What is a Phantom Goldendoodle?
Many people always wonder if Phantom Goldendoodles are a different dog breed altogether or if they come with special needs in terms of care and grooming. Actually, a Phantom Goldendoodle has a similar temperament as any other Goldendoodle and will not require any special care. But what makes this breed so unique? I did some research, and here is what I found.
The uniqueness of a Phantom Goldendoodle lies in their coat color and markings. This Phantom Goldendoodle is simply a type of Goldendoodle with two coat colors, with special markings and the colors appearing on specific parts of the body. They are so rare that we cannot possibly predict the outcome of having a Phantom Goldendoodle offspring in the breeding process.
Phantom Goldendoodles will not develop their markings as they grow. This means that this puppy will have the same color as it matures, and also, the location of its secondary color will remain the same. So, if you are interested in buying or adopting this rare but extremely beautiful dog breed, keep reading to find out more about this breed.
What Is A Phantom Goldendoodle?
Bred from a Golden Retriever and a Poodle, a Phantom Goldendoodle is a type of Goldendoodle that comes in different color combinations, with the primary color being either black, red, chocolate, or silver.
A black Phantom Goldendoodle may come with a secondary color of either brown, red, gray, silver, or apricot. In contrast, red and chocolate Phantom Goldendoodles are apricot, whereas silver Phantom Goldendoodles are typically cream and silver.
The phantom coloring, also known as Dobie marking, is quite similar to a Manchester Terrier, Yorkie, or Doberman Pinscher.
To define the phantom color, the primary color should cover most of the Goldedoodle’s body, including the head and legs. For the secondary color, it should only appear in specific places, such as the chest, eyes, inside the ears, muzzle, under the tail, and lower leg parts.
Are Phantom Goldendoodles Rare?
Phantom Goldendoodles are considered to be a rare dog breed because of its unique marking. A dog with phantom coloring means that it has to come in two different colors.
However, there is more to the phantom coloring than just bringing two colors together because the secondary color of the dog, as mentioned previously, must be in specific locations for it to be considered phantom. This makes the dog very difficult to breed or to find.
How Big Do Phantom Goldendoodles Get?
An adult Phantom Goldendoodle can be between 20 to 24 inches tall with a weight of 50 to 90 lbs. However, the parents of your Phantom Goldendoodle greatly impact the size and weight of the dog.
Physical Appearance
Apart from the coat color, the Phantom Goldendoodle has no major differences from other Goldendoodles when it comes to physical appearance.
Just like the other Goldendoodles, they have three types of coat, including straight coat, wavy coat, and curly coat. However, the dog must come in two different colors, where the secondary color is in specific locations as elaborated previously.
How Long Do Phantom Goldendoodles Live?
Phantom Goldendoodles have an average lifespan of between 10 to 15 years. Despite being known to be healthy dogs, they may experience genetic predispositions to certain health conditions.
Common Health Issues
Depending on how well the dominant genes are expressed from the breed parentage, Phantom Goldendoodles are prone to different health conditions as described below:
- Cataracts – This condition makes the dog’s eyes cloudy therefore affecting the dog’s vision. This doesn’t mean the dogs will completely lose their vision, and surgery may be performed on younger dogs to clear cataracts. However, for older dogs, the condition may go untreated.
- Arthritis – This condition mostly occurs with aging Phantom Goldendoodles, especially those suffering from hip dysplasia.
- Hip dysplasia – This condition is known to limit the dog’s movement and cause pain. Dog owners usually use medication to treat the condition, but the dog may need surgery for severe cases.
- Skin sensitivities – This condition is easy to treat and is caused by a wide range of factors, including shampoos, food or treats, etc.
- Epilepsy – It is a neurological disorder that may lead to seizures and serious implications if left untreated.
- Allergies – This condition is usually the aftermath of an exposure to allergens from the outdoor environments, living spaces and food intakes.
How To Take Care Of Your Phantom Goldendoodle?
When it comes to providing the right care for your Phantom Goldendoodle, there are several aspects to consider, such as an exercise routine, a high-quality diet, multivitamin supplementation and the use of dental water additives.
Exercise
A Phantom Goldendoodle will need at least 30 minutes of exercise daily where you can walk or play with them. Exercising is important in keeping them mobile and their weight in check.
It is also crucial to note that the amount of exercise the dog requires is dependent on its energy levels, size, age, and the individual dog itself. However, too much exercise can cause more harm than good.
Multivitamins
Multivitamins will help supplement a healthy diet to ensure the dog gets all the necessary nutrients required. They also help treat or prevent some ailments.
For example, vitamins A, E, and C are very important to a dog since they can help prevent or reduce the symptoms of certain health conditions. Omega fatty acids, specifically from fish oils, are also a great addition.
Diet
When it comes to the diet, a Phantom Goldendoodle should have a nutritious and well-balanced diet. Since many Goldendoodles have a sensitive stomach, feeding them with human food may upset the stomach.
This is why, to avoid these issues, you should feed the dog with high-quality dog food. For this reason, we recommend Pet Plate for vet-developed meals that are nutritious, fresh, and safe for your dog to consume.
Dental Water Additives
Dental water additives help clean the dog’s gums, mouth, and teeth, just like a mouthwash does the same for humans. They are added to the dog’s drinking water on a daily basis as a way to keep the dog’s mouth healthy. They also come in handy to help kill bacteria, reduce bad breath and tartar buildup.
Are Phantom Goldendoodles Aggressive? Temperaments Of Phantom Goldendoodles
Generally, Goldendoodles are not an aggressive breed, and so are Phantom Goldendoodles. They are one of the sweetest dogs one can own since they are quite friendly and well-behaved.
Furthermore, Phantom Goldendoodles are very easy to train, owing to the high intelligence trait they are likely to inherit from the Poodle’s parentage. Always exercise patience and reward them with treats during training.
Can Phantom Goldendoodles Be Left Alone?
Phantom Goldendoodles do better when they are with someone at home, and when left alone, they may become aggressive or destructive in ways, such as incessant digging and chewing on furniture.
However, with proper training and socialization, they can be left home alone for a few hours so that you can complete your periodic errand runs.
Do Phantom Goldendoodles Bark A Lot?
Phantom Goldendoodles actually don’t bark a lot. Their quiet personality makes them a great choice as a family pet, especially for new owners living in apartments who are considerate towards their neighbors.
Do Phantom Goldendoodles Suffer From Separation Anxiety?
Phantom Goldendoodles often suffer from separation anxiety because they enjoy human interaction and should not be left alone beyond 8 hours. Unfortunately, this is when the dogs tend to misbehave the most.
Are Phantom Goldendoodles High Maintenance? Grooming Tips For Phantom Goldendoodles
Phantom Goldendoodles are not high maintenance, and they do not have any special needs from other types of Goldendoodles. They are generally healthy dogs with average needs, and most of the time, they easily adjust to different living situations.
Do Phantom Goldendoodles Shed?
Phantom Goldendoodles boasts low shedding and hypoallergenic abilities of the coat. This means that these dogs rarely shed, but they may shed a bit more during their shedding seasons.
Here are additional grooming tips to reduce the shedding and ensure the dog stays healthy.
Bathing
Bathing the Phantom Goldendoodle at least once in two months using a great dog shampoo such as the Pro Pet Works All Natural 5 In 1 Oatmeal Shampoo is recommended to ensure the dog remains healthy and make it easy to brush through the tangles.
However, do not overdo it because bathing the dog too often may strip away the natural essential oils protecting their skin.
Brushing Their Coats
Brushing their coats weekly is quite crucial to tangle out the hair and, in turn, reduce shedding. With the Furminator Undercoat Tool, brushing is made easier.
This tool features gentle bristles and an ergonomically designed handle to provide a better grip. This makes it safe to use and protects your dog’s skin from scratches.
Check Their Ears
It is crucial to examine the Phantom Goldendoodles’ ears at least weekly to ensure there are no signs of infection such as redness or bad odor.
Cleaning fluid and cotton balls can be used to clean the outer part of the ear only. Do not insert anything in the ear as it may result in injury and pain in the ear.
Trim Their Nails
Trimming their nails at least once a month is recommended because nails that are too long may result in injuries. However, their nails tend to get filed down naturally if they exercise very often, which means that you won’t need to do the trimming.
Color Options
Phantom isn’t a color, but rather a pattern of markings. This means that Goldendoodles can come in a variety of color combinations yet still be considered a phantom. Let’s take a look at the four main types, categorized by their primary colors…
Black Phantom Goldendoodle
Black phantom Goldendoodles are by far the most common type. The black primary color of their coat can be paired with a number of secondary colors including…
- Black and Gray
- Black and Silver
- Black and Apricot
- Black and Tan
- Black and Red
- Black and Cream
- Black and Brown
- Black and White
By far, the most common phantom colored Goldendoodle combination is the traditional black and tan look that resembles a Doberman.
Red Phantom Goldendoodle
Red as the primary color for phantom markings is extremely hard to come across. When you do see it, it’s almost always paired with an apricot, cream, or white secondary color.
Silver Phantom Goldendoodle
Silver is the next most common primary color for this coat pattern. It is usually pared with the secondary color of cream.
Related Questions
How Much Is A Phantom Goldendoodle?
Phantom Goldendoodles will have a price range of between $600 and $8,000. Ideally, the average cost of a Phantom Goldendoodle is $2,500. However, the cost of any Goldendoodle varies from one breeder to another and it is dependent on a variety of factors such as location, age and show quality breeds.
Do Poodles And Golden Retrievers Get Along?
Poodles and Golden Retrievers will easily get along because of their nearly identical traits like sociability, playfulness, and friendliness. They both make excellent friends with each other and love to mingle, as long as they are well trained and socialized early.
Do Phantom Goldendoodles Swim?
Phantom Goldendoodles love to swim because both their parents are water-loving dogs. They will enjoy being in the water, from boating to pools, beaches, and lakes. Furthermore, they are highly trainable, which means that you shouldn’t experience any challenges training the dog to swim.
