Many families reach a point in their lives where they feel as though something is missing. That something is usually a four-legged friend who loves to wag its tail. Getting a dog is a huge step for any family to take, especially when they have children. There is nothing quite like watching your kids grow up with a fur friend around all the time. However, while kids love dogs, not all dogs truly love kids. There are breeds that are better for families than others. Some dogs are far too aggressive, while others are far too energetic. Finding the right dog for a family setting is important before getting one. One dog that is perfect for families with children is the Goldendoodle.
Key Points
- Goldendoodles are very smart and very playful, making them great companions!
- Goldendoodles bond with their owners very quickly, and are very loyal to their family.
- Getting a Goldendoodle is a great way to begin teaching your kids about responsibility and respect for pets.
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What Are Goldendoodles?
Goldendoodles are a hybrid of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle, hence the name combination. There are two different types of Goldendoodles that people can get—standard and miniature. A standard Goldendoodle can grow and weigh up to 100 pounds in their adulthood. However, a miniature Goldendoodle usually weighs up to 35 pounds in total.
Goldendoodles are very popular dogs for several reasons. One reason is that they have on average a long lifespan of 10-15 years. This makes them a perfect dog for families because they will be with the family for a long time. They are also hypoallergenic, which is a big plus for families. Some parents, or even children, can have allergies to dogs. In addition, Goldendoodles do not shed very much, making it a cleaner household overall.
Goldendoodles Have an Excellent Temperament
Goldendoodles are dogs that are both smart and playful. Getting a dog that has the right temperament for your family is important. Having a dog who is too aggressive can be challenging when you have small children at home because we never want anyone to get hurt. Goldendoodles have a natural instinct to understand the difference between children and adults. They are naturally more gentle with children based on their own instinct, while still being playful and energetic.
One thing that sets Goldendoodles apart from other dogs is that they are very easy to train. Training a puppy can be a lot of work. The longer it takes to train your dog, the harder things can become in your life. Fortunately, training comes easy to Goldendoodles and they pick up on new rules and tasks quickly. This is because the Golden Retriever and the Poodle are highly intelligent dogs. The hybrid combination in the Goldendoodle gives them a huge advantage over other breeds.
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Goldendoodles Bond with Their Owners Quickly
Goldendoodles bond with their families and owners very fast. This makes them very loving and supportive dogs. They always want to be social and are very affectionate. They tend to be dogs who love to curl up on the couch with their owners and snuggle in bed. They also get along with other animals and people very well. You don't have to worry about them being aggressive with other dogs, or even cats if you already have pets in your home.
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They are also extremely playful and love to go outside for long walks and to play fetch. If you have a backyard that your kids love to run around in, your Goldendoodle will love to join them. They also love the water, which makes it even better if you have a pool or live near a beach. Goldendoodles will jump right in with your kids and doggy paddle around with them.
It's a Great Life Lesson for Your Kids
Getting a dog is an excellent way to teach your children important life skills. When parents bring a dog into their home, they know it's a new responsibility. For children who are older, it can be a great way to teach them responsibility, as well. Allowing your kids to be part of taking care of the dog teaches them time management, nurturing, care, and responsibility overall.
There are several tasks that can be assigned to kids of all ages. For example, younger kids can be tasked with cleaning up the dog's toys and putting them away. Older kids can help to make sure dogs are fed at the right time. And, you can even have your teenagers responsible for walking the dog when they need to go out.
Teach Your Kids Respect for Pets
By getting a Goldendoodle, you have a great opportunity to teach your kids some rules about handling animals. Since Goldendoodles are great with kids of all ages, you can begin teaching these lessons young.
Some of the rules that your kids should learn about interacting with dogs are:
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- Always respect a dog's personal space. Don't crowd them or stick your hands in their face; this can make them feel threatened.
- Don't startle a dog when they're sleeping. Give them their space when they eat and rest.
- Don't pull or yank on any part of a dog, such as its ears or tail. This can hurt, and it may trigger an aggressive response from some dogs.
- If you encounter a dog that isn't yours, always ask the owner first if it's okay to pet them. Never approach a dog that's wearing a “service dog” vest or similar; these are working dogs, not companion dogs. They need to be able to focus.
- Don't scream at a dog. This will startle them and could cause them to become fearful or stressed if it becomes a pattern.
- Teach your child how to recognize aggressive and fearful behavior in dogs, and what to do if they encounter these signals.
- Remember that dogs are living creatures who deserve respect and kindness the same way people do!
Goldendoodles are Great for Families with Kids
The bottom line is that if you are looking for a good family dog, Goldendoodles are a great answer. If you are a family with babies or young children, you may consider getting the miniature version of the Goldendoodle so that your kids can still play with it, without getting hurt or overwhelmed. If you have a smaller living space, the miniature doodle is better for you, as well. For families who have big yards or a big home, the standard Goldendoodle may work for you.
Goldendoodles are loyal dogs who look for love and affection. They will be loyal and bond quickly with their owners. They are the types of dogs who love to curl up on the couch with you to watch a movie, but also run around in the yard with you, too. It's the best of both worlds. If you're looking for a companion, Goldendoodles are for you!
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