Why Goldendoodles Are Unethical: Unveil The Myth

People love to adopt the Goldendoodle as a family dog without asking too many questions. But at times one question which bothers them most is why Goldendoodles are unethical. It has more than half a dozen reasons.

They are considered unethical due to the hybrid breed. Why? Because you can’t get a standard size or temperament dog after successful breeding. Every time there will be a dog with entirely different traits, size, health, and behavior. Let’s discuss possible reasons for said issue, some mitigation measures, and what should be looked at during breeding in detail.

They are not recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC)

Goldendoodles are designer breeds created by crossing a golden retriever with a poodle. Although they are not officially recognized by the AKC, some reputed dog organizations like GANA acknowledge them as a breed. Goldendoodles are known to be smart and intuitive dogs that make wonderful family pets. Their affectionate personalities make them ideal companions for children and other dogs.

Irresponsible Breeding

Unfortunately, many people invest their money with breeders who don’t care much about the traits of the dog. This leads to sick puppies and poor health conditions for future dogs. It would help if you found a breeder who recognizes canine biological integrity. Otherwise, you could end up finding your Goldendoodle puppy through shelters and rescue groups.

They are high-maintenance

Goldendoodles require regular grooming and healthcare. Depending on their coat type, professional grooming may be needed every two to four weeks, and daily brushing is essential in keeping their fur shiny and healthy-looking.

 Goldendoodles may be susceptible to health conditions like hip dysplasia, dilated cardiomyopathy, gastric dilatation, and volvulus that cause extra strain for the owners.

Dogs require exercise and mental stimulation for good health. Otherwise, they may resort to unhealthy ways of entertaining themselves, like digging through garbage cans or chewing up shoes for entertainment. 

Shedding of the Dog

Said dogs can shed a lot, though they are considered hypoallergenic. This means that their fur can trigger allergic reactions in people who are allergic to dogs.

They are prone to health issues.

Goldendoodles are hybrid dogs which makes them vulnerable to specific health problems. Such issues could include hip and elbow dysplasia, retinal atrophy, dilated cardiomyopathy, and hypothyroidism.

They can suffer from skin allergies that can happen through excessive itching or redness. These dogs can fall prey to heart conditions like mitral valve disease and dilated cardiomyopathy. To minimize risks in their offspring and ensure responsible breeding practices, both parents should undergo heart testing before breeding.

Drawbacks and Advantages of Breeders

Avoiding health risks associated with designer dogs requires working with a reputable breeder who adheres to GANA standards. They breed healthy puppies and conduct extensive health screening before selling them to any dog lover. So, if you don’t want yourself to worry about the health of your Goldendoodle, then conduct extensive research on breeders.

Reputable breeders ensure their puppies are healthy and socialized before breeding them. They conduct health testing on all possible aspects to avoid inbreeding and provide contracts between themselves. Contracts are very useful and they give a sense of security for our future.

Adopting From Shelter

If you’re considering getting a Goldendoodle from a shelter or rescue group rather than buying from a breeder, then it will not be as much trained as a dog from a reputable breeder. Well! It’s not very difficult to train the dog at all. But you will need to spend a sufficient amount of effort, energy, and time to achieve good results. 

Training Requirements 

Goldendoodles make ideal pets for active families who can devote some of their daily activity time to playing with or taking long walks with the pet. Puppies also require training from an early age, so they learn basic commands and recognize that humans are their pack leaders. This will prevent behavioral issues in later years.

Different Sizes and Structures

Goldendoodles are hybrid dogs created by breeding the Retriever with Poodle breeds, so their appearance, size, shape, coat type, and temperament may differ greatly from one to another. Most goldendoodle puppies are sold through pet stores, while adults may also be adopted from rescue groups and shelters.

Goldendoodles display few behavioral differences from their constituent purebreds, except aggression and fear behaviors directed at humans. 

They are high-energy breeds that need constant exercise and mental stimulation. Without adequate stimulation, they can quickly become bored and exhibit destructive behaviors.

Positive Aspects of the Goldendoodle

You might be wondering why people are still adopting the Goldendoodle and why it’s their top choice, especially for picking as the family dog. Well! There are multiple reasons and we will discuss some of the prominent traits of the dog with you:

Social Dogs and Easy to Train

Goldendoodles are friendly dogs who enjoy spending time with humans. Due to their excellent training abilities, they make excellent service dogs for people living with disabilities or blind or deaf individuals. 

Assistance to Blind or Disabled People

They provide physical assistance such as fetching needed objects from storage units, acting as eyes or ears when needed for blind people or deaf individuals, and sensing when blood sugar drops unexpectedly or an impending seizure occurs.

Patient and Gentle Dogs

They’re known for being patient and gentle with children. This makes them ideal additions to families with young kids. 

How Can We Get the Best From Our Dog

We have shared some issues and ethical considerations of the Goldendoodle, but overall this is a reputed breed. But how can you sort out said constraints easily whether you have adopted from the shelter or a professional breeder? Let’s discuss them one by one below:

Mental and Physical Simulation

As Goldendoodles are active dogs, they need regular stimulation, such as exercise, to remain happy and occupied. Otherwise, they could develop chewing, nipping, and door manner issues. Said issues will be difficult to handle in later stages of the dog’s grooming.

Some Other Tasks

Pet parents should keep a close watch on the ears and coat of their Goldendoodle to prevent them from potential infections.

Groom them regularly to maintain good health.

Take them to the veterinarian for regular checkups.

Make sure floppy ears are trimmed so as not to obstruct vision.

Conduct regular dental cleanings.

Ensure a diet high in nutrients, high fiber, and low protein for maximum wellbeing.

What Should Be Considered During Ethical Breeding?

Ethical breeding goes beyond selecting dogs with beautiful coats or distinct appearances. It also involves minimizing risks for hereditary diseases that could reduce the quality of life for your pup.

FAQs

Why do people question about breeding of the Goldendoodle?

People say so because of unstable results including temperament and size of the dog, being a hybrid breed.

Why do Goldendoodles have a bad reputation?

They are difficult to handle and treat at times especially when they suffer from any genetic disease.

Are Goldendoodles prone to health issues? 

Yes, they can suffer from health issues so it’s better to go through early scans after their birth.

Do Goldendoodles face skin issues?

Yes, they can easily fall prey to skin and itching issues due to ear or skin infections.

Conclusion

Goldendooldes is, no doubt, a well-known and trustworthy breed, especially in the United States. But at times people breed the dog only to save money, and don’t consider health and temperament issues. But trust me irresponsible breeding can cause discomfort not only to the dog but also to the dog owner. So, always follow ethical considerations when breeding any dog, especially Goldendoodle.