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A curly red Goldendoodle touches noses with a tall chestnut horse on a backyard lawn with a garden hose behind them 23 / 37

A Curly Red Dog and a Chestnut Horse Meet Nose to Nose

AI imagegoldendoodlehorse and dogfirst meeting

First meetings can be a little nervous, and this one is going very well. A curly red Goldendoodle stands in the grass with his chin lifted, nose reaching toward the long face of Copper the chestnut horse. The horse lowers his head to meet him, ears soft and eyes kind. A green garden hose lies coiled on the lawn, and an overturned bucket and a pair of boots sit near the old wooden fence behind them.

Goldendoodles are a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle, and they are often friendly, sociable dogs. As with any mixed breed, personality and coat can vary, so some are curlier, calmer or more energetic than others. Sniffing noses is how dogs and horses gather information about each other, so a long, slow sniff is a good sign. When introducing a dog to a new animal, keep the dog on a leash at first, stay calm yourself and let the animals approach each other at their own pace. If either shows stiff posture, pinned ears or fear, give them space and try again later. Your vet or a trainer can help with tricky introductions.

This pair has skipped straight to the friendly part. There is no barking, no hurry and no drama, only two curious faces who have decided that the other one seems just fine. It is a good start to a friendship, and probably the first of many long sniffs to come.

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