Where to Get A Goldendoodle

As a highly social animal, the Goldendoodle is great for families of any size, but this breed will be better suited for families with homes with fenced yards that give the dog plenty of room to run. Although adopting a Goldendoodle is possible, it is not likely; potential owners will have better luck searching for Goldendoodle puppies for sale. And it is highly recommended that prospective owners purchase from a breeder that has an established reputation; low-quality breeders that offer Goldendoodles for sale at low cost, and have many dogs from which to choose, normally employ unhealthy (and unethical) breeding methods.

But be prepared to wait. As a prized designer breed, Goldendoodles are in high demand, so the reputable breeders usually have a waiting list for each new litter. The advantage of waiting to buy from a reputable source is the knowledge that the pup is healthy and is the offspring of healthy, well-balanced parent dogs.

The best news is that Goldendoodles are versatile, loving animals. If provided with enough space, these dogs will make good additions to any household.

There's no way to sugar-coat it: Goldendoodles are expensive. Puppies from reputable breeders start at about $1,000, and puppies from premium kennels can fetch as much as $5,000. Other factors can also affect the price, including:

• Higher than average demand
• Uncommon coloring
• Uncommon size
• Age (normally, the younger the dog the higher the price)
• Health certificates
• Status of the parent dogs (whether they're registered, have won dog shows, or if they have prize-winning bloodlines)

Finding free Goldendoodle puppies isn't likely, but it is possible. You can search classified ads in newspapers or on websites like Craigslist, or visit a local animal shelter. But be advised that many shelter or rescue dogs may be there as a result of abuse or some other type of trauma, which can negatively affect their behavior. It might also be good to talk to shelter personnel, who may know of private owners offering free Goldendoodles.

These dogs' temperament can differ some depending on age and gender, so it might be worthwhile to consider these factors when deciding exactly which Goldendoodle to bring home. If you're not sure whether to choose a male or female Goldendoodle, most experts agree that the male is more even tempered and well-behaved. And these dogs, regardless of gender, can be quite rambunctious, particularly when puppies, and have moderately high exercise levels; owners will need to devote a good amount of time and attention to their pups, so a 1-year-old Goldendoodle may be a better choice than a very young one.