The Ultimate Guide to Groodles

The Groodle is a hybrid – a cross between the Golden Retriever and Poodle breeds. It goes by many other names such as Goldendoodle, Golden Poo, and Curly Retriever.

First developed at some point in the 1960s, the Goldendoodle is a fairly new breed. He was bred specifically to offer companionship, a task that he really excels at. Here’s a detailed look at what the Groodle dog breed is like.

Groodle Origins

Monica Dickens is credited with the development of the first Groodle back in 1969. Interestingly, she is the granddaughter of Charles Dickens.

Inspired by the idea of a Labradoodle, Monica set out to create a hybrid that would have desirable traits. She chose the Golden Retriever for its gentle temperament. She then picked the Poodle for its intelligence and athleticism.

Monica was also hoping that the resulting pup wouldn’t shed as much as Goldens do. Usually, the Retriever is double-coated. It means that he sheds his undercoat in large quantities at least twice every year.

Her quest to create a breed that had these admirable traits was fruitful. But, it wasn’t until the 1990s that the breed’s popularity reached its peak.

Many other breeders continued developing the Groodle. As time went by, people started putting in requests for different sizes of the breed. This is why the Groodle now comes in three sizes, namely: Miniature, Small, and Standard.

Looking to register as a Groodle dog breeder? Download the RPBA guide on responsible breeding.

Key Characteristics of Groodles

Other Considerations:

• Groodles get very attached to their families. Due to this, they may suffer from separation anxiety if left alone. To help your pup cope, consider offering them a treat each time you leave. You should also make your departures and arrivals low-key.
• Goldendoodles do not make excellent guard dogs, so they should not be assigned this role.
• They make superb companions to homeowners prone to allergies.

How can I take care of my Groodle?

Nutrition

There are two things you should think about when choosing your Groodle’s diet. One is their age and two, their genetic predisposition to certain diseases.

If you have a Groodle puppy, his diet should contain high-calorie foods to sustain his growth. But, remember to take his size into account as well.

If you’re dealing with a standard Groodle, limit the number of meals to 3 per day. This prevents excessive growth, which would put your dog at risk of bone and joint disorders.

Miniature and small Groodle puppies have different requirements though. For such breeds, you can offer up to 4 meals in a day, which helps to sustain their high metabolic rates.

For owners of older Groodle, the one thing you should watch out for is obesity. Avoid giving your dog table scraps. Doing so only increases their risk of unnecessary weight gain.

You’ll also want to consider Groodle’s vulnerability to GDV. More popularly known as bloat, this condition affects deep-chested breeds like the Goldendoodle.

To mitigate this risk, feed your pup whole, fresh, raw foods. Avoid starchy products like kibble, which raises the risk of bloat. Similarly, train your dog to eat slowly by using correctly-sized food bowls.

Grooming

Groodles are revered for two main things. One is their charming and irresistible personalities and two, their lovely coats.

On the surface, taking care of these coats may seem a little intimidating. But don’t be fooled as it’s easier than you think.

Start by identifying the specific type of coat that your Goldendoodle has. It can be one of two kinds:

• Fleece – such a dog will have a soft and silky-textured coat.
• Wool – this coat is a bit denser and looks like that of a sheep or lamb.

If your Groodle has a fleece coat, he won’t shed it frequently. Brush his coat at least once a week and trim twice a year.

Groodles with wool coats shed a little more, so brush them three to four times each week. You will also need to trim at least twice per year or whenever their hair starts getting tangled.

When it comes to bathing, you don’t need to do it that often. In fact, bathing them once a month using a dog-friendly shampoo is enough.

The only other time you might have to bathe your Groodle is if they get themselves into a stinky mess. Otherwise, bathing them too often can cause their skin to dry out. This will, in turn, cause them to feel itchy.

Recommended Grooming Tips

• Trim excess hair around their ears to promote airflow.
• Give your Groodle a deep brushing and then bathe them with a suitable shampoo once per month.
• Safely clip their nails whenever they grow too long.
• Clean their eyes every day using a warm, damp cotton ball. This is essential to prevent the buildup of eye discharge.

Exercise

Goldendoodles have high energy levels. As such, they need plenty of exercise every day. On average, they should get 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity daily. Here are a couple of ideas on how to exercise your Groodle:

• Take them for a walk around the block; keep it casual and fun
• Let them loose so they can play in your yard
• Engage them in a fun game of tug-of-war or fetch

Training

Groodles make some of the most adorable companions. But if you want to ensure that they grow into well-behaved dogs, ensure you train them early.

The good thing is that both of their parents are sociable and intelligent. Thus, Goldendoodles are easy to train.

For the training, come up with a routine that they can follow every other day. It should include meal times, bathroom rests, exercise time, naps, and bedtime. Be consistent in your training. This will not only help your puppy feel secure but also help them learn faster.

In your training, you’ll also want to make time for socialization. Groodles are very social creatures. They’ll love spending time in parks interacting with fellow dogs.

This is basic information, and it should not be used to make adoption or purchasing decisions. Be sure to consult an expert if you’d like to learn about the breed’s care and requirements.