The Goldendoodle is one of the most popular designer dogs nowadays. Many dog lovers consider becoming owners of this adorable Doodle, so, there are different opinions regarding the Goldendoodles adoption vs breeding dilemma.
What makes the Goldendoodle so special? Well, first of all – this dog’s amazing parents! Being a product of breeding a Golden Retriever with a Poodle means a dog with amazing intelligence and friendly personality.
So, a Goldendoodle is without a doubt a wonderful dog for people of all ages, and for both big families and individuals.
But, how to decide whether it is better to adopt a Goldendoodle, or to go with a reputable breeder?
Let’s see some main characteristics of both of these, so you can make your final decision on the way of acquiring a Goldendoodle.
Goldendoodles Adoption Vs Breeding: Main Differences
Welcoming a dog into your home is a serious commitment; you will be the person responsible for your dog’s well being and health.
Even before you welcome your Goldendoodle puppy, you have one important decision to make: to buy a Goldendoodle from a breeder, or to adopt one of these puppies from an animal shelter?
Let’s take a look at some of the crucial factors that might help you choose which option would be better for you.
1. Price
The price is the number one factor of any purchase, so many future dog owners will first consider the costs when they are thinking about their future pet.
Buying a Goldendoodle from a reputable breeder will not be cheap. You can expect to pay anywhere from $500 up to $5000!
Many breeders that invest a lot of their time, money, and effort, simply value their Doodles highly, and this is why the price of these dogs might get so high.
Of course, you will need to contact each individual breeder to check their Gooldendoodles’ price. Sometimes even Goldendoodles from the same breeder can vary in prices, due to some factors such as gender, coat color, etc.
Adopting a Goldendoodle from a dog rescue will certainly cost you less money. You will probably need to pay $200 to $500 to adopt a Goldendoodle from an animal shelter.
Compared to breeders, adopting a Goldendoodle will initially be a far cheaper option. However, in long terms, adopting can even cost you more. We will discuss this in the further paragraphs.
2. Health Records
A professional breeder will provide you with all health records of your future dog. This way, you will be aware of all your puppy’s vaccinations, as well with its microchipping, and de-worming.
Goldendoodles coming from animal shelters might or may not have health records. Dog rescues do take care of dogs’ vaccinations, but, there is no certain way for them to know all about these dogs’ lives before they came to their shelter.
So, going with a Goldendoodle breeder means knowing for sure all about your dog’s health from the beginning of their lives. You cannot have this kind of certainty with Goldendoodles from shelters.
3. Bloodline
Many dog lovers care for their future dogs to come from champion bloodlines. Goldendoodles with champion bloodlines are the ones with the higher price tag – so, if you were wondering why some of these dogs are so expensive, this might be your answer.
If you would like your Doodle to participate in dog shows, you might want to look for a dog with champion bloodlines.
Professional breeders are the ones who can provide you with Goldendoodles with champion bloodlines. You will not usually find this kind of dog in animal rescues.
4. Socialization
Professional breeders take care of their puppy’s socialization from the puppies’ young age. When you buy a Goldendoodle from a reputable breeder, you will be getting a socialized and well-behaved dog.
Every breeder that takes care of its puppies in a good way does everything to make its dogs socialized with people and other animals before they are ready to leave the kennel.
Of course, when a breeder sells dogs that are 8 or 10 weeks old, these dogs have probably not encountered many different people. However, the first person the puppy has contact with is crucial for all of its future contacts with humans.
The kennel is the place where the Goldendoodle puppy training and socialization should start. The dog’s future owner will just need to continue with the good care for the puppy.
On the other hand, Goldendoodles from shelters might not be socialized. Many of these dogs have had some bad experiences before they came to shelter, and this can significantly determine their behavior around people.
However, we don’t want to say that dogs from shelters will not become well-socialized dogs as well. You might need to put some more effort, patience, and love into this process, but – it will all be worth it in the end.
5. Genetics
Genetics is an essential factor that might determine your Goldendoodle’s temperament, life, and appearance.
You might learn a lot about this dog’s future size by reading the Goldendoodle growth chart, but you can also learn a lot by looking at this dog’s parents.
Reputable breeders usually show their customers all the health records of their future puppy’s parents. This way, you can know what to expect when it comes to genetic health conditions in your dog.
Responsible breeders always undertake all genetic testing in the dogs they will breed.
Goldendoodles rescues usually won’t have these kinds of records. So, you will not be able to have important information about your dog’s genetic history before you welcome it to your home.
All Goldendoodles might become ill someday, but some of the genetic diseases these dogs are prone to are hip dysplasia, Addison’s disease, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy.
Many future dog owners want to be sure their Goldendoodle is free of genetic disorders before they take the dog to live with them.
6. Availability
Goldendoodle breeders usually inform the potential customers about the upcoming litters. This way, you can track their social media and official website to know when you will be able to buy a new puppy from them.
Dog rescues don’t work in this way. When you come to an animal rescue, you probably won’t be able to choose a Goldendoodle in a certain coat color you like the most.
Also, older dogs are often found in shelters, and not just newborn puppies like you are probably used to seeing in kennels.
Furthermore, there is also the possibility that you will not always find a Goldendoodle at a dog shelter. These dogs are very popular designer dogs, many people want to adopt them, so you may have to wait a little while until one of these adorable puppies is available.
Why Should I Adopt A Goldendoodle From A Shelter?
Many people will say that price is the main factor in choosing a Goldendoodle from a shelter before buying one from a breeder.
However, I would like to point out another factor, which, in my opinion, is far more important.
By adopting a dog from a shelter, you will be providing a safe home, a home full of love, to a Goldendoodle who may have been through a lot in its life so far.
The love that a dog that may have been treated badly before can give to its new owners can hardly be compared to any other feeling.
And you’ll feel pretty good too knowing you’ve done such a noble deed!
Dog care begins the moment the dog steps into your home.
Dogs from shelters can be unsocialized, and perhaps not ready for training and socializing at the very beginning. But with time, and a lot of your patience, your adopted Goldendoodle can become the best pet you could ever imagine.
Why Should I Buy A Goldendoodle From A Breeder?
Buying a Goldendoodle from a professional breeder will guarantee that the dog has health records. Also, the breeder will show you the genetic testing of the parents of your future puppy.
Responsible breeders take care of the socialization of their puppies, therefore, you can be sure that you will get a puppy that is used to people and will quickly adapt to a new family and new life circumstances.
All this justifies the high prices of Goldendoodles from responsible breeders. Once we know how much effort and time (and money!) it actually takes to breed a Goldendoodle, we can better understand why these dogs actually cost so much.
Final Thoughts
The Goldendoodles adoption vs breeding dilemma is not an easy one to handle.
Both dog adoption and dog breeding have their good and bad sides. The most important factor in adoption is providing a safe home for an abandoned dog. The crucial advantages of professional breeders are genetic testing, health records, and thorough work with dogs.
In the end, your decision should depend entirely on your lifestyle and your expectations of life with a dog.
Some people will be more satisfied with adopting a Goldendoodle, while a professional breeder will be a better choice for others.
Whatever you decide in the end, we sincerely wish that your home will soon be filled with the presence of an adorable Goldendoodle!