Gulliver

I would like to introduce you to sweet Gulliver. Gulliver is a 10 week old mini Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever/Min Poodle mix) with the softest wavy golden coat, a fluff ball.  Due to his birth place at a puppy mill not being in the best environment he was very malnourished, thin, and had a missing eye when we got him.  With many vet appointments and medication he is on his way to being a healthy pup.  He had a heart murmur noted when we got him but as many pups out grow it while they get older it is being monitored.  At his last vet check this past week there was no murmur noted so we do believe it is resolving on its own but will need continued checks as he grows.  We have him on a well balance diet and a road to recovery.  We also feel he was looked over due to the fact that he only has one eye.  As far as we know he was born with an eye socket but just has no eye ball.  With his confident personality it doesn’t seem to bother him one bit and doesn’t stop him from doing everything any other puppies can do.  Do not let this deter you from coming to meet this terrific adorable boy as you would never know unless you were right in front of him.

Gulliver is a regular pup in every way, cute, funny, spunky, loveable and the best cuddlier.  He is determined to live his very best life at every moment possible. Gulliver has the kind of energy that we all need in our lives, loving and spirited pup.   

Doodles are mixed breed dogs and therefore exhibit a spectrum of behaviours that are present in the breeds of their parents, however there are some behavioural characteristics that are very common that people should make note of.  First, Doodles have a tendency to be very social dogs that do much better with their people around and engaged with them more than not.  A Doodle that is left alone for long periods of time regularly can develop depression, anxiety, become obsessive about certain activities and these can result in other destructive behaviours.  Doodles also have a tendency to be high energy dogs that need an abundance of mental and physical exercise, especially as they are growing into adulthood. These are not couch potato dogs that are content with a few short walks a day.  If you have a more laid back lifestyle and are a homebody, a Doodle will not likely be a great match for you.  They are very intelligent dogs who like to work, so taking them beyond basic training is highly recommended to help them live their best life.  They like to push boundaries and challenge you and many Doodle owners have claimed their dogs are always two to three steps ahead of them!  

I would like to make very clear here that Gulliver is NOT hypoallergenic.  He is a “Mini Goldendoodle” which means he is part Golden Retriever, a shedding dog.  His fur is so soft and fluffy and it’s impossible to not bury your face into him to give kisses.  If you are allergic to dogs and expecting to do this without sneezing you are out of luck!  He will not be a suitable dog for allergy sufferers, sorry!  Gulliver also requires regular brushing as his fur will easily mat up if not kept up.  Regular trips to the groomer to keep him nicely trimmed will also be required.  There is quite a bit of upkeep with this coat type and it can become a huge mess quickly so the time and energy to keep up this type of coat will have to be taken into consideration as well.  This is quite the undertaking and not something everyone wants to take on or has the time or desire to do.  If you have the time and will to take on a big commitment, then Gulliver just might be the right boy for you. 

Gulliver’s absolute favourite things in life are loving humans, being loved, and food and not necessarily in that order.  Gulliver is exactly what you would expect from a Goldendoodle puppy, he is adorably goofy, friendly, super playful, and so sweet.  He’s a little fluff ball who wants to be the center of attention.  He loves to be involved and often if I’m in the middle of something a little fluffy head will poke in just to check to see if I need any help and if you’re sitting on the couch or chair he will situate himself right on or beside you.  Gulliver has three modes: asleep, awake but cute and cuddly, and pure playful puppy!   

Gulliver is a smart dog and a quick learner, he is doing a fantastic job with house training, sleeping in his crate and some basic commands.  Though he is very young he is catching on to going to the door when he needs to go potty, loves knowing he will get a treat after.  His new humans will need to be on top of his housetraining so he can continue with his progress.  He will have naps in his crate as well can sleep 4 hours without needing out to relieve himself. He will need continued support as his ability to hold his bladder grows but we are very impressed with how quickly he is learning that he is supposed to only go to the bathroom outside.  We are working on the sit and come command, which he is putting together the fact that sitting politely gets him a treat or just praise.  He takes pride in the command “come”, he comes so quick and seems very proud of himself.  Consistent work is need on commands, so his new humans will need to dedicate time for this many times throughout the day. 

Gullivers perfect home will be one with humans who love him endlessly.  He will have a hard time if he is left alone for long.  His ideal situation would be one where he isn’t home alone for more than 4 hours during a day.  He would love a large yard to run around and work on his basic training.  Walking will need to be a big part of his days, the worst thing for him would be to be cupped up in a crate all day and only get one to a small walk a day.  Gulliver would need and love a few long walks a day, or hiking, biking and even running along side if you are a jogger/runner.  We have exposed him to adventure trail walks and he LOVES them and has the confidence to tackle walking over logs, through water/mud puddles and through branches.  To be the best companion his physical as well as mental exercise will need to be met.  If you have the outdoorsy lifestyle he would be a fantastic companion.

Gulliver has had a chance to be social with other dogs as we have two of our own, as well as another foster pup in the household, he does great.  He is still learning his boundaries and is growing fast so would likely do well with another well natured dog in the house.  It’s hard to say how he would behave around a cat but likely he would be his playful self.  But, not knowing how to read the cats signals he would need to be taught appropriate behaviour around a cat.

Gulliver could happily go to a home with children age 6 or older.  He still hasn’t totally learned how not to nip or chew and though his nibbles to us as adults are quite soft, for young children it could be painful, plus he tends to jump up still. That being said Gulliver would make a fantastic companion for a family with children as he is lots of fun and has a wonderful playful energy.

Gulliver will be a medium sized dog when he is fully grown and his forever family will need to be confident with a mid sized adult goofball of a dog.  Anyone interested in Gulliver needs to know that he could quite easily be 40lbs.  We don’t know as again, this is a mixed breed dog and it will depend on if he takes on more of the Poodle body type or the Golden Retriever body type.  Either way, he is going to be an energetic dog that will need a confident handler.

Gulliver is too little to be neutered  before adoption so potential adopters must live within a reasonable distance (within an hour) of Cambridge as he must be returned to our vet to be neutered (included in adoption cost). Adopters must be able to drop him off in the morning and pick up later that day for this surgery.  Adopters will be responsible for the continuation of his vaccinations and all other required vet care at their veterinarian of choice.  He will have had everything medically that a pup of his age should have and has been microchipped as well.  His forever family must also not have any holidays away planned for months coming up after adoption or be planning to move in the near future.  Stability is key in months after adoption

Gulliver has done well in his training so far, but as we all know he is just a puppy and will give your patience a workout when he gets into a goofy mood and inevitably breaks rules that he knows he’s not supposed to break.  Gullivers future family must be calm and diligent with correcting his behaviour and giving him lots of praise when he does the right thing.  Gulliver LOVES making his humans happy and loves being praised.  He learns fast but we want to remind potential adopters that he is very new to the world and so he needs guidance and support.  He is a good puppy, but a puppy none the less and puppies are tiring and need constant support while they grow and navigate the world.  Having previous puppy experience, or experience with a high energy dog would be a great asset for a potential adopter.

Overall Gulliver is the epitome of what you would expect of a “Goldendoodle” puppy.  He is clingy and curious and a companion animal through and through.  Gulliver is going to make a family VERY happy and will be a great addition to anyone with an active lifestyle who has a lot of time and love to give.  We cannot wait to see Gulliver in his forever home so that he can continue to give his whole heart to his people.