Seven things to know about Groodles before getting one as a pet

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Goldendoodles, also known as Groodles, have become extremely popular in recent years.

This crossbreed brings together the friendly nature of golden retrievers with the intelligence and low-shedding qualities of poodles, but if you're considering getting one of these dogs, here are seven things you should know.

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They come in a range of different sizes

G'day mate, Groodles can come in different sizes – depending on the parents, as poodles come in three sizes: standard, miniature and toy.

Standard Groodles are big dogs, usually ranging from 50 to 70 centimetres tall at the shoulder.

Miniature and toy Groodles are a lot smaller, which is why they're perfect for people living in flats or with not a lot of room.

Their coat

One of the reasons Groodles are so popular is because they typically have a low-shedding coat similar to that of a Poodle, resulting in minimal fur around your home and on your clothes and less dander, making them a good choice for people with allergies.

While this is a big plus, their coat isn't easy to keep clean, and heaps of first-time owners are surprised by how much work goes into keeping it in good nick.

Groodle coats can be curly or wavy, and regular brushing is essential to prevent knotting and tangling.

Additionally, Groodles may need professional grooming every six to eight weeks to keep their coat looking neat and prevent matting. This expense can mount up pretty quickly.

A Groodle can also have a high-shedding coat if they've inherited the golden retriever coat type.

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Personality

They're renowned for their affectionate and friendly temperament, making them a popular choice as family pets. They're generally friendly, gentle, and get along well with kids and any existing pets.

Potential for separation anxiety

Groodles do well with a lot of human interaction and can get really anxious if left by themselves for long stretches. They might get stressed or act out in ways that aren't good for them if they're separated from their owners.

Activity level

Fair dinkum, Groodles might look like adorable teddy bears, but they're as energetic as a kookaburra in a gum tree, and they need a daily run-around to keep 'em happy and stimulated, or they'll get as bored as a joey in a suitcase. They respond smashingly to training and love getting involved in dog sports like agility.

Most Groodles are keen on swimming and getting dirty due to their golden retriever ancestry. Wet coats need to be dried out properly to stop mats from forming, and they can be susceptible to ear infections if the ears aren't dried thoroughly.

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Training

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They're highly intelligent canines that thrive on pleasing their owners and respond well to training. However, due to their tendency to suffer from separation anxiety, it's crucial to teach young pups to cope with being left alone.

Large Groodles are robust and can be challenging to walk if not trained to walk nicely on their lead from a young age.

They can be pretty vocal and learn to bark at every noise outside the house if you let them get away with it by leaving them unsupervised in the backyard or watching/barking at things that move outside the window during the day.

Responsible breeding

Because of the huge interest in Groodles during the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of backyard breeders started selling puppies that weren't healthy. Please do your research and take your time to find a Groodle that's been properly bred.

A reputable breeder will breed based on the health and temperament of their breeding stock. They won't overbreed and have a large number of litters each year.

They'll properly check the parents for any health problems and invite you to their place to see how your puppy's been raised. Please don't buy a puppy online.

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