[okstategrads]

Hi friends,

We lost our 12 yr old Golden Retriever in January.. We are finally able to get past our grief to consider getting another dog..

A friend of mine suggested we look at a Goldendoodle, because they don't shed as much as a golden and are hypo-allergenic. I don't know anything else about this breed and would love to hear from someone that has one. Our son has severe allergies and even tho' when tested, he didn't have an allergy to dog hair, we always wondered if he was, in fact, allergic to our Golden.

Thanks for your help with this and I look forward to hearing from you

[gabriella_heart]

Goldendoodles are great dogs. If you want a hypo-allergenic dog, of course it is not guaranteed. Every dog even from the same litter can affect people with allergies differently. There are different breeds of goldendoodles, which would make them more hypo-allergenic. Like two goldendoodles bred together would give you a more hypo-allergenic dog as oppossed to one golden bred with a poodle. Do your research before buying. Good Luck! They are so much fun to have as a pet!

[luv2teach2]

My sister has a 7 month goldendoodle a mini not a standard. He is very cute. My other sister is very allegic to dogs and when we were all home for TG including the dog, my sister said she could feel it but had no real problems with him.

[slmgonz]

We have a 60 pound labradoodle and he is the best dog! Our friends have a goldendoodle and they look identical. They also have many of the same traits: high energy, need lots of exercise/walking, love to fetch, love water, smart, gentle, great with kids. He is best buddies with our 21-month-old who loves giving him hugs, kisses, and occasionally tries to sit on him like a horse. Our labradoodle has a curly coat (mother was a poodle, father a labradoodle) and he does not shed, although he must be brushed and trimmed often or his fur becomes matted. He thinks he's a lap dog...but that's probably because his push-over owners allow him on the furniture

[carolynpep73]

my friend has a laberdoodle and she's a great dog! Like other posters have said; high energy, loves to play, great with kids. Can't say about the allergy stuff because they didn't ever comment on that.

I've also heard that Bischon (sp?) dogs are good for allergies too.

[purplecat]

They are very cute dogs! We raise Jackadoodles and the are also great dogs. Best of Luck!

[sak9645]

The problem with golden doodles and labradoodles is that they are not yet recognized officially as breeds, because they do not always breed "true".

In order to be recognized as a breed, all dogs must be very much alike in terms of their physical appearance and their temperament. It should be possible to predict the sorts of major health issues that might occur, and what the outcome will be if you breed the dog to another of the same kind.

Good breeders of golden doodles and labradoodles work to standardize the breeds, so that they can be recognized. Unfortunately, there are still a lot of back yard breeders who throw together labs/goldens and poodles, or even PART labs, goldens, and poodles, and call whatever results a labradoodle or a golden doodle. I actually saw someone on line talking about a person selling the offspring of a MINI poodle and a lab as a labradoodle. In fact, only standard poodles should be involved in this breeding; because of the size difference, it is downright cruel to breed a small dog and a large dog that way.

Basically, until the breed becomes standardized, you should take on a labradoodle or golden doodle only if you are open to the type of unknowns that result when you acquire a mixed breed dog. Some of the dogs may have curly poodle coats that shed relatively little, for example. Others may have the double coat that is typical of retrievers, and shed like the dickens in certain seasons of the year. Some may be fairly small; others may be huge.

You can't even be sure, if you see the dog's parents. Dogs don't really breed true for several generations. Your golden doodle who looks like a golden retriever with a home permanent may have puppies who look and act nothing like her, even when bred to another golden doodle of similar appearance.

And until the breeds become standardized, you should never pay serious money for a labradoodle or golden doodle. You can find fine crossbreed and mixed breed dogs at a shelter. Anyone who is paying hundreds of dollars for a labradoodle or a golden doodle is simply not aware of all the work that goes into developing and refining a breed, and is getting ripped off.

I like doodles. I have met some delightful doodles. But they have been tremendously varied. I even met two doodles from the same litter who looked very different because they had very different coats. To me, they were just lovable mixed breed dogs.

Since you have concerns about things like shedding, you probably should stick with breeds that are standardized. Get a good dog book, and begin reading the characteristics of the various breeds. I think you will find several that would work for you -- certain terriers, the bichon frise, and others.

Sharon



Sharon

[emsmom52806]

I am so sorry about your dog. My golden is 13 now and feeling his age. I don't know about the doodles, but what about a rescue golden? There are rescues all over with really good dogs--I have 2 rescue basset hounds who love us and our 2 kids. When our golden's time comes, I definitely will check out rescues/shelters.

[coachmom]

I have a schnoodle and I have not had any problems.. we had a lab before and I was allergic to it. Now this dog can lick me and I dont break out!
Coachmom

[okstategrads]

Thanks everyon for your responses!! Emesmom, we looked at a Golden Rescue, but were told they wouldn' let us adopt a golden because we have kids under the age of 5 living in the house ..I can understand where they are coming from, but since we've had a golden and know the ins/outs of the breed, I thought maybe they would make an exception... no go tho'

[sak9645]

Breed rescue organizations are an excellent place to acquire a purebred dog at low cost. The volunteer staff are usually very knowledgeable, assess dogs well, and make careful matches between dog and prospective owner.

I have a friend who adopted a 7 year old Airedale through our local Airedale Rescue. This dog, one of the most amazing 'Dales I've ever met, gave him much joy for the next seven years, and caused him to become active in the Airedale Terrier Club of Greater Washington.

It is true that the breed rescue places tend to be very picky about owners. As an example, my friend had to be able to prove that he had previously owned a terrier, since Airedales have all the characteristics of terriers in a fairly large package, and are not the easiest dogs to raise. (I know, as I have one!) Luckily, he had raised a Kerry Blue, and was very familiar with the terrier personality.

Do expect a breed rescue organization to ask you lots of questions about your family and your home, and maybe even come out to visit your home. Also expect to have to make a donation to the rescue organization, to offset the cost of caring for your particular pet and support its work with other dogs.

While many families raise goldens around young children, you have to understand that they are big dogs, and need a good deal of training to become good family pets. Rescue dogs, in particular, often have problems related to their previous environment, or come into care very poorly trained, so some may not be suitable for a home with young children.

It was an ill-trained golden that grabbed the pom-pom of my daughter's hat, which tied under her chin, knocked her down, and dragged her along the ground, almost choking her. This dog, although the beloved pet of an old man, should never have been allowed around young children.

Sharon