Welcome to our guide to the Goldador.
The DogExperts.info website aims to ask questions to breeders, vets and experienced owners to get the answers to your most frequently asked questions about the Goldador breed of dog (a cross between the Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever).
You can also help too!
If you can answer any of the questions below, then please add your comments to the box at the bottom of the page or you can email us at sales@dogexperts.info.
We would love to feature your dog and publish any photos or pictures of your Goldador you would like to email us.
Are you looking to buy a Goldador – then see our list of Goldador breeders.
Here is an interesting video of Sunny, dubbed as the cutest Goldador.
Why Choose a Goldador?
What type of owners buy a Goldador?
What in your opinion are the best things about the Goldador breed?
Why do you think the Goldador is special?
What are your favourite things about the Goldador?
Are you glad you choose to buy a Goldador and not another breed?
How would you describe the Goldador temperament?
What advice might you give to people thinking about whether they should buy a Goldador over other breeds?
History & Origins
What are the history and origins of the Goldador?
About The Breed
What colors of Goldador are most popular?
What does the Goldador look like?
What are the pros/cons of the Goldador breed?
What can a new owner expect in terms of differences between the Goldador and other breeds?
Do they attract a lot of interest and curiosity from the public?
What type of typical personality does the Goldador have?
Is it possible to describe a fairly typical Goldador?
What is the breed standard/description for the Goldador?
Were there particular colors people preferred and that maybe you focused on?
Are there any downsides to owning a Goldador that prospective owners should be aware of?
Is the Goldador breed of dog suitable for first-time dog owners?
Some breeds can be described as greedy and prone to weight issues, would this apply to the Goldador?
What are the key differences when compared to other breeds?
Is the Goldador a breed suitable for a person or family that are out at work all day?
Some owners seek a breed suitable for barking and offering a guard dog role – how does the Goldador match up to that role?
Are there myths about the Goldador – in other words do new potential owners come to you with misconceptions about this breed?
We asked a number of breeders in the UK and America what essential advice they would give to new owners of Goldador puppies and this is what they said:
What types of questions do you get once owners get their Goldador home?
Can you tell us something most owners would not know – tips, secrets etc from your years of experience?
What is the typical temperament of a Goldador, so people know what to expect from their new pet?
When fully grown how much on average does a Goldador weigh?
When the Goldador is full grown in size what is the maximum height and length expected to be?
Is the Goldador ever crossed or mixed with other breeds of dog?
Does the Goldador smell or drool a lot?
Do you have a Goldador growth chart?
What breed group does the Goldador come under?
What type of coat do they have?
Can they swim?
What does the movement of the tail show, does it mean they are trying to ‘talk to us’ or give us some message?
Suitability
Are there some types of people that you can suggest the Goldador is not suitable for, perhaps families?
How is the Goldador with children?
Do you think the Goldador is suitable for families with young children?
How does the Goldador get along with other (existing) pets and do you have any tips or advice for new Goldador owners in terms of successful integration?
Is it better to buy one Goldador or two?
Should prospective new owners be aware of any differences between males and females?
Would the Goldador be suitable as a guard dog?
Can I leave my Goldador during the day while I go to work?
Lifespan
What is the expected average lifespan of the Goldador?
Jamie Nye of Ridley’s Red Retrievers says: “We have taken a lot of time and consideration in planning to blend my mother’s bloodlines and my own Golden Retriever bloodlines. In doing so, we add the benefit of the Hybrid Vigor to two already healthy bloodlines. Both parents have their OFA Hip, Elbow, Eye and Heart health clearances, to assure that the lines are not carrying any typical breed-related health issues. The hybrid also allows for a bigger statured dog in most incidences. We also anticipate a longer life span. We anticipate longevity to exceed the typical 10-12 year span of purebred Labradors and Retrievers. Of course, we will not know the specific lifespan of our hybrids until we have raised for a bit longer.”
Sarah Heinrich of Strong Heart Retrievers: “They can live anywhere from 14 – 16yrs. You get traits from both the Lab and Golden. Best of both worlds. Great family dogs. Smart. Have past puppies in both search and rescue and fire dogs. Olson therapy dogs. One is a therapy dog for a man in a wheel chair. They are also great for hunting. Very loyal and loving breed.”
T’awna Millard of Oregon Goldadors: “The life expectancy of a Goldador is 10-15 years. Very comparable to the life span of their parent dogs. In the last 10 years or so, Goldadors have become rather sought after. The reason, for this I believe is mostly because of their temperaments and easy trainability. Often when looking for a service dog, the first choice is now becoming a Goldador.
Universally, more then anything they want to please you and their intelligence level, paired with their gentle calm presence makes them the perfect choice. They also have the strong physical capabilities, that their Labrador parent has, (i.e. they are wonderful jogging companions) as well as the easy going, more laid back manner or their Golden parent. Also, just an added bonus, they have amazing soft coats. Their fur is not long like a retrievers, or coarse like a Lab, the length can vary a bit between pups (some will have a slightly longer fuzzier coat and some will be shorter and sleek) but all of them retain the softness of their Golden parent.
It has also been found that this cross, produces healthier dogs, less to prone to some of the health issues that can be found in their parents.”
Kathy of Cottage Garden Goldadors: “Lifespan mirrors the parent breeds – 10-14 years. The feedback we get from our puppy families continues to affirm that these are great all-around dogs that have easily fit into a myriad of family dynamics and lifestyle/living situations. Hair length is popular with those who enjoy the Golden breed but don’t care for the longer hair. ”
Food & Diet
Do you have any special feeding routines or diet?
Do you have any feeding advice or brands that you prefer?
How to handle the Goldador puppy to start off – how much food, what type, how often?
What feeding routines and types of food/supplements do you recommend?
What to buy in terms of equipment? Bowls etc
Do owners need to consider supplements for their Goldador?
How about for older dogs?
Buying – How Much Do They Cost?
How much did your Goldador cost to buy?
Can you offer advice to people looking to buy a Goldador and how much should they spend?
What advice would you offer new Goldador owners?
What types of people are buying the Goldador and why?
Where can I buy Goldador rescue dogs or find a Goldador for adoption? Please note that buying or searching for a ‘cheap’ Goldador can be false economy as they may have health issues that cost you far more in the long-term – always buy from a good and responsible breeder!
How much do Goldador puppies for sale cost on average?
Do I need public liability insurance or a license?
Puppy
How would you describe the Goldador puppy to potential new owners?
What types of owners are best suited to owning a Goldador?
What colors and sizes are most popular?
Are there things new owners do that perhaps frustrate you?
What can people expect when they become a new owner?
What inspired you to become a breeder and did you start with the Goldador?
As a Goldador breed expert, are there any ‘essential’ tips you would like to share with new owners?
Are there specific times of the year that you breed?
Choosing a puppy from a litter, what advice could you offer potential new owners in terms of selecting ‘the one’?
How long does it take to housetrain/potty train a Goldador?
When can you take them out in public and how do you handle them around other dogs?
Will they run off – when is it safe to let them off the lead?
We invite you to email us your Goldador’s pictures, in particular we are looking for photos showing Goldador puppies at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 weeks old as well as early pictures such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 months old to a year old.
Do they have any nicknames or does the Goldador have popular names?
If my Goldador is pregnant what might the litter size be?
Could the Goldador be dangerous around young children?
Problem Behaviors
How do you deal with a problem barker – any tips and advice to new owners?
How do you prevent a Goldador biting?
How do you prevent a Goldador chewing?
How do you stop a Goldador jumping up?
Does the Goldador have an issue with excessive digging?
Why does my Goldador keep growling and barking?
Is there a reason my Goldador dog is often scratching excessively?
Do they suffer from separation anxiety and how can I prevent this?
Exercise
In comparison perhaps to other breeds what can you say about the Goldador and their exercise needs and do you have any tips or advice for new Goldador owners?
As a breeder of the Goldador, do you prefer a collar or harness?
As an expert of the Goldador breed do you prefer a standard leash or retractable?
Can you offer any dog walking tips for Goldador owners?
Playtime & Tricks
What games and toys can you recommend for the Goldador?
Are there toys you suggest avoiding?
How intelligent is the Goldador compared to other dog breeds?
How much can they understand?
Grooming
Do you have any special grooming routines or tips and advice for new Dachshund owners?
How much time is involved?
What accessories are required to be purchased for grooming a Goldador?
Any advice/tips you can give concerning maintenance of nails?
How much do Goldador shed and how do I maintain their hair and how often?
How can I prevent or cure ear infections?
Do you have any tips for eye care?
Is the Goldador a hypoallergenic breed?
Bathing
Any advice/tips you can give concerning cleaning and bathing your Goldador?
Can you offer new Goldador owners advice concerning fleas and maybe products you use in treatment and prevention?
Showing
What advice and tips could you offer to owners who might wish to follow your path in showing the Goldador?
What started your interest in showing the Goldador?
If a new owner perhaps wanted to meet other owners or find out more – perhaps they have an interest in joining a local club or maybe they wonder how they can start showing their Goldador – where would they begin?
Can you offer any advice to others who may be wondering if they can also start showing?
How would an owner know they have a show-quality Goldador and how would they start off?
Can you give away any of your secrets?!
Is showing very expensive and why do you think people like to do it?
What do judges look for in a winner?
Breeding
What inspired you to become a breeder and did you start with Goldadors?
What official organisations are there for the new Goldador owner and what benefits or services do they provide?
In buying a Goldador, can you offer advice and tips to new owners?
How did you go from being an owner to getting into breeding?
Do you think the breed’s popularity has increased, decreased or remains the same?
How did you progress to becoming a breeder and why focus on breeding the % out of all the breeds you could have chosen?
What do you think makes the Goldador special to you?
Are there things that you see owners doing that frustrate you?
As a breed expert, are there any ‘essential’ tips you would like to share with new owners?
Training
In comparison perhaps to other breeds what is it like to train a Goldador and do you have any tips or advice for new Goldador owners?
How should new owners approach bringing a new Goldador home, any advice and tips you can give?
Should I allow my Goldador to sleep in my bed or elsewhere in the house?
Do you recommend crate training and how long does this take?
Should my Goldador sleep in a kennel or crate?
Health
Health is always a major concern when buying a dog, do you have any advice for new Goldador owners to be aware of in particular?
Are there any health-related tips you can give to owners?
What sort of health issues should owners be on the lookout for?
What is the recommended schedule for vaccinations for your Goldador?
Can you offer any advice on how to treat and prevent worms?
What type of health issues can a Goldador have and how do you deal with preventing these?
Why does my Goldador have diarrhea?
Do they suffer from itchy and sensitive skin and if so why?
Why is my Goldador vomiting and do I go to the vets?
When should I take my Goldador for vaccinations and which ones do they need and how often?
How often will my Goldador be in heat?
Should I consider getting my Goldador spayed or neutered and when and how much does this cost and what are the benefits?
My Goldador is limping, what should I do and should I go to a veterinarian surgeon?
Do they suffer from allergies?
Why is my Goldador not eating?
How much does it cost to insure my Goldador?
What healthcare issues or diseases might be excluded from companies that provide Goldador dog health insurance?
Old Age
What age would you class as an ‘older or senior’ Goldador?
Do you notice any changes in their behaviour?
What changes in food and diet would you suggest making for an older Goldador?
Do you feed any supplements to an older Goldador – or anything else which helps them as they age?
Are there any health issues particular to a senior Goldador dog?
Do you have any advice for owners of an older/senior Goldador or tips you can pass on?
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