[Updated: 06/21/2019] Have you ever heard about a Groodle Dog? Groodle is, in fact, the Goldendoodle’s other name in Australian English. Some of the other popular names of Groodles are Curly Retriever, Goldenpoo, and Curly Golden.
We are going to feature Groodle in today’s article but first of all some important facts and figures about dogs and hypoallergenic dog breeds.
Did you know there are over 525 million dogs in the world while in the U.S., 89.7 million dogs were living in households as pets in 2017? Currently, there are hundreds of pure and hybrid dog breeds in the world and people usually get one that is suitable for them. Many people try to get a dog that is hypoallergenic because they are allergic to the dog’s dander and hair. A hypoallergenic dog is the one that shed less dander, fur, and hair, and the allergic people feel comfortable with them.
One of these hypoallergenic dog breeds is Poodle. To bring more versatility, they are being crossbred with different dog breeds so people can have a single dog with multiple characteristics. So, there are over 100 different crossbreeds of Poodles and some of the most popular breeds are Bernedoodle, Shih Poo, Yorkipoo, Labradoodle, and Cavapoo. As we have said earlier, we are going to feature a Groodle or a Goldendoodle in this article. Let’s start.
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Introduction to Groodle Dog Breed:
A cross between a Poodle and a Golden Retriever is called a Groodle. Because of its beauty and versatility, it is also popular as Golden Doodle, Goldendoodle, Goldendoodle, and Curly Golden. Usually, they are more popular as Goldendoodles but the name Groodle was derived in Australia because they are among the most popular dogs in Australia.
As one of their parent breeds, i-e., Poodles come in different sizes from miniature and large size, Groodles too come in various sizes. They are among the best family dogs and can suit any family.
The History of Groodle:
The Groodle was bred in 1969 for the first time by Monica Dickens, the great-granddaughter of Charles Dickens. She was keen to have a dog having qualities of both a Poodle and a Golden Retriever, that has resulted in a Groodle. Later, the breeders in the United States and Canada bred Golden Retrievers with Standard Poodles specifically to develop a hypoallergenic dog breed for visually impaired people who also had allergies.
Specialties:
By nature, they are like Golden Retrievers as they are loving and friendly not only with their owners but everyone. On the other side, from Poodle, they have inherited intelligence and hypoallergenic trait, that is why they make an ideal family dog that is easy to train and groom.
Let’s talk about their parent breeds too.
The Poodle:
We have always praised Poodles and they have been in our good books for long. They are clever and elegant. Moreover, they have been among some of the most popular dog breeds among the breeders to develop hybrid breeds. Some of the demanding Poodle crossbreeds are:
- Saint Berdoodle – Poodle + Saint Bernard
- Boxerdoodle – Poodle + Boxer
- Shih Poo – Poodle + Shih Tzu
- Bernedoodle – Poodle + Bernese Mountain Dog
- Newfypoo – Poodle + New Foundland
Golden Retriever:
The Golden Retriever is a superstar dog and is full of intelligence, tolerance, and joy. It is among the most popular dog breeds in the U.S. along with Labrador Retriever and Rottweiler. Moreover, the Golden Retrievers are excellent hunters, sniffers, and trackers, which makes them an ideal dog breed for therapy and assistance. Being a natural athlete, they always surprise in dog sports. In short, the Golden Retrievers are a complete package for you. Some of the most popular Golden Retriever crosses are:
- Golden Mountain Dog – Golden Retriever + Bernese Mountain Dog
- Goldendoxie – Golden Retriever + Dachshund
- Golden Chi – Golden Retriever + Chihuahua
- Box Retriever – Golden Retriever + Boxer
- Golden Dalmatian – Golden Retriever + Dalmatian
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Pros and Cons:
There are several pros and cons to consider before getting a Groodle. Find them below.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic Coat – They usually inherit coat from Poodles which is a low-shedding coat and ideal for owners with allergies
- Highly social with other pets, strangers, and kids – Their friendly attitude towards everyone make them the best breed for families
- Easy to train – Their intelligence lets them understand your commands quickly that is why they are easily trainable dogs.
- The best couch dog – Groodles like to spend their time with their owners on the couch.
- Best Exercise partner – Will give you company during the exercise and other activities
- Easy to maintain – They are not much demanding, plus, their maintenance and grooming are very easy.
Cons
- Daily exercise needed – They need exercise regularly because a lack of exercise may develop health and behavior issues. So, they are not suitable for busy owners.
- Large-sized Groodle may not feel good in small apartments – Standard Groodle should be kept in homes with backyards so they can play with full authority.
- Separation anxiety – Becomes aggressive and destructive sometimes if left alone
Physical Appearance and Body Features
Weight and Size: Being a cross of Poodle and Golden Retriever, it has mixed body features. A Groodle may grow from 14 to 21 inches in height and can weigh up to 50 pounds.
Colors and Coat: Their coat may resemble any of their parent breeds and they may have either straight coat or curled coat. They come in a variety of colors including Chocolate, Gold, Cream, Gray, Black, Apricot, Red, and Brown. Interestingly, a single litter may have different colors of puppies.
Eyes: They usually inherit eyes from Poodles. Most of the Groodle dogs have Hazel or Brown eyes.
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Generations:
A Goldendoodle or a Groodle has 4 different types of generations. Let’s find facts about them below.
F1 Groodle
F1 is the first generation Groodle and is a cross between a pure Poodle and a pure Golden Retriever. That means, they are 50% Poodle and 50% Golden Retriever. They are the healthiest in all the Groodle generations as well as intelligent, loving, and highly hypoallergenic.
F1b Groodle
F1b is a cross between F1 Groodle and a Poodle so we can say that F1b is 75% Poodle and 25% Retriever. It is more popular than the F1 Groodle because of its hypoallergenic coat that is better than even F1. If you are allergic to the dog’s dander and hair, F1b Groodle is an ideal breed for you.
F2 Groodle
An F2 is a second-generation Groodle and is a product of a cross between 2 F1 Groodle dogs. They are not much different from the F1 Groodles and are an ideal dog breed for the owners who are allergic to dog hair.
F2b Groodle
F2 Groodle may be a mixture of different Groodle generations such as an F1 and F1b or an F2 and F1b. Most of the time, they are hypoallergenic but their appearance and other traits may be a bit different.
Behavior:
They are friendly, social, and intelligent. They inherit their fun-loving trait from Retrievers. You can easily train them and yes, the experts recommend them as one of the best family dogs. They are totally non-aggressive against strangers, children, and other animals.
Just like a Retriever, they are always ready to please their humans and interact with them during all their activities. Either you swim, run, exercise, or walk, the Groodles have got your back. You’d be shocked to know that they usually described as “Bomb Proof” because of their temperament and calmness.
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Temperament:
A Groodle is among the most gentle dog breeds. Moreover, it’s obedient and friendly. You won’t feel lonely even on the moon if a Groodle is there to accompany you. Because of their smartness and intelligence, they are ranked as the 4th smartest dog breed in 150 smartest breeds. The only flaw of having a Groodle is that they can’t be a good guard dog.
Exercise:
At least 30 minutes of daily exercise is required for Groodles or they may get bored. They love swimming, walking, running, and any activity that will help them burn their energy. Remember, every dog needs exercise, and if not exercised daily, they may develop several problems including harsh behavior and destructive chewing.
Training:
With plenty of intelligence, they won’t give you a tough time during the training, so they are highly recommended for first-time dog owners. Don’t forget to encourage them with treats during the training sessions.
Feeding and Diet:
Well, a balanced diet is necessary for any type of dog since its puppyhood; therefore, a Groodle puppy also deserves the best food for him. The best diet for a Groodle includes vitamins, fats, minerals, and proteins.
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You may consider feeding him with boiled chicken, turkey, white and brown rice, yogurt, eggs, and many other foods. Don’t try to feed him raw as it may have bacteria that will affect his health. 1-4 cups of food are enough daily and it should be split into 2-3 meals.
Don’t feed them with the same food every day, try to add some variety and special treats at least once or twice a week.
Grooming:
Brush and Bathe: As Groodle doesn’t shed much, you are recommended to brush him at least once a week. Moreover, bathing is not necessary until your dog needs it to get rid of mud after a hike in the muddy areas.
Nails: Usually their nails filed down by themselves if they exercise frequently. Still, their nails should be checked once every month to make sure they aren’t too long.
Ears: Its good to check their ear twice or thrice a month for any redness, and if found, it may be an infection that should be treated timely.
Requirements for a living:
They like to walk and run, so the owners with a small apartment should avoid getting a Groodle. Instead, a home with a small yard suits them better.
Still, if you have a small apartment and want to get a Groodle, make sure to give them regular exercises and walks. But remember one thing, being a puppy, they spend most of their time sleeping like other breeds, so don’t get worried about that.
Moreover, they can easily be adjusted with all types of families including kids, elders, and other pets.
Health Issues:
The crossbred dogs may inherit health-related issues from their parent breeds, likewise, Groodles may also develop some illnesses. Moreover, if their parent breeds are not screened well before the cross, that too can lead to genetic problems. Given below are some of the major health conditions a Groodle may have:
Epilepsy: Groodles may be an easy victim of epilepsy because both of its parent breeds are prone to it. If suffering from epilepsy, the dog usually shows odd behavior and may collapse because of the severe conditions. It’s recommended to see your vet immediately if you witness these symptoms.
Separation Anxiety: They love their owners like anything but sometimes they may suffer separation anxiety if their owners leave them for a short or long period. The common symptoms of separation anxiety are excessive barking, growling, destructive chewing, and aggressive behavior.
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia: Both of these conditions are usually inherited from their parent breeds. Hip dysplasia is a condition in which the dog’s thigh bone does not fit into the socket while Elbow dysplasia may develop when the elbow joint has some growth disturbance.
von Willebrand’s disease: Its a blood clotting disorder that may lead to severe bleeding if they meet an accident or after major surgery.
Beautiful Groodle Puppies:
In the last, watch this video of adorable Groodle puppies and enjoy it.
Aren’t they sweet?
Groodle Breeders:
According to experts and vets, you should get a Groodle puppy from a reliable breeder. Dozens of backyard breeders breed their dogs for the sake of money. You should avoid them and instead go for a reputable Groodle breeder who takes care of every single thing including vaccinations and microchips.
Groodle Recognition:
American Kennel Club:
Currently, the American Kennel Club (AKC) does not recognize hybrid breeds, and Groodle is one of them.
Canadian Kennel Club and United Kennel Club:
The Canadian Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club also doesn’t recognize Groodle as it is a mixed breed.
American Canine Hybrid Club:
American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC) recognizes mixed breeds; therefore, Groodles are recognized by them under the name Goldendoodle.
If you live in a country other than the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, check with your local kennel clubs and authorities regarding registrations.
Final Thoughts:
Undoubtedly, Groodle is one of the best dog breeds that you may get. But make sure you get one from a reputed breeder and must check its parents before making any decision.
Also read: Ideal Dog Breeds for You Based on Your Birth Month
Image credit: Pixabay, giustina_ilyusha, giustina_ilyusha, rkleine, rkleine
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