Goldendoodles: A Guide to Chewing Bully Sticks

by Kirby Kendall (Inventor of EverChew)

Goldendoodles combine the gentle, retrieving nature of Golden Retrievers with the intelligence and low-shedding coat of Poodles. These friendly, energetic dogs get moderate jaw strength from both parent breeds but possess the mental stimulation needs and oral fixation tendencies that make them want to chew a lot.

Balanced Bite Mechanics from Dual Heritage
Goldendoodles typically inherit the mesocephalic skull shape from their Golden Retriever parentage, giving them a moderately long muzzles with balanced jaw mechanics. This skull provides broader nasal cavities for excellent scenting abilities, well-proportioned jaw leverage, and few dental crowding issues.

The bite force of Goldendoodles typically ranges from 150-200 PSI, which is a mixes strength of their parent breeds. So Goldendoodles possess significantly more jaw power than their gentle demeanor might suggest. Their dental alignment has an excellent scissor-bite pattern where upper teeth slightly overlap lower teeth, promoting efficient chewing.

In Short—Which EverChew Holder?
Many Goldendoodles will do okay with the green Medium EverChew Plus holder, which balances durability with flexibility. But there are chew-crazy doodles that will need the SuperChew.

Understanding Bully Stick Benefits and Why Holders Are Essential
Goldendoodles are natural chewers, inheriting this trait from both their Golden Retriever and Poodle ancestry. This chewing behavior serves multiple important purposes: dental health maintenance, mental stimulation, stress relief, and jaw muscle exercise. The breed's high intelligence means they particularly benefit from the mental engagement that appropriate chewing (aka, keeps them from getting bored).

Bully sticks are pure protein treats (similar to beef jerky) that offer ideal texture for Goldendoodle dental health. As they're firm but gradually soften during chewing, they act like natural toothbrushes, effectively scraping away plaque and tartar buildup.

However, once any bully stick is chewed down to a small stub, Goldendoodles can swallow these pieces whole. While many stubs pass through safely, some can lodge in the throat or digestive tract, creating choking hazards or intestinal blockages requiring emergency veterinary care.

Life Stage Considerations and Chewing Patterns
Puppy Phase (3-7 months): Goldendoodle puppies experience particularly intense chewing during their teething period. Their intelligence means they're highly exploratory, often targeting shoes, charging cables, and other household items that provide interesting textures and scents. This phase requires redirection to appropriate chew items (like the EverChew).

Adult Phase (8+ months): While destructive chewing typically settles around 8-12 months, adult Goldendoodles continue moderate to enthusiastic chewing throughout their lives. Boredom-induced chewing can spike if their high exercise and mental stimulation needs aren't met through daily activities like fetch, puzzle toys, or training sessions.

Senior Phase: Older Goldendoodles often appreciate softer chewing options, and bully sticks provide excellent low-impact dental exercise for maintaining gum health as they age.

Selection Guidelines
Choose the Medium EverChew Plus if your Goldendoodle:

• Demonstrates average chewing (i.e., doesn't tear up EVERYTHING).
• Has older teeth that may be damaged by a nylon holder.

Consider the Large SuperChew if your Goldendoodle:

• Has destroyed other chew toys or holders
• Shows aggressive chewing needs.