The Goldendoodle was originally created by the Australians as an assistant dog for those who had allergies or issues with shedding. So the story goes. There has been some debate as to who originally came up with the Poodle/Golden Retriever idea but I am positive this mixture has been available around the world since dogs began. They just didn't have a breed/hybrid name attached to them.
To date, there is no scientific evidence to support whether or not the Goldendoodle, regardless of generation and regardless of how its created, is a low shedding...hypoallergenic dog. What we do know since we began creating the shaggy coat in 1999, from our own personal experience and from what our customers have told us, is that 99% of the time, our Goldendoodles have been low shedding dogs. Because I am not one for alot of coat maintenence, I decided to create a smooth coat Goldendoodle back in 2007. Data for the amount of shedding for a smooth coat doodle.....how little or how much...is still unconfirmed 100%.
What I have been told by the customer who owns one of our first smooth coat doodles is that she has shed entirely less than a purebred Golden Retriever and while she does shed, it has been to a minimum so far. "Meeryn", our first smooth coat doodle, is nearly a year of age. Since 2007, we have only had five smooth coat doodles born to us since 2007 and out of the five, only 1 buyer has reported heavy shedding. That particular doodle is a female. I still have one of the boys and thus far, have not seen any excessive shedding from his coat and when I take my hand to grab a handful of his coat, only a few hairs come out. I do not know if gender plays a role in how much or how little a doodle will shed since it could be possible due to hormones. Theoretically, it has been said that if a female dog has a hormonal imbalance, regardless of breed, they could have issues with hair loss. This occurs with women as well. So far, we do not know if hormones are playing a role with this particular buyer's dog.
The smooth coat doodle is very new for us, so we do not have as much information on shedding as we do the shaggy coat and the curly coat. Because the majority of our doodles are a shaggy coat, it has been our experience since 1999 that they are very low shedding dogs...the majority of them. We can only use the data from those who have kept in contact. It has also been our experience that the curly coat doodle is also a low shedding dog, based upon the data we have received from past customers.
Some breeders claim that multi generation doodles shed far less than the first generation. I have not created multi generation doodles, but I have to disagree that having more Poodle genetics is going to allow the dog to shed less especially when we already have experienced low shedding with 99% of our every doodle we've created since 1999 using the data from past customers and our own personal experience. Many claim that Poodles do not shed. I disagree.
I have seen our Poodles shed, but very little. It would be impossible to create a non shedding dog since all living things shed.
Its very important for people to know that if they desire to own a doodle dog and they desire to have this type of dog as a pet, AND IF they have shedding or allergy issues, to attempt to resolve those issues before bringing a pet of any kind to their home. Many people purchase a doodle because they believe they will not have any shedding or allergy issues and yet, they have not even consulted an allergist prior to buying this type of dog to find out exactly what issues they really have regarding dogs. Those with allergies believe their issue is from the hair that sheds. While possible, I believe the issues are deeper than that. You have to remember that dogs go outdoors and even WE humans will track in pollens and allergans on our clothing, skin, hair and shoes. It is only natural to assume that our pets track in just as much pollen and allergans as we do ourselves.
When people begin sneezing and wheezing, they believe it is their dog who is causing the problem when in fact, the problem could very well be that they have brought in allergans and pollens on their coat and feet and this is what is causing the sneezing and wheezing....not the hairs themselves. If your allergies are bad, you may not want to keep your pet indoors. I myself have COPD as well as Asthma. In Feb. of 2008 I had such a severe attack that I had a mild heart attack and found myself staying in the CCU over-night. My doctor had wanted me to stay another day but the super bowl was happening and there was NO WAY I was staying another day. I began having allergy issues in 1994 while stationed in Germany. No one in my family has asthma or any type of asthma type allergy issues, so I do not know what caused my first attack. I just know that over the years, my asthma turned into COPD and I've had to increase my medications over the years to something stronger and longer lasting. Because of my allergies, it was important that I did not have heavy shedding animals inside of my home. I was greatly relieved in 1999 to discover that my first doodle litter did not cause any allergy issues for me whatsoever, while my purebred Golden Retrievers absolutely did! My personal triggers with the purebred Golden Retriever is if the hairs get on my face, my eyes itch, swell and begin to water. My nose will start running and if I put my face into my Golden Retrievers' coat, my lungs begin to close up and its difficult for me to breathe. I had none of this going on with my doodles and to this day, I can groom them...wash them and bathe them with very little problem. If it is already a high pollen day and I try to groom too many in a single day, I will have difficulty breathing and a "heaviness" in my lungs.....but I know that its because of the heavy pollens on that day and the air quality is not that great and that the issues are not so much my dogs as it is the air quality and pollens.
For me personally, I also have more complications with my asthma and COPD on a hot day rather than a cold day. It is actually easier for me to breathe on a cooler day. For some, it is just the opposite. When it comes to dogs, shedding and allergies, the one thing you have to remember is that you must use common sense. My doctor tells me to NOT have any dogs in my house or I am asking for trouble. Well, I love dogs and I'm always going to have a dog in my house and I guess I just have to suffer. But all allergist and doctors who treat those with allergies will tell you to NOT have any pets inside of your home.
I did the following to help better my allergy situation! We pulled up all of the carpet inside of our home and ripped up all of the padding. I was shocked at the amount of dirt and hairs trapped underneath the padding! Carpet is the worse thing you can have inside of your home if you suffer from allergies! We had to spend nearly $5000 to lay down hardwood flooring, and while I have to admit I absolutely HATE the fact that its more difficult to keep my floors clean and free of debris, I have LESS allergy because there is no dirt and no hairs or debris such as our own shedding skin, being trapped under a carpet pad! I use to think my vaccum cleaner would take care of the problem but I was wrong!
We also ensure that our air conditioner filter is the very best possible on the market and that it is replaced regularly! Many people overlook the fact that their breathing problems or allergy issues can come from their air conditioner and from the air blowing through a dirty, clogged filter! Where my bed was concerned, we then purchased an hypoallergenic, allergy free zip cover for the mattress as well as every single pillow that goes on the bed! It's also important that you do not allow your dog into your bedroom or on your bed if you want to breathe easier at night when you sleep.
So I hope this article will help those with allergies understand that its not just about trying to find a low shedding dog. Its about making changes in your life to help you breathe easier, if you love dogs and want to own one. Breeders can not guarantee anyone with allergies how much or how little their dog is going to shed. They can not guarantee that someone with allergies can successfully own one of their dogs, either. Do the right thing and make the changes for yourself if you have allergies and make sure to see an allergist before you purchase a dog of any kind!
Author/breeder: Dee Gerrish of Goldendoodle
http://www.goldendoodleworld.com copyright 2008
