Are Goldendoodles Good With Kids? Facts, Tips, Pros & Cons
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Goldendoodle ownership has steadily been on the rise over the last decade. A mix of Golden Retrievers and Poodles, the temperament of this hybrid mix makes it very suitable as a family pet. But what if you have children or are planning to have some soon. Will the Goldendoodle be a good fit?
Thankfully, this designer dog can happily get along with your children. However, they should be socialized from a young age so that they can be well-behaved mature dogs.
In this article, we will discuss the suitability of Goldendoodles for a family with kids, safety concerns, how to introduce them to kids, and their benefits in a family unit.
Suitability of Goldendoodles and Kids
Adding a dog into a household is a huge deal, especially if you have small children. There is nothing quite as fulfilling as watching your children grow up with a four-legged companion. However, as much as children may like dogs, not all dogs can truly love children. Some dogs can be too energetic or aggressive to be around children.
Fortunately, they are not known to be overly protective or aggressive, and this makes them ideal for a family with children and toddlers. However, it is not always a good idea to leave your kids and your Goldendoodle unsupervised because all dog breeds can react unpredictably.
Before bringing a Goldendoodle puppy home, make sure that your children understand just how delicate this dog can be. They need to be taught how to handle puppies since kids can get rough with dogs.
Safety Concerns Associated to Be Wary Of
Even though we have established that Goldendoodles are good with kids, we have also stated that any dog can react unpredictably. Here are some safety concerns to keep in mind even as you let your Goldendoodle around your kids.
- A Goldendoodle is likely to bite if it feels scared or threatened or if the kids are being too rough with it.
- If the dog is too excited, it is likely to jump on kids and knock them, leading to injuries.
- The dog is likely to chase after children when playing, and this can be dangerous if the kid falls while trying to run away from the dog.
- This dog is likely to paw or mouth at your kids, and this could cause discomfort or injury
- Goldendoodle puppies might get too possessive over toys, food, and other items and can get aggressive if a kid tries to retrieve them.
How to Introduce Goldendoodles to Younger Kids
If you want to introduce a Goldendoodle to a family with younger kids or if a baby is about to join a family with a Goldendoodle, you must consider the physical and emotional needs of both the puppy as well as the kids. Dogs and young kids tend to share the same traits i.e., they need adequate play and rest time. They also need to spend quality time with the adults in the house.
To ensure that everybody gets what they need, you should designate a kid-free zone for your Goldendoodle puppies. This could be in the form of a crate or a playpen. Whichever you opt for, make sure it is a safe and comfortable space for the puppy to retreat to and where the toddlers cannot access.
The 4 Pros of Owning a Goldendoodle in a Family With Children
Now that you know a Goldendoodle is a suitable family pet, what exactly about this breed makes it a unique and ideal breed for kids? Here are some of the benefits you are likely to have for choosing a Goldendoodle as a family pet.
1. Hypoallergenic
The whole point of mixing a Golden Retriever and a Poodle was to get a designer dog that doesn’t shed a lot like the parent lineage. This breed tends to shed less when compared to other breeds, making it suitable for kids and adults suffering from asthma, allergies, or any other respiratory issues.
2. They Teach Responsibility
Since Goldendoodles are brilliant and trainable dogs, your kids will have plenty of fun when teaching them new tricks. So, encourage your children to help walk, feed, water, and even clean after their four-legged companions. This will eventually teach them proper pet care and responsibility.
3. They Come in Different sizes
As much as this breed was initially created by mixing a standard Poodle with a Retriever, today, breeders tend to add in miniature and toy poodle breeds. Therefore, you can expect to find a Goldendoodle with a wide range of weights and sizes.
So, if your kids may need a larger Goldendoodle for support, you can look for the larger varieties. If your kids prefer a smaller dog that they can cuddle, you can still get a smaller Goldendoodle variety.
4. They Feature a Friendly Personality
As earlier mentioned, Goldendoodles have a high tolerance for children and are patient enough to thrive in a family unit. In fact, some owners claim that a Goldendoodle can follow an upset child and sit with them for a while to provide a calming presence.
This breed may not exactly be the best guard dog (they are too cute to deter home invasions); however, they are always alert and can protect your children if necessary.
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The 3 Cons of Owning a Goldendoodle in a Family With Children
Since we have highlighted the major benefits of owning a Goldendoodle, it is only fair if we balance it out by mentioning some cons of the breed. Some of the factors you should consider if you have young kids at home include:
1. Grooming
While this breed may spot a unique and beautiful coat, it requires a lot of energy, time, and resources to keep up with the grooming needs. You might even have to save some money for frequent visits to a professional groomer.
The type of grooming that Goldendoodles need is not exactly easy for a young kid to handle. Sure, children might be able to help with brushing the coat, however, most of the work will probably end up being done by the adults in your home.
2. Energy Level
Even though a Goldendoodle’s high energy level might be considered advantageous, it can also be a con. If your kids are very young, they are very likely to be knocked down by an overly boisterous Goldendoodle who hasn’t been trained or socialized to know better. Moreover, if your Goldendoodle is the type that enjoys giving and receiving hugs, they might jump on your kids and probably hurt them.
3. Chewing and Barking
Even though Goldendoodles may be brilliant dogs, if they get bored, they are likely to engage in unproductive behavior to occupy their time. The dog might decide to snack on your children’s food if it is left lying about in the open. They might also accidentally rip up cushions and even your child’s favorite toy.
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The 6 Tips for Keeping Your Goldendoodle Safe, Happy & Healthy
1. Don’t Overfeed Them
Pet dogs do not require excess calories and proteins. This might lead to kidney issues and obesity. This applies even with the active ones like Goldendoodles. So, you should never replace your Goldendoodles diet, and dog treats should only make up 10% of their calorie intake.
2. Follow Age-Specific Diet
Usually, dogs feed on commercially produced food diets unless discouraged by a veterinarian. They don’t necessarily require nutritional supplements. So, you should only feed your Goldendoodle kibble that is specifically made for its different life stages (i.e., puppy, adult, or senior).
3. Separation Anxiety
Since Goldendoodles enjoy spending time with their family, they are highly susceptible to separation anxiety, especially if they don’t get enough social stimulation. So, owners should avoid leaving Goldendoodles alone for a long time.
4. Training
You must train your Goldendoodle from a young age so that they can develop good habits and minimize mischievous behavior. With patience and consistency, your dog will be able to learn commands and tricks that will last throughout his lifetime.
5. Watch-Out for Vision Issues
Since Goldendoodles are highly susceptible to congenital eye issues such as cataracts and glaucoma, owners should always be on the lookout for the respective symptoms and contact a vet if need be. They should also regularly trim their Goldendoodle’s bangs to prevent their voluminous locks from blocking their vision.
6. Exercise
Ensure that your Goldendoodle receives ample exercise and training every day, especially at the puppy stage, to keep them tired, entertained, and happy.
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Conclusion
If you have children and are looking to add a furry companion to your household, the Goldendoodle is an ideal choice. This breed is known to be intelligent, intuitive, always eager to please, and easy to train.
They are ideal for a family with kids because they are gentle and affectionate with a friendly personality and temperament. Moreover, they are considered hypoallergenic, perfect for kids with allergies. They enjoy giving and receiving cuddles from their family members.
Featured Image Credit: Tanya Consaul Photography, Shutterstock
