Irish Mastiff Hound vs Golden Doodle - Breed Comparison

The Irish Mastiff Hound is a huge dog – a mix of the English Mastiff and the Irish Wolfhound.

Both of these dogs have been around for a long time and actually have ancient histories. The Mastiff for instance has origins that date back to ancient times in China, while the Irish Wolfhound has origins that date far back to 391 AD.

Today this dog is regarded as an excellent companion for any home.

The Goldendoodle, known fondly as the Golden Poo, originates from the USA and was first bred in the 1990’s, coming about because of two popular dog breeds being mated together – the Golden Labrador and the Poodle.

He isn’t recognized as a standardized breed by any of the major kennel clubs. The beautiful dog was first bred in 1969 by Monica Dickens, and of course when everybody saw the little golden ball of sheer delight, everybody wanted one and the dog’s popularity soared.

The original purpose of the cross-breed was to develop guide dogs which would go down well with people with allergies. Today, not all Goldendoodles are hypoallergenic, but they’re also popular because they have a low shedding coat.

This is a large crossbreed which can stand at 85 to 91 cm in height and weigh in the region of 47kg to 74kg.

He essentially has the short, smooth coat of the Mastiff but other dogs may well inherit the longer, more wiry coat of the Wolfhound. Coloring of the coat can be quite varied and can be brown, grey, white, tan or black. Some dogs take more after the Mastiff while others have more Wolfhound characteristics. They have a large head, some have a somewhat wrinkly face because of the Mastiff side, the ears are fairly small and floppy and the tail is long.

Temperament:

Even though they're so huge, these are easy going dogs that are able to fit in well with most human families. Described as gentle giants, they are loving, loyal, easy-going, even-tempered and eager to please.

The Irish Mastiff does well in the city or in the country because he isn't particularly active and will be happy to have a comfortable spot to lie close to you, however with such a large dog, you will certainly need a garden.

The Goldendoodle is a medium sized dog, standing between 61 -66 cm in height and weighing between 14 – 20kg. Nothing is set in stone with regards to his size as the Poodle can be Toy, Miniature and Standard, meaning the Goldendoodle can be a smallish dog or he can be a large dog.

His coat is usually golden, cream, yellow, red and even leaning towards brown or black. It is mostly medium length and wavy or even curly. Many Goldendoodle owners send their pets in to have their coats professionally shorn.

He has medium length, floppy ears and the tail is long.

Temperament:

Making the most wonderful family pet and companion, Goldendoodles have just the right temperament for them to be used as therapy- or rescue dogs. They’re bright, outgoing alert, social, gentle, loving, patient with children, adults and pets and friendly and amicable as well.

They’ve inherited wonderful characteristics from both the poodle and the Golden Labrador. He is an energetic dog so even though he adapts well to city life or country life, he will need to have exercise as in walks and ball games.

Your big Irish Mastiff Hound is cool, confident and calm. He isn't particularly energetic and as long as he gets a nice walk as well as some mental stimulation, he'll be happy, wanting to spend a good part of the day lying close to where you are.

Socialization and training will be good for him and he learns easily. He is just a big gentle giant who promises to make you a wonderful canine friend.

Your Goldendoodle is sure to be a real joy in your home. He is a lively, healthy dog breed and when you treat him like a family member, a real deep bond can be developed.

He loves to be included in everything going on in the household and doesn't like being left alone for a long time. He has wonderful characteristics from the Golden Retriever and the Poodle as both these dog breeds are known for their friendly, patient, kind, amicable and intelligent personalities.

Easy to train, your Goldendoodle is obedient and wants to please, and is just waiting to become a loyal, loving friend in your family.

Many people find giant dogs irresistible because they're usually gentle, patient and loving. However, it is their very size which makes them more prone to certain health concerns and gives them a shorter lifespan.

It is why it is so important to ensure you feed your pet a healthy diet to ward off illness. A large dog like the Irish Mastiff doesn't have a particularly long lifespan, and with good care he can get to 9, 10, 11, 12 years of age.

Hip Dysplasia:

This condition is more common in large dogs and it can lead to joint degeneration, arthritis and pain. Your pet may even be reluctant to get up and greet you when you come home which can be very sad. Vet intervention will certainly be required.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy:

This heart disease is commonly seen in large dog breeds where the heart becomes weak so that it can't pump blood throughout the body. Coughing, difficulty with breathing, weakness and lethargy are just some of the symptoms of this disease and will also require veterinary intervention.

The Goldendoodle is a healthy dog, but each breed involved with bringing about the Goldendoodle - Poodles and Golden Retrievers – can be prone to hip dysplasia. Both dog breeds are also susceptible to inheritable eye disorders.

There are some common dog ailments worth knowing about. The idea is to get your pet to the vet as soon as possible when you detect that he isn’t his usual self.

Atopic Dermatitis:

Allergic skin disease is common in other dog breeds as well, and once the allergen is inhaled or absorbed, your pet can battle terribly with itchy, red skin. This inflammatory, chronic skin disease can drive your pet mad and you’ll see him scratching and licking continually. Get him to the vet as soon as possible because it may just be a case of changing his diet.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is something that can even be seen in young dogs when the hip joints don’t develop normally. It can cause arthritis, terrible pain and lameness with your pet.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy:

You’ll notice that your pet battles to see- and get around at night. Signs of night blindness can lead to loss of vision, particularly with your middle-aged Goldendoodle.

Grooming:

He has a short coat, and grooming of this laid-back dog will include brushing him twice a week, trimming his nails and making sure that you check inside his ears for ear infection.

Diet:

Large dogs have special nutritional needs, particularly because they are more prone to illnesses such as hip dysplasia. You want to make sure that the foods he eats are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin, amino acids and antioxidants because these will ensure proper joint health.

You've got to be careful what you feed a large breed dog because of the weight management issue too. Excess weight puts stress on the joints and promotes the development of osteoarthritis. Speak to your vet about portion control and meat protein for your pet and how to ensure excellent nutrition to avoid common dog illnesses.

Fresh, cool water needs to be available to your pet every minute of the night and day.

Quality Time:

Taking care of a Goldendoodle isn't only about feeding him and seeing he has a fresh bowl of water available. It’s about making him part of the family and giving him love and attention just like with any family member. He needs -

Good nutritious food to keep him healthy.

A warm dry place to sleep at night.

A place during the day that offers shade from the sun and shelter from the rain.

He needs to be brushed to remove loose hairs, have his nails trimmed, his ears checked for infection and his teeth brushed 2 or 3 times a week.

He needs to be exercised – walks, ball and rope games, swimming and joining you in your activities.

He needs to be taken to the vet when he is showing signs of illness.

He needs love, care and attention just like any other family member.