Mutts, or mixed breeds, have never been as popular as they are at the moment. We live in an era where people are intentionally breeding mutts. One of them is Goldendoodle, arguably one of the most popular mutts ever.
One of the reasons why this breed is so popular is because it is a cross between the most popular breed, the Golden Retriever, and one of the most intelligent dogs that do not shed, the Poodle. So, the natural question is are Goldendoodles hypoallergenic?
Opening your heart and home to a crossbreed is always a good idea. And it is like opening a wrapped gift. You are excited, but you never know what is inside. In this case, what is inside is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a purebred Poodle (either standard or miniature).
It doesn’t matter whether you have a mini goldendoodle, miniature goldendoodle, or standard goldendoodle. The bigger question is whether you have a f1 goldendoodle or f2 goldendoodle. The f2 goldendoodle generation has a higher chance of being hypoallergenic.
What you get is an intelligent, friendly, and affectionate dog. Depending on the Poodle, Goldendoodles come in three sizes, which are miniature (15-30 pounds), medium (30-45 pounds), and standard (45 to 100 pounds). As a crossbreed, the Goldendoodles’ traits are not fixed.
Are Goldendoodles hypoallergenic?
This is the question many owners have. We know that Golden Retrievers are affectionate and friendly, which makes them the most popular breed according to the American Kennel Club. But at the same time, they shed a lot. And that can be a problem for people living in an apartment, and especially those with allergies.
In the same time, the Poodle does not shed at all, and it is considered a hypoallergenic breed. So, what about the cross between these two breeds?
Well, if we go by science, there is no such thing as “100% hypoallergenic” pet, because there are two other elements that can trigger allergies, dog dander, and saliva. The good news is that dog breeds that are considered hypoallergenic, have less of an ill effect on people with allergies.
The key to answering the question are Goldendoodles hypoallergenic is to look at the parents. If the dog takes up the Poodle genetics, he will be hypoallergenic. If he takes up more of the genetics of the Retriever, he might shed. Same as with humans, dogs can take dominant genes from either parent.
This is why F2 goldendoodle has a higher chance of being hypoallergenic. That is a cross of two same parents, and in that case, the Goldendoodle coat might be less prone to shedding.
Usually, Goldendoodles are considered to have a higher chance of being hypoallergenic if both parents are Goldendoodles.
Temperament of the Goldendoodle
The Goldendoodle dog is actually recognized by the American Kennel Club as a breed. A lot of crossbreeds are not. As such, this breed falls into the Companion dogs breed group. The AKC estimates that these dogs live between 10 and 15 years.
The temperament and personality of the dog are what has contributed to its personality. Because it can please even the most novice of dog owners, the Goldendoodle is extremely popular.
Golden Retrievers are smart and intelligent as well but add in some dose of Poodle, and you have one of the quickest learners. They require positive reinforcement training, and you need to start early with socialization and training.
Because it is a part retriever, the pooch is highly affectionate, patient, gentle, and makes a great, if not an ideal family pet. The Goldendoodle loves being around humans, is highly loyal, and very obedient.
5 Reasons to Get a Goldendoodle
Even if your Goldendoodle puppy is not hypoallergenic, there are still many reasons why you should get one as your pet. Here are some facts about the popular breed.
Young Breed
This designer dog breed was initially developed in the 1990s. However, it has soared to popularity in recent years, mostly because of its “hypoallergenic” nature.
We cannot precisely answer the question are Goldendoodles hypoallergenic, but we can sure say it is one of the reasons why this relatively young breed is so popular.
Highly intelligent
You can say that the breed is a brainy pooch. It is only logical, both of the parents are highly intelligent. In fact, the Poodle is No.2 on the list of most intelligent dog breeds, while the Golden Retriever is at No.4
That is why this breed picks up on new tricks, commands, and tasks rather quickly.
The Hybrid Vigor
The term hybrid vigor means “increase in certain characteristics like growth rate, size, fertility, and others in a particular hybrid organism over its parents”.
In other words, when the first generation crosses, it is healthier than each of their parent lines. That is why when a Goldendoodle puppy is a result of a crossing between two other Goldendoodles, chances of being hypoallergenic are higher.
No two are alike
Being that the Goldendoodle is a mix between two other breeds, no two are alike. You can never know which genes will be dominant.
It might be the mother, it might be the father. And either parent can be a miniature or standard poodle, so the size might vary. The only way to predict the traits more easily is when you cross two Goldendoodles.
More than one name
This breed has more than one name, or a few nicknames if you like. In fact, some people know this designer dog as the Golden Poo or the Groodle.
How to tell if you are allergic to dogs?
When we talk about hypoallergenic dog breeds, we talk about breeds that do not shed. However, people can be affected in 3 ways by dogs. And those are pet dander, saliva, and urine.
The first one is actually dead skin cells.
You should not expect urine in the home, as your adult dog should do its business outside. But even if your dog is not shedding, allergic dander is always a risk.
Allergic dander is not affected by the length of dog hair, length of fur, or by the amount of shedding.
The good news is that even people who are allergic to dogs can live with a Goldendoodle dog. The simple explanation is that they have milder reactions and fewer symptoms.
It is all because of the severity of the allergy. And of course, good regular cleaning makes a big difference.
