CHAPTERS

Chapter Two: Things to Know Before Getting a Goldendoodle

After this brief introduction with the Goldendoodle breed, you might be wondering what it actually means to have a Goldendoodle as a pet. In the following chapters, we explore more about what it means to take care of Goldendoodles, including grooming, socialization, nutrition, training, exercise, and their health concerns.  All this will give you a better understanding of this new breed, what ideal lifestyle will be feasible for keeping a dog such as a Goldendoodle, and whether or not this is the right breed for you.

As a preliminary, however, this chapter summarizes some of the more practical factors involved in Goldendoodle ownership.  We take a closer look at the question of licenses, costs, keeping other pets in addition to a Goldendoodle, and a general overview of the pros and cons of this hybrid crossbreed.

Do You Need a License? 

Dog licensing regulations vary depending on your region.  There aren’t really any federal laws regarding this, as this is more of a local matter.  The best way to check whether you will need to secure a license for your dog is to check with your local legislature or council to determine what requirements prevail in your area.

Even if you are not legally required to get a license, however, it might be a good idea to do so voluntarily anyway.  This way, your ownership is legally registered, and it will be easier for other people to trace your dog back to you in case he ever gets lost.  It will also be a good way to assert your ownership over your Goldendoodle in case such a situation ever arises.  If

Licenses in general are only granted after the payment of a small fee, and proof of rabies vaccination.  Since you should have your dog vaccinated against rabies anyway, this isn’t really a troublesome requirement.  Licenses are usually renewable on an annual basis, during which time you should again provide proof of revaccination. This tells us that licensing is intended not only to regulate ownership, but also to protect both your dog and the public against rabies.  Again, check your local laws to verify the specific requirements prevailing in your region.

How Many Goldendoodles Should You Keep?

The decision to keep more than one Goldendoodle is a personal one, and each person will have to make this decision based on his or her unique circumstances.  Perhaps the only thing that need be said on this score is that you should only keep more than one Goldendoodle if you are sure that you can afford their upkeep, including food, grooming, medical expenses, and also have the time and energy to socialize, exercise, groom and train with both dogs on a regular basis.

As you will see later in this chapter, keeping one dog can easily translate to a substantial yearly cost, and keeping more than one dog will easily translate to at least double this basic amount. And taking care of any dog requires energy commitment that a full time working person may not be able to spare.  The main consideration you should have on keeping more than one Goldendoodle is whether or not this is for the best interests of the dog.  If doing so will mean that you will not be able to provide fully for each of them, or that it is beyond your financial capacity, then the answer is probably no.

If you can afford it easily, however, without any detrimental effect on your own expenses, and if you have the room, the time and the energy for it, then certainly having more than one Goldendoodle in the house can be a very rewarding and enjoyable experience.  This is a very loving, affectionate and intelligent breed, and having more than one to keep you – and each other – company, can be worthwhile.

Do Goldendoodles Get Along with Other Pets?

Goldendoodles are a generally friendly breed.  Provided there was proper socialization training in his early months and years, Goldendoodles can be quite popular and well-loved by other pets, by your other family members, by the neighbors, and even by strangers!

Yes, this is a sociable breed, and they are just as likely to wag their tail at strangers coming to your door rather than bark a warning.  They will also prove to be loyal and affectionate companions to other pets, whether it be another dog, another Goldendoodle, or even cats!  Just make sure that you properly supervise the introductory meetings between your Goldendoodle and other pets.

If you keep other smaller pets, such as birds or mice, for instance, it is probably best to exercise due caution as Goldendoodles do descend from Golden Retrievers – a hunting dog known for chasing small prey.

How Much Does it Cost to Keep a Goldendoodle?

Finally, let’s talk numbers. One of the things you’ll probably notice during the process of adoption or purchase of a Goldendoodle puppy is a series of questions regarding your lifestyle, your home situation, and your financial situation.  This is because breeders and those who work at finding homes for rescues know that the costs of keeping a pet can add up.  Aside from various dog equipment and accessories, there is also the annual cost of food, medical expenses, vaccinations, and grooming.  All these are necessary for your dog to live a long, healthy and fulfilling life, and any person interested in keeping a Goldendoodle should be able to show that they can afford the yearly costs.

How much, do you wonder, does keeping a Goldendoodle cost?

Your expenses will necessarily be larger during the first year, as there will be one-time initial expenses such as the cost of purchase or adoption (the purchase price of a Goldendoodle puppy can range from around $1,400 to as high as $3,000), spaying and/or neutering ($90-200), vaccinations ($80-300), and the cost of various pet equipment and accessories such as food and water bowls, a dog bed, a leash and harness ($250-500).

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