Are Goldendoodles High Maintenance? Breed Facts & FAQ
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Recently, Goldendoodles have become one of the most desired pet dog breeds among dog owners. As a prospective pet owner, it is natural to want to know the type of care and attention your furry friend will require to stay happy and healthy. And this begs the question, “Are Goldendoodles high maintenance?
Goldendoodles may be considered high maintenance based on their coat and their grooming needs. However, other aspects of their life and the fact that they are bred from two low-maintenance breeds may prove otherwise. Below is an overview of the various things to consider when looking at Goldendoodle maintenance needs.
Maintenance Requirements for Goldendoodles
1. Grooming Needs
Goldendoodles require consistent and regular grooming and brushing. Typically, you must visit a professional groomer every 6 to 8 weeks. However, if you keep your pup with shorter clipped hair, you might prolong the duration to about eight to ten weeks.
Moreover, depending on the length of its fur, which can grow up to eight inches, your Goldendoodle may require daily brushing. Alternatively, you could exercise weekly brushing for shorter clipped hair. Essentially, the longer the hair, the more brushing it needs.
- Brushing: Daily brushing or at least three to four times a week.
- Nail trimming: Weekly
- Eye, paw, and ear hair trimming: After every 4 to 8 weeks.
- Bathing: Before every haircut but without exceeding six weeks. Also clean their ears weekly using a dog ear cleaner.
- Haircuts: Every 6 to 8 weeks.
However, the coat alone is not enough to conclude whether the Goldendoodle is high maintenance or not. We have to take an all-round look at the breed to arrive at the conclusion.
2. Dietary Needs
Goldendoodles may not need a special diet to thrive as they are not picky eaters. Still, you will want to give your furry friend the best diet possible. Choosing a high-quality diet does not translate to a special dietary requirement.
However, these dogs may develop food allergies, and you will need to be careful what you feed them. The ideal diet during growth and development must have high-quality animal protein sources. This may include chicken, beef, lamb, pork, turkey, and venison. Most of these protein sources are affordable and highly available.
3. Healthcare
Goldendoodles require special care when it comes to their health needs. The reason is that they are predisposed to numerous health problems, including orthopedic and heart conditions. Other common conditions include hip dysplasia, Addison’s disease, progressive retinal atrophy, glaucoma, and cataracts.
Typically, it is best to take your adult Goldendoodle to a veterinarian at least once yearly. However, senior dogs aged seven or older should get a health checkup every six months. These periodic checkups help identify potential issues and treatment early.
Due to their health predispositions, Goldendoodles can often require extra care and attention. Therefore, providing for their health may be considered costly, especially if you do not have a pet insurance policy.
4. Exercise Needs
Daily exercise is as essential to dogs as it is to humans. Goldendoodles are active dogs and need at least one to two hours of daily exercise for optimal physical health. This routine can include daily walks or playtime in the park to socialize with other dogs.
Alternatively, you can divide the one-hour exercise into 30-minute exercises twice daily. Moreover, Goldendoodles can exercise, play, and run about indoors, reducing the required exercise time outdoors. This factor makes their exercise needs less demanding and convenient, thus low maintenance in that aspect.
5. Training
Goldendoodles are loyal and intelligent dogs who are always eager to please their owner. Moreover, Goldendoodle puppies can learn various commands quickly and take up training easily. Furthermore, reputable breeders offer already-trained puppies.
These factors mean you do not need a professional trainer since you can use positive reinforcement to train them independently. In this regard, training a Goldendoodle is deemed less demanding.
6. Attention and Socialization
Goldendoodles are generally affectionate and loving dogs with high emotional intelligence. They will get along well with everyone, including strangers, children, and other animals.
Like most dogs, Goldendoodles love giving and receiving attention. However, they are not so demanding of attention from you. A few minutes of belly rubs or playing fetch will suffice for them. They are highly adaptive and can quickly acclimate to your family’s lifestyle.
If your family likes to spend most of their time indoors rather than outdoors, your Goldendoodle will acclimate. Therefore, you don’t have to change your lifestyle or routine to accommodate your Goldendoodle. This aspect of adapting to your environment and not needing constant attention makes them low maintenance.
7. Living Space
Goldendoodles can live comfortably in both the city and the countryside setting, though they may not be at their best in an apartment as they still need some outside space for their exercise. This does not translate to a huge backyard but rather a place that can provide them with the necessary space to comfortably move around.
Fortunately, unlike most breeds, Goldendoodles have a great adaptation to any kind of weather and will function well in either hot or cold conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does size affect Goldendoodle maintenance?
Goldendoodles come in varying sizes, from miniature, standard to large breeds. Maintenance demands may vary based on the sheer size difference, with the biggest one being more demanding.
Can I reduce the maintenance cost of my Goldendoodle?
As highlighted above, Goldendoodles are mostly high maintenance regarding their grooming needs. Luckily there are steps you can take to reduce your costs.
For instance, you can regularly groom your Goldendoodle at home and only occasionally take it to a professional groomer. However, if you are to groom your Goldendoodle at home, ensure to trim the hair around their eyes and paws regularly. This method will save you both time and money.
Regarding healthcare, regular vet checkups are not a compromise. Make sure to get them all the necessary vaccines and other treatments on time. While these needs may seem demanding, they are essential for keeping your Goldendoodle healthy.
Can I leave my Goldendoodle alone for a long time?
Some dog breeds suffer separation anxiety when left alone for long. However, Goldendoodles do well on their own. They are responsive to crate training and may nap the entire day you are away. This aspect further adds to their low-maintenance characteristics.
However, always remember that a Goldendoodle still needs regular human interaction and exercise for physical and mental health. Therefore, you should always make time to spend with your dog.
Final Thoughts
Though considered high maintenance in terms of grooming and healthcare, Goldendoodles are low-maintenance dogs with little hands-on demands in other care aspects. They are energetic but easy-going and require little exercise time, making them the ideal breed for those with busy lifestyles. They are also easy to train and require little attention from their owners.
Featured Image Credit: Matthew Yoder, Shutterstock
