If you have kids at home, you probably want to know if a Goldendoodle can keep up with them. In our house the answer is yes, and with more patience than we expected.
Goldendoodles come from two breeds that were made for people. Golden Retrievers have been family dogs for a long time, and Poodles are smart and eager to learn. Put them together and you get a dog that wants to be wherever the action is. Kids notice that first. The dog is always in the room.
What we see in our puppies
Puppies that grow up around our family get used to noise, sudden movement and small hands early. A few years ago nine of our puppies spent a morning with a room full of preschoolers. It was loud and a little chaotic, and everybody came home tired and happy.
That early exposure helps a lot. A puppy who has already met a lot of kids before going home is far less likely to be startled by a squeal or a dropped cracker. Ask any breeder how much time their puppies spend around children. You want to hear more than “some.”
Energy that matches a kid’s
Mini and medium Goldendoodles love to play, and most kids do too. They will chase a ball until your child gives up, and then they will lie on the couch next to them like nothing happened. That mix of play and cuddle is a big part of why families pick the breed.
The rules are for the kids too
Even the sweetest puppy is still a baby. Here is what we tell every family before pickup day.
Sit on the floor with the puppy instead of picking it up. Little arms drop puppies, and a fall can seriously hurt a small dog. Let the puppy sleep when it sleeps, because an overtired puppy gets nippy fast. No chasing, no pulling ears or tails, and no taking food away. Teach gentle petting with one flat hand, and show your child how to turn away and go still if the puppy gets too excited.
Always supervise young children with a new puppy. That goes for any breed, and it protects the kid and the dog.
Not every dog fits every house
Goldendoodles are friendly, but temperament still varies from puppy to puppy. Some are bold and bouncy, others are calm and watchful. A quiet toddler household and a house with three busy elementary kids may need different puppies. That is why we spend time watching each pup’s personality before we match them with a family.
If you are wondering which of our puppies would fit your kids, contact Puppy Pals and tell us about your home. We are happy to talk it through.