Guide to Responsible Goldendoodle Breeding

If you are here, you are either thinking about breeding Goldendoodles or wondering how you are going to get the puppies delivered. Right? Well, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the breeding process of Goldendoodles.

Breeding Goldendoodles is a rewarding experience. There could be many motives in your mind like improving genetics, getting puppies to sell, or you may be doing it just for fun. Either way, you need to educate yourself on this matter.

Let’s get into the details of this matter and let’s start with the very basic question.

Why Breed Goldendoodles?

One good reason to breed Goldendoodles is the potential commercial benefit. Goldendoodles are expensive, with costs reaching thousands of dollars depending on the breed and genetic makeup. Goldendoodle enthusiasts consistently seek the best breeds, presenting a significant opportunity for professional breeders.

Secondly, once you get started, there is great charm in this practice. For many people like me, it’s a dose of instant dopamine to see newly born puppies.

Either way, it is going to be a rewarding experience.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

The breeding process of Goldendoodles or any other dog goes beyond one’s joy and hobby. If you are or want to be a responsible breeder, you need to consider all the legal stipulations and ethical obligations to take care of the well-being of dogs.

Every state in the US has its unique set of regulations concerning Goldendoodle breeding. First of all, you need a license, breeder registration, and health checks before you put your puppies for sale in any advertisement.

For example, the kennel license is required if you want to breed more than a certain number of puppies every year. You should check with your relevant local government office if such limitations are applied to you as well.

Abiding by the rules not only adds to your credibility but also speaks for your commitment to the profession.

Ethical Breeding Practices

Ethical breeding is not limited to having two cute dogs and using them to get beautiful puppies. There are several ethical considerations that you need to take care of. Here are some of the essential breeding practices:

Health and Genetic Testing

Conduct genetic screenings for your Goldendoodles. Common conditions like hip and elbow dysplasia, heart disorders, and eye problems are pretty common among Goldendoodles. This would minimize the chances of genetically transmitted diseases.

No Overbreeding

An important aspect is to ensure the health and recovery of the mother Goldendoodle by spacing out litter. You should avoid breeding her during every heat cycle.

Age of Breeding Dogs

The best age for goldendoodles for breeding is when the they are neither too young nor too old. Make sure that they are ready for the physical and mental demands of breeding and motherhood.

Puppy Welfare

As a responsible breeder, you should commit to placing all puppies in responsible, loving homes. Better conditions result in the development of healthy puppies.

Transparency

Never hide essential aspects of your breeding dogs. Be open about the health, temperament, and family background of your breeding dogs. This builds trust with potential buyers. You should help them make informed decisions.

Miscellaneous Responsibilities

Goldendoodles are prone to several health issues. While looking for a suitable mate, take care of their nutritional diet. Take them regularly to the vet for medical checkups. Make sure that they are in good, happy moods. You should try to develop a comfortable environment during and after delivery. Keep it as comfortable as possible.

What is the best age to mate a Goldendoodle?

Both the male and female Goldendoodles need to be two years of age. The female, at the age of two, is around two to three heat cycles. But still, you should consider if your female Goldendoodle is physically and mentally mature. She needs to be at the correct height and size to avoid complications.

The safer side in such cases would be to wait until she turns three. Breeding a female Goldendoodle between three to five years of age is also good if you want some bigger puppies. Moreover, the litter size at this age would be good.

Why age is an important factor for breeding?

Like humans, burdening the body of a living thing results in several complications. Dogs are no different in this context. A premature pregnancy will make your female Goldendoodle feeble and less energetic. It may lose the charm and flair it had.

On the other hand, if your female Goldendoodle is too old, you should not consider it for this job. For example, if it has not delivered any puppies in the last five to six years, the perils are that it may cause some complications like c-section, miscarriage, etc.

Therefore, it is always recommended to get it bred at the correct age.

Choosing your Breeding Goldendoodle

There are four major sizes of Goldendoodles:

• Standard
• Medium
• Miniature
• Toy

First of all, you should decide what type of coat you want and what color you are expecting it to be. 

Most of the time, new breeders are confused when it comes to choosing a poodle with a specific type of Goldendoodle. 

In the following table, we have organized the information regarding the breeding of different sizes of Goldendoodles along with the type of  Poodles you need to use. There are also some additional considerations for coat type and genetics

The genetic makeup of Goldendoodle determines several factors like coat type, color, size, attitude, etc. One of the major problems that dog parents don’t want to deal with is frequent shedding. 

The better coat results in lesser shedding. But let me be very clear here about the coat type. The type of coat you are going to get is a genetic gamble. It is extremely difficult to predict what type of coat your puppy is going to get after its born. 

Moreover, even littermates could be different in their several characteristics like these. 

Goldendoodle Breeding Chart

The following Goldendoodle Breeding Chart will help you do it better:

How to Breed a Goldendoodle Explained

First of all, you need to understand what is meant by a dog’s heat cycle. Understanding this concept is vital to find out the best timing for mating. 

Heat Cycle

Generally, a female Goldendoodle comes into heat every six months. During her heat cycle, there’s a specific time called estrus, or the second phase, when she can become pregnant. 

This fertile period lasts about 9 to 12 days.

You can identify if the fertile period is from her vulva swelling. Moreover, there is bloody discharge that becomes lighter in color

The best time for matting is a few days after these signs appear. This is the ideal time when she is most likely to conceive.

Care During the Gestation Period

The gestation period of Goldendoodles is around 63 days. During this time, you need to take care of the expectant’s nutritional needs. Take her for regular veterinary checkups and try to develop a peaceful environment. 

Do not increase Goldendoodle’s food intake at once. Do it gradually. She may also need regular gentle exercising sessions to keep her healthy and get healthy puppies. Avoid strenuous routines when her due date approaches. 

Arrangements before the Due Date

Create a peaceful whelping area before the due date arrives. It needs to be quiet and safe. Make it clean and free of any drafts. The whelping box needs to be large enough for the Goldendoodle to move around. 

Make sure that the walls are strong and high enough to keep the newly born puppies within. Line the box with soft, absorbent, and easily replaceable bedding. For bedding, you can either use newspapers or towels.

Managing Labor and Immediate Postnatal Care

When the due date is near, you should keep an eye and look for the signs of labor. For example, your female Goldendoodles may look restless. There will be nesting behavior. It may lose its appetite. There could be a notable drop in its body temperature as well. 

Please note that the labor in dogs is divided into three stages: 

1. The onset of contractions
2. Actual delivery of the puppies
3. Expulsion of the afterbirth

What to do after the delivery?

First of all, make sure that afterbirths are expelled. If not done properly, it can cause some serious health issues for Goldendoodles. Count the retained placentas and match them with the number of delivered puppies.

Replace the soiled bedding with clear and dry material once the mother is settled to normal condition. Keep the mother calm. Tap and appreciate her.

There is a substantial need to follow up with your vet after the delivery. Even if you feel that the delivery was smooth and calm, never underestimate any situation in this context. The health of the mother is extremely important.

The vet will know if there are some signs of distress in her mind or body, a matter that you may overlook. There is a possibility of infection that may not show any signs at the moment but can affect later. Moreover, there are congenital issues that need to be observed.

Maintain a watchful eye for your female Goldendoodle as you may overlook her while focusing on the newborn cuties.

On the other hand, you should see if all the puppies are born in a normal form. Check their ears, and eyes, and count their limbs. If there are any anomalies, you should take those puppies to the vet as well.

Final Takeaways

Getting a Goldendoodle bred and delivering babies requires a meticulous approach. You may not require proper training but prior knowledge is essential to avoid any blunders as it could lead to a matter of life and death in some extreme cases.

Always keep the matter of the dog’s health and age a priority. The well-being of the dog is extremely vital to get healthy babies and keep your dogs healthy for the next heat cycle as well.

Let us know if you tried or are trying to get your Goldendoodle bred. Happy Breeding!

Frequently Asked Question