We sell three different types of Goldendoodles in three different sizes. That's nine different kinds of dogs, so it's important to think about what you want before you start your search.
Let's talk size first because for most people, that's the easiest to decide. We sell what we refer to as Mini-Goldendoodles, Medium-sized Goldendoodles and Standard-sized Goldendoodles. Note that breeders may differ in their terms or they may use the same terms but differ on what that term means so it's important to always "ask." In our case, "Mini" refers to a 25-35 pound dog, "Medium" refers to a 35-50 pound dog and "Standard" refers to a dog that is twice that size or 50-65 pounds. IMPORTANT: These ranges are the averages for the sizes we breed and there can always be exceptions that result in the full grown dog being on either side of these ranges.
So which is for you? That probably depends in a number of factors starting with where you live. Are you an apartment dweller or a home owner/renter? Do you have a back yard? What about kids? Are they toddlers or teenagers? Most of our customers have a pretty good idea about what size Goldendoodle they want before they come to us. Some young families may want a smaller dog that will not overpower babies or toddlers. Apartment-based couples or families may also be looking at a smaller dog because of lease regulations. And some older couples just think a smaller dog would be easier to handle. These are all valid thoughts - and we see these cases all the time - but there are always exceptions. Any way you look at it, a larger dog will need more of just about everything. More space to run and play, more food and a larger bed or crate. If you don't have a back yard, and you want a standard sized dog, you should plan on taking your Dood for a nice walk at least two or three times a day.
The Mini, the Medium and the Standard will require the same amount of attention and training - so even there. In the case of Powderhill dogs, all three sizes should have pretty close to the same temperament. They will be good family dogs, intelligent and loyal, friendly to a fault, and adaptable to just about any type of environment from super-active families to homebodies who spend lots of time watching TV. The same dog - no matter the size - will adapt to both situations with complete, selfless love.
The "type" of Goldendoodle is the next thing you will have to think about. At Powderhill, we sell three types:
An "F-1" Goldendoodle is a dog who has one parent that is a pure-bred Golden Retriever and one parent who is a pure-bred Poodle. So an F1 Goldendoodle is a "50-50" mix dog. F1's look the most like Golden Retrievers. They typically have a longer, wavy coat and breader head.
An "F1b" Goldendoodle is a dog who has one parent that is an F1 Goldendoodle and one parent who is a pure-bred Poodle. So an F1b Goldendoodle is a 75% Poodle and 25% Golden Retriever dog. Fib's, because of the fact that they are 75% Poodle, have a longer, but curlier coat and a more narrow head.
Finally, we sell MultiGen Goldendoodles. A "MultiGen" or "MultiGenerational" Goldendoodle is a dog who has two parents who are both Goldendoodles and those parents have both parents and grandparents who were also Goldendoodles. In other words, a Multi-Gen is at least a third generation Goldendoodle. A MultiGen has more consistent breed standards and is, at the same time, less Poodle looking and less Golden Retriever looking.
Nearly everyone knows that Golden Retrievers are among the world's greatest family dogs. That said, they are also known to be among the worst shedding dogs as well, often requiring vacuuming on a daily basis or several times a week. For that reason, some families cannot own Golden Retrievers because the extreme shedding irritates allergies. Others who are fastidious about their home's interior would prefer a dog that sheds much less or not at all. These are the biggest reasons why our customers come to us for Goldendoodles.
Though an F1 Goldendoodle is a full 50% Golden Retriever, and looks more like a Golden Retriever than any other type of Goldendoodle, we have found that it will only shed about 5-10% of a typical Golden Retriever. An F1b Goldendoodle will shed even less and a MultiGen Goldendoodle is highly unlikely to shed at all.
Most of our customers choose the size of the Goldendoodle they want first, then decide on the type of Goldendoodle afterwards. When it comes to the type of Goldendoodle, most of our customers weigh their needs regarding the "non-Shedding" characteristics against the looks of the dogs. If they can tolerate a little shedding, and they want the look of a Golden Retriever, they will usually opt for an F1 Goldendoodle. If they must have the lowest shedding or non-shedding type of Doodle, they will usually select an F1b or MultiGen Goldendoodle.
We have not talked about color because it's an elusive characteristic that is determined by generations and genetics and it varies tremendously. The same two dogs that have had three litters may yield puppies who vary in color significantly from one litter to the next. We can guesstimate colors based on the parents and grandparents, but Mother Nature has the final say, and sometimes she throws us a curveball. And since most of our litters are sold out before the puppies are born - and in some cases before the parents are even bred - most of our customers need to be open to a wide range of colors and patterns.
There's a lot of things to consider when buying a Goldendoodle puppy, but one thing is for sure. When your Goldendoodle comes from Powderhill Goldens, you'll be getting the very best puppy and the most enjoyable experience available!
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