Q: Do I need to get my Golden Doodle clipped?
A: Quick answer, yes. It makes the Doodle more comfortable for the warm summer climate. Secondly, if you're taking a Doodle into the lake, a long coat will carry more water back into the cottage. Thirdly, do you wear your winter coat in the summer? Lastly, a shorter coat means that you'll have more awareness of wood ticks
Q: What are the annual requirements for the dog?
A: REQUIREMENTS
GROOMING :Most people get the Doodle a clip at their groomers in the early spring. It gets the dog ready for the summer. Some people like to get a second clip late in the summer to keep the hair easier to groom in the fall.
VACCINATIONS: In the first year of ownership, you'll need their second set of puppy shots at 11 weeks, basically a month after you get the puppy. There is another set at 15 weeks. This will give them their full compliment of immunizations. Booster shots from the vet get done annually after that.
HEART WORM: Many areas of Canada require heart worm pills during the mosquito season - that depends on where you live. The link will give you detailed info and has a list of FAQ specifically on the issue. Our puppies are raised in Manitoba, land of mosquitoes, and so the puppy goes home with their first dose. However, we recommend you follow up with your vet when you get your puppy home.
FLEA AND TICK: It is highly recommended that your doodle have an annual regiment of Flea and Tick medication. Prevention of illness is always far more affordable and safer option than treatment.
SPAY AND NEUTER: As part of the adoption agreement we require that your doodle be spay/neutered at 6-9 months of age. Doodles are very gentle by nature and an intact dog will attract unwanted attention when they are greeted in public by other dogs. As well, a Doodle's bloodline brings with it a Poodle characteristic. The breed standard describes a Poodle's tail as: "Set on high, carried up, and may be docked. The tail set is distinctly ahead of the pinbone. Never curled nor carried over the back." That translates into a tail that points upwards, while a Retriever's tail points horizontally. Why is this important? When a dog is "on guard", they will bring their tail up to present a larger image of themselves in order to look impressive. But, when a Doodle's brain is active and alert, their tail will make the same motion. The result - Doodles will inadvertently send very inappropriate messages to neigbourhood dogs! Add that to the scent of an intact dog, and tempers can flare, and the Doodle will suffer needlessly. Imagine walking into a tough neighbourhood wearing a jersey for the wrong team. That might work if you're a Pit Bull; not a good idea when you're a Doodle!
Q: What do I feed my Doodle?
A: Let's break this down into two parts: What do I feed the puppy when I bring it home, and what do I feed the adult Doodle.
Puppy Needs: An 8-week old Doodle is very much a baby. They nurse until 4 weeks of age. They are then slowly transitioned off of their mom for two more weeks. They are weaned completely by 6 weeks. Their 7th and 8th week is still a transition, as they move from softened food (the consistency of porridge) to dry kibble and a bowl of water. When the puppy gets to your home, it will need 3 meals per day for several more months. The Doodle's body and Poodle bloodline restricts the dog from eating large meals. By the time the Doodle is six months old, it will be mature enough to thrive on 2 daily meals. We feed our Doodles at breakfast time and again at supper time.
Adult Needs: Doodles eating twice daily generally need between one and one and a half cups of dry dog food at each meal. Lower quality food will mean that you have to feed more volume, so you generally won't save much money. Plus if you feed more food, you'll clean up more poop. That's the corollary to "what goes up, must come down".
It is fairly common that we hear these problems:
