Chocolate Goldendoodle – Complete Guide (With Photos)
Dogs are the most loving creatures you can have in your home. They take their training seriously and can do things that we humans could only dream of. It gets even better if it is a chocolate Goldendoodle. If you dislike pets for some reason, the chocolate Goldendoodle will certainly change your perception.
The chocolate Goldendoodle is a hybrid dog that originated in the United States. It is a cross between the Golden Retriever and the Standard Poodle. As can be expected from any crossbreed, they have a temperament that is a balance between both parent breeds. These friendly, affectionate, intelligent, and active dogs are medium-sized and have an athletic build.
A Brief History of the Chocolate Goldendoodle
Goldendoodles are generally considered to be light brown, which is why only a few people are aware of the chocolate Goldendoodle. They don’t realize that the chocolate breed is a crossbreed between the Poodle and Golden Retriever. As a result, the chocolate-colored coat can be confusing for them.
Poodles come in various dark colors, such as grey, brown, blue, black, although they also have brighter colors like white and silver. On the other hand, the usual colors for Golden Retrievers include cream, white, and red.
Despite being a crossbreed between dark and bright-colored breeds, it is the dominant nature of the Poodle that resulted in the chocolate color. However, as the chocolate Goldendoodle grows polder, the color changes to brown with silver or faded brown.
Chocolate Goldendoodle Coat Types
With parents of different breeds, you can expect varying features in each chocolate Goldendoodle. One of the main differences is their coat type, which may be straight, curly, or wavy. As a result, these dogs will require different grooming depending on their coat.
- Straight Coat
The straight coat makes the chocolate Goldendoodle look more like the Golden Retriever. However, it is rare to find a chocolate Goldendoodle with a straight coat.
Despite looking beautiful, dogs with a straight coat tend to shed more. In addition, this type of coat requires regular grooming, at least weekly, to keep off tangles and knots, which could cause the dog pain.
Moreover, matting could cause animal skin irritation and act as a hiding place for parasites.
- Curly Coat
Goldendoodles with curly coats bear a close resemblance to Poodles. The curly coat is the most preferred type worldwide among the Goldendoodle community because it looks like a teddy bear and doesn’t shed much.
However, you will have to brush your pet’s coat daily to avoid fur tangling. Additionally, you will have to trim the fur regularly and keep its hair short to keep it neat.
- Wavy Coat
A chocolate Goldendoodle’s waxy coat is also known as shaggy, and they appear to resemble each parent slightly. Of all the coat types, the wavy coat is the most popular and preferred because it is easy to groom. The good thing about this coat is that it doesn’t shed a lot, so you only have to brush your chocolate Goldendoodle once a week.
How to Care for Your Chocolate Goldendoodle’s Health?
Chocolate Goldendoodles are a healthy breed of dogs that can live up to 10 to 15 years, depending on the parent’s average lifespan. Regardless of their healthy nature, chocolate Goldendoodles are prone to attack by some genetic health conditions.
Moreover, always be on the lookout for symptoms that may indicate your dog is suffering from a medical condition to ensure that a healthy life.
Possible Health Conditions That Affect Chocolate Goldendoodle
- Skin Sensitivity
Chocolate Goldendoodles often experience skin sensitivity caused by various factors. Fortunately, this condition is manageable. There is food and shampoo made for dogs with skin sensitivity to make them feel their best at all times.
- Cataract
Cataract affects the dog’s vision and mostly occurs in older dogs. For a dog with cataract, you may notice that the eyes become cloudy and could lead to total vision loss for your chocolate doodle.
In spite of the poor prognosis that an older dog might have, it is important to take your pet to the veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
- Hip Dysplasia
Larger dogs like the Golden Retriever and Standard Poodles are most likely to be affected by hip dysplasia. This condition results from hip displacement, making it difficult for your dog to move and causes pain. If your chocolate Goldendoodle has this condition, consult your veterinarian for medication and surgery.
Other health conditions may include epilepsy and arthritis.
Character Traits of the Chocolate Goldendoodle
Are you looking for a patient, intelligent, affectionate dog that fits well into a family with small children? You got it all with chocolate Goldendoodle. Their high level of intelligence will give you an easy time training the dog, whether you are a savvy or a beginner. In addition, the dog adapts quickly to new environments.
If you intend to make this dog your companion to add value to your life, all you need is to give it attention. Yes, chocolate Goldendoodles adore attention. As a result of their friendly nature, these dogs effortlessly interact with strangers and other animals.
Taking Care of Your Chocolate Goldendoodle
Here are a few tips on how you can take care of your chocolate Goldendoodle. These tips will help your dog live a healthier and happier life; in return, you will have fun in the company of a cheerful friend.
Routine Care Tips
- Multivitamins
Giving your chocolate Goldendoodle some multivitamins helps keep ailments at bay. Moreover, it can treat mild health conditions. However, understand that multivitamins work best with a proper diet and enough exercise.
For example, Vitamin A, C, and E prevent hip dysplasia, cataracts, and eczema. In addition, you can give your dog Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids.
- Diet
The best meal to feed your chocolate Goldendoodle is a well-balanced diet. Sadly, Chocolate Goldendoodles have a sensitive stomach, and feeding them with human food is not recommended.
Therefore, provide your dogs with quality dog food to avoid upset stomach incidences and other health issues caused by poor feeding.
- Dental Water Additives
Your dog’s dental health should be of great concern to you. To ensure that your dog maintains a healthy mouth, gum, and teeth, add the dental water additive to the dog’s drinking water.
The additives are liquid and act as a mouthwash for your dog. These additives reduce tartar build-up, prevent bad breath, and kill bacteria. Your dog will feel as fresh after taking these additives as you feel after brushing your teeth.
- Exercise
Like humans, dogs also need to exercise and loosen up a little. Allow at least 30 minutes of daily exercise for your adult chocolate Goldendoodle. You can do this by taking a walk with your dog or unleashing it to play freely. For Goldendoodles, the amount of exercise needed depends on the dog’s age, size, and energy levels.
Exercise is a recreational activity for the dog, killing boredom and getting mental stimulation. However, take it slow with older dogs, help them maintain adequate weight, and allow them to move around regularly.
Although exercise is good, too much can cause sores and pain. Therefore, let your dog exercise in moderation.
Grooming Tips for Chocolate Goldendoodles
Below are some tips to help you keep your dog fresh and looking, feeling good.
- Trimming the Nails
Make sure your chocolate Goldendoodles’ nails are short by cutting them at least once a month. The dog could injure itself, other animals, and the people around with long claws. However, regular exercise trims the nails naturally, so you don’t have to do it.
- Brushing
Brushing helps untangle your dog’s fur, thus reducing shedding.
- Bathing
Only wash your dog when necessary, using the appropriate shampoo to help you untangle the coat quickly. Bathing should not be done too often since doing so drains the coat of essential oils.
- Checking their Ears
Ensure that you check your dog’s ears weekly to ascertain no redness and foul odor. Use ear cleaning fluid and a cotton bud to wipe the outer part of the ear. Deep invasion into the ear can cause pain and injury.
Conclusion
The Goldendoodle is a dog that can be a wonderful companion for someone who wants a loving, intelligent canine. It is even better for you if you don’t want to deal with constant grooming, as a Goldendoodle’s fur is easier to care for than other breeds because it does not shed a lot. Moreover, you won’t have to deal with health problems that can sometimes plague other dog breeds.
A Goldendoodle has been bred to be a guard dog, so he may seem quite protective of the home but will be friendly when strangers come to visit. The dog is affectionate towards people in its pack, and it will do best with at least one other canine partner. Lastly, the Chocolate Goldendoodle can live outdoors in fair weather and indoors with the family.