are dogs that are hurting in shelters all over the world. These dogs have broken hearts and only want to be loved and to be part of a pack that accepts them unconditionally.
Try the Doodle Rescue Collective Inc to see if you can find your forever friend before you settle on purchasing one from a breeder.
You can also check out PetFinder or even your local or other animal shelters to see if there is a doodle available.
It’s understandable that you may want to have the opportunity to pick out your pup and make sure they are perfect in every way. However, keep in mind the ones who won’t be picked and are living in shelters waiting for someone to come along and choose them.
It’s also important to note that since the popularity of Goldendoodles has risen so rapidly, puppy mills have began to take notice. Please don’t support puppy mills and only look for reputable breeders if you are going to go this route.
4. You’ll Need To Get Active
Goldendoodles come with a lot of energy. The large breeds will be a handful for someone that isn’t active. Consider this as you try to determine the type of doodle you want.
If you are not an active person, you will probably want to consider changing your lifestyle or if you can’t for some reason, you’ll want to consider hiring a dog walker.
Dogs need to be walked on a regular basis, not only for the physical activity, but also for training purposes. If you intend to purchase a Goldendoodle and then just leave it in the house 24/7, you may end up with a monster on your hands.
All of that pent-up energy will need to be expended somehow or bad behaviors could start to develop.
Lots of daily activity is very important for the growth and development of a Goldendoodle and it is your responsibility to provide this on a regular basis.
Whether it’s a large Goldendoodle or a mini Goldendoodle, they all come with high energy needs that will need to be spent by walking, running and playing.
Some of the things you can do with your dog to help them work of their energy:
- Take them on a walk – daily
- Jog with them or skate, bike, etc.
- Take them to the dog park and let them run and play with other dogs
- Play frisbee or other sporting activities with them in your own yard
- Introduce them to a treadmill for dogs
All of these options will help your dog release pent-up energy but you’ll have to make sure you are up to the challenge. If you aren’t currently active, make sure you are serious about becoming more active once you have your dog.
5. Having a Messy House Will Be Your New Normal
Dogs love to play with toys and us dog owners love to buy new toys for them. In fact, if you take a look at our house at any given time, you might find ten or more toys laying around the living room, on chairs, couches and everywhere in between.
Our mini Goldendoodle loves her toys and she has her favorites. She goes to her toy box pretty much every day and lets us know that she wants to play with something. Even at 13 years old, she is still leaving toys all over the place.
Sometimes she will get in the mood and there is just no stopping her. When she wants to play with a toy, you better be ready to play with her. Goldendoodles love play partners and will expect you to be the one that obliges.
If you are one that likes a tidy, neat house, you may be a bit disappointed with your Goldendoodle. You may want the place clean but your dog has something else to say. Toys belong strewn about the floor and as soon as you put them up, they are likely to find themselves back in the same spot.
6. Your Dog Will Turn Heads Out In Public
Doodles used to be less common and when we got ours nearly 13 years ago, we hardly ever saw them around our town. However, they have become more commonplace now and they are always a hit with others out in public.
Who can resist the teddy bear face and the friendly temperament that most of these dogs have. I often see them in Home Depot or other stores around town. In certain times of the year, I see them in cars with their fluffy heads looking out the window.
When you go out in public with your doodle, expect to hear lots of comments on how cute your dog is. You’ll hear things like…
- What kind of dog is that?
- Oh, your dog is so cute!
- He’s so fluffy and soft and looks like a big teddy bear
- She’s like a big stuffed animal!
It really is fun to go out in public and see the reactions of others as they encounter these gentle teddy bears firsthand.
7. You’ll Become a Regular With a Groomer Or You’ll Need To Learn To Do it Yourself
Goldendoodles have hair that continues to grow and grow and grow. Since they don’t have fur and they don’t typically do much shedding, they will need to be groomed on a regular basis.
All dogs are different and their coats will vary so it isn’t a one size fits all approach to grooming your doodle.
You’ll need to either seek out a groomer or you’ll want to develop the necessary skillset to do it yourself. We have never taken our Goldendoodle to a groomer and have always chosen to tackle it ourselves.
We prefer this approach because we can control how she looks, the environment she is in and it’s much cheaper. Our dog gets stressed in situations like this so we like to keep her in her own familiar place while we take our time grooming her.
We cut her hair, clip her toenails, brush her regularly and even do the dirty deed of expressing anal glands. Yep, that’s a thing you’ll possibly have to do as well unless you pay someone else to do it.
Taking your dog to the groomer every 6 – 8 weeks can become very expensive and it can be difficult to settle on a groomer that does a good job.
Just know that your Goldendoodle will require maintenance and you will have to choose to either have it done or be the one to do it.
8. You’re Going To Have a Loyal Friend For Many Years To Come
If you are looking for a friend that will never leave your side, a Goldendoodle makes an excellent choice. We all know that dogs make great companions but doodle owners like to consider their dogs among the best ones.
Here are just a few of the benefits of having a doodle.
- You’ll have a true friend by your side no matter what life throws at you
- You’ll always have someone to talk to – and sometimes they will talk back 🙂
- A living teddy bear to snuggle with on a cold day
- Someone to brighten your day after a long, soul-sucking day at your job
- A bond that can’t be broken and will be one of the best bonds you’ll ever make
There is a quote that sums up the way a Goldendoodle may touch your life.
Until one has loved an animal a part of one’s soul remains unawakened. – Anatole France
You’ll have many friends come and go in your life and even some family that will forsake you. However, your dog will be the one to put a smile on your face, shine light into your darkness and be a trusting partner that you will never doubt.
9. Expect a Long Happy Life With Your Dog But Be Prepared For The Worst
Goldendoodles are mostly healthy dogs and they tend to have long lifespans. The health of your specific dog will often depend upon their parents and sometimes they can inherit genetic health issues.
However, this is not common and most will live long healthy lives free from any health issues at all with the exception of accidents.
You should look forward to a long happy life with your dog and know that you are in it for the long run. You will mean everything to your dog! You will be his or her entire world and they will look to you for many years to come.
You should already be in the mindset that you are going to treat them as family and not as just a dog. They will give you years of entertainment, love, laughter and tears.
There will also come a time that you will need to be prepared for the worst. Nothing lasts forever and there will be a time when your best friend will have to move on from this earth.
We don’t like to talk about it but it is a fact of life. We all will pass away and unfortunately, dogs will not live as long of a life as humans have the potential to live.
Know that when you get a Goldendoodle, you will have lots of happy and fun years with them but you will also need to be strong enough to understand that bad things can happen.
Accidents can happen and if you are fortunate enough to escape any accidents, nature will call and your dog will need to leave you.
They will pass away and although it will be one of the most difficult experiences of your life, you will live knowing that you bonded with your dog and there was a love and friendship unlike any other.
Yes, growing close to a Goldendoodle over the years will be amazing but having to say goodbye will be an absolute heart-breaker. Unfortunately, that’s reality but in the end you’ll be proud that you had the opportunity to be a part of your dog’s life.