As a mix of Golden Retrievers and Poodles, Golden doodles can benefit from hybrid vigor, which often leads to a lower risk of genetic disorders compared to purebred dogs. The mixing of breeds can help reduce the incidence of hereditary health issues that are common in both parent breed if both are bred correctly by an ethical Goldendoodle breeder. Goldendoodles should NOT have any genetic health issues if bred correctly by an ethical dog breeder however their are many common occurring conditions they suffer from if they are not cared for properly
Ear Infections
Golden doodles can be prone to ear infections for several reasons:
Ear Structure: Their floppy ears can trap moisture and debris, creating an ideal environment for bacteria and yeast to grow.
Hair Growth: They often have hair inside the ear canal, which can obstruct airflow and trap moisture.
Allergies: Golden doodles can have allergies to food, pollen, or dust, which may lead to inflammation and increase the risk of infections.
Moisture: If they swim often or are bathed without thorough drying, excess moisture can lead to infections.
Poor Hygiene: Infrequent cleaning can allow wax and dirt to build up, contributing to infections.
Although Ear Infections are terrible they are also very preventible. From our personal experience we recommend not feeding your Golden doodle a chicken diet when you purchase kibbles because often what is sprayed on the chicken is what gives the Golden doodles an allergic reaction. We turn to diets with Salmon or beef instead and the dogs are ear infection free and seem to enjoy the flavor way better!
Another major element for preventing ear infections is ensuring that you dry the inside of your Golden doodles ears with cotton balls after being out in the rain or after a bath. Their floppy ears trap that moisture and easily cause an infection if not dried properly.
Lastly, but perhaps the most important step to prevent ear infections is by purchasing an ear cleaning solution at the VET and using regularly. We personally recommend cleaning your Golden doodles ears bi-weekly or monthly. Also, when they go to the groomer ask for the hair inside of the ear to be plucked because it prevents moisture build up. However, if you do get the ear hair plucked at the groomer you must clean the ear every 3 days for the first week to prevent any ear infections since the skin follicles are open.
Stomach Sensitivity
Golden doodles can be prone to stomach sensitivity for many reasons
Dietary Changes: Sudden changes in food or treats can disrupt their digestive system.
Food Sensitivities: They may have allergies or sensitivities to certain ingredients, such as
grains or proteins.
Overeating: Eating too quickly or consuming too much food can lead to digestive upset.
Ingestion of Foreign Objects: They might eat something they shouldn’t, like toys or trash, which can irritate their stomach.
Stress or Anxiety: Changes in environment or routine can cause stress, leading to digestive issues.
One of our biggest No-No's is giving Golden doodles Rawhide. You can often find Rawhide in many treats and we strongly suggest you keep your Golden doodle away from it. Rawhide tends to expand in the stomach and often leads to Gastritis or your pup needing an emergency surgical procedure that is life threatening and extremely expensive.
As far as as fast eating we recommend a slow feeder if your Golden doodle eats faster than normal to prevent upset stomach
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