I’ve had many requests for a blog post all about Chester and I can see why. He is the absolute cutest! The question that I receive the most about our sweet pup, Chester, is “what kind of dog is Chester?” As you can see in the title of this post, he is a Golden Doodle. When we decided to get a dog, we wanted to try to get one that didn’t shed as much as others, if that was possible. We kept hearing a lot about Golden Doodles and how they don’t shed much because of the mix of poodle in their blood. It’s true! I would say that Chester sheds about as much as a human. And, in my human shedding case…less than a human. It’s definitely less than other dogs, but it does depend on what type of Golden Doodle it is. We do find fur balls around every now and then, mostly under furniture, but not much.
Chester is 7 and will be 8 on June 1st. He is a F1B Golden Doodle, which is the most hypoallergenic Golden Doodle there is, I believe. It means that his parents were an F1 doodle and a full bred standard poodle. An F1 doodle is when the parents of that pup were a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. It’s kind of confusing, but it’s something that we tried to look for when looking for a dog. Our kids were young and we weren’t sure at the time if they would grow to become allergic to dogs. We wanted a pup that was the most hypoallergenic that we could find.
It does take a lot of brushing to keep him from getting matts. You can see that Chester is a longer fur shaggy type of Golden Doodle. Brushing him every other day keeps his matts away for the most part. I won’t admit to being that good at brushing. He does get some matts, but our groomer is great at getting his fur under control.
We get him groomed about every other month, or every 3 months. We had him shaved pretty short a couple of times when we first got him and he hated it, so we stopped doing that. We now just have him trimmed and the length depends on our matted he is at the time. It was tough to find a good groomer that was sweet to Chester. We went through about 4 groomers before we found the perfect one. I’m sure Chester isn’t the most calm of pups when getting groomed, because he gets so excited, but a groomer should know that about Golden Doodles and not accept them if they can’t handle these pups. They are the sweetest of dogs and they mean well at all times.
I’m not sure how we are going to get Chester to take his sweater off when it comes time for the blazing hot summer here in Tucson, AZ. He loves having a sweater on for some reason. It’s almost like he feels that it becomes part of him if he wears it for more than a day…hence why he wears his Christmas jingle bell all year round now.
Chester has lots of nicknames….Do Dog Do, Ming Ming, Chestie Doo, just to name a few. I’m pretty sure that he would come no matter what you called him, as long as you had a treat waiting for him.
When we found a breeder close by, we drove to meet the family and Chester just happened to be the last pup of their last litter. We weren’t planning on picking a pup that day, but it just happened and we are so glad that we stopped by on that particular day! The breeder where we found Chester is no longer online. I’m not sure if they stopped breeding Golden Doodles or what happened. If you are thinking of getting a pup through a breeder, I would definitely suggest that you go meet their family first.
He loves to model for my photos. Ever since he realized that he gets treats for lying on the floor in a certain place for 5 minutes, he was on it. He actually is so trained now, no lie, he comes and sits or lies down in the photo where I’m taking a photo, before I even ask him to come. It’s so cute! And, then when I say, “ok all done”, he jumps up and runs to the treat jar. His appetite is strong, despite his modeling treats…but he’s funny in that he only eats his food once a day, usually while we are asleep a night. We feed him a beef protein dry dog food and he really loves it!
There are all types of dogs out there and I’m not trying to discourage someone from adopting from the shelters. It’s personal preference and everyone should do what they feel is right for them and their personal or family situation when bringing a pet into their lives.
If I were to give any advice about having a pet, I would say, make sure you are ready for the responsibility of a pet. It’s not easy to train a pet and to take care of them the right way. For the first few months, I felt like we had an extra child. Chester would whine at night and I would have to come home from work mid day to let him out, and clean up any messes if he had accidents. Something that really helped us train Chester when it came to potty training, was this spray. We would spray it in the spot where he had an accident or where we didn’t want him to have an accident and he would stay away from those areas. I don’t think they like the smell of it. We also used it a couple times when he was doing things that we didn’t want him to do. I sprayed it one time in his mouth when he did something “bad” and every time there after, all I had to do was get the bottle out and he would stop doing what he was doing. If he is chewing on something and we want him to drop it, we just get the bottle out and say “drop it” and he drops it. It can also be sprayed on things that you don’t want them to chew. Just be careful not to spray it all over something, until you test a small area to make sure it’s not going to ruin what you are spraying it on. I’m not sure if it works that way for every pet, but it sure did for Chester. Both golden retrievers and poodles are very smart dogs, which bodes well for training purposes of a Golden Doodle.
I’ve been asked many times as to why Chester has shorter fur on the front of both of his paws. He chews it off when we are gone. I’m guessing it’s anxiety. A few have also told me it could be an allergy that he has to some kind of food. We haven’t noticed that being the issue, so I’m leaning more on the side of anxiety.
We never used a crate with Chester because we had a hallway with a tile floor that we could pen him in during the work day when he was little. We just used a baby gate in the doorway of the hallway and let him stay in there. It worked really well for us until he got old enough that he could jump over the gate. We then just began training him to stay downstairs. It took a few months of leaving a baby gate at the bottom of our stairs, but eventually he learned to stay downstairs. At this point, he won’t even go upstairs unless we invite him to come. At that time, our whole upstairs was carpet, so it was just easier for him to stay downstairs (on the tile flooring) if there ended up being an accident of his that we needed to clean up. We never went upstairs and just left him alone for an extended time downstairs, we would always invite him to come up if we were going to be up there for a while…that way we could keep an eye on him.
Chester has never been much of a “chewer”. We don’t deal with him chewing all of our things up. I was glad that was not a trait of his. He also doesn’t bark much. Our neighbors even told us they didn’t know we had a dog for a while when they moved in because he never barks. I would say the only time Chester barks is if he hears someone at the front door, or if we left him outside for longer than he wants. He doesn’t like to be alone outside when we leave him to go to the bathroom…about 5 minutes is max for him. He loves to be around his people.
He loves going to the dog park, but we don’t take him a lot after he was attacked by a neighbor dog. He loves his walks just as much and I think he prefers that over going to the park now. I hope this helps answer the questions that I receive a lot about Chester. He is such a kind-hearted pup and loves, loves, loves his family, and we love him back just as much!
Sources:
Chester’s Favorite Natural Treats
Furbo Dog Camera-(we use this with Chester when we are gone and he loves it)
How do you keep his paws from getting too hot when he out walking in the summer?
I think he’s great and show him to my husband when he plays dead!
We take him when it’s cool in the mornings or late at night in the summer. We can’t take him when it’s hot, bc it’s super scorcher when it’s hot. Isn’t he so cute when he plays dead, lol
My niece has a doodle but he gets very excited and jumps up on me every time I see him. I don’t like being around him because of that so how do you make them not jump up on people.
Chester still loves to do that but we have done our best to train him not too, it’s tough sometimes when they are super excited, but the spray that I listed does help when they aren’t listening
you may want to try the “thundershirt” for Chester as the weather gets warmer. it’s much thinner than the coat he wears now, and it’s likely a feeling of security that he likes with something wrapped around him. I use one for my yorkie poo.
I’ve never heard of that! I’m going to look it up right now! Thank you!
Yes, a Thundershirt or even a regular T shirt that fits a bit snug but not tight. I really feel that if you put it away, he might not be happy for a while, but he would eventually realize he feels just fine without it.
Good tips! Thank you! I might try one of those thundershirts
My daughters dog chewed his paws all the time, They thought it was separation anxiety it turned out he was allergic to chicken, he no longer chews his paws.
Oh wow, I wonder if there is something in Chester’s dog food that could be bothering him.
Would love to see a photo of Chester when he was a puppy in stories
Oh yes, I will see if I can find one!
Thank you Natalie for sharing about Chester..He sure is a beautiful boy! He always cheers my day up when you include him in your stories..I love how you’ll say “Oh Hi Chester” Lol
He is such a sweet pup! I’m so glad that you enjoy him too! He is so cute!
Chester is such a character. He is so much fun to watch with your family. I love that he will get in a photo shot because he knows he’ll get a treat❤ My dog Lolla turns her head and I have to be quick to get a picture. She’s a rescue. Part golden and part terrier. She has a long body and short little legs. I got her a year ago this past Sept. She’ll be 4 in April. She is the best furbaby. Such a cuddler. You have a beautiful family and I love watching your DIYs. And love when he plays dead!????
Awww, she sounds so cute! Aren’t pups so much fun! I just love watching them and seeing their personality shine! Thank you so much for being so kind!
This was such a fun share, I love Chester! I also agree about the thunder shirt, it’s like a security blanket for them. Love following you and watching your stories, truly make my day!
I love that you all are such responsible dog owners! I do rescue work and you can’t believe the number of people who get dogs and then just discard them because they aren’t perfect or the have baby. Heartbreaking for sure. Anyway…Chester is perfect. I have a Standard Poodle and she is awesome, but she was like having a toddler when I first got hers for lots of work????. She is 8 years old now and we love her! If folks are looking for a doodle they can look on FB for doodle rescue site too. Lots of great dogs need homes and they might just find a Chester!;). Thanks Natalie for answering questions on sweet Chester.
Thank you for sharing! We have been considering getting a Goldendoodle for about 4 years now and reading this make me want one even more:)
Chester is in a good home that’s for sure. (And he’s pretty cute!) it took me a long time to find the right dog. Henry is an English/American cocker spaniel and has a great temperament. He is almost 5 years old and is finally not quite as “puppyish” as he used to be. But I have to say, when you the right breed for you it’s awesome!
Chester is so precious! He sounds a lot like our goldendoodle! They are just the BEST!!! And I love seeing him in all your pictures! Thanks for sharing!!! ????
I have a litter of golden doodles if anyone is looking
I LOVE Chester! He could be model in any magazine. I have a standard poodle and they both have the same characteristics, they even lay the same way. My girl just wants to be with me and does anything to please you, very sweet. She also has separation anxiety and I have used the Thundershirt. Hope you and family are well.
Thank you, Sass! I may be looking into those shirts! I’m hearing great things about them!
Natalie, I love Chester. He was one of the many reasons I follow your blog and on IG. You and Chester are adorable. I have just retired and would love to get Goldendoole. I was surprised at the cost of them. Maybe when my husband retires and we are home more…we can look into getting one. WE had a Golden Retreiver for about 14yrs (we lost her in 2015) She too, like Chester, was so very LOYAL to us and we were to her. Very Loving.
Thanks so listening…Keep up the great job on your stories and STAY HEALTHY
God Bless
coni
Thank you, Coni! So sorry for your loss! She sounds like a sweet pup!
Thanks for sharing about Chester and answering all the questions. He is so fortunate that he belongs to your family. Keep the stories and pictures of Chester coming so we can get our fill. He is lived by many.
I sure will!
Love by many. So sorry didn’t catch error
Thank you, Connie!
Chester is adorable! It looks like you might live in AZ (I live in Tucson). There is a breeder down here named Kristin who took over Tucson Goldendoodles and owns Rockin Z Dog Ranch. Our GD Barkley passed away a year ago, we are waiting on her next litter. We also have a bernedoodle named Cooper.
Enjoyed meeting Chester and I love your decorating!
Thank you so much, Lisa! I’ve never seen a bernedoodle! Now I must look it up!
I love Chester. We have two goldendoodles. They are such great dogs. I enjoy your blog.
Thank you so much, Janelle! Love sweet goldendoodles!
I was just curious why you decided not to neuter Chester? I just love him!!! ????
Hi Christy! Sure! We actually thought we might have pups with him some day, but it just never happened.
Hello there,
Our family is also blessed with a beloved dog named Chester, a mini goldendoodle F1B, He is turning 6 next week.
Lorraine
Aw, what a sweetie! Happy Birthday to your sweet pup!
Enjoyed your post about Chester! It speaks to my experience with my dogs over the past 30 years: you don’t always get the dog you were planning on, but you got the one that wanted you and that you love. Also, no matter what breed or temperament you dog is/has it takes some time for the dog to grow into his/her adult dog self and become that permanent family member that loves his/her family!
Yes, so true! Love the way you put it!
I enjoyed reading your post about Chester. I am also the proud Mom of a mini goldendoodle named Nala.
Love your blog!!
Stefanie
how sweet! My mom used to have a cat named Nala…such a cute name!
Your post came up on my curated Google news. Chester is darling. We’ve had labradoodles for 13 years. Check out my podcast for doodle lovers: podcast.doodlekisses.com
Oh I love labradoodles too! Awesome!
Chester is very handsome! We love our doodle, Cooper. They are wonderful dogs. They are intelligent, loyal, and comical. Cooper is a medium sized doodle. For those that don’t know, doodles come in small, medium, and standard sizes depending on the size of the poodle in their bloodline. Cooper has some crazy habits like doing a somersault sometimes when he lays down. He also has the scary habit of eating socks. But overall, tgey are great pets. I highly recommend.
Aw, Cooper sounds so cute! They are such fun dogs! And, uh oh on the socks…Chester likes the snot kleenex my kids leave lying around, lol
I got the Furbo for my two cats. I travel a lot for my job so it’s great to be able to see them and toss a treat while I’m away. One of them has become quite the treat monster and I get several selfie alerts a day!
Chester and your family are so sweet. Thanks for sharing.
Aw your cats sound so sweet! I love cats! Isn’t the furbo so great!
I love Chester. He is a favorite of the infamous Instagram pups I see. ????
Aw thank you Shanna! He’s definitely such a sweet pup!
Chester brings out all the warm and fuzzy feelings in us all. Such a beautiful, sweet dog. I think we all love him as much as your and your family do!